The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) introduces you to our “Young Professional of the Month,” Connor Spern. Each month the CYPN Steering Committee recommends a young professional in the community it thinks Concord Insider readers would enjoy getting to know better.
How old are you? 21
Where do you live? I just moved to Manchester.
Where do you currently work? I’m the sales and marketing manager for Servpro Concord/The Lakes Region.
What’s your favorite part of your work day? I spend most of my day traveling the Lakes Region, networking and visiting with local businesses. I love driving and socializing so it doesn’t feel like work at all — and it doesn’t get better than having Lake Winnipesaukee as a lunchroom!
Where did you go to school? I went to University of Texas Arlington for a year but decided it wasn’t what I wanted. That’s actually how I ended up in New Hampshire. Not having a degree or being in school was something I was honestly ashamed about for quite a while, but it’s been the best decision of my life. I’ve got a great job, a great husband, and I live in a beautiful state. I think it’s really important for parents and teachers to have discussions with kids about options outside of college. Most people in my generation feel like there is no choice and get looped into thousands of dollars of debt with no idea of what they really want to do and end up floating and feeling like failures. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing what is best for yourself!
What do you like to do for fun? My job, actually! I genuinely enjoy what I’m doing. Outside of work, I play Dungeons & Dragons on Tuesdays and take my fur-child to the park with my husband Eli. Totally fascinating, I know.
Favorite places to be? The Kancamagus Highway. I’m from east Texas where you can see for miles it’s so flat and empty.
How did you find out about CYPN and how has it benefited your business or you personally? I met Heidi Schmidt at a Concord Chamber networking event with CYPN and wanted to sign up for everything immediately. Through CYPN I have done tons of networking and found many volunteer opportunities like The Friendly Kitchen and the Friends Program.
What organizations are you involved with? Currently CYPN and the Concord and Lakes Regions Chambers of Commerce. I’m definitely interested in getting involved elsewhere. If you’re reading this and have an idea, please contact me.
Who is your greatest role model? My future self. I try to make all of my decisions keeping in mind that I am literally creating her every day and I want her to be someone worth looking up to. And Bob Ross because he was an amazing artist and had a squirrel sanctuary.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Concord? Smokeshow Barbeque! I searched so long for decent BBQ here, and lo and behold there’s a Texan-run place right here in town! Their cornbread is even better than my mammaw’s. (Please don’t tell her I said that!)
What’s your favorite place to go in Concord? I find this entire city beautiful – there is such interesting architecture. I don’t know how anyone lives here and doesn’t want to do art.
What is one of your life goals? I used to do custom framing and I would love to have my own shop one day, maybe with an apartment above it, or run it out of an awesome barn.
What has been your favorite CYPN event so far? The most recent one. Arnie Arneson’s house is one of my favorites to see on drives around Concord with my husband. I was ecstatic to meet who owned it, and she gave the tour! I am unashamed to admit that I cried.
If you could visit any country, where would you go? Anywhere that has an active volcano. Seeing lava is one of my biggest bucket list items.
Where is the best place you’ve visited? Yellowstone National Park. The scenery is unbelievable.
Tell us a few interesting facts about yourself. I was on an entomology team for four years, and have two family members that are entomologists, so I grew up thinking bugs are awesome. My favorite bug recently changed to the “Beautiful Wood-Nymph Moth.” Definitely Google that one.
About CYPN: Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) is a professional and personal development initiative of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce that promotes the growth of Capital Region professionals in their 20s, 30s and 40s. CYPN will host a free networking event with Concord Community Music School on June 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, visit concordnhchamber.com/CYPN or email events@concordnhchamber.com to sign up for our email updates.
