Podcast Summary: The Audiobook Club with John York

Episode: Brooke Wilczewski | Quinn's Head of Community
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Host: John York
Guest: Brooke Wilczewski, Head of Community and Marketing Lead at Quinn

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Audiobook Club with John York, host John York welcomes Brooke Wilczewski, the Head of Community and Marketing Lead at Quinn. The conversation delves into Brooke's professional journey, her role in fostering community at Quinn, her experiences with content creation, and her personal insights and advice.

Brooke's Background and Journey

Brooke begins by sharing her early passion for women's reproductive health and pleasure advocacy, which ignited around the age of 13 or 14. She attributes her success to her supportive parents and her academic pursuits in gender and women's studies and sociology during college.

Brooke (03:45): "Growing up, I had always been really focused on women's reproductive health and pleasure advocacy... I started doing some work locally in my hometown and then grew from there."

Transitioning from a potential career in medical school, Brooke found her true calling in marketing, allowing her to blend creativity with her activism.

Brooke (04:10): "Ultimately decided that marketing and coming into a place where I could be a bit more creative and still pursue all of those incredible passions... is so much more where I'm happiest."

Community Building at Quinn

Brooke emphasizes the importance of community at Quinn, highlighting how the platform has grown organically through genuine connections and shared values.

Brooke (09:26): "The power of community is something that is so unbelievably powerful to me... Everyone just preaching Quinn to their sister in laws and everybody else in their lives... it's such a team effort."

She discusses Quinn's cultural foundation, comparing it to her culturally Jewish upbringing where community plays a central role.

Brooke (10:46): "I grew up in a Jewish family... having that sense of community is something that I've always been so fortunate to grow up with and I have always wanted to have that wherever I was."

Content Creation and Quinn Olympics

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Brooke's role in content creation and the organization of the Quinn Olympics—a collaborative event bringing together Quinn's top creators.

Brooke (16:07): "Creating a character and telling a story... it was something that I had almost been training for my entire life, unintentionally."

The Quinn Olympics, inspired by the traditional Olympics, serves as a platform for creators to engage, connect, and showcase their talents in a fun and interactive environment.

Brooke (23:53): "Being able to be on set with so many of our OGs and some of our really influential creators... just being so much fun with... it's such a team effort."

Her meticulous preparation process ensures that each shoot is well-organized, allowing for creativity and spontaneity on the day of the event.

Brooke (26:15): "My whole process is I take a Google Doc, I copy and paste every link that I like... write a description for what I want for each video and then relink the video so I have it in order."

Personal Experiences and Recognition

Brooke shares heartwarming stories of being recognized by Quinn users in everyday settings, illustrating the deep connection between the platform and its community.

Brooke (17:58): "I had walked into Starbucks... She was just the nicest person ever... it was just the most magical thing."

John also shares his experiences of being recognized, highlighting the mutual impact both he and Brooke have on their respective communities.

John (22:05): "There's a lady who... [is] listening to all of your audios and telling everyone about them... it's spread across the whole village."

Challenges and Advice

When asked about current challenges, Brooke candidly discusses the pressure of consistent content creation and the risk of burnout.

Brooke (36:48): "Putting out so much content every single day... it's a continuous challenge of being in this role of how many new things can I do, how many new things can I create."

She also offers heartfelt advice to her younger self and others, emphasizing the importance of voicing one's opinions and taking breaks to maintain mental health.

Brooke (41:27): "Don't shut up. Just keep talking and share your opinions even louder than you already did."

Personal Interests and Downtime

Balancing a demanding role, Brooke finds solace in outdoor activities, concerts, and Pilates. These hobbies not only help her unwind but also serve as creative outlets that fuel her work at Quinn.

Brooke (39:20): "I love concerts... being able to have a different form of creative outlet... teaching Pilates classes."

She also shares her passion for reading, particularly classic literature, and treasures her antique books.

Brooke (49:52): "My prized possession is a second edition copy of Jane Eyre from 1890... flipping the pages, I was like, I feel Charlotte here."

Future Plans and Conclusion

Looking ahead, Brooke is excited about the upcoming Quinn Originals and continuous content drops featuring diverse creators. She also mentions personal plans, such as attending a music festival with her brother and boyfriend.

Brooke (51:45): "We do have more Quinn originals coming up this year... I'm also going to a music festival this weekend with my brother and my boyfriend."

In closing, both John and Brooke express their mutual appreciation, underscoring the collaborative spirit that drives Quinn's success.

Brooke (52:57): "Huge shout out to you and all the work that you do... I'm so happy to be here and I am so excited."

John (53:58): "It's been such a pleasure to chat with you, Brooke. Thank you so much."

Notable Quotes

• Brooke Wilczewski (00:27): "I am doing so well and so impressed that you actually pronounced my last name correctly."
• Brooke Wilczewski (04:10): "I was always grinding and trying to move towards that next step. It definitely was a journey, but I'm glad it got us where we are."
• Brooke Wilczewski (09:26): "The power of community is something that is so unbelievably powerful to me."
• Brooke Wilczewski (36:48): "Putting out so much content every single day... it's a continuous challenge."
• Brooke Wilczewski (41:27): "Don't shut up. Just keep talking and share your opinions even louder than you already did."

Conclusion

This episode of The Audiobook Club with John York offers a comprehensive look into Brooke Wilczewski's role at Quinn, her dedication to building a supportive community, and her personal journey of growth and creativity. Her insights provide valuable lessons on community engagement, content creation, and maintaining personal well-being amidst professional demands.