My name is Jubilee. I’m currently the Product Content Manager at Valon. The Product Content team has only existed since June, so it’s relatively new! We manage, edit, and approve all of Valon’s homeowner-facing notifications and we’re responsible for the way Valon communicates with homeowners.

I also do a bit of brand work. So, I get to help with our blog posts. Should I say that since I’m in a blog now? Well, we’ll figure it out!

How did you end up finding this job?

Oh, I was on LinkedIn. I started at Valon in August 2021, so this was a year (and some change) ago now. I was looking for positions that fit my interests. I think I typed in a lot of keywords associated with marketing and copywriting.

Ultimately, I was really looking to write. I graduated with an English major, so the world of language was always close to my heart. I just did my due diligence and eventually, Valon found me.

Did you have a particular focus when studying English?

We didn’t have concentrations or tracks in that way. But, I remember, for my senior thesis, I made the decision to do a creative project as opposed to an analytical one. I was particularly enamored with creative writing, that was my first love.

Do you feel like you get to exercise that interest in your position here?

I do! You become so creative when you have to bring complex concepts to life. For lack of a better word, you get to think about how to make certain “unsexy” things more appealing. You’re not just writing a captivating story; you want to make someone engage with a piece of your writing in a way that compels them to continue reading their billing statement. It’s an extra challenge.

Home ownership is a long story, you know? It begins with someone wanting to own property and have a sense of stability. That desire takes them on the journey of getting a loan. Then, one day they’re transferred to a servicer and make all payments to that new entity. And only at the end of that 30 year maturity (or however long) do they get what they originally wanted.

When we’re building a balanced brand, we want homeowners to feel like the hero of that story. We want it to feel easy, not tedious, and we want them to feel they have the right tools.

How did you get interested in marketing, then?

I started in college. I was always starting up little businesses, selling clothes or offering my services as an amateur hair stylist. Marketing became my bread and butter. I was really good at leveraging my social media to signal my personal brand.

Once it evolved into something that I was okay at, it became something I wanted to master. So I really started to do my research to work on getting better. I’m no expert yet, but I’m definitely better than I was then.

What’s it like working in an environment with so many engineers?

It’s interesting. I have no background in engineering, though I can definitely understand basic coding concepts. It’s fun to be around different types of people. I love engaging with engineers and learning new things.

When you’re starting at Valon, you’re encouraged to set up one-on-ones with anyone you might work with day-to-day. I would reach out to engineers, and they were all incredibly nice. I even learned a few coding terms to add to my vernacular.

What do you think is something you’ve learned between your first project and your most recent one?

It’s okay to have a little bit of fun in a “stereotypically” serious space. At the end of the day, our goal is to make complex concepts more accessible and engaging for homeowners. Finding that balance can be creative, and I’ve learned that it’s important to explore the playfulness and softness of a very structured industry—the human side.

Yes, you go through a ton of paperwork to get a home. But, at the end of the day, it’s not a stock portfolio. It’s a place, one where you learn, grow, and be human. I think this kind of work needs that extra touch.

What advice would you give to someone who wants a job like yours?

Read things that you don’t immediately want to read. You’ll teach yourself how to have a critical eye and be a thoughtful reader if you challenge yourself. Expose yourself to things that you wouldn’t otherwise. Don’t just read to escape, also read to learn.

Second, I think it’s always a good idea to find your personal ROI (return on investment). A lot of tech companies are always working toward maximizing some company wide metric. And that’s great, but you should maximize your own metrics as well. You should feel fulfilled in what you do and define your parameters for personal success.

‍Thanks so much for this interview, Jubilee. Lastly, what are you streaming right now?

Ooh. Currently, I’m streaming the show Abbott Elementary. I love it.

It was great to get a chance to speak with Jubilee. If you’re interested in joining our team in any capacity, check out our many open positions.