Gizzelle’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide
Gizzelle Akin (she/her)
Automation Visionary & Architect | Sales & Enablement Strategist | Builder of Channel Partner Empires | Entertainer | Artist | Aspiring Social Media Maven
I love giving gifts!? It’s like a Dopamine multiplier because you have the moment during the process of analyzing the recipient where you determine the perfect gift to give them (something they need in their lives but would never buy for themselves), the moment where the recipient receives the gift, and then there is the story around the gift that lives on forever.
To me, the story is one of the best parts of the gift.... whether it was a crazy experience procuring the item or the significance of it being the perfect gift for that person or a story about the gift itself....the story often gets more play than the actual gift.
This was the case with one of my favorite gift giving experiences. You may not know this about my husband, but he loves accessories that spark conversation. Whether it’s holographic shoes, or a hot pink zebra striped wallet, or a sequin sports coat.... something noticeable, that might inspire someone to ask a question, opening the door to a deeper discussion.
In 2014, I was out shopping for just this type of item, when I stumbled across this bag:
I asked the sales staff to tell me about the bag and found out that it was one of 10 bags made that year from the hides of Bulls who had given their lives during the Running of the Bulls in Spain. Their meat was used to feed local orphanages and each bag came with a certificate with information about the Bull itself (whose name was Cubierto) and information about the bull fighter.... totally story material!
Needless to say, I purchased the bag, gifted it to my husband, and Cubierto’s Legacy has lived on through our storytelling....
If you are struggling with finding the right item to share with people in your lives this year, below are a few items I either own or have gifted, that both have a great story and can become part of your daily life.
BKR Water Bottles
The first time I saw one of these water bottles in a store, I fell in love....and saw the tag that said “Change the way you Hydrate Forever”. Intrigued, I asked the sales staff “How exactly does this water bottle change the way you Hydrate Forever?” and the response I got was “I don’t know, it’s just something they put on a tag.” Disappointed that the sales staff didn’t every TRY to make up a cool story, I couldn’t justify the purchase and walked away.
Once I got home, I was determined to find the answer to the question surrounding this amazing water bottle....so I visited the BKR website, made a purchase,?and now find myself owning more BKR water bottles than I know what to do with! They are amazing!
BioEngineering Science Kit- the ODIN
Recently, I read the book 'The Code Breaker', which walks the discovery and development of CRISPR Genetic Engineering (it’s a great book). The story is primarily told through the lens of Jennifer Doudna but one of the people who really stood out to me was Josie Zayner who blended the concept of Citizen Development (which I'm a huge fan of) from the tech world and is working to bring it to BioEngineering....the kits and classes offered on The ODIN provide the fundamental skills and tools for people to bring their ideas to life and BioHack the world!
Marissa Kishpaugh and I are already talking about a backyard full of genetically modified chickens with rainbow feathers! (luckily she actually studied BioChemistry)
Read the book for the full story: The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race: Isaacson, Walter: 9781982115869: Amazon.com: Books
For the Kids
Yellow Scope Science Kits (yay for local Oregon Companies) also has a great kit available to start teaching even the littlest BioEngineers: DNA & Traits: From Codes to Creatures - Yellow Scope (yellow-scope.com)
and of course, the Young Readers version of 'The Code Breaker' book: The Code Breaker -- Young Readers Edition: Jennifer Doudna and the Race to Understand Our Genetic Code: Durand, Sarah, Isaacson, Walter: 9781665910668: Amazon.com: Books
The Little Cyber Engineer- by Amber DeVilbiss
While we are on the topic of kids.....this book is an amazing intro to the complex world of cybersecurity for children…and even some adults!
Amber DeVilbiss is a brilliant, creative, Cybersecurity Professional who has a massive following on TikTok with her short videos explaining Technology and Cybersecurity concepts.
My little one is already solid with the layers of the OSI model...and INSISTS she will be a CEO based on her horoscope sign.... all because of these videos....so when this book came out, I had to get one for her....which has now turned into purchasing 5 copies as gifts for others in my life who need the message of how cool Cybersecurity can be!
Miracle Ball Method
The name says it all, the number of times these two balls have saved the day for me is countless. The story that led to me initially purchasing my Miracle Ball Method Balls was a professional dancer who ended up having a leg injury that forced her to stop dancing, something she loved. She used the Miracle Balls to correct the long-term damage done during the injury and was able to start dancing again.
Whether I have a muscle knot, or a dislocated rib, or my sacrum is out of alignment, these are the first thing I go to for relief...and they have never let me down!
Starfleet Leadership Academy Patreon Subscription
If you aren’t listening to this podcast regularly, you should! Not just because you get to listen to the soothing voice of Jeff Akin , but because there are amazing leadership lessons you can use in your everyday like: “Yes, If....” or “the art of negotiating” all told through the lens of Star Trek Episodes. You'll even hear the occasional fun fact about me through your listening journey!
By supporting this show, you are not only helping contribute to this amazing content, you are also helping to create better leaders throughout the galaxy!
Senior Manager, Technical Partner Sales at Equinix
2 年going to try the Miracle Ball method! Thanks GA
40 Under 40 | Founder @TeachKidsTech | Best-Selling Author/Illustrator | SANS Winner | Principal Solutions Architect
2 年?????? wow!! Thank you, Gizzelle!!! ??