Our January Member of the Month is Toni Tiemann! Toni has been a member since 2019 and is 100state’s top music critic. We can confirm that she has excellent taste (in music, fashion, and of course co-working spaces), and always helps keep the work day flowing with the most “jangly” of tracks. Learn more about Toni below!
Occupation:
Senior Business Analyst at Gupta Media.
What motivates you?
I’m motivated to create big change. Ever since I was a little kid, I tried to find ways to push boundaries for what I thought was right. I remember telling my grandparents when I was a tot that I wanted to be a priest when I grew up because I didn’t think it was fair that the role was reserved for men. I never did join the seminary, but I did become captain of the men’s lacrosse team by the time I was in high school.I’m still trying to harness that spark in my adult life as much as I can – so whether I’m working to change people’s lives by bringing them music that makes them feel a little more alive or trying to solve the dairy crisis, I’m pushing on all cylinders to make a splash.
Why do you work out of a coworking space? And more importantly, why 100state?
My story echoes that of a lot of folks at 100State: I moved to Madison in August, 2019 and felt isolated working from home, only knowing one other human in Madison at the time. (Hey, you! Be my friend?) After a few weeks of steadily declining hygiene, I decided I would be more accountable in my work and take better care of my mental state if I joined a coworking space.I looked into a few options, and 100State felt like a no-brainer. It’s the perfect balance of ambition and socialization.
Who do you look at as a role model and why?
It’s tough to pinpoint a specific role model, but lately I’ve been inspired by FKA twigs. Beyond her music, which is a force in itself, I’m in constant awe the more I learn about her work ethic.I was recently listening to an interview about the making of her “Cellophane” music video – she thought of the concept, and learned pole dancing over the course of a year to make it happen. She did cardio twice a day, trained on the pole for at least two hours a day, cross trained, practiced yoga, and maintained a strict diet.To have a creative dream and go through such a grueling year to achieve it, all for an outcome less than five minutes, it’s a level of motivation self-discipline that could take you anywhere. A short list of other folks I look up to recently: Jamila Jamil, Nicole Byer, Pattie Gonia, Tyler Okonma (the Creator), and – I sure hope it goes without saying – Michelle and Barack Obama.
What is your favorite 100state memory?
The white elephant gift exchange that was held around the holidays. It was…perfect chaos.
When you’re not at 100state, where can you be found?
Climbing at Boulders, running around Monona, swimming laps at Madison’s public schools, or volunteering at Communication. When I’m feeling indulgent, you’ll catch me perusing Good Style Shop before getting a cocktail at The Robin Room.When I’m not out and about, I’m probably baking pies.
