The JJR Team Travels to Europe – Top Take-Aways

Making the Leap Across the Pond

by Kylie Knur

“Does anyone want to go to Sweden to sell books at one of the largest Scandinavian book fairs in the world?” That’s the question you would have heard if you were at the table with us about two months ago, in a small coffee shop outside of Chicago. I heard that question, immediately followed by my own recreations of the question. Do you want to leave the country for your first time ever? Do you want to go somewhere where they don’t speak the only language you know? Do you know how to get a passport, will they even give you one? What if the plane goes down in the ocean and you have to swim until a shark gets you? Funny you think, but that is the dream I had 3 days leading up to our trip. I woke in tears from leaving my ‘last message’ to my family members while the plane was going down.

Little did I know then, when I accepted the gracious invite from my boss, Jackie Camacho, it would be an amazing learning experience in many aspects. And some good news – the closest thing to any of my concerns that happened was regaining my cell phone from a homeless man who swiped it off the bench as I waited for the trolley. “Sorry sir, not having my cell phone is just not an option right now” didn’t quite do the trick but, we came out victorious.

I am going to share with you the top 3 take-aways I gained from this Swedish experience.

1. There is a whole world out there.

Growing up in a town of roughly 8,000 people made it hard to fathom the entire world around us. I would have never imagined visiting another country for work. Being there for work rather than on a vacation, I realized I was more analytical of the things they had going on in business and marketing. Businesses were open much shorter hours, twelve to four on Sundays, because the Swedish culture values time off of work. Arriving, the 7-hour time change was a bit of a shock. A shock to me that while we’re here sleeping, half of the world is just rising. It is important to consider the “bigger picture” as people say, when doing anything in business. This will help me think more of the whole world as a market, not contained areas.

2. Planning, Planning, Planning.

Yes, I knew planning was important before. But, when you’re 4,000 miles from home, it takes another meaning. During this trip I was able to really consider all factors involved when making a decision. From making sure we had every item we would need packed, to sending a text to our authors at 3pm Swedish time, so I wasn’t sending a text at 1am there time. This experience really allowed me to take a closer look at the little details, and be sure it was all planned out for success.

3. Take the chance.

I presume from my introduction, you know excitement and enthusiasm weren’t my only feelings towards this trip. I could have easily said no thank you, one of our other co-workers would love to go. I went out of my comfort zone, and went on the trip of a lifetime. This opportunity is something I am proud to have taken. With it I now have more insight to different cultures, the world around us, and even skills I can implement into my day to day role.

I will never be able to say thank you enough to Jackie Camacho, JJR Marketing and Fig Factor Media Publishing, for allowing me to go on this trip and encouraging me. It has taught me lessons that will last a life time and I am excited to implement my lessons and share with others.

Traveling 4,000 Miles Away from Home

By Grizel Morales

Traveling to the other side of the world is an amazing experience that I will never forget. I still remember when Kylie and I got asked if one us wanted to go to Sweden. The purpose of the trip was to sell some books for our authors at one of the largest Scandinavian book fairs in the world. At that moment when we got asked that question, I didn’t say anything because many thoughts came to my mind because I have never been 4,000 miles away from home. Some of the thoughts that came to mind were I do not know Swedish, I will get lost in their airport, I do not know how to count Swedish money, and I will be on an airplane for a long time for the first time.

Luckily, Kylie and I got to go together to Sweden for the first time. Knowing that I was not going by myself to Sweden made me feel less nervous and scared.  Accepting this amazing opportunity from Jackie Camacho, was an amazing learning experience in many ways. Therefore, I want to share with you my top 2 take-aways I learned from this experience.

1. Big Differences

As I prepared myself to travel to Sweden for work, I knew that there were going to be some differences between the U.S. and Sweden. Time was a big difference because in Sweden they are 7 hours ahead. I would be calling my mom at 11pm Sweden time when in Illinois it was only 4pm. Another big difference that I found surprising was that in Sweden they close all of their stores and other businesses early. They are closed by 6pm or 7pm when in the U.S. most stores and business close around 9pm or 10pm. They close early because in the Swedish culture they like to value time off from work to spend time with family and friends.

2. Take any Amazing opportunities, even when you are scared.

As you can see I was not super excited at first because I was scared of going to this trip by myself. I still even remember saying to Kylie that if we are not able to go together she can go and take this opportunity of going to Sweden. However, Kylie and I asked Jackie if both of us can go, which I am super grateful that she said yes. Knowing that I was not going to be by myself in Sweden made me excited and not scared anymore. However, when we got closer to our trip, I became to get scared all over again because I was scared of being in an airplane for 9 hours. I have never been in an airplane for that long especially in one that is crossing the ocean. When I was inside the airplane, I was nervous and feeling nauseous because of how scared I was. Luckily, I was able to feel better and everything went well. Taking any amazing opportunity, even when you are scared is a big lesson that I learned because I was able to conquer my fear of being on a flight for 9 hours.

Traveling to Sweden for the first time is an amazing experience that I will never forget. A special thank you to Jackie Camacho, for allowing me to go on this trip. If it wasn’t for this opportunity, I wouldn’t be able to experience how different it can be in other parts of the world. This experience has thought me a better understanding of the people living in Sweden, including their history, background and their culture.  I will never forget this experience that will last me a lifetime.