Waterhouse is Growing – Welcome Haley Harbuck!

Thanks for joining Waterhouse, Haley! Tell us a little about your background and what sparked your interest in pursuing a career in Marketing and Communications.

I recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. Though I wasn’t initially sure where I wanted to take my career, I’ve always enjoyed working with people. Communications offered the broadest possible range of career options – from journalism and broadcasting to marketing and social media, there were so many paths to choose from! During college, I pursued multiple internships, including editorial support for the book “Shut up and Dribble” by Shaun Anderson and also spent time as a social media and marketing intern at a small Marketing and PR agency. Each experience helped to narrow down my focus.

What inspired you to join Waterhouse?

Waterhouse and I definitely “met cute.” Throughout college, I worked at a resort in Laguna Beach. Besides being a fun summer job, it provided great opportunities for networking – and it also happened to be where I met Kim Kraemer, Waterhouse’s Founder and CEO. While serving at the pool on a particularly busy day, Kim called me over to compliment the way I resolved an issue with an unhappy customer. Continuing this conversation began to feel more like an interview as she asked me where I’d like to be in five years. I responded that, ideally, I’d like to be on my way to being a Vice President of Communications for a growing organization. Kim handed me her card and said, “I’d love if you’d consider an Account Associate role with my agency.” As I met more members of the team during the interview process, and learned more about Waterhouse, it became clear that the role would be an amazing fit. I’m thrilled to be here!

You’ve been with Waterhouse for several months now. Tell me about your experience so far and what projects you’re working on.

Since starting at Waterhouse, I’ve been supporting a variety of client projects. This includes market analysis, social channel management, website builds, and media monitoring. I’m loving the variety, the fast pace, and the attention to detail it all requires.

I also feel fortunate to work for a company that values my individual success. Many entry-level roles require an employee to do menial tasks – but at Waterhouse, I have the opportunity to dip my toes in a little bit of everything and get a 360-degree perspective of the agency world. I value the team and leaders at Waterhouse who take the time to pause and dive deeper with me, offering constant check-ins and opportunities to improve. It’s a great environment for growth.

As a person with experience in service-oriented roles with high profile clientele, what is your customer service philosophy and how does it apply to your work in Account Management?

I believe that regardless of the industry, excellent customer service is determined by your ability to listen to the needs of the client. Working in customer service taught me how to have these conversations. Whether I’m bringing someone a margarita by the pool or advancing a client request, my approach is always the same. It really boils down to connecting with the people behind the ask.

For this reason, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with Waterhouse. At the end of the day, the people you work with are as important as the work itself: They contribute to the collective identity of the company, which determines the value it provides. Looking back on previous jobs I’ve had, Waterhouse is truly one of a kind. We focus not only on deliverables, but in going above and beyond to understand and communicate the foundational value that underpins our clients’ corporate identity. It’s a true testament to the Waterhouse value that speaks to me the most: Partner for Success. I can’t wait to keep learning and growing together!

The Lightning Round

What do you enjoy doing most when not at work?

Going to the beach

What’s your favorite karaoke song?

Eye of the Tiger

What’s your go-to snack?

Watermelon