Womxn at Lyte: HUSTLE with Jeannette Savell

Lyte presents “Womxn at Lyte,” a series of conversations highlighting the voices of our womxn.

Q: As a child, what did you think you wanted to be? How do you think you came to that decision?

Jeanette Savell: When I was younger I would have bet a lot of money that I would grow up to be a pediatrician. I was sick a lot when I was younger, so I spent a lot of time in the hospital around amazing doctors and nurses. I saw and felt the impact that they had on my young life. I wanted to make the same impact on other young children's lives, as well as their parents, who are in the hospital and don’t know anything else except that.

Q: What would your younger self be most surprised about how you live your life today?

Jeanette Savell: Oh good question. My younger self would be most surprised by the fact that my love and passion for the music industry led me to this amazing opportunity to contribute to something I love so deeply and has helped me so much throughout my life. And that I’ve come into my own as a woman, daughter, partner, and friend and through all the trials and tribulations I’ve come out stronger than I ever thought possible.

Q: What do you think is the hardest part of what you do for a living?

Jeanette Savell: Balance. I am constantly learning the balance between work and self. My to-do list never ever ends and I’ll always be adding more to it. As important as it is to deliver my work here at Lyte, it's equally as important that I show up for myself. That’s what I’ve got to remind myself of daily, for real. It’s also hard because I don’t have anything to compare to what we’re doing here at Lyte too. It’s an urban myth in the production world with what we’re doing, but we’re doing it. We’re all going hard all the time, 24/7, and the guilt I feel if I’m having a bad day and can’t contribute and show up the way my team needs me to is real. I’m learning that I can’t show up for my team if I don't take care of myself first.

Q: What do you love about working at LYTE?

Jeanette Savell: I love that we are doing something that has never been done before. We are disrupting an industry and making life-changing experiences accessible to people who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to attend some of these shows. It’s the worst feeling showing up to a show after you’ve got the hotel booked, the homies with you and then you go to scan in and they say your tickets are already inside. That wrenching feeling, that no one should have to go through. Nor should anyone have to decide what bill they won’t pay this month to go see a show with their favorite artist because the tickets are so expensive. I’ve always believed that live music and events should be accessible to everyone - it's such an experience. Live music is a transformative experience and one of the only places, especially in our adult lives, you can feel totally carefree and check out [for two and a half hours] and forget about the worries that were holding you down. A lot of people I know weren't able to experience that until they were adults, and so I always think about how much would have shifted in their lives when they were younger if they were able to experience live music. Everything from plays to concerts. I also love that I’m able to say I am a part of the thing that made those experiences more accessible for everyone. I also love that I’m surrounded by the cream of the crop here at Lyte. Everyone is so smart and talented, I thrive being surrounded by the best because I learn something new every day.

Q: What lesson took you the longest to unlearn?

Jeanette Savell: This is one of the best questions I think I've ever been asked in my life. The lesson that took me the longest to unlearn is that it’s okay that everyone operates on a different energy plane. I’m a passionate, ambitious Scorpio. Meaning I operate on a let’s go, tell me what you want done, let’s get it done right the first time (even though it might take me a bit longer) –that’s how I operate. I had to learn that other people don’t operate that same way and that is okay. I feel my duty as a person and as a teammate is to figure out how and why a person operates the way they do so that I can be the best teammate I can be for them with their work style. To give them what they need from me to feel more confident in their abilities to grow professionally.

Q: What have you accomplished recently that would have shocked you a year ago?

Jeanette Savell: This sounds so cliche, and I’m rolling my eyes at myself but if you told me a year ago that I would not only survive but thrive during a global pandemic, I would not have believed you. I set a goal a year ago for myself that was essentially me shooting my shot. I’ve always made a promise to myself to always keep challenging myself, and that’s what this goal was to me. Throughout the year, I was doing the work daily to get myself to this goal, and then I got it. It was a huge deal for me because I knew it was not only my hustle that got me here but also having people around me that believed in me and my abilities and that I can contribute more to what we’re doing here.

Q: What would you say, are you more afraid of failure or success and why?

Jeanette Savell: I am definitely more scared of success. I’ve grown the most in my failures and having that gut-wrenching feeling of letting those I care about, as well my teammates down. I hate that. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I don’t feel that feeling again. I also know that the most growth personally and professionally comes out of failure.

Success is something I've never tasted or felt on a major level. I know I’m working towards being successful and I know all the work it’s taking to get me to that point, but what does it look like when I get there? What does it taste like? What does it take to maintain it? What if I don’t like it? What does it bring with it? Success is another book with so many chapters that I haven't gotten to yet. I’m putting everything I’ve got into getting me there though.

Success to me is being able to say that I'm contributing daily to something I'm proud of and love to do all while helping those around me evolve, never folding on myself & being able to live comfortably.

Q: What's non-negotiable in your life?

Jeanette Savell: Without a doubt, Respect. Respect was always number one in our house growing up, not only for me respecting my elders but for my elders respecting me in return. I always treat people how I would like to be treated, that's at my core as Jeanette. One of the best lessons that my parents taught me from their old school days was to demand respect when I walk into a room because I know what I bring to the table. So when I’m in a meeting or situation and I get disrespected, I flip my Scorpio switch real quick. Because I know that I've given you absolutely no reason to disrespect me. Is it because I'm a woman? Because I’m young? Because I know what I’m talking about? Because of my background? Because of where I came from? I have absolutely zero tolerance for that and can never forget it. It's a done deal from that point forward.

Q: What can womxn create together?

Jeanette Savell: You mean besides life? It’s invigorating to think about our generation of womxn who refuse to back down, who use our voices collectively and individually. Votes and dollars are birthing the next generation of leaders that will continue to ensure that our grandchildren won’t have to face the same glass ceilings we were working to break down on a daily. Womxn can also do anything a man can do, but better.

Q: What's the most exciting improvement for womxn in the industry or in general?

Jeanette Savell: This industry has been male-dominated since I came into it 10+ years ago, so it's so exciting for me to see so many womxn nearing the top of the ranks. It’s still not enough in my eyes, there needs to be more womxn in powerful decision-making roles. It's inspiring even on my bad days to know there are more womxn growing within this industry and we’re no longer looked down upon as though we know less just because we are womxn. But also knowing we’ve still got a lot more work to do.

Q: What title would you give this chapter in your life?

Jeanette Savell: Hustle and Motivate. That’s all I’m about at this point in my life. I’m not doing anything that doesn't help me accomplish my goals because I know I’ve got a lot more to prove in every aspect of my life. I’m learning to trust myself more as well as learning to push myself more out of my comfort zone to set higher goals. I’m the type that’s going to go get it, simple as that.

Q: Is there a question that we didn't ask you?

Jeanette Savell: Not a question, but a statement. That the impact of the womxn here at Lyte is profound. There's no gatekeeper here. Everyone that I've come in contact with is so willing to share their knowledge and share the growth. We're all running together. If you make a mistake that's okay. You're going to grow, you're going to learn from it. You're not going to be swatted on the hand or made to feel worse about yourself. So you screwed up, it's all right, it happens–now how do we make this better. It's an exciting part of the environment. I've never been a part of something like this and I feel so blessed to be a part of it and its growth. The constant learning I get every single day is super exciting and inspiring.

Womxn at Lyte featuring Jeannette Savell, Client Services Operations at Lyte

Lyte presents “Womxn at Lyte,” a series of conversations highlighting the voices of our womxn.

Q: As a child, what did you think you wanted to be? How do you think you came to that decision?

Jeanette Savell: When I was younger I would have bet a lot of money that I would grow up to be a pediatrician. I was sick a lot when I was younger, so I spent a lot of time in the hospital around amazing doctors and nurses. I saw and felt the impact that they had on my young life. I wanted to make the same impact on other young children's lives, as well as their parents, who are in the hospital and don’t know anything else except that.

Q: What would your younger self be most surprised about how you live your life today?

Jeanette Savell: Oh good question. My younger self would be most surprised by the fact that my love and passion for the music industry led me to this amazing opportunity to contribute to something I love so deeply and has helped me so much throughout my life. And that I’ve come into my own as a woman, daughter, partner, and friend and through all the trials and tribulations I’ve come out stronger than I ever thought possible.

Q: What do you think is the hardest part of what you do for a living?

Jeanette Savell: Balance. I am constantly learning the balance between work and self. My to-do list never ever ends and I’ll always be adding more to it. As important as it is to deliver my work here at Lyte, it's equally as important that I show up for myself. That’s what I’ve got to remind myself of daily, for real. It’s also hard because I don’t have anything to compare to what we’re doing here at Lyte too. It’s an urban myth in the production world with what we’re doing, but we’re doing it. We’re all going hard all the time, 24/7, and the guilt I feel if I’m having a bad day and can’t contribute and show up the way my team needs me to is real. I’m learning that I can’t show up for my team if I don't take care of myself first.

Q: What do you love about working at LYTE?

Jeanette Savell: I love that we are doing something that has never been done before. We are disrupting an industry and making life-changing experiences accessible to people who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to attend some of these shows. It’s the worst feeling showing up to a show after you’ve got the hotel booked, the homies with you and then you go to scan in and they say your tickets are already inside. That wrenching feeling, that no one should have to go through. Nor should anyone have to decide what bill they won’t pay this month to go see a show with their favorite artist because the tickets are so expensive. I’ve always believed that live music and events should be accessible to everyone - it's such an experience. Live music is a transformative experience and one of the only places, especially in our adult lives, you can feel totally carefree and check out [for two and a half hours] and forget about the worries that were holding you down. A lot of people I know weren't able to experience that until they were adults, and so I always think about how much would have shifted in their lives when they were younger if they were able to experience live music. Everything from plays to concerts. I also love that I’m able to say I am a part of the thing that made those experiences more accessible for everyone. I also love that I’m surrounded by the cream of the crop here at Lyte. Everyone is so smart and talented, I thrive being surrounded by the best because I learn something new every day.

Q: What lesson took you the longest to unlearn?

Jeanette Savell: This is one of the best questions I think I've ever been asked in my life. The lesson that took me the longest to unlearn is that it’s okay that everyone operates on a different energy plane. I’m a passionate, ambitious Scorpio. Meaning I operate on a let’s go, tell me what you want done, let’s get it done right the first time (even though it might take me a bit longer) –that’s how I operate. I had to learn that other people don’t operate that same way and that is okay. I feel my duty as a person and as a teammate is to figure out how and why a person operates the way they do so that I can be the best teammate I can be for them with their work style. To give them what they need from me to feel more confident in their abilities to grow professionally.

Q: What have you accomplished recently that would have shocked you a year ago?

Jeanette Savell: This sounds so cliche, and I’m rolling my eyes at myself but if you told me a year ago that I would not only survive but thrive during a global pandemic, I would not have believed you. I set a goal a year ago for myself that was essentially me shooting my shot. I’ve always made a promise to myself to always keep challenging myself, and that’s what this goal was to me. Throughout the year, I was doing the work daily to get myself to this goal, and then I got it. It was a huge deal for me because I knew it was not only my hustle that got me here but also having people around me that believed in me and my abilities and that I can contribute more to what we’re doing here.

Q: What would you say, are you more afraid of failure or success and why?

Jeanette Savell: I am definitely more scared of success. I’ve grown the most in my failures and having that gut-wrenching feeling of letting those I care about, as well my teammates down. I hate that. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I don’t feel that feeling again. I also know that the most growth personally and professionally comes out of failure.

Success is something I've never tasted or felt on a major level. I know I’m working towards being successful and I know all the work it’s taking to get me to that point, but what does it look like when I get there? What does it taste like? What does it take to maintain it? What if I don’t like it? What does it bring with it? Success is another book with so many chapters that I haven't gotten to yet. I’m putting everything I’ve got into getting me there though.

Success to me is being able to say that I'm contributing daily to something I'm proud of and love to do all while helping those around me evolve, never folding on myself & being able to live comfortably.

Q: What's non-negotiable in your life?

Jeanette Savell: Without a doubt, Respect. Respect was always number one in our house growing up, not only for me respecting my elders but for my elders respecting me in return. I always treat people how I would like to be treated, that's at my core as Jeanette. One of the best lessons that my parents taught me from their old school days was to demand respect when I walk into a room because I know what I bring to the table. So when I’m in a meeting or situation and I get disrespected, I flip my Scorpio switch real quick. Because I know that I've given you absolutely no reason to disrespect me. Is it because I'm a woman? Because I’m young? Because I know what I’m talking about? Because of my background? Because of where I came from? I have absolutely zero tolerance for that and can never forget it. It's a done deal from that point forward.

Q: What can womxn create together?

Jeanette Savell: You mean besides life? It’s invigorating to think about our generation of womxn who refuse to back down, who use our voices collectively and individually. Votes and dollars are birthing the next generation of leaders that will continue to ensure that our grandchildren won’t have to face the same glass ceilings we were working to break down on a daily. Womxn can also do anything a man can do, but better.

Q: What's the most exciting improvement for womxn in the industry or in general?

Jeanette Savell: This industry has been male-dominated since I came into it 10+ years ago, so it's so exciting for me to see so many womxn nearing the top of the ranks. It’s still not enough in my eyes, there needs to be more womxn in powerful decision-making roles. It's inspiring even on my bad days to know there are more womxn growing within this industry and we’re no longer looked down upon as though we know less just because we are womxn. But also knowing we’ve still got a lot more work to do.

Q: What title would you give this chapter in your life?

Jeanette Savell: Hustle and Motivate. That’s all I’m about at this point in my life. I’m not doing anything that doesn't help me accomplish my goals because I know I’ve got a lot more to prove in every aspect of my life. I’m learning to trust myself more as well as learning to push myself more out of my comfort zone to set higher goals. I’m the type that’s going to go get it, simple as that.

Q: Is there a question that we didn't ask you?

Jeanette Savell: Not a question, but a statement. That the impact of the womxn here at Lyte is profound. There's no gatekeeper here. Everyone that I've come in contact with is so willing to share their knowledge and share the growth. We're all running together. If you make a mistake that's okay. You're going to grow, you're going to learn from it. You're not going to be swatted on the hand or made to feel worse about yourself. So you screwed up, it's all right, it happens–now how do we make this better. It's an exciting part of the environment. I've never been a part of something like this and I feel so blessed to be a part of it and its growth. The constant learning I get every single day is super exciting and inspiring.

Womxn at Lyte featuring Jeannette Savell, Client Services Operations at Lyte