WOMEN TO WATCH
2016

STEPHANIE KEET

MARKETING DIRECTOR & CO-OWNER
TAZIKI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE, I LOVE JUICE BAR

I have been with Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe for over seven years. I married one of the Keet boys (Jake). We have two beautiful children, Holden and Dashiell. I have worked in the stores and led the marketing efforts for seven stores in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Two years ago, I joined the company full time as Marketing Director. Our most recent healthy venture, I Love Juice Bar, opened in late 2015. By the end of 2016, we will add two more Taziki’s, one near the Outlets and a second location in Tulsa.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

In college I volunteered for a local nonprofit that allowed me to exercise my creativity in marketing, event planning, and fundraising. After college I started working at a marketing firm where I discovered my love for digital strategy.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

“The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.” ­— Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

IF YOU COULD LUNCH WITH ANY WOMAN, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?

If I could have lunch with any woman, I would keep it light and have lunch with Amy Schumer. We would split a bottle of Chablis.

HOW YOU DEFINE SUCCESS:

Success is having a good life while providing for my kids, Holden and Dashiell. It’s being able to say I did the right thing at the end of the day.

FAVORITE PART OF LIVING IN LITTLE ROCK:

I love the natural beauty of Little Rock and being close to my family and friends.

I WISH I KNEW HOW TO:

speak fluent Spanish.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL WORKDAY LIKE?

I begin each morning at the Juice Bar and by lunch I’m at Taziki’s. In between, I’m in the office sending emails, coordinating ads, and monitoring or posting on social media.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?

I have many inspiring people in my life. One would be my mother, Pam Starks, for demonstrating an amazing work ethic, and another would be my father-in-law, Jim Keet, for sharing his brilliance about the restaurant industry over the years.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

NEIGHBORHOOD:

Chenal

HOMETOWN:

Little Rock

LAST GOOD READ:

“Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell

FAVORITE FOOD:

Grilled salmon, basmati rice, veggies, soufflé of chutney aioli

FAVORITE LUNCH SPOT:

Taziki’s and I Love Juice Bar!

FIRST THING YOU DO AT THE OFFICE:

Coffee, green juice, check emails

LATEST SPLURGE:

Designer jeans

THINGS YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK:

Work out and travel

DREAM VACATION:

The Maldives

FAVORITE SONG:

“Out on the Weekend” by Neil Young

SPONSORS