Biography
Teressa is our Director of First Impressions, who has a history of welcoming folks and creating a space for people to feel like they belong. She was born into a big Indiana corn-growing family, but after graduating from Indiana University, she moved to North Carolina to marry her college sweetheart, Cole. Twenty-six years later, they now have 4 children. If you come to our offices in Raleigh, Teressa will likely be the first smiling face and warm personality to greet you.
Teressa is known for all of the following: socializing, bargain shopping, style-coaching, laid-back parenting, and chicken paprikash cooking. She also has a special technique for slicing watermelon. She reads a lot and is a John Mellencamp fan. Teressa’s Grami taught her the importance of faith. Her Mom taught her to accept life as it comes. And her kids teach her to laugh at herself a little each day.
Causes: Dorcas Ministries, Y of the Triangle, Cru – ministry to college students.
Favorite B Corps: First off, Brand Fuel. I’m excited to be working with such a great company! Who Gives a Crap, a toilet paper company that gives money to help build toilets around the world. French Broad Chocolate in Asheville, NC. They make the best Pots de Creme!
Pet Peeves: Overuse of paper towels, wasted opportunities to have fun, food that I cook that gets thrown away.
Teams: Born a Hoosier, married to a Tarheel, oldest son a Tarheel, and second son a Cavalier.
Awards: Second place in a corn shucking contest when I was 10 years old. No new awards to brag about since then.
What I want to be when I grow up: Looking forward to figuring that out one day.
What I do when no one is looking: Rearrange other people’s furniture to make better use of the space.
Favorite Book: Firefly Lane is the book I’ve recommended most to others lately, but I can’t pick a favorite.
Favorite Artists: My children- I have their artwork hanging all around my house.
Favorite Place to Travel: Anywhere to see my family, and thankfully they live in places I enjoy. San Diego, Los Angeles, Indiana corn country (it’s actually quite peaceful), Fort Worth Texas, Cape Coral, Florida.
My Superpower: I can cry at the drop of the hat, usually when someone is sharing their story, or if I am being vulnerable with my story. I can also fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow which really frustrates my husband.
Favorite Condiment: Cold Kerry Gold butter, fresh ground pepper, Himalayan salt – do any of those count? If not, homemade ranch or green sauce from Alpaca.
Dinner guest choice: My mom. I would love to prepare the meals that she taught me to make, and sit around the table with my children whom she was never able to meet.