Jessica and Dan Lipton

Jessica and Dan Lipton are another one of this year’s Power Duos. Her words to live by are, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,”…interestingly enough the same words that he cites as the “worst advice he ever received.”

Together they sat down with YMM to unpack how this duo not only survives, but thrives.

YMM: First things first, Jessica says her words to live by are the exact same words you claim as the worst advice you’ve ever received, Dan. Why do you disagree?

DL:

I always believed that if you take care of the little things, the big things will eventually take care of themselves. Sweating the small stuff may not be “cool” but understanding the level of detail needed to perform tasks well on a daily basis is critical to your team’s success.  I’ve never been keen on the “Don’t worry, it’ll work itself out” mentality.

YMM: Jessica, what are you best at?

JL:

Rolling with the punches. It’s important to stay open-minded and positive, despite challenges – expected or unexpected.

YMM: What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken, Dan?

DL:

I was very fortunate to be able to keep in touch with my best friend from childhood over the years. In 2009 I was feeling distraught about my current career path as I was satisfied with my position but not enthralled with the daily grind. He was working for a prominent construction company in Fort McMurray at the time and gave me an indication that if I was driven, I could really do well for myself out west, though it would have meant leaving a solid job and being away from family and close friends.  With only knowing one person in Fort Mac, the future was grim, but I took the risk and moved to FM by myself with a suitcase and very little support.  Things couldn’t have worked out better but making the decision at the time was certainly risky.

YMM: Jessica, what is the most rewarding part of your career?

JL:

Seeing the community benefit from work I’ve been a part of, such as introducing the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and Daddy Daughter Sugar Plum Fairy Ball events to Festival of Trees when I was with the Northern Lights Health Foundation as their Events Manager, as well as seeing the impact of nearly seven million dollars invested into the region each year by Syncrude when I worked as their Community Investment Specialist.

YMM: Dan, for what are you most grateful?

DL:

For meeting my beautiful and talented wife Jessica Lipton. If Fort McMurray has given me anything, it was the opportunity to meet Jess. I love her dearly and am always impressed how she treats others and how courageous she is with her career.  I’m a better person because of her.

YMM: What accomplishment are you most proud of, Jessica?

JL:

Locking down Daniel Lipton as my husband.