Hello Beautiful People,
The Lunch Read began as a social experiment between two friends looking for good reads for their lunch breaks. New to their desk jobs, they found that when it became lunchtime, there was hardly ever anything good to read. The group quickly expanded to 9 and so The Lunch Read began. Six months into the project, the group thought others might find interest in a curated list of lunch reads, so they started sending the weekly edition. Now, just over a month in, The Lunch Read delivers a weekly Wednesday edition and tweets out interesting finds, or “leftovers” for people to read during the week on their breaks. Get your daily dose of The Lunch Read by signing up here.
The nine founding members Michele Kory, Jori Bell, Sutton Kauss, Mathew Lasky, Adam London, Sam Goodman, Michael Hoffman, Alexa Rosenbloom, and Eric Stupnitsky, are all GEMS, who have so graciously participate in our Movers & Shakers Q&A Series. You’ve met Michele, Jori, Sutton, Mathew, Adam, Michael, and Alexa. Now it’s time to meet the final founder, Eric Stupnitsky!
MM: What’s your day job?
ES: I’m a Strategic Marketing Analyst at Networked Insights. It’s essentially market research 2.0. We focus a lot on mining big data, presenting our clients with analysis and consultation of their various marketing efforts to increase ROI and help them get the most out of their marketing budget.
MM: What role do you play in the structure of TLR (The Lunch Read)?
ES: Analytics and Audience Affinities, which basically means seeing what articles resonate with our readers from week-to-week in the hopes of cultivating the “tastiest” email possible.
MM: If you were stranded on a desert island, what movies, albums, and television shows would you want to have with you?
ES: Albums: Passion Pit – Chunk of Change, Manners, Kanye West – The College Dropout, Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City, Regina Spektor – Far. If I had to, I’d bring all of the TV shows on my yet-to-watch list (Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights, The Sopranos) and my favorites (The Office, Parks and Rec, American Horror Story).
MM: If we were to walk into your home/apartment, what books would be on your bookshelf?
ES: Front and center are my two recent favorites, Your House Is on Fire, Your Children Are All Gone by Stefan Kiesbye and Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison. Plus too many thrillers and coming-ofage stories, particularly anything by Harlan Coben and A Separate Peace.
MM: In today’s economy, arts programs are being cut in schools. What reasons would you give to a politician/school board for preserving the arts?
ES: An academic education should not be the extent of what children get out of school. Several other facets – arts included – are vital for children’s learning, growth and realizing their passions.
MM: What’s the best piece of advice that you would offer to college graduates entering the job market?
ES: Use college to the fullest – make friends! Intern! Join organizations you’re interested in! Use that time wisely and utilize all connections when job searching.
MM: We believe that art can be a tool for social change, that it can transform lives. How would you disagree or agree with this statement?
ES: Completely agree. Music is a form of art that has sparked several debates.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
ES: My 11th grade physics teacher, Mr. Unterman. It was never about the grade for him, but rather about the ability to understand the concepts. Very rarely did I feel that way in classroom, which made learning a concept as difficult as physics not only manageable, but exciting. Not to mention he was vastly overqualified for being a high school teacher.
Thank you, Eric!
Live, Love, Learn,