Bond with Bond: An Interview with Jade Alvarado, Employee of the Month

One might meet Jade Alvarado while touring a prospective office and would be immediately taken aback by her bold personal style. However, her unassuming intelligence, kindness and warmth are what really make her unique and such a pivotal member of our team. Read on as Jeffrey Jackowitz, CM at Bond Collective Greenpoint, learns more about how Jade got so cool…

JJ: Jade, it is with extreme joy and privilege that I get the honor to sit down and chat with you here at our Greenpoint location for your very well deserved Employee of The Month Interview.

I know that I can say this with the full support of our entire Bond Collective Team, that we are grateful for all of the hard and detailed work that you give each and everyday! We truly appreciate you. Now, I know everyone is super excited to hear and learn more about you. So without any further ado... let’s get it!

JJ: Can you please tell us about your role here at Bond Collective?

JA: I am the Community Sales Coordinator and I assist in facilitating all of our locations office pricing, draft examples and final contracts. I work at our corporate office (55 Broadway) so I’m there mostly everyday. Although, I frequently visit other locations to connect with our Community Teams and Members to make sure everything is flowing smoothly throughout the week.

JJ: What was your very first impression of Bond Collective when you started?

JA: My first impression was, “OH WOW!! This is really nice!” Everybody was just so friendly. It’s comforting to be in an environment where everyone is friendly and sincerely gets along. It’s a very different environment from where I was previously, so that was a big and welcomed change.

I didn’t know anything about Luxury Shared Office Spaces/CoWorking, when I started, so it was very different from what I was used to. But almost immediately I knew this is where I wanted to be. I feel good about what I’m doing and I feel very good about this company and the people here! 

JJ: What did you want to be when you were younger?

JA: I really wanted to be a personal stylist, which I did get to explore for a little while working in retail. It was nice to work directly with the customer and getting to know their style. Unfortunately, when the pandemic started, the need for personal stylists started to fizzle out so I had to rethink what I wanted to do.

JJ: Who or what had the biggest influence on your professional life?

JA: A few people I think, my Mother is definitely one! She didn’t get a chance to finish high school and instead got her GED. She’s incredible and one of the hardest working people I know. She worked for places like the WNBA and the TV show, The Simpsons. My dad is a super hard worker as well. He’s from Puerto Rico and lived in the projects growing up so college wasn’t an option or something he could afford. He worked at Macy’s on the janitorial staff for over thirty years, later becoming one of the head executives. Both of my parents were able to accomplish such greatness and I am so very proud of them!

One last person I have to mention is Jared, a previous manager and now a good friend. He is one of the nicest and most intellectual people I've ever met. He had a realistic outlook on retail management and always wanted to see you succeed. Similar to how David, our Director of Expansion, is to me. They care, they’re understanding, they’re available when you need something and listen to you.

JJ: I have a two part question for you, what’s your favorite Bond Collective location and what makes that location special to you?

JA: Oh no... you're going to make me choose? Aside from Greenpoint, I would have to say Center City! I really liked it there specifically because it has that little breakout library area tucked away in the upper level. It’s so special and unique, like an adult hideaway room! If I saw that as a potential member, I'd be like, “This is it… This is where I want to stay!”

JJ: I'm excited to hear this answer, as I happen to know a little hot goss on you... Even though I know you may have a little "fear" of flying, if you could have a dream vacation, where would it be?

JA: OMG, where would I go? Nobody believes me, but I really want to go to Antarctica.

JJ: It's an incredible trip and experience!

JA: It would be amazing right? To be 1:00PM and black outside.. that would be the trippiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life!

JJ: If you could meet a famous person, past or present, who would it be?

JA: Lady Gaga! No hesitation. I already have and I cried! She came to Macy’s once while I was working in the perfume department. I got to meet her and sit next to her. Oh boy.. I cried for the rest of the day! She helped me realize that I’m not straight and that was like the biggest thing for me, such an eye-opening moment. That made me more comfortable with myself and I'll never forget it. From then on it freed me up!

JJ: Jade, what would be your biggest take away from working at Bond Collective so far?

JA: Personally or career wise?

JJ: However you feel you'd like to answer that. 

JA: I’m a lot happier. My mental health is as good as it's ever been. I’m very comfortable coming to work everyday and I feel confident knowing what I’m doing is helping make a difference in someone’s life. It feels really good.

I don’t have a college degree and I don’t plan on going to school. Personally, I wanted some sort of job that I felt like I could learn a specialized skill that wouldn’t require going through actual school. I’m confident in the type of person I am and when I’m dedicated to something I see it through. It’s also so nice to have a job that also believes in me and what I’m capable of. I really like being here and the flexibility this job offers makes having a social life with my partner and family outside of work so much easier.

JJ: I'm sure your emails are starting to pile up but I have one more question for you.. If there's one thing that you could tell your younger self today, what would it be?

JA: Oh WOW... That you do not need to go to college to build life skills. I was told consistently by teachers and parents that you need to have good grades and a plethora of skills to be able to do anything. I knew from an early age that you can teach yourself anything. You can learn from experience and working first hand with others.