Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Thomas.
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
GearBrokers began in Aaron’s garage in 2015 with a pallet of servers, and has grown into the 18,000 square foot warehouse we have occupied since 2017. The e-commerce landscape has changed drastically in that time, and so has the trajectory of GearBrokers and Aaron’s life. We met in 2019, through music, as I was singing at church on a day when he was playing drums. When we met, I was a single Mom with 2 boys, aged 11 and 14, and an Early Childhood Special Education teacher. Aaron was in the 2019-2020 cohort of the ScaleUp KC program through the Missouri SBDC and Kauffman Foundation. After we married in 2020, Covid descended on us all, and then we discovered we were going to welcome a baby! Our daughter was born on election day in 2020, and she is a ray of sunshine to us all! With the rise in shipping costs, supply chain issues, and more, I joined GearBrokers in 2022, helping out during school breaks and during my free time. As a teacher, I could see how developing more of a local presence could increase our visibility to local customers, both commercial and residential, and I was comfortable speaking to strangers! I love finding good deals myself for our family, so being able to provide other customers with the best TV for their budget, makes me happy. We continue to work together, with our staff, to provide an alternative to the big box stores when purchasing a new TV and more!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! Covid, blessing of our daughter in November 2020, supply chain issues, distribution companies merging, skyrocketing shipping costs, Aaron continuing his education at KU, family challenges and more have challenged GearBrokers and our family as well. While we are often frustrated, continuing a team approach, both at home and at the warehouse, keep us on the right track.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an Early Childhood Special Education teacher full-time, currently in the Grandview School District at High Grove Early Education Center. I help out at GearBrokers during school breaks, over the summer and when our daughter doesn’t keep me busy! Aaron is also a fellow in the MPA program at KU, currently completing his internship at the City of Mission Hills, KS. We are proud of our partnership in keeping GearBrokers afloat, through personal and professional challenges. We are a great alternative to the big box stores, for purchasing a TV, and we hope to provide value for hard earned money.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Facebook groups such as InnovateHer KC, KCBOC, and local Marketplace selling for high shipping items and more; Missouri SBDC support from Jill Hathaway; Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson; NPR and KCUR; Google Calendar (for home and business); and beginning some marketing with a local company, Helps2, soon.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gearbrokers.com
