Thinklings Staff Spotlight: Oscar Awa

Every now and then, we'll post an interview with one of our staff members so you can get to know our team a little better. Today, we're spotlighting Oscar Awa, our operations manager (and, yes, the husband of our COO). It also happens to be his birthday today! Warm wishes, Oscar, and many more birthdays to come!

Now, let's dive right in with the Q&A. . . .

Do you have any side projects that you would like to share with us?

I love to perform upkeep and modifications to my car. A hobby of mine is learning new technical and mechanical skills from YouTube videos. I’m really into the “three Cs”: cars, computers, and cooking. My dad is a chef, and my mom was too (they met when she worked as his sous chef), so I’m a big foodie and have substantial skills in the kitchen. I can make sushi pretty well, and quiche, and I love to throw meat on our grill even in the freezing cold Ohio winters!

Do you have children or fur babies?

Sarah and I have a Shiba Inu mix named Thatcher. He’s a rescue who acts a lot like a cat sometimes, and he’s missing most of his tail. I spoil him rotten and love to walk him in the park all year round.

What skills do you bring to the Thinklings team?

I’m a friendly, outgoing people person. As captain of Sarah’s street team, I’ve already been selling copies of her book to my coworkers at my day job, even though Hunter’s Moon isn’t quite out yet! I can get along well with anybody, I’m adaptable, and I’m able to think outside the box when it comes to marketing ventures or whatever else I’m assigned to do.

What did you go to school for, and does it help you at Thinklings?

I have a BS in business administration with a concentration in HR. I also have an AS in computer science and worked in IT for half a decade. My computer skills come in handy for Thinklings from time to time, and my general business skills are an asset. Really, I’ve done a lot of different jobs (including waiter on a Hawaiian cruise ship) so I’m willing to do, and able to learn, whatever I need to do!

Where do you live?

I grew up in a small town in Southern Ohio, but since high school I have lived in the busy ’burbs of Northern Ohio. It’s just as cold, but now I get to drive through lake effect snow. Maybe someday Sarah and I can move to Hawaii, where my dad’s side of the family lives.

How did you join the Thinklings team?

I guess it’s pretty obvious that I joined because of my wife, Sarah (whom I’m very proud of for her writing and now being an exec). Whatever she does, I want to help and support her with it. We’re great partners and team members in every area of life, and we’ve been through a lot together.

Who is one of your biggest role models?

I don’t have a strong role model per se, but I admire a lot of different people. My dad and Sarah’s dad work very hard to support their families. I got my strong work ethic from my dad. I also admire people like Sarah’s cousin Nate, with his boundless energy, zeal for life, and entrepreneurship. He’s chased his dreams all over the globe, and he inspires me to chase my dreams.