Meet Team Smirk
Mike Koehler
FOUNDER & CHIEF STRATEGIST
How did you get to where you are today?
HOMETOWN: Springfield, MO
VOICE: Pioneer
COMPUTER: HP laptop
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? Stitcher, Reddit, Gmail, Google Calendar, a Pilot Precise V5 RT pen, a pocket knife and a handkerchief.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? Always add peanut butter to ramen noodles. And, if possible, an egg.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? There is a decision between every thought and action. If you take control of those decisions, you take control of your life.
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? Winning that game at the fair where you shoot the water into the clown’s mouth.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? Nichols Hills Starbucks.
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? How to be more content.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? Quality time with black-and-white movies.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? I grew up a legit nerd in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. I loved words, then the internet, then the crazy idea of starting a business. And it’s still a thing. Putting those steps together has been an incredible journey. I have an awesome wife and three outstanding kids and a very patient God. Han shot first.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? On the best days, we get to make people’s dreams come true.
Allie Carrick
PRESIDENT & MANAGING PARTNER
What’s your best shortcut or life hack?
SPECIALTIES: Marketing Strategy, Digital Ads, Project Management, Running the Biz
HOMETOWN: Des Moines, IA
VOICE: Guardian
COMPUTER: iMac and MacBook Pro
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? Grammarly is a timesaver. Receipt Bank keeps me from carrying folders of business receipts around.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? If I’m working at odd times, rather than sending emails out at Zero Dark Thirty, I use Boomerang to schedule emails.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? An exhausted person can’t operate at their highest level. Take time to recharge to be the best for your family and team.
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? Random trivia and facts.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? At home in comfy pants or in a booth at All About Cha.
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? I’m learning about new conversion optimization strategies.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? Going to the movies or a day with no set schedule.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? While normal kids were playing tag, I had a very elaborate pretend business with my cousin out of our grandparents’ basement. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a big imagination. When I joined Mike on the Smirk journey in 2011, I was ready to grind to grow this new start-up. More than a decade later, Smirk is a dream realized and I’m grateful.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? Our people make Smirk special. We have some of the most talented, thoughtful and compassionate pros in the business. They don’t just do great work, but they care — about their clients and teammates.
Lee Emerson
CLIENT SERVICE DIRECTOR
What do you love about working at Smirk?
HOMETOWN: Oklahoma City, OK
VOICE: Nurturer
COMPUTER: Dell PC
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? The Taco Bell app saved my life. Also, Spotify on every device.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? You can immediately improve your life by staying hydrated. Also, don’t leave your clothes in the dryer even if you’re feeling lazy.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Don’t make decisions when you’re angry.
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? I only cry a little bit when I get tattoos.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? On my couch under a blanket wearing headphones while my dog sleeps next to me.
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? How amazing Star Trek is and new strategies for dynamic digital ads.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? I can only truly recharge when I’m alone, so laying on the couch watching one of my favorite movies is the fastest way for me to reset. Also, taking a walk with no screen time.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? My BA is in Linguistics – I picked the field because I love to read and I’m bad at math. This has served me well, as I have to do very little math in my day-to-day and I get to read and write a ton. Joking aside, digital advertising has been a natural fit and is constantly, excitingly evolving.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? I love the culture. I love the relationships I have with my coworkers, founded on kindness and a desire to collaborate. I love the fact that everyone has a dog.
Emily Martinez
SENIOR STRATEGIST
Best advice you’ve ever received?
HOMETOWN: Austin, TX
VOICE: Guardian
COMPUTER: MacBook Pro
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? I can’t live without my iPhone. I use my phone to manage work communication, verify mobile-friendliness, and keep up with the latest on my personal accounts. Also, Grammarly saves me from spending hours searching the AP Stylebook every day.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? Dress for success. In professional environments, confidence is key and taking some extra time to get ready and pick out a great outfit can make all the difference.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Read your writing out loud to yourself. Your ears will catch things your eyes might not.
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? My hearing is unreal. My mom calls me elephant ears.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? I feel like I get my best work done at home on my living room couch.
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? Currently, I am working on becoming fluent in HTML and CSS so I can enhance my website skills to complement my SEO skills.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? I like to recharge by listening to podcasts, baking, online shopping, and playing with my dog, Spock.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? My passion for writing began in high school when I spent two years as a Contributing Writer for The Austin American Statesman. It may come as a surprise that I almost became an engineer, but I love math, logic, and problem-solving. By specializing in SEO/websites I get to be creative and techie while working as a full-stack marketing professional.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? I love Monday huddles. I love my coworkers. I love Smirk’s promotion of professional development. I love having a dog-friendly office. I love Smirkstorms at R&J’s. I love that work is never boring.
Rachel Haynes
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
What apps, gadgets or tools can’t you live without?
HOMETOWN: Tulsa, OK
VOICE: Guardian
COMPUTER: MacBook Pro
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? A Wacom tablet, the Adobe Creative Suite, a good old-fashioned sketchbook, and Slack. Bless you, Slack.
HOW DO YOU KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING YOU DO? I’m a big list maker. I’ll organize everything in Asana and then transfer over those projects to my physical sketchbook.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? Not hitting snooze. As hard as it is, getting up as soon as my alarm goes off saves time and makes me more productive.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Stephen King has a great quote from his book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? Rock climbing?
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? Home or a quiet coffee shop.
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? Currently expanding my web design and coding skill set.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? Hiking, rock climbing, and reading.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? I graduated with a degree in graphic design from Oklahoma State University and started my career as a Motion Designer at a creative agency. My next position was as an Art Director for the same agency.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? I love working at Smirk because our team is so passionate, everyone is always striving for the best and supporting one another. We have a fantastic culture.
Clara Wilson
STRATEGIST
How do you recharge or take a break?
HOMETOWN: Crestview, FL
VOICE: Guardian
COMPUTER: MacBook Air
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? iPhone, Spotify and Facebook
HOW DO YOU KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING YOU DO? I have a physical planner I color coordinate and write everything down in, then I transfer my physical notes to the Calendar on my iPhone.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? Always be kind.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? If you can count your true friends on one hand then you’re more lucky than most.
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? Random Disney facts
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? At home with my dog
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? I’m learning how to navigate all of the tools Smirk uses on a daily basis.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? I recharge by spending time with my family or watching The Office with my dog.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? My love for writing and social media began because of my dad being in the military. During the times he was deployed, we would video chat through Skype or I would watch the news to see what was going on (Pre Twitter and Facebook)! The digital world is constantly changing and I enjoy learning new aspects of it and getting to connect with people through it.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? I love the culture! Smirk is in the business of people and it’s exciting to be surrounded by hardworking, thoughtful and professional individuals.
Trey Rhoades
STRATEGIST
How do you keep track of everything you do?
HOMETOWN: Choctaw, OK
VOICE: Nurturer
COMPUTER: MacBook
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? My phone and laptop.
HOW DO YOU KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING YOU DO? I use Google Calendar, Asana, and handwritten to-do lists.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? A positive attitude saves time. Shift your focus from problems to solutions.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Become comfortable taking constructive criticism.
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? I’m good at carpentry.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? I enjoy working from coffee shops.
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? I’m learning about SEO, reputation management, and much more!
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? I love to make music in my spare time.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? Discovering my passion for writing and digital media in high school, I went on to earn a degree in Advertising and PR from East Central University. After gaining agency experience as a media buyer, I know to put my skills in writing, content creation, and strategy to use with Smirk.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? Every person on the team here at Smirk is incredibly friendly, professional, enthusiastic, and collaborative!
Kelsey Jones
CONTENT CREATOR
What are you learning right now?
HOMETOWN: Yukon, OK
VOICE: Creative
COMPUTER: MacBook Air
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? My phone, Spotify, Twitter, and TikTok.
HOW DO YOU KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING YOU DO? I love to write everything down in a physical planner and in my calendar app on my phone.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? Always be open to learning new things.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Everything happens for a reason.
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? Creating viral TikToks.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? I love to sit on my porch and enjoy some fresh air while I get my work done.
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? I am currently learning all of the wonderful tools that Smirk uses on a daily basis.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? I put in my headphones and listen to one my carefully crafted playlists on Spotify.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? When choosing a major in college, I knew I wanted to find something that utilized my love of writing….and did not involve any math whatsoever. So I chose Strategic Communications and fell in love. Later in my educational career, Mike spoke to my Twitter for Media class. His passion for his company inspired me to reach out after graduation when I was job searching. I am so thankful I was given an opportunity to work with such a welcoming team.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? I love the culture surrounding Smirk. I am constantly inspired by the work that is done by this team. You can tell that they are very passionate about what they do and are always more than willing to help.
Dawson Hirt
JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Where's your favorite place to work remotely?
HOMETOWN: Frisco, TX
VOICE: Creative
COMPUTER: MacBook Pro
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? I definitely need Adobe Creative Cloud to work and create. Spotify and a good set of headphones or earbuds are a must to focus.
HOW DO YOU KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING YOU DO? Google Calendar has all of my deadlines and events.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? Using two monitors is much more efficient and easier to navigate.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Everything happens for a reason, keep moving forward.
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? Woodworking…a little.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? Typically, at my desk a home.
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? I am fascinated by AR and VR technology and how to combine that with my knowledge of graphic design. I want to bring that technology into everyday life.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? Binge watching a tv show or playing a board game with friends.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? I grew up in Frisco, Texas and graduated from Oklahoma State University where I studied Graphic Design and minored in Entrepreneurship and Philosophy. I have practiced graphic design for several years and always enjoyed using technology to create something new through creativity. Smirk has given me the opportunity to continue to advance my skills and continue to create and discover the world of design.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? Smirk has an incredible team of skilled members that welcomed me. Even during remote working, the team is easy to contact and meet with. There is a great amount of positivity and support at Smirk!
Kevin DeShazo
CULTURE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
What’s your hidden talent?
HOMETOWN: Tulsa, OK
VOICE: Connector
COMPUTER: MacBook Air
WHAT APPS, GADGETS OR TOOLS CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? Twitter, Evernote, Spotify, Tripit, Coffee
HOW DO YOU KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING YOU DO? Organization isn’t my greatest strength…
WHAT’S YOUR BEST SHORTCUT OR LIFE HACK? Drink more coffee.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Be who you were meant to be.
WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? Freestyle rap.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WORK REMOTELY? Clarity Coffee.
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW? To be better organized in order to be more effective.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE OR TAKE A BREAK? Running.
HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? I got addicted to Twitter while working in healthcare. While spending too much time on Twitter, I connected with Mike, we started Smirking when it was really just an idea in a coffee shop, and years later here we are changing the digital world with an incredible team and client list.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT SMIRK? The people, the culture, the vision. People talk about a “family” culture, but Smirk lives it. A group that loves each other, values each other, and fights for each other.
Want to work at Smirk?
