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Imagine the greatest combination of brain power and heart and you’ve got Anne. As our Finance Manager, she’s an organizational powerhouse with a keen business mind yet, as our HR Friend, she brings loyalty and commitment (and cupcakes!) to each member of our staff. She has helped fred grow in countless ways over the years, so much so that we consider her our secret weapon. Sure, she’s cute and on the tiny side but this girl can hustle!
What do you do at fredflare.com?
I guess you could say I do all the boring but necessary stuff. Like bookkeeping, payroll, taxes, employee benefits and health care. Additionally, I do what I can to try and keep the company’s overhead down by negotiating better rates with our banks, our credit card processors, UPS, etc. Okay, don’t laugh, but I’m also the travel department!
Something tells us you’ve worked with fredflare.com’s Keith and Chris before…
Well, yes. I am Keith’s mom and Chris’s mom-in-law. It seems funny, because years ago I owned a balloon store and Keith would come help me with the bank deposits every day after school. Now, it’s the other way around!
What’s it like to work for your son?
Honestly, I don’t think of him as my son when I have my work hat on. Rather, he’s the co-owner of this fabulous company that is on its way to making it big. (Now maybe that might sound like a mom bragging, but I think it’s the truth…) I can tell sometimes it’s weird for Keith, though. He doesn’t like to call me “Mom” in the office so he calls me “Charlie”…
Why Charlie?
I’m one of the few employees that works mostly from home so I’ve attended my share of meetings via speakerphone, hence the “Charlie’s Angels” reference.
Well, Charlie, we heard a rumor that you have a tattoo…
It’s true. It’s of a mathematical equation which, when deciphered, reads “The square root of someone is me.” That pretty much sums up my attitude too.
And you published a book?
Yes. I published a collection of essays about various things that have happened to me over the years, like meeting my father for the very first time when I was 48, spending Christmas in a funeral home and, yes, getting that tattoo.
Tell us about your playlist on BOOMBOX.
It ranges from classical to country to Creedence Clearwater. Each of these forms of music represents a certain period in my life, with classical being the most recent. I started taking piano lessons about four years ago. Keith had this idea I could learn to play some Madonna tunes as a surprise for Chris. I’m sorry to report I’m not there yet. But I can do a little Chopin. He’s easier.
What are some of your fave places in NYC?
This is one place where I’m a traditionalist. I adore Grand Central Station and am always awed by the ceiling in its main hall. I love the Oyster Bar too! Then there’s Ellis Island and Central Park. As for eating, which is what I do mostly in NYC when I’m not working at fredflare.com, I like Florent for burgers, the Diner in Brooklyn for its atmosphere, and the Cowgirl Hall of Fame for its amazing potatoes! Room Service isn’t bad either.
Anything special you’d like to tell our customers?
Well, I’ll confess I've always wanted to have an advice column, particularly in matters of love… So, if you have a relationship question and want an unbiased confidential opinion, you can find me at anne@fredflare.com. I promise it won’t be your mother’s advice either!!
12/2005
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