Staff Focus: Gabs Brownson Schultze

Ever wonder who ensures house parties go off without a hitch? Who brings our slate of partners to CH for programming? You've no doubt seen her around the House but we sat down to catch up with Richmond Programming Manager, Gabs Brownson Schultze

Tell us a little bit about your background:

I have always worked in a role that was built on the foundations of customer service. My first real job was at Joe's Inn Bon Air as a food runner. I then got into retail sales as a sales manager for Pier One Imports for 7 years and that role really laid the foundation for my current work ethic. Over the years, I worked event and library related jobs at various universities, including VCU, before making the transition to CH.

How did you find Common house?

I discovered Common House when I was fresh out of rehab. I wanted to work for an organization that had a smaller operation but for a larger cause. I needed a new challenge and something to engage me while going through the beginning part of recovery. I kept seeing my musician friends post about a place called Common House, which at the time was new to the area and seemed very mysterious— so of course I wanted to be part of it. I needed a healthy obsession and distraction and Common House became it. I enjoy the people and the community greatly. We are a bunch of raw and genuine creative misfits, we own it, and have developed a community from our varied backgrounds.

What is currently exciting you outside of CH?

I'm currently focusing on my physical health and working on incorporating more movement into my life. I got into this line of work by leaning into what I'm good at—engaging with people and helping them feel empowered to be creative and innovative.

Have you made any cool connections at the House?

I have made SO many cool connections. I was never a cool kid in school (an oddball and wanna be rebel lol) and dropped out of college, but while working this job I have met people who I could only have dreamed of surrounding myself. Our members, their guests, staff, and programming partners are so incredibly talented. To get to connect and work with them helps feed what excites me the most about my job— the creativity to come up with our programming schedule.

Any parting words?

While I would LOVE to take credit for the amazing programming events that happen, I have to give a lot of that credit to our partners, members, and staff. These ideas are just as much theirs as they are mine and without them, none of these events would happen. I am eternally grateful for the humans who connect with me and share their amazing minds with Common House.