Name: Mika Nolen
Job Title/Company: Customer Service Representative for Pearl River Valley EPA
Years in position: 14 Years
Years in field: I’ve worked in some form of customer service all my life. Starting as a teen at Taco Bell as a Team Member and eventually becoming a Team Leader. During that time, I also worked at Southern Jewelry in production for a couple of years. From there I moved on to Moree’s Florist as a floral designer for about eight years. I also worked at Kane’s Fish House on the weekends as a waitress for nine years. It wasn’t till my late 20s that I started working for Pearl River Valley as a customer service representative. Most of my young life, I worked a full-time and part-time job. After about two years of waiting tables and working as a customer service representative, I decided it was time to stop working two jobs and focus on one. It was working these very different jobs as a young person that I learned quickly how to adapt to a situation and how to help customers, whether it be providing a product, food or answering questions regarding a service.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy reading fiction, fantasy and romance series and novels. There is no comparison to where your imagination can take you when reading a good book. My next hobby comes as no surprise to those who know me well. I am a diehard drag racing fan. No, I don’t race myself. I am a spectator only, but there is nothing like that rush, being at the starting line when your favorite racecar is leaving on the green light and the smell of race fuel and burnt rubber assaulting your senses. My love for drag racing led me to my last hobby. In my 30s, I purchased my dream car, a 1993 Ford Mustang GT. On the weekends, I go to car shows and cruise-ins in the surrounding areas where I have met many people in the car scene, lots of whom have become more like family rather than friends. I like to do the maintenance work on my car myself if I can. I am not a mechanic by any means, but I try. When I can’t figure out how to fix something, I can always rely on my car friends for help. I am also one of the founding members of the Columbia Gearheads that put on the monthly Main Street Cruise-In here in Columbia.
Spouse/Children: I married my high school sweetheart, Ryan. Ryan has worked in the oilfield for PetroTX Operating for many years. We have two amazing children, Madison, 20, and Kane, 15. Madison is a 2022 graduate of Columbia High School and will graduate from Pearl River Community College in December 2023 with a degree in Business Management Technology and an Associate’s in Applied Science. Madison also works full time for PearlComm Fiber. Kane is currently a freshman at Columbia High School and a member of the soccer team. I am so proud of our children and all their many achievements.
What do you enjoy about your job? The best part of my job, and what I enjoy the most, is the problem-solving aspect of it. When a consumer comes in with a problem or question about their electric bill, I listen and then do whatever necessary to answer their question or fix whatever issue they may have. Each consumer leaving happy and satisfied is always the goal. The ladies I work with in the general office make for a fun work environment. We work as a team to keep the workday flowing as smoothly as possible.
Why did you choose this profession? I don’t know if I chose customer service as a profession, really. I just seem to gravitate toward jobs that allow me to help people by solving problems and answering questions or providing services.
Who is your mentor and why? I don’t know that there is any one person I would call my mentor because there are so many people who have influenced me over the years. I work hard to be the best at everything I set my mind to. I learn by getting my hands dirty and doing the work required.
What is the best advice you ever received? I can’t remember who said this to me, but the best advice ever given to me was, “Don’t be scared of the word no! What if the answer is yes? If no, is the worst-case scenario, you have nothing to lose and everything you wanted, if the answer is yes.”
What career advice would you give future women in business? Don’t be scared to take charge and ask questions. Own your mistakes and grow from them. Work hard for your goals in life. Stay true to yourself and what you believe in even if it is different from those around you. Lastly, never underestimate your own abilities and what you bring to the table!
