Meet Our Team

• Stephen Anson
  Co-founder & CEO

  Stephen Anson
  Co-Founder & CEO

  Bio coming soon!



• William Esteb
  Co-founder & Director
  

  Bill Esteb
  Co-Founder

  How did Perfect Patients begin?

  Got a phone call from this fellow from Perth, Australia who was looking for chiropractic content for his spouse's website. We decided to meet four months later when I was going to be in New Zealand for a speaking gig. We sat in my hotel room for two days talking about the possibilities. And the rest as they say, is history.

  What do you enjoy most about your job?

  Troubleshooting, problem solving and finding creative solutions is when I'm at my best. I still have a hand in writing the content and making sure that chiropractic principles are well represented in the newsletters, blog posts and other patient-facing content. The biggest thrill is reading the comments from actual patients who were changed in some way because of something that they read on their doctor's website.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?

  When I'm not in front of a computer I putter in my organic greenhouse garden, try to prevail over the lawn and tend to my new beehive. Because of the local bear population I have to protect the hive with an electrified fence.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?

  I have flown 2,000,000 miles on United Airlines and along the way have collected over 217 different Do Not Disturb doorknob hangers from hotels around the world. (Which, by the way, is not always effective at stopping hotel housekeeping staff from waking you up in the morning.)



• Stena Lambert
  Director
  

  Stena Lambert
  Client Services Manager

  What led you to Perfect Patients?

  My brother is a chiropractor and he was one of the very early clients of Perfect Patients. He received an email that they were looking for account managers right when I was looking to return to the workforce after raising my twin boys. The timing was perfect!

  The flexibility of my position is great since it allows me to be at my kids' events, but most of all, the people are what I love. The colleagues and clients are both such incredible groups of people.

  How has chiropractic influenced your life?

  I had seen a chiropractor on and off throughout my adult life, starting with problems for headaches. When I ended up with bad back pain, I finally learned the value of wellness care, rather than resorting to the chiropractor only when I was in a crisis. As a parent, it's hard to make time for myself, but I'm finally learning to carve out time to prioritize my health. My whole family sees a chiropractor on a regular basis.

  What keeps you busy outside of work?

  I like to stay involved with our community along with my daughter, Brooklynn, who is involved with the Miss America Organization. They're the largest scholarship provider for young women, and over the years, we've done coat drives, helped the disadvantaged and worked with special needs children through her personal platform.

  My boys, Blake and Zachary, are active in football, baseball and basketball. My husband Bo coaches the middle school football team and a travel baseball team, so being a coach's wife keeps me busy. My family is my favorite hobby, and I wouldn't change that for the world!

  Is there anything that most people would be surprised to learn about you?

  Being a coach's wife isn't an obligation – it's a passion. I am a baseball fanatic! My daughter works for the Detroit Tigers Energy Squad doing marketing and promotions during the games, and it makes attending them even more fun for me. Go Tigers!



• Julie Watts
  Director
  

  Julie Watts
  Design & Development Director

  What led you to Perfect Patients?

  I first discovered Perfect Patients in 2010 when my chiropractor forwarded me an email she received saying the company was looking for an account manager, and knowing my background she thought I’d be a great fit. From the moment I opened the email and read the job post I instantly knew that this was my path. I started off working with clients and building websites which came naturally since I had a background and education in website design and development.

  Since then, I’ve held many positions within our various departments, including marketing and design. I'm currently serving on our leadership team, and happy to lead our creative and technical teams, as the Design & Development Director.

  The best part about Perfect Patients is our team… we're like a family. I wish our clients knew just how passionate and dedicated our team is about our clients and each and every website that we create.

  How has chiropractic affected your life?

  For as long as I can remember, chiropractic has been a part of my life. As a young girl, I noticed my mood and attitude improved, as well as my grades after I started receiving regular chiropractic care. Over the years, I've always turned to chiropractic to get me through, including several car accidents and a couple difficult pregnancies.

  What do you do when you’re not at work?

  When I'm not at my computer I enjoy spending time with friends and family, especially my two young children. They keep me busy chauffeuring them to gymnastics, basketball, play dates, etc – but I love it! I also enjoy interior design projects, binge watching on Netflix and Amazon, and hanging out with our two dogs – a big 115-pound German Shepherd and a little 5-pound Jack Russell Terrier mix, who are inseparable.



• Lauren Lofts
  Director
  

  Lauren Lofts
  Director, Revenue

  With a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and over 13 years account management experience, Lauren understands the digital marketing landscape and what it takes to succeed online today. She is passionate about health and wellness and loves chatting with chiropractors about how they can reach more new patients with a comprehensive digital marketing strategy.

  When she’s not consulting with chiropractors, she volunteers her time and experience to a local non-profit where she is the fundraising coordinator and social media manager.



• Ela Sezer
  Manager, Client Services
  

  Ela Sezer
  Client Services Manager

  What led you to Vortala?

  I was drawn to Vortala's focus on providing top-notch digital marketing solutions to healthcare professionals, specifically in the field of dentistry and chiropractic care. I have always been passionate about helping businesses grow and succeed, and being a Client Services Manager at Vortala allows me to do just that.

  What do you love most about your job?

  The thing I love most about my job is the opportunity to work with a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping our clients succeed. It's incredibly rewarding to see the impact that our work has on the practices we serve as well as their patients, and I take pride in knowing that we are making a difference in the healthcare industry.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?

  In my spare time, I enjoy dancing, spending quality time with friends and family, travelling, trying different foods (luckily my husband is a chef! ) and watching movies. Dancing has been a passion of mine for many years, and I love being able to express myself through movement. Spending time with loved ones and enjoying the beauty of nature are also important to me, and I find that these activities help me recharge and stay balanced.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?

  One thing that might surprise people is that I have actually jumped from the first three planes I ever boarded! When I was younger, I took a parachute course and had to do three jumps in order to get my beginner certificate. I had never flown before that, so I took off in a plane three times but never landed with them! It was definitely an exhilarating experience!



• Erica McCormick
  Manager, Website & Content Team
  

  Erica McCormick
  Manager, Website & Content Team

  What do you love most about your job?

  Hearing about the impact our website service has on chiropractic practices and patients. I love new patient conversion success stories! It's rewarding to learn about the positive impact our work has on practices and the health of the people in the practice communities.

  How has chiropractic changed your life?

  I began seeing a chiropractor when I was diagnosed with Scoliosis at the age of 13. I credit a back brace and chiropractic care with keeping my spinal curves beneath the threshold for surgery.

  As an adult, I have continued wellness chiropractic care that included prenatal adjustments for a healthy pregnancy. The care I've received as a long-term chiropractic patient helps me apply a patient perspective to my work.

  What would we find you doing when you're not at work?

  I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially during the summer months in the Midwest. I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin with my husband, daughter, and our Yorkshire Terrier. You'll find us walking in our neighborhood, grilling dinner in our backyard, sitting around a campfire, or relaxing at area beaches.

  Share something about yourself that might surprise most people.

  I love the game of golf. I started playing as a child and I also married an avid golfer. Our baby daughter even has a junior golf bag already!



• Randi Grant
  Marketing Manager, Brand Strategy & Inbound
  

  Randi Grant
  Marketing Manager, Brand Strategy & Inbound

  What led you to Perfect Patients?

  I'm a firm believer in chiropractic. So when I saw the chance to work for Perfect Patients, I knew I had to apply. I researched the company and wanted to be a part of their mission, sharing chiropractic care with people who might never have considered it before. So now I get to do the marketing I love while sharing a message I'm passionate about.

  How has chiropractic influenced your life?

  I've gone to a chiropractor regularly since I was fourteen years old. I was a competitive swimmer and my parents took me in for shoulder pain I was experiencing. It helped tremendously. I continued to go to maintain my shoulder while rowing in college and to help with migraines. I recently moved back to my hometown and am so excited to be able to go to the chiropractor I first saw as a teenager. He helped me have a comfortable pregnancy and I'm happy to report that I haven't taken migraine medication in a year and a half!

  My husband is a patient as well and I know it'll be part of our daughter's future. If we can feel better naturally, I'll choose that every time over taking medication.

  What do you do in your spare time?

  I love to bake and often browse Pinterest for new recipes. People know me for my chocolate chip cookies and I like finding creative ways to bake with the lemons from a tree in our yard. My husband's family has a home in Arizona and we love going there and jet skiing on the Colorado River. When we're not there, you can find us in the pool or at the beach (perk of living in California – those are year-round activities!). Reading is my other passion. I was an English major, so I've read my fair share of classic literature. Now I just prefer books that are entertaining and light-hearted!



• Lauren Lloyd
  Manager, Design & Product Development
  

  Lauren Lloyd
  Design Team Leader

  What do you love most about working here?

  Everyone I work with loves what they do and are passionate about fighting for our clients, making their websites the best they can be. It's inspiring to work here, particularly with the design team. They're such positive, awesome people and it constantly reignites my spark to want to do high-quality work and contribute to our team.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?

  I love distance running and am always training for some sort of race. I also really enjoy baking, trying new recipes, and cookie decorating. My husband and I love to be outside whenever we can, too.

  Share something about yourself that might surprise most people.

  It's a little difficult to explain, but I have a pretty great party trick in being an alphabet aficionado. I can say it forward, backward, inside and out (matching up A-Z, B-Y and so on), or with saying the sound of the letter instead of the name. None of that has ever proved to be useful, but it's fun.



• Cherie Dickey
  Manager, SEM

  Cherie Dickey
  SEO Team Leader

  How did you end up at Perfect Patients?

  I have a degree in information technologies, specializing in visual communications that include website design and marketing. With living in a rural area, it was tough to find a job using my background, so I started to look for something online. I didn’t think the posting was legitimate at first because it seemed too good to be true!

  SEO was the missing piece in my skill set, and it’s been the best job I’ve ever had.

  Have you been to a chiropractor before?

  I’ve experienced tremendous benefits from chiropractic. Debilitating lower back pain stemming from a sled riding incident left me unable to sit or walk for a time. I also had neck problems where I couldn’t look over my shoulder. The chiropractor identified a lower vertebra that had twisted from the jump my husband had made on our sledding hill that I thought looked fun to try! Everything was cleared up thanks to chiropractic.

  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

  I love being outdoors in the summer and doing activities like kayaking, riding ATVs and going camping. In the winter, I like to snuggle up with my pets and read a good book or crochet. I have a daughter and three stepchildren, and my oldest stepson has five kids, making me a grandma. Our family is rounded out by three cats, a giant dog and a goldfish won at a fair that’s somehow survived for seven years!

  Is there anything about you that might surprise most people?

  I play the guitar and sing, preferably around a campfire on a warm night. My favorite song to play is “After the Glitter Fades” by Stevie Nicks.



• Susan Lessinger
  Manager, People & Culture
  

  Susan Lessinger
  Manager, People & Culture

  How did you come to work at Smile Marketing?
  I was born and raised in the California Bay Area. After a decade of a really long commute, we moved my family north 250 miles to live in the country and enjoy clean, fresh air. After settling into our new home and community, I looked for a remote job so I could spend more time with my family before our twins left for college. I found Smile Marketing and was so excited to join the team!

  What is your favorite thing about your job?
  We have the most amazing and talented team members! I have never worked with such a passionate and caring group of individuals. I am so lucky to get to work with each and every one of them!

  How do you spend your spare time?
  My spare time is spent with my family, swimming, wine tasting, going to the movies, and watching my Seattle Seahawks during football season. Football in our house is cut-throat since we have Steelers, Patriots and Cowboys fans competing against my Seahawks!

  You might be surprised to learn that I am very Italian! My coloring reflects my mom's Danish genes, but I talk with my hands like a typical Italian.



• Markie Lee
  Team Leader, Content
  

  Markie Lee
  Content Team Leader

  How did you end up at Perfect Patients?

  I'm originally from the Flint area of Michigan. During freshman year at college, my best friend and I made a pact to move to Los Angeles after graduation, and we did! Another employee I knew who worked at Perfect Patients told me about a job opening that they thought would be perfect for me. I ended up getting the position, which was on the marketing team. Later, I moved to the content team leader role.

  I love what a supportive environment we work in. Everyone is understanding and it's truly a team-oriented workplace – open, inviting and dedicated to doing what it takes to give our clients the best service.

  What do you do to stay healthy?

  I like to be active and go for walks, take spinning classes, try new workouts and do Pilates. Luckily, my gym is within walking distance, and I also live right by the beach. I try to eat healthy most of the time, but balance it with indulging my sweet tooth every now and then.

  How do you like to spend your spare time?

  I live in the Los Angeles are and firmly believe you could eat at a new restaurant every day for the rest of your life and still not try them all! I've been known to binge-watch on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime. If there's something I can do outside, I'm in!

  What's something about you that would surprise most people?

  I am fascinated by police chases. Living in Southern California, there are a bizarrely large amount of them. They're aired on TV almost always, and it's so interesting because nobody ever gets away, yet everyone always thinks they can. I've even signed up for alerts that are sent to my phone so that I can tune in when there's a live feed going!



• Stacy Colgin
  Team Leader, Digital Marketing Specialist

  

  Stacy Colgin
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  “The clients we work with are so great! I always find myself smiling when I am on the phone with them. I have always been a strong believer in chiropractic, so it is so cool to hear all of the different techniques and thought processes of doctors all over the world.”

  After owning a few e-commerce and consulting businesses herself, Stacy finds the digital marketing space to be an innovative, fun and exciting atmosphere to call “work.” Prior to joining the Vortala team, Stacy had a friend who worked for the company who was always telling her how amazing the atmosphere was. Now that Stacy’s a part of our team, she agrees!

  Stacy considers herself a workaholic, and when she isn’t on the clock, she’s often volunteering with a number of other organizations—including the American Legion and VFW. She enjoys spending time fishing on Lake Superior and loves to be outdoors with her family as much as possible. Stacy is a big NFL fan–you can find her cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers on game days!



• Kari Journigan
  Team Leader, Production Specialist
  

  Kari Journigan
  Website Production Specialist Team Leader

  How did you end up being a part of the Smile Marketing team?

  I have a background in marketing working most recently for a small start-up. Prior to that, I was a Senior Account Executive at a marketing agency working with numerous clients in the travel tourism industry. I knew I wanted to find a company with an awesome team that could continue to grow my career and Smile Marketing was an awesome fit.

  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

  I’m married to a fire fighter named Randy and we have two children named Savannah and Dylan. We live by the beach and enjoy spending our time outdoors, camping and traveling to exciting places we have never been before. We also are huge Disney World fans! When I am not working, you will probably find me relaxing with a good book or playing on the beach with my family.

  Is there anything about you that might surprise people?

  I have written a few novels in the women’s fiction genre over the years. I started back in my college days, and do not have quite as much time for it now-a-days as I would like to, but my goal is to publish a novel one day!



• Adrian Zugravu
  Team Leader, Client Support

  Adrian Zugravu
  Sr. Client Support Specialist

  What led you to Perfect Patients?

  With a strong background in client support and a hobby playing with WordPress® and Photoshop, I found the position advertised online and thought it would be a good fit. I live outside of a big city and knew I wanted to work from home. As the first contact for our clients, I give advice and answer questions or concerns by phone and email.

  What do you love about your job?

  The people! I love giving our clients quick results. Perfect Patients gives their employees a lot of freedom, too, which I find empowering. There’s a lot of tools at our disposal that we can use to boost the results our clients get.

  How do you spend your spare time?

  I have two dogs that I take out for long walks. I enjoy fishing, watching movies and traveling occasionally. My house is a small farm in the country, but instead of the usual farm animals, it’s just my dogs and a cat.

  Share something about you that might surprise most people.

  Often, people don’t expect my level of fluency in English, since I’m from Romania. I learned the language from watching English-language cartoons, and since I loved TV as a kid, I learned a lot in a short amount of time! My friends and I used to practice speaking English with each other, too.



• Jackie Bell
  Team Leader, Client Retention

  Jackie Bell
  Leader, Client Retention

  What attracted you to your current role? What do you like most about working at Perfect Patients?
  I love helping others achieve their goals and working with the beautification and perfection of things. Every person I have interacted with here has been so willing to help and explain everything which speaks volumes for the company's culture!

  What types of jobs have you held in the past?
  Right after college I played basketball in Spain for a year. I ran my own Insurance Agency for 5 years, worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative for 5 years and then taught Career & Technical Education in middle and high school for 3 years.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I love to play basketball with my kids, do anything crafty, I've been learning guitar recently and am always ready to play video games with my kids.

  What other hobbies do you have?
  My main hobby is working with designing SVG files to use with my Cricuts. I have 3 Cricuts (excessive I know) and love to personalize and recreate images. I also do remembrance items and digitally recreate photos that are turned into vinyl images for pillows, lanterns and decals. I love working with Logos as well. I redesigned a few school logos that were adopted into use at the schools I taught at over the past few years.

  Tell us about your favorite vacation you’ve ever taken?
  My time living in Spain was one of the most amazing experiences. I lived in the Canary Islands, was paid to play a game that I love and every other week traveled with my team to mainland Spain and explored so many beautiful cities. I would love to go back and vacation anywhere in Spain again.

  Tell us about your "favorites" so we can get to know you better!
  My favorite food is Ahi Tuna tacos with honey wasabi sauce.
  My favorite sport is basketball.
  My favorite website is Amazon.
  My favorite app is DuoLingo.
  My favorite artists are Counting Crows, Ray LaMontagne and Amos Lee.



• Jessica Price
  Team Leader, Paid Traffic

  Jessica Price
  Paid Traffic Team Leader

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  Honestly, I think we found each other! I had taken a couple years off work when my son was born and wasn’t really looking, but a friend sent me the job posting and I thought I would apply just to dip my toe back in and see. I hadn’t planned on anything really coming of it, but after interviewing I thought it would be a really great fit for both my skill set and experience as well as this season of life. And as they say, the rest is history!

  What do you love most about your job?
  The people. Not only do I love my co-workers, but I love that we are helping affect real change in people’s lives. It’s not often in the advertising industry that you can truly say that!

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  Well, I spend a lot of time at a soccer field and golf course watching my 8 year old live his best life, but when I get time for me, I can be found at an aerial yoga class or reading a book by the pool!

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I was a competitive figure skater until I was 17 and had the same coach as Tonya Harding.



• Jennifer Hogeland
  Team Leader, Website Team

  

  Jennifer Hogeland
  Website Builder

  What led you to Perfect Patients?

  I was Facebook friends with a Vortala employee (Erica Van Boxel) and she posted the company was growing and hiring client support specialists. I did a little online research and gave her a call to discuss the opportunity. When she told me about the position, I knew I had the skillset that would make the job a great fit.

  What is your favorite part of your job?

  I love having the opportunity to help our clients in both big and small ways—sometimes it’s just resetting a password so they can go about their day, or offering advice that can have a major impact on their site. Clients so often expression their appreciation and it’s so rewarding to know I’m helping them by making managing a practice a little easier.

  How do you spend your spare time? 

  I live in Wisconsin with my husband and two teenage children. I like to spend time with my family, go for walks with friends and I try to sneak in dinner and movie whenever possible.

  What’s something about you that would surprise most people? 

  I have an identical twin sister, which can really surprise people if they don’t know this before see her around town—we live less than 2 miles away from each other. Also, my parents both grew up on farms, so I was surrounded by animals all my life; however, I didn’t get my first dog until a year ago. Now I can’t imagine our home without our 8-pound teddy bear puppy, Lulu.



• Timo van Deventer
  Team Leader, SEO

  Timo van Deventer
  SEO Team Leader

  Bio Coming Soon



• Lexi Lane
  Training & Resource Coordinator
  

  Lexi Lane
  Training & Resource Coordinator

  How did you end up at Perfect Patients?

  I had spent 17 years in the chiropractic field. Originally, I worked at the front desk, a position that later evolved into being a health assistant. In this role, I assisted with new patient examinations and training new staff, which ignited my passion for teaching others.
  I obtained a job at Perfect Patients as an account manager, taking care of our international clients. When the need arose, I started training new employees. Later, when we developed the client support department, I was asked to be the head of it and gladly accepted.

  What are your words to live by?

  I love guiding my team members and seeing them move on and thrive in different roles within the company. My mission is to educate, motivate, encourage and inspire, and that’s what I get to do every day, whether for our employees or clients. A positive mindset is a vital part of my mission, and I like to bring that vibe to our client support team. Though we work remotely, I want to bring a sense of community to everything we do.

  How has chiropractic changed your life?

  My son was the first of our family to see a chiropractor. He was about three when he started having hearing problems. The medical doctors were talking about removing his adenoids and draining his ears. Fortunately, someone suggested we try chiropractic. Within a month, his hearing and entire personality were completely transformed. That’s when my entire family started care, and it allowed the frightening dizzy spells that would leave me in bed for a day to completely disappear.

  What do you do in your spare time?

  I am on a lifelong quest for knowledge. Whether it’s reading books, surfing the internet or poring over any other source, I’m thirsty to learn more about our world, other people or myself. I think if you’re not learning, you’re dying, so I’m always trying to grow as a person. I’m also a health nut, so I exercise every day and eat a balanced diet.
  I have three awesome kids, and being a mom was the best job I’ve ever had. I love spending time with them, and with my two dogs, too.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?

  I used to be an esthetician and makeup artist and enjoy helping people discover how to enhance their natural beauty. It’s such a great creative outlet! Something else people might not know is that I’m an avid soccer player. I’ve done it my whole life and even coached middle school boys’ soccer, which allowed me to further indulge my love of training and teaching.



• Maria Diamond
  Digital Marketing Consultant

  Maria Diamond
  Sales & Marketing Administrator

  I started with Vortala early 2018, and I was drawn to the amazing culture, which is like a big work family.

  What I love most about my job is I can work from anywhere and service our clients and leads from all over the world. My role is within sales and marketing, so I am one of the front-end representatives for any new practices that join us.

  In my spare time, I like to go on hikes and explore new waterfalls with my partner and fur-child.

  Fun fact: I actually had to learn English when I started school! Even though I was born in Australia, I have a greek heritage and grew up only speaking the Greek language.



• Tasha King
  Digital Marketing Consultant
  

  Tasha King
  Digital Marketing Consultant

  How did you end up at Perfect Patients?

  I’d been in banking for years and after an acquisition, was laid off. I wanted to find a position with some flexibility and was talking it over with my chiropractor. She’d just received an email from her website service, who were seeking people for an open position. It just happened to be Perfect Patients. I applied, and my chiropractor sent a recommendation letter in for me, which I’m grateful for to this day.

  The best part about this job is, by far, the people. Our clients and my colleagues alike are incredible. Though we work remotely, I feel like I know them all personally.

  How has chiropractic impacted your life?

  Honestly, it changed everything for me. I became a chiropractic patient later in life after having suffered from terrible migraines for most of my life. I even participated in a headache study in hopes of finding a solution. Combined with severe back pain, it was just too much for a 25-year-old to go through! A co-worker of mine suggested chiropractic. I didn’t know what it was and even had a misconception that it could be dangerous, but I ended up giving it a try.

  Within a couple of months, I was migraine-free, and still am to this day. My chiropractor was there for me through my pregnancies, too, when I had morning, afternoon and night sickness and the common aches and pains that expecting moms get. Our entire family visits the chiropractor every 4-6 weeks.

  What keeps you busy outside of work?

  My two daughters keep me busy with their activities, which I love being available to do with them. I’m active and enjoy running, doing Pilates and being outdoors or relaxing with a book. My husband and I cook together, and the whole family enjoys Friday night dance parties. We make pizzas, turn on music and move around. My daughters might occasionally find it embarrassing, but if there’s music on, I’m moving to it!

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?

  My husband and I own a whole body cryotherapy business. It’s an effective, efficient way to reduce inflammation and take advantage of your body’s natural healing properties. We find that it’s perfectly aligned with our belief in living a more holistic lifestyle.



• Deena Eberhart
  Senior Digital Marketing Specialist

  Deena Eberhart
  Sr. Digital Marketing Specialist

  What led you to Perfect Patients?
  The position was a good match for my skills and fulfilled my desire to work remotely. The company culture was also very attractive to me.

  What do you love most about your job?
  I love helping my clients, from answering questions to working with them to grow their practices through targeted online strategies.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I like to spend time with my hubby, hanging out with friends, spoiling my horse, and volunteering with a local spay/neuter nonprofit organization.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  That I love sci-fi, especially Doctor Who and Star Trek.



• Heather Mikolajczak
  Senior Digital Marketing Specialist

  Heather Mikolajczak
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  What led you to Perfect Patients?
  I was attracted to this role because I love working with clients and particularly small business owners. I enjoy helping them succeed and make a positive impact in their communities. So far, what I like most about working at Vortala is learning how I'll be helping chiropractors and dentists help more patients in their community and to be part of a smart, energetic and fun team.

  Tell us about your work experience.
  I've held a variety of marketing-related jobs, including corporate marketing, field marketing and digital marketing. I've worked in the food, education and veterinary medicine markets. I've always enjoyed learning about different industries and then setting growth goals and putting together a plan to achieve those goals.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I love playing tennis and enjoy time with my two children (Taylor and Joshua) and attend many softball and basketball games. They both play in high school and year-round on travel teams. Pre-COVID, I also spent lots of time attending professional sporting events, going to movies and eating out.

  I also enjoy yoga and (pre-COVID again) was a loyal OrangeTheory fan. My family is also a foster family, so we provide a temporary place for children in foster care to live when they need to be removed from their current living situation. I spend a good amount of free time advocating for children in our care to ensure they get the services they need to thrive. This takes much of my time, but I love doing it.

  Do you have a favorite travel memory?
  My favorite vacation was a trip to Italy with my husband to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We spent 10 days and visited Sicily, Rome, Florence and Venice. Our weekend in Sicily with his distant relatives was a highlight. They welcomed us like we had known each other for years (neither of us had ever met them or even spoken to them before the trip).
  We ate the most amazing food, learned to make pizza and traveled the countryside to see the street in Montemaggiore that my husband's (Stephen) great, great grandfather built and was named after him (Via Civello).

  What are some of your other favorite foods or things?
  I love homemade Italian pizza and Milk Duds! Amazon is my favorite website. Tennis is my favorite activity and my favorite sport is any that my kids are involved in!



• Sarah Shafer
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  Sarah Shafer
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  What led you to Perfect Patients?
  I’ve heard about Vortala's reputation in the industry, and am proud to work for a company with such an excellent track record. Paired with the company culture and remote team, it's a perfect fit for me!

  Tell us about your work experience.
  I have eight years of experience in digital marketing and copywriting for various industries and six years working full-time on an entirely remote team. With marketing, my success comes only with the success of my clients. Every day I love coming to work and helping them reach their potential customers and build their presence online. It's a great feeling when you know you’re truly making a positive impact.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  When I’m not working, I like to practice yoga, try out different restaurants around town and hike with my boyfriend Gabi and dog Sadie.
  My favorite thing to do is to travel and experience different cultures. Over the years, I've been fortunate to see some pretty awesome spots. I've lived in places such as Spain, United Arab Emirates, Bali and Costa Rica. My favorite place is Barcelona and one day I hope to visit New Zealand.



• Janeen Kempa
  Digital Marketing Specialist
  

  Janeen Kempa
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  Janeen joins the Vortala family with a passion for helping her clients, which was instilled in her through several jobs in the service industry before her career with us.

  As Janeen puts it, “In my current role, I have the chance to really study my accounts and offer suggestions to clients that can help execute their goals.”

  Outside of work, Janeen loves to read and is thankful for her Kindle Unlimited subscription. She looks forward to being able to travel again soon, and one day hopes to have visited all fifty states—she’s already crossed 30 of them off of her list!

  Fun fact: Janeen’s favorite ice cream flavor is “World Class Chocolate” found only at Baskin Robbins.



• Tamara Price
  Digital Marketing Specialist
  

  Tamara Price
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  How did you end up joining the Perfect Patients team?

  I ran a Burning Man theme camp with someone who works here. She just raved about the company and its employees. When a position opened up, I was so excited to apply. I love learning and expanding my knowledge and feel fortunate to be a part of our team!

  What keeps you busy in your spare time?

  I’m a knitter, an artist and love cooking with my husband. For years, I was the one who always made dinner, but my husband realized how much he enjoyed being in the kitchen, and now we have fun cooking together. I paint with acrylics and watercolor and like to sketch. My next project is to learn how to weld so I can create metal sculptures. I also keep busy by teaching adults in our community how to use computers and have eight wonderful grandchildren.

  What might most people be surprised to learn about you?

  I like to say, if you know me, you know me. But one thing that you might not realize is that I’m an introvert. I’m friendly and love to teach or work in groups, but I cherish my alone time. It’s precious to me, and I horde that time to recharge and create my art.



• John Wylie
  Digital Marketing Specialist
  

  John Wylie
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  What led you to Vortala?
  Funny enough – my mom works here! She's been singing the praises of Perfect Patients ever since she started. A position opened up, I applied to it – and found myself on this wonderful team after a couple adjustments (pardon the pun).

  What do you love most about your job?
  Before coming here, I worked in many facets of business and community management. What I love most about my role as a Digital Marketing Specialist is engaging new types of clients I had never worked with before. I love when clients I work with have an "AH HA!" moment and can run forward on their own with a strategy or plan we make together!

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I love drumming, reading, and hanging out with my little dog Kipper. You can also find me trying new coffee shops on the weekends and evenings. And enjoying a cigar and nice glass of scotch with my good buddies occasionally. I've also been known to frequent the San Antonio Zoo and spend lots of time with the Okapi there.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  That I am an introvert at heart. I love my personal space – but I also love people a TON and thrive in small groups and one-on-one engagements. I love being intentional and encouraging people, even strangers.

  Other than that, I have some talents that I've been blessed with. Juggling and making a mean cup of pour over coffee to name a couple.

  I also was a bit of a traveler before COVID hit, I've been to a few countries and count is a joy and honor to have made friends in other nations. This allows me to expand my worldview and learn a TON about different cultures and approaches to life, faith, and being a human.



• Dawn Cepero
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  Dawn Cepero
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  What led you to Perfect Patients?
  As a bit of a workaholic, I was working 16-hour-long marketing days and needed a change. I wanted to be respected not only for my work ethic but also for my time. The Perfect Patient family was an opportunity to have both. I was overjoyed meeting staff members and listening to their personal journeys within the company. After hearing everything, I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me.

  What do you love most about your job?
  I love the ability to work with lots of people from the comfort of my own home and to save lots of money on gas every year, but most importantly, I love being able to help someone by directly impacting the growth of their business and helping them reach a higher level than they anticipated was possible.

  Tell us about your work experience
  I have been working in Marketing in and around media for over 30 years – specializing in Brand Strategy, Media Placement (Traditional and Digital Media Ads), Creative, SEO, Email Marketing, and Large-Scale Event and Promotional Marketing. I also worked in Media Sales for a time being, and was the Director of Marketing for ABC TV, amongst other brands, working in both contractual consultant roles, as well as for privately held companies. I have been a wearer of many hats if you will.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I like working and love traveling, and really enjoy doing those two things together from anywhere, and spending as much time as possible with my children and family.

  Do you have a favorite travel memory?
  I have two. We visited Oregon and then traveled by car all the way back to Florida visiting major sites and cities over 2 1/2 weeks, including the Redwood Forest, the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Yosemite, Vegas, Albuquerque, the Painted Desert, Death Valley, Area 54 (well, we didn't visit it, but saw the parking lot), San Antonio, New Orleans, and a slew of other great sites. We also spent 3 weeks in Europe visiting London, Pisa, Tuscany, Florence, Rome, Sicily, Mykonos, Kotoolon, Napes, Venice, Santorini, Ephesus, and Madrid. It was a trip of a lifetime and I cannot wait to visit Paris, Ireland, and Israel next. My favorite places are Key West, New Orleans, and Florence.

  What are some of your other favorite foods or things?
  I love Italian food, pretty much any kind of Italian food and coffee; I must have lots of coffee!

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  Ha. I once had a counterpart tell me that I could create a promotion out of a stapler. So, I have a rule. "no idea is a bad one". That is because any idea can lead to "the" idea. I am very humble and helpful because I wouldn't have the skills I have today if someone else hadn't taught me and for that, I am forever grateful. I used to sing, but now not so much and I once trained a team of dancers who performed on stage at The Grand Ole Opry and in Opryland.



• Alana McVey
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  Alana McVey
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  Bio coming soon!



• Marcus Biggs
  Digital Marketing Specialist
  

  Marcus Biggs
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  Marcus is a Digital Marketing Specialist with over a decade's experience in marketing and sales. He enjoys helping business owners sustainably grow their businesses, using his expertise in online and offline marketing techniques. Married with a son, Marcus loves spending time with his family and exploring new places.

  What led you to Smile Marketing?

  I was attracted to Vortala because of the prospect of working for a company that was so client centric and focused on helping medical professionals grow their business and improve the lives of their patients.

  What do you love most about your job?
  I love helping business owners grow their business! Every day is different, with new digital marketing puzzles to work through.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  Spending time with family! I'm also learning to box, doing a couple of 1-on-1 sessions with a former Australian super middleweight champ. I enjoy getting down to the beach with my family, and volunteer once a week as an assistant at my son’s weekly Nippers. I also love to travel and explore!

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I’ve driven East to West the full length of India in a Tuk Tuk.



• Nadine De Bruyn
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  Bio Coming Soon!



• Marisa Battistel
  Digital Marketing Specialist
   

  Marisa Battistel
  Digital Marketing Specialist

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  A former colleague recommended Vortala as a fantastic place to work for people with strong digital marketing experience. I couldn't wait to join the team!

  What do you love most about your job?
  I love the company culture at Vortala and having the opportunity to help our clients achieve their goals through our collaborative, outward focused approach to marketing services. Hearing success stories are a real highlight!

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  Our family spends a lot of time at the beach and out in nature, whether it’s a trip to the playground with my son, going for a paddle board, or walking our two dogs. We love food, too, so going to eat at local restaurants or trying new recipes is always lots of fun.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  Well, nobody will be surprised to learn I grew up in Vancouver, Canada as my accent is always the first point of discussion when I speak with someone new on the phone. Travelling has been a big part of my life for many years and I have visited more than 45 different countries. Which is the best? Australia, of course! I feel very fortunate to live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

  Some of my favorite adventures are:

  • Seeing my first kangaroo in Australia
  • Going on a safari in South Africa
  • Paragliding in Turkey
  • Sleeping in a desert Bedouin camp in UAE
  • Volunteering at an Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand


• Bryant Curtiss
  Digital Marketing Associate
  

  Bryant Curtiss
  Digital Marketing Associate

  Bryant joined the Vortala team after seeking a role that offered better work-life balance than he’d had in the past. “I love the flexibility that Vortala provides, and how they truly care about their employees.”

  Prior to his current position, Bryant held a variety of jobs in service that gave him a unique insight in how to serve people effectively while listening to their concerns and addressing their needs.

  Outside of work, Bryant loves to spend time with his daughter, watch Netflix and play PC games—if you’re a gamer, he’s always down for friendly competition! He hopes to one day be able to visit South East Asia, as he has close friends in Singapore.



• Ally Diamond
  Digital Marketing Associate

  Ally Diamond
  Digital Marketing Associate

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  When I came to learn about the services that Smile Marketing offers, I knew I had to get involved! What I didn't expect was to encounter so many amazing people in the form of clients and the supportive team here!

  What do you love most about your job?
  It's so important to me that everyone on our team feels close and supported. Even though we're a fully remote team, the culture and encouragement here is truly incredible!

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  When I'm not working, I can usually be found spending quality time with my son. I also enjoy photography in my spare time.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I can't swim!



• Brian Noe
  Production Specialist
  

  Brian Noe
  Website Production Specialist

  What brought you to the Perfect Patients team?

  I worked for about a decade with tech companies in Silicon Valley. Time after time, I saw a company raise huge sums of money, spend it as quickly as they could and then close up shop. I went looking for a company that creates real value for their customers, is growing and bases their operations on honesty and integrity. Perfect Patients seemed like an ideal fit, especially when combined with my love of creating websites.

  It's exceeded all my wildest expectations. Everyone here is smart, creative, kind and talented, and working together is highly valued. It’s a joy to get up in the morning, log on and start my day.

  How has chiropractic impacted your life?

  Periodic episodes of acute lower back pain led me to see a chiropractor later in life. In my younger years, I was in a band and would haul equipment in and out of venues, and it never occurred to me to lift properly. When the pain hit, I wouldn’t be able to walk for days. The care I receive reduces the frequency and intensity, and I only wish that I’d known about chiropractic when I was younger!

  What do you like to do outside of work?

  I love spending time with my family, including twin sons and a teenage daughter. I spend a lot of time carting my daughter to her school functions and flute lessons. My wife and I enjoy cooking together and taking daily morning walks with our little dog, Louis. Reading is another passion of mine, and I’ve organized a local reading discussion group.

  I don’t play music for money anymore, but I host an old-fashioned community singalong in my town from time to time. I play guitar, harmonica, keyboard and banjo, which I took up after Pete Seeger’s death. It’s been a fun learning process since banjo is sort of backwards compared to the guitar.

  What surprises most people to find out about you?

  I once received a cease and desist order from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In the early days of podcasts, I realized there were no podcasts of the daily scripture readings and started doing one myself. Unfortunately, I used a version of the scriptures that the conference holds a copyright on. I immediately complied with the C&D, and at this point, it’s kind of a funny story and a badge of honor.



• Kandyse Carter
  Production Specialist
  

  Kandyse Carter
  Website Production Specialist

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  After leaving the mortgage industry at the start of inflation in 2021, I was blessed with the opportunity to join Vortala and continue to work from home. I appreciate the ability to balance work and family life through remote work!

  What do you love most about your job?
  I really enjoy being able to help my client’s take their vision and dreams for their website, and put it into something practical that can be brought to life by the design team! It is also really fun when we ask the more philosophical questions to our client’s in interviews, and you can hear them dig deep and reignite their passion for their career and what they do!

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I am a mom of almost 3 kids, so most of my spare time is spent in parent survival mode! We like to try different foods, go hiking, try out new parks, and explore new destinations as often as possible! We also can appreciate a good movie night!

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I love Pho, have travelled to Bogota, Colombia, and have 3 dogs!



• Emily Rubio-Moore
  Production Specialist
  

  Emily Rubio-Moore
  Website Production Specialist

  I have 10 years of experience working in dental and I wanted to find something where I could utilize my prior background and knowledge in some way without having to be in any sort of medical office.

  Smile Marketing is the perfect fit for me because the company provides the flexibility that I need and I am still able to use my experience to be successful in my position.

  I love that I can help and impact so many clients by providing a service that they truly need and benefits them. Being able to interact with people from all over the country with various backgrounds rejuvenates me.

  Being a wife and mother of two school-aged children and an adopted teen, I love having family time. Whether it is going for family walks or going on getaways with the family. I love hosting so any time I can have friends and family over for a social gathering and just fellowship brings me joy.

  I believe what receives the biggest shock when I mention something about me is that I used to run an at-home daycare for approximately 4 years. I had up to two assistants and would watch up to 10 kids at one time. Also, a long, long time ago when I was a little girl, I was the selected princess in New York City's annual Dominican Day Parade.



• Alex Jackson
  Production Specialist
  

  Alex Jackson
  Website Production Specialist

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  After living and working in Boston for about fifteen years, I moved north to get out of the city and enjoy more time outdoors. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do next in my career, but when I saw the posting for Website Production Specialist, it clicked right away that this was the job for me. I have a background in graphic design, but project management was always one of my strong suits. Getting to combine my love of design and being ultra organized was super enticing to me, and I was thrilled to join this amazing team!

  What do you love most about your job?
  The people! Both my clients and this incredible team that I get to work with every day!

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  When not working, you will always find me outdoors! I am an avid snowboarder and hiker. Some of my favorite haunts are the White Mountains in New Hampshire and the North York Moors in England. Scotland is next on the list!

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  In my "youth", I did quite a bit of sailboat racing in Boston Harbor. Some of my happiest memories of my time in Boston are sailing with my friends and enjoying gorgeous sunsets after an evening on the water.



• Adriana Solorzano
  Production Specialist
  

  Adriana Solorzano
  Website Production Specialist

  What led you to Vortala?
  Our little family was about to embark on a bit of sea change with our 1-year-old at the time, and therefore, I liked the idea of a flexible work arrangement with a company that dedicates itself to helping small business owners succeed – particularly in the healthcare field. I spent years beforehand in small project management, event marketing, and small business ownership.

  I’m so grateful that I’ve had the chance to join such a positive and dynamic team.

  What do you love most about your job?
  As a Website Production Specialist one of my favourite parts of the job is hearing of the success stories of our clients months after I helped them launch their site. I like that I get to work with many other departments of the company, from design through to SEO while combining strategy with creativity.

  And there’s such a nice feeling of accomplishment when I send out that email saying, “Congratulations your brand-new site has launched!”

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  My spare time is filled teaching Pilates, trail running, and hanging out with my young son, husband, and our jack-Russell terrier, Luna.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I LOVE puzzles… there’s a puzzle going on, on my dining table at all times.



• Pierre Claassen
  Sr. Client Support Specialist

  Pierre Claassen
  Sr. Client Support Specialist

  What led you to Vortala?
  Since I was a kid, I've loved everything related to computers, whether it's the hardware or software. Most of my work experience has been in business intelligence and software development. But, I was looking for something new, and digital marketing has always intrigued me. I've tried out a few things in my free time, and found that I enjoyed it. That's why when Vortala offered me the chance to be a client support specialist, I said yes right away. I've also had a lot of experience working with customers before, so with that, along with my love for computers, I knew it would be a good fit.

  What do you love most about your job?
  I get to face new I.T. problems every day, and it feels awesome when I'm able to fix them for our clients. Plus, it's a great way to learn new things since I'm always encountering different challenges that I've never dealt with before.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I'm a huge fan of pop-culture! I love staying up-to-date with the latest movies and TV shows. I also love watching sports like rugby and cricket. But most importantly, I love hanging out with my partner. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that I'm a proud geek who loves spending time with my gaming PC.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I'm a total cat person! I think they're the coolest and cutest animals ever. I grew up with cats, and I love how you have to earn their love and attention – you don't own them, they own you!



• Alex Claassen
  Client Support Specialist

  Alex Claassen
  Client Support Specialist

  What led you to Vortala?
  I was miserable at my previous job, while at the same time my little brother was happier than I've ever seen him where he was working. Soon enough, he let me know that a position was available and I applied. Long story short, that is how I got here!

  What do you love most about your job?
  The fantastic feeling knowing that I've helped a client in a way that will benefit both them and the patients they care for.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I am an avid gamer and have a passion for any kind of electronics or gadgets. That being said, I also love the outdoors, be that camping, working in my garden or anything in between.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I am a little bit cat-crazy and volunteer with a few organizations that rescues feral cats and finds them find them homes.



• Danina Hernandez
  Client Support Specialist

  Danina Hernandez
  Client Support Specialist

  What led me to Vortala was the work/life balance and, most of all, the friendly environment. What I love most about my job is the wonderful team that I am a part of, they make any hard day tolerable and the amount of support is unmatched.

  In my spare time, I love watching old sitcoms like the Golden Girls, Frasier, Boy Meets World, Friends, That's So Raven, etc, and a few newer ones too like Modern Family and Hot in Cleveland. If I can describe a perfect day for me, that would be at home on a rainy day with a few snacks and just watching old sitcoms. Even though I really like to talk to people, people might be surprised to find out that I'm an introvert!



• Nelson Ilano Jr.
  Client Support Specialist

  Nelson Ilano Jr.
  Client Support Specialist

  Nelson is your friendly Client Support Specialist who is dedicated to providing high-quality service and building customer relationships. After being introduced to Vortala's nurturing work environment, he was not disappointed in joining the company. He is pleased that working here allows him to maintain work-life balance. As a result, he always has free time to do what he enjoys doing outside of work, which is going to the gym and playing music. He enjoys music, and when he sits down and just plays, he forgets about any challenges or stress and just enjoys the moment.



• Anrich Oosthuizen
  Client Support Specialist
  

  Anrich Oosthuizen
  Client Support Specialist

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  Before the pandemic, I had a job where I didn't work remotely. I enjoyed the job but as the pandemic struck, I looked for other opportunities. I worked for a few remote companies before getting the opportunity to work for this awesome company, which I obviously took.

  What do you love most about your job?
  Speaking to different types of people and having positive and pleasant conversations with people all over the world. It is interesting to hear how people act when they are speaking to someone from across the world in South Africa.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I love fitness and lead a healthy lifestyle. I go to the gym almost every day and try to stay in shape as much as I can. I would see that as a lifestyle rather than a hobby. As hobbies, I play games on my gaming PC. I have been building and working on PCs since I was a child, so it has always been a great passion of mine.

  My biggest love in life though is motorcycles, specifically racing them. I race a Husqvarna FS450 supermoto bike and absolutely love every moment of it!

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  Even though I might not come across as a softy, I truly am a softy at heart. I absolutely love animals and have 3 cats: 2 black cats, which are sisters, and one kitten I recently got. Oh, and I love food.



• Cherilyn Senson
  Retention Data Specialist

  Cherilyn Senson
  Retention Data Specialist

  What led you to Vortala?
  June 2021, as I was looking for job opportunities in Upwork, I came across a job post from Vortala that they needed an Experienced Data Research Specialist. I didn't hesitate to apply to Steve and he connected me to Maria Diamond to get me interviewed and luckily I got hired.

  What do you love most about working here?
  This company truly creates a family environment where everybody is there for each other. I am working with professionals that I can learn from and that they will push me to take on new and challenging opportunities. I love that I have a great degree of control and freedom within my job. People here care about me as a person and about my professional growth.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?

  Hanging out with my family, watch old movies and play with my fur baby name Kaguya. I'm quite an introvert; I need and cherish my alone time. I think I was never the person who went out and had a lot of friends. I prefer to stay at home eat popcorn and watch Netflix.



• Rueben Rigor
  Retention Data Specialist
  

  Rueben Rigor
  Retention Data Specialist

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  Cheri referred me after finding the rare opportunity to get interviewed for the job as Data Research Specialist. I was searching for a secure company to work with and grow with which led me to Smile Marketing.

  What do you love most about your job?
  The people! It's a big work family and I feel so lucky to be a part of this growing company and I love it here – it feels like home!

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  Music! I love playing guitar and cover some songs.

  Fun fact – I am an enthusiastic gamer.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I'm a 90's kid but I love watching/listening to classic movies/music, especially the 70s-90s era. I am also a fan of history and curious about "WWII" and "The Wild West". I guess I'm an old soul.



• Ben Cadd
  Website Builder
  

  Ben Cadd
  Client Support Specialist

  What brought you to Perfect Patients?

  I was looking for a new position and decided it might be fun to look at remote opportunities. I saw an opening here, and the more I learned about the company, the more I loved it. Every day since has reaffirmed my choice to join the company. The teamwork, dedication to work/life balance and commitment to excellence are truly refreshing.

  How do you like to spend your spare time?

  My favorite thing to do is travel to a tropical beach and go snorkeling. There isn’t a lot of opportunity for that in Portland, but I like to visit microbreweries and try different styles of beer. In the summer, I enjoy sitting by the local rivers.

  What might people be surprised to learn about you?

  I have lived in the U.S., England, and the Philippines. I grew up in the Philippines and returned to the U.S. after high school to complete my undergraduate education, majoring in English. I was stationed in England while I was in the Air Force working on F-15s and then returned to the U.S. afterward before completing my MBA.



• Rachael Orovets
  Website Builder

  Rachael Orovets
  Website Builder

  What led you to Perfect Patients?

  I worked at Apple as a computer repair technician, but really missed the software side of things. I love helping people and learning new things, so this position was the perfect fit. Plus, working from home gives me the freedom and independence I thrive on!

  How has chiropractic influenced your life?

  When I was a teenager, I had a painful pinched nerve in my lower back. The medical doctors suggested painkillers that would numb the pain. My dad recommended I see his chiropractor instead. My problem cleared up completely and never returned.

  What would we find you doing when you’re not at work?

  I'm an avid video gamer, crafter, and all around “tech person.” I build computers in my free time and often practice my artsy skills as I do also have a degree in graphic design. I spend my weeknights playing games with my friends, which gives us a way to stay in touch despite being spread across the country.

  I’m also a dog lover and dog sit for friends whenever they’re out of town!

  Is there anything about you that might surprise people?

  My hidden talent is traditional calligraphy and modern brush lettering, which I taught myself. I’ve made wedding invites and cards, and like to practice by writing quotes or stories. I love how the writing looks, and it’s so relaxing to practice.



• Eugenia Abalos
  Website Editor

  Eugenia Abalos
  Website Editor

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  Another employee at Smile Marketing is a close friend of mine, and she recommended I apply for an open position. I was happy to get it and have loved being a part of the team ever since. The company has grown by leaps and bounds since then and I love that I’m constantly learning new things.

  What do you love most about your job?
  The flexibility of working from home is great, and even though we are remote, we are all close team members which is priceless.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  In my spare time I love going on trips with my family and painting.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I used to play the alto saxophone in a band.



• Eric Larson
  Website Editor & Technical Support
  

  Eric Larson
  Website Editor

  How did you end up being a part of the Perfect Patients team?

  I’ve been working in web design, development and programming for 17 years. I was looking for a change that would utilize the skills I’d developed and wanted to continue working remotely. When I found this position, it felt like a perfect fit, and in this industry, being able to work at home really makes sense.

  What keeps you busy when you’re not at work?

  I’m a huge baseball fan. I spend my time watching, reading and writing about baseball and run a New York Yankees fan site. I was born and raised in New York, and though I’ve relocated to Kentucky, I still cheer on my team. Surprisingly, I don’t find Kentucky all that different from Long Island – I have all the conveniences close by but without the traffic and noise.

  Is there anything about you that might surprise people?

  I know just about every line to every James Bond film. I saw my first one, Goldfinger, as a kid and have loved them ever since. My favorite Bond movie has to be Casino Royale, but there’s no question that Sean Connery is the best Bond, followed closely by Daniel Craig and Timothy Dalton.



• Mia DeMalio
  Website Editor & Content Admin

  Mia DeMalio
  Website Editor & Content Admin

  What led to Smile Marketing?
  After graduating high school, I was struggling to find a workplace that accepted the skills I had acquired and encouraged the willingness to learn and improve within their company. My wonderful mother, Heather, has worked at Smile Marketing since 2006. She informed me that a few job positions were open. I was excited to apply and to especially be in contact with a company that considered my skill set straight out of high school. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to grow my career with Smile Marketing.

  What do you love most about your job?
  What I love most about my job is never dreading a Monday. There is always something new and stimulating to learn.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I love to surround myself with friends in my spare time. It is always thrilling to meet new people as well. In my solitude, I enjoy reading, music, and learning about the fashion history. (Although, most of the time you’ll find me sweeping the floor.) Overall, I occupy my time with creative and innovative hobbies.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I am left-handed, and my middle name is Sky.



• Elvi Tullo
  Website Team Support

  Elvi Tullo
  Website Team Support

  Bio coming soon!



• Danielle Kindleyside
  Sr. SEO Specialist
  

  Danielle Kindleyside
  Senior SEO Specialist

  How did you become a member of the Perfect Patients team?

  I’d been a freelance web developer and really missed it. When I saw the job posting at Perfect Patients, I jumped at the opportunity. I love the creative aspects of the job. I get to take a client’s vision, walk it through the stages of production and present them with the finished product. My team is awesome, and I love the freedom in working hours that allows me to be a mum.

  What impact has chiropractic had on your life?

  Once I started this job, I was surrounded by chiropractic and decided to give it a try. A disc in my low back ruptured, and physiotherapy and spinal injections hadn’t done enough. Chiropractic has helped, and now my son goes, too, to keep his spine properly aligned.

  How do you stay busy outside of work?

  My daughter, son and a high-maintenance dog fill most of my spare time. We love to be outside and head to the nearby beach, walk along the river or go geocaching. I tend to be the neighborhood babysitter, so my house is usually filled with kids.

  What’s something about you that surprises most people?

  I used to be a face and body artist. My dad was a tattooist when I was young, so I grew up in an artistic family. Painting is much less pressure than tattooing though, since you can wash it off if you mess it up! I did it at kid’s birthday parties and especially enjoyed doing pregnancy belly paintings, some of which ended up being featured in magazines.



• Jannell Howell
  SEO Specialist
  

  Jannell Howell
  SEO Specialist

  What led you to Perfect Patients?

  In 2010, I decided to take a trip around-the-world to celebrate my 40^th birthday and maintained a blog to document my travels. Part of that creation involved website building, search engine optimization, and content marketing. Along the way, I did freelance work in local digital marketing and all of these skills paved my way to Perfect Patients.

  I was overjoyed when I found this position. The company’s mission statement resonated with me. Plus, the ability to work at home allowed me to continue my nomadic lifestyle of moving to a new place every so often and experiencing a new adventure. It’s been a great match, not only professionally, but for my personality as well. I’m passionate about learning, supporting our clients and production department.

  How has chiropractic impacted your life?

  Being raised in a family who turned to traditional Western-style medicine, chiropractic wasn’t really on my radar until I started this job. As I read our clients’ websites, my beliefs aligned with chiropractic’s drug-free, nonsurgical philosophy. Though I don’t have any medical issues, I’ve seen a chiropractor since to maintain my health. 

  How do you spend your spare time?

  In 2016, I came to Cancun to visit another Perfect Patients employee, thinking I’d stay for six months. Soon, though, I was hanging out with fellow expats, enjoying the culture and realized I wanted to stay. When I’m not working, I’m either surfing the web, playing with my cat, studying Spanish, meeting-up with other expats (Lucha Libre, anyone?), or exploring the Yucatan.

  Share something about you that surprises most people.

  I’m a gamer, currently leveling through Guild Wars® 2. Also, I recently got into cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin) and am a member of an online community called Steemit, where I can earn cryptocurrency for sharing my thoughts and ideas.



• Phuti Ledwaba
  SEO Specialist

  Phuti Ledwaba
  SEO Specialist

  Bio Coming Soon



• Julie Storr
  Jr. SEO Specialist

  Julie Storr
  Junior SEO Specialist

  Bio coming soon!



• Riaan Olivier
  SEO Administrator

  Riaan Olivier
  SEO Administrator

  What led you to Vortala?
  I was looking for a new challenge and something more flexible. I needed a company that values family as much as I do, and Vortala couldn't be a better fit!

  What do you love most about your job?
  The work philosophy and working with a team that is always understanding and helpful. The team around truly me makes a great job even greater!

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I enjoy playing golf, painting and playing guitar.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I am quite a reptile enthusiast. I have pet snakes and lizards and sometimes catch, rehabilitate, and release reptiles that find their way into homes in our area.



• Nick Quigley
  Paid Traffic Specialist

  Nick Quigley
  PPC Specialist

  Bio Coming Soon



• Hanna Wharton
  Paid Traffic Specialist

  Hanna Wharton
  PPC Specialist

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  I was drawn to Smile Marketing to expand my PPC skill set. I was also excited to work somewhere that honored work-life balance and embraced a flexible work schedule.

  What do you love most about your job?
  I LOVE working in paid search. It's dynamic, interesting, creative, and engaging. There's always something new to explore and ways to optimize our campaigns to fit the needs of our clients. I love our team and everything about this position.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  In my spare time you can find me knitting, running, taking areal dance classes, and having a blast with my friends and family.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  People might be surprised to learn that I am a fire dancer and was once crowned "Fire Entertainer of the Year".



• Sara Stuka
  Paid Traffic Analyst

  Sara Stuka
  PPC Analyst

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  I was searching for a company that I could continue my PPC experience with, but also a company that aligned with my lifestyle and values.

  What do you love most about your job?
  I love the community within Smile Marketing. Even though we all live in different areas of the country/world, the constant support is unmatched. My teammates are always there to help no matter what. I have the pleasure of working with the most amazing group of people everyday.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  Aside from being a new mother and enjoying time with my little one, I love to do anything active. I am an avid gym-goer and will take up any offer to do anything outside, whether that is walking, hiking, kayaking, biking, etc. I cannot wait until my little one is old enough to be able to kick a soccer ball around the yard with me!

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I am an extreme organizer. I find joy and calmness in organization. Closets, pantries, work spaces, etc. When I feel anxious, being able to organize an area helps to relax me.



• Angela Addington
  Jr. Paid Search Analyst
  

  Angela Addington
  Junior Paid Search Analyst 

  How did you end up at Perfect Patients?

  I knew the sister of someone who worked here and send the posting to me, thinking I’d be a perfect fit. I wasn’t looking for a job, but after reading it, I was intrigued and thought it sounded ideal. I started in client support. During my time there, I began identifying ways to be more proactive and take extra steps for our clients’ sake. From there, I moved to the sales side of the company.

  What’s the best part of your workday?

  I like partnering with people to better their business. We offer more than setting up a website and feel invested in the success of each client’s practice. I really enjoy talking with our doctors to find out if something should be changed on their site or added to it, ensuring that it stays up-to-date and in line with how they want to be represented.

  What keeps you busy outside of work?

  I constantly chase my 16-year-old daughter, Hannah. She’s a competitive horseback rider, so we’re often doing projects in the barn, cleaning out the trailer or prepping for a show. The only time I seem to be still is during my working hours!

  Hannah and I are both bloggers and do reviews for travel, restaurants and different products, on a local, national and international level. We love to travel and do photography, so when we get an offer to go whitewater rafting in West Virginia or try a zip line tour, we’re there with our camera and GoPro ready to document it. I’m wired to stay busy!

  Is there anything that might surprise people to learn about you?

  From scratch, I began a children’s nonprofit and ran it for 12 years. It became a multi-million dollar business that’s still going strong today, providing clothes for thousands of kids. It’s even named after Hannah because the tax paperwork came through two days before she was born. I joke that it feels like I have twins who came into the world two days apart because it felt like two subsequent labors of love!



• Angela Hockabout
  SEM Specialist
  

  Angela Hockabout
  SEM Specialist

  What's the best part of your job?

  With a background in customer service and creating web content, I loved the idea of having a flexible position that would allow me to spend time with my kids while making a meaningful contribution. I enjoy the technical side of building websites and making sure every detail is just right. Delivering a helpful, friendly service gives me a lot of joy. This job is truly one of the best I've ever had – my team members and clients alike are kind, flexible and collaborative. As an organization, we lift each other up, and I like that positivity to be reflected in the service I provide.

  How do you stay healthy?

  I live close to the trails around the San Francisco Bay and love to take walks and check out the glorious views of the downtown area, Yerba Buena Island, the Bay Bridge and on clear days, the top of the Golden Gate Bridge. I walk 5k as often as I can and use the time to listen to my favorite podcasts such as Marc Maron, RuPaul's What's the T? and NPR's Fresh Air.

  What keeps you busy outside of work?

  I like hanging out with my family and taking them to the park or community pool. I've been knitting for 13 years, but mostly, my spare time is spent as a housing activist. Our metropolitan areas haven't kept up with increasing housing demands, and folks across the country pay more than 30% of their income on rents and mortgages. These big numbers mean it's tougher for people to pay for health care like visiting the chiropractor, among other necessities. I'm a regular at planning board and city council meetings, encouraging my representatives to approve housing developments. I also recently completed the Emerge California program, which trains young women to run for office.

  What's something about you that might surprise people?

  As a film major in college, I participated in a worldwide filmmaking experiment called Life in a Day. The footage I contributed, of my infant son shaking a bell, was included in the final film. It was screened in theaters internationally and eventually distributed by National Geographic.



• Caroline Wilder
  Sr. Copywriter/Editor
  

  Caroline Wilder
  Senior Copywriter/Editor

  What led you to Perfect Patients?

  I worked as an advertising copywriter for Entertainment Publications Network and was seeking a new opportunity. I saw that Vortala was hiring and knew it would be a fantastic fit. I’m grateful for the opportunity! In my role, I focus on creating engaging website content that meets our company’s standards, constantly trying to exceed our clients’ expectations.

  How do you stay healthy?

  Chiropractic has helped me with various issues over the years. I try to exercise regularly, eat clean (at least, for the most part!) but balance it out with splurging on my weaknesses occasionally, like gourmet pizza.

  What would we find you doing when you’re not at work?

  My husband and I live in a beautiful, bucolic community. We enjoy walking or relaxing on our screened-in porch. I’m a big HGTV fan and love “House Hunters International” and am intrigued by the tiny house movement.

  Travel is big on my list of things I like to do. Our next trip is to Florence, Italy, and we’ll also spend some time in the Chianti region. I went there during my junior year of college, so I’m excited to go back!

  Share an interesting fact about you that would surprise most people.

  The summer after my junior year of college, I interned for the Communications Director at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, my hometown. During that summer, I had the privilege of meeting Oprah Winfrey, who was there to see my boss. I remember getting her a soda. I wish I had gotten her autograph!

  I also can speak a bit of conversational Japanese as my mother-in-law is Okinawan. When she stays with us, I enjoy practicing with her. We’ve been blessed to have visited Japan several times to see my husband’s extended family there.



• Diane Worley
  Staff Writer

  Diane Worley
  Staff Writer

  Bio Coming Soon



• Marilyn Esteb
  Accounting/Billing

  Marilyn Esteb
  Accounting & Billing

  Bio coming soon!



• Melinda Thomas
  Financial Controller

  Melinda Thomams
  Financial Controller

  Bio Coming Soon



• Katie Noel
  People Operations Specialist
  

  Katie Noel
  People Operations Specialist

  What led you to Perfect Patients?

  Years ago, when I was a chiropractic assistant, I heard about an opportunity with Perfect Patients as I was preparing to move out of the country. I didn't end up with that position, but I kept my eye out for the right one, knowing that I would love working with this company. I have a heart for chiropractic and natural health solutions and I was excited to support chiropractors by building amazing websites.

  After my husband and I returned home to Ohio, I was hired to work in our client support department, then a few months later I moved into production. Seeing the pieces of a website come together is fascinating. The best part is getting to know our doctors and understanding their mission for their patients, then striving to make that come alive in their online presence.

  How has chiropractic changed your life?

  I've been a chiropractic patient for quite some time, and it particularly helped me during pregnancy. My youngest was adjusted days after he was born. He's been my fussiest baby, so when he gets cranky, I know it's time for an adjustment!

  What keeps you busy outside of work?

  My four young boys! We homeschool, so I don't have a lot of free time. I have a lot of interests, though, like reading, painting and other creative outlets. I'm currently learning the art of hand lettering.

  Is there anything about you that people are usually surprised to find out?

  I married a military man who was stationed in Korea at the time and came home on leave for our wedding. We met up in Germany two months later to start our life together. Over our three years there, we traveled all over – Prague, Berlin, the Mediterranean, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia – though our last trip wasn't as long because I was eight months pregnant at the time! We really enjoyed our time in Europe and can't wait to take our boys back one day!



• Maya Chan
  Design Team Leader

  Maya Chan
  Senior Designer

  Bio coming soon!



• Cristina Ion
  Designer

  Cristina Ion
  Designer

  Bio coming soon!



• Georgiana Savin
  Designer
  

  Georgiana Savin
  Designer

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  I came across Smile Marketing at the right moment while I was transitioning from being a therapist to a graphic designer. It is exactly what I needed, a perfect combination of stability and flexibility.

  What do you love most about your job?
  I love that I can be creative and also have a structure and clear guidelines when designing for specific clients. I appreciate how people that I interact with while doing my job are extremely professional, highly knowledgeable and most importantly are always kind and considerate. Being able to make my own schedule and working from home (or anywhere) fits perfectly with my passion for traveling and curiosity about living in different and new places.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  I love to read and sometimes write. I’m particularly interested in mental health and personal development. I love poetry and autobiographical literature. I feel grateful to be able to read other peoples life stories, perspectives, the way one copes with real life struggles and finds joy and meaning.

  I like cooking and LOVE eating.

  I like to travel and see how people from other places live their lives. I also love to hike and be out in nature. It helps me regulate my nervous system.

  I love music, I think it’s a life saver. I worked as a special education teacher from 2011 to 2016 and used to combine music therapy in my work with special needs children. It was a fascinating process.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  I like black metal concerts. My husband likes black metal and took me to some concerts and to my surprise I really enjoyed it.



• Deba Saha
  Designer

  Deba Seha
  Designer

  Bio coming soon!



• Stefan Fiscu
  Designer

  Stefan Fiscu
  Designer

  Bio coming soon!



• Vlad Marinescu
  Designer

  Vlad Marinescu
  Designer

  Bio coming soon!



• Alice Grama
  Designer

  Alice Grama
  Design

  I joined the Smile Marketing team whilst pursuing a degree in Digital Media. As a designer, I am passionate about creating visually compelling designs and finding creative solutions to challenges. This is why I find my role as a graphic designer at Smile Marketing very rewarding, because I get to develop my skills and grow alongside an innovative, passionate, and collaborative team. Outside of work and university, I enjoy traveling, hiking and film photography.



• Richard Lamoste
  Design Support

  Chad Lamoste
  Design & IT Support

  Bio coming soon!



• Lovely Hernandez
  Design Support
  

  Lovely Hernandez
  Design & IT Support

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  My brother-in-law (Chad) referred me 4 years ago as a part-time Front-End developer. I instantly loved the job and decided to apply as a full-time employee in 2021.

  What do you love most about your job?
  I love how all of my coworkers are nice and easy to work with. I haven't felt stress about my job since I started working here. I also love the flexibility of my schedule. I can work anywhere or anytime and still have time to do my personal hobbies.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  My husband and I enjoy watching movies and TV series together and we are also very addicted to video games. I also love playing my guitar while singing, even if I don’t have such a nice voice.



• Gerry Asuncion Jr.
  Design Support

  Gerry Asuncion Jr.
  Design Support

  Bio coming soon!



• Heather DeMalio
  IT/Information Systems

  Heather DeMalio
  IT & Information Systems

  What led you to Smile Marketing?
  After the birth of Daughter #1, I left a career as a manager of a real estate title business. Due to continual prodding I went to work part-time in my husband’s chiropractic practice handling the administrative end of things. If anyone has worked with their spouse they will know it’s not always the easiest of feats and for the sake of all that is good I needed to find a new career.

  My husband, Mark, had signed up with Perfect Patients (our sister company) back 2005. With being a client, he received an email that they were looking for Account Managers. He leaned over to me from his matching Lazy-Boy recliner and said ‘I think I found something you might be interested in’. He forwarded me the email. I applied, had a Skype call with a gentleman, Steve Anson, who had a ‘real’ Australian accent. A few weeks after that call I found myself on an airplane bound for Colorado to a meet with the co-founder of Perfect Patients, Bill Esteb. I, along with another new hire, had a day of giving us the lay of the land, lunch with Bill & Marilyn at a quaint Mexican restaurant, hopped back on an airplane. It was a 48 hour whirlwind filled with promise as the company was in the early stages. It has been an amazing 17 year journey, company wise and personally.

  What do you love most about your job?
  Finding answers to issues, streamlining processes, and hopefully alleviating the apprehensiveness of the technology and compliance side of our company.

  What do you like to do in your spare time?
  When I am not at work you can find me out in our country barn. The Barn is place of peace where you can decompress. I enjoy woodworking, refinishing furniture, welding, riding 4-wheelers and simply enjoying the time away from technology. I also share a passion for motorcycles and on any given sunny day I will partaking in a little wind therapy.

  What might people be surprised to find out about you?
  Fun fact: I learned to read at the age of 3 and I am ambidextrous.



• Jarrod Pyper
  Senior Lead Developer
  

  Jarrod Pyper
  Senior Lead Developer

  I came to Smile Marketing in 2011 building some standalone sites as a freelancer. That turned into an exciting and challenging project of helping create a system to build over 1000 sites using newer technology. Somewhere along the line I decided this was the home for me and accepted a full time position.

  My favorite thing about my job is seeing the difference my work makes for our internal teams and our clients. I love when I can make something faster and easier to empower others to work more effectively. In my spare time I do a lot with my 5 kids and work on our small homestead farm, gardening and raising chickens, pigs, quail, and turkeys. I love books, podcasts, and consuming information of all kinds.

  One thing that may be surprising about me is that I have a passion for learning and teaching the Enneagram as a tool for self-knowledge and development. Someday I'd like to become an Enneagram coach that helps people become who they really are, even if it's always on the side and never earns me a cent.



• Alex Seymour
  Lead Developer
  

  Alex Seymour
  Lead Developer

  Originally I'm from England and now I live in Canada with my partner of 24 years, Kelly. We always have a revolving door of rescue animals. Right now we have 2 cats, who are always curled up together and two dogs, Moon and Rocky, who just turned 17! My favorite part of the day is dog walks and just getting outside and moving.

  I also love football, or what American's call soccer and play every Friday night. It's been a privilege to work at Smile Marketing for the last 10 years. Along with really enjoying the work, the best part is getting to hang out with colleagues who feel like friends from Australia to Europe and all over the United States. Being part of a company that's enterprising such that we not just survive but thrive through challenges, like the pandemic, makes Smile Marketing an exciting place that I'm proud to be part of.