Flashback to the early 20th century, when most women in the United States didn’t work outside the home. Those who worked were primarily young and unmarried. During those times, 20 percent of all women were “gainful workers,” as the Census Bureau then categorized labor force participation outside the home, and only 5 percent of those married were categorized as such.
Thanks to the 19th Amendment, women have been given the right to vote, which has added to the significant strides women have made in the labor market. Their entry into paid work has been a major factor in America’s prosperity over the past century and a quarter.
Now, let’s take it to the present time, when most women can work in equity with men and other gender identities.
Nowadays, there’s “Siri” or “Alexa,” operated by AI & technology, that answers most of our questions straight from the internet. However, we still have that friend or a team member at work who straight up answers all your questions about the office or anything in general. Some answers that technology can’t answer. Questions like “Where’s the keys for this van?” or “Have you seen the receipt for the purchase I made last week?”
Let’s cut to the chase. I am describing Andrea Nichols, Office Manager at Abra Kadabra. Few people know the ins and outs of the business quite like her.
In the peaceful and progressive state of Minnesota, there is this empowered woman. As the Office Manager, Andrea handles the Accounts Receivable and Human Resources-related tasks.
In a nutshell, Andrea acts as the glue that holds many of the company’s day-to-day operations together.
If you have a question about where, what, who, when, and how in the universe of Abra Kadabra, Andrea can certainly answer that.
Being “in the know” of so many things in the office came from the years of her dedicated service in the company, which she considers “home.” It also happens that her literal home, where she sleeps and lives, is just a few blocks from the Abra Kadabra office.
In this employee spotlight article, we will dig deeper into Andrea’s story – a story of discovery and finding the career path that hits home.
The Road That Led Andrea to Abra Kadabra
Andrea’s path to Abra Kadabra was anything but conventional. Originally from Illinois, Andrea spent over a decade working at a privately owned podiatry clinic, where she assisted in surgeries and managed the office. After the practice was sold, she found herself bouncing between different medical offices before making the decision to go back to school for nursing.
Life, however, had other plans. When her husband was offered a job in Minnesota, the family made the big move, settling into their new home nearly six years ago. Andrea continued her education, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she found herself staying at home with her kids as classes became limited. Eventually, she knew it was time to return to work. A quick Google search led her to Abra Kadabra, a company she initially thought was a magic shop due to its name.
“I literally live down the street from the office, and at first, I thought it was a store that sold magic supplies,” Andrea recalls with a laugh. “But once I applied and learned more about the company, I realized it was actually a pest and wildlife control business. I came in for an interview and was offered the job the same day. The rest is history.”
Andrea’s Career Lattice in Abra Kadabra
Andrea started at Abra Kadabra in a customer service and sales role. At the time, the office was small—just two people managing everything. Six weeks into her new job, the other office employee went on maternity leave, leaving Andrea to run the office solo.
“I had to figure things out quickly,” she says. “I learned everything on the fly, and that experience really helped shape how I handle challenges today.”
Over time, Andrea’s responsibilities expanded. She transitioned into the Wildlife Coordinator position and took on broader office support duties. Through her dedication and problem-solving skills, she steadily climbed the ranks, eventually becoming the Office Manager.
Family & Community
What Andrea values most about her role at Abra Kadabra is the company’s strong sense of community. As a small, family-owned business, Abra Kadabra fosters an environment where every team member’s voice is heard.
“If you have an idea, they actually listen,” Andrea says. “They’re open to letting you run with it and make things happen. It’s one of the reasons I love working here.”
Being close to home is another perk. Her youngest son is active in local baseball, a sport Abra Kadabra proudly sponsors. “It’s great to work for a company that supports the same community events my family is involved in,” Andrea shares. “My son even pops into the office from time to time. Everyone here knows him—it’s like he’s our little office mascot.”
Andrea’s Magic: Ultimate Problem Solving Skills
Andrea’s ability to keep everything running smoothly at Abra Kadabra is a testament to her exceptional organization and problem-solving skills. Whether it’s ensuring bills are paid, assisting technicians, or tracking down hard-to-find supplies, she’s the go-to person when things need to get done.
“If someone in the office can’t figure something out, they come to me,” she says. “Nine times out of ten, I can solve the problem. I think it comes from my background in the medical field—being detail-oriented and keeping great notes is second nature to me.”
Her skills extend beyond work. As a mother of six and a grandmother to three (soon to be four), Andrea’s ability to keep track of things is well-practiced. “At home, my kids are always asking, ‘Mom, where’s my backpack?’ or ‘Mom, where are my shoes?’ And I always know where they are,” she laughs. “It’s the same thing at work—if someone needs something, I can usually find it right away.”
Looking Toward the Future
Andrea is not one to sit still. Even with her many responsibilities at work and home, she’s planning to return to school to complete a degree in finance, an area she’s discovered she’s passionate about, during her stay at Abra Kadabra.
With Abra Kadabra growing rapidly (tripling in just a few years), she sees a future need for more structured financial management within the company.
“The company is expanding, and as it grows, there will be a bigger need for a dedicated finance role,” Andrea explains. “I love math, and I’m really good with numbers, so I think getting my degree will not only be a personal achievement but also something that benefits the company in the long run.”
One thing is for sure—Andrea isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “I love what I do. I love the people I work with. And I love that my job and my personal life intertwine in such a positive way,” she says. “I’m here for the long haul.”
A Vital Part of the Abra Kadabra Family
Andrea Nichols is more than just an Office Manager—she’s a problem solver, a team leader, and a vital part of the Abra Kadabra family. Her journey from the medical field to pest and wildlife management might not have been planned, but it’s clear that she has found her place.
From keeping the office running smoothly to being a familiar face at local events, Andrea embodies the community-driven spirit of Abra Kadabra Environmental Services. Her dedication, resilience, and passion for her work make her an invaluable part of the team—and a true inspiration to those around her.
Office Mom Hats Off: Andrea Outside Work
Growing up, Andrea traveled a lot and moved to different states. Her father was in the Air Force which made her family move a lot when she was young.
“He was active duty (Andrea’s Father), in the Air Force. So growing up, I moved about every three to four years in different states and countries like Florida, South Carolina, Washington DC, and then we also lived in Europe; Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.”
Due to that experience, she was able to see different parts of the world, and different cultures. This must’ve created a huge impact on how Andrea became so good with dealing with people. And of course, her undeniable skill of solving problems in different scenarios.
As she got older and started to build her own family, Andrea continued to travel when allowed by the time and resources.
“I definitely appreciate having that chance and that ability to be able to travel throughout Europe and see the different countries and take in the history with my family because I’m realizing that that’s probably not something that my kids are going to be able to do without having to pay for it.”
On the other hand, just like many of her Abra Kadabra peers. Andrea does enjoy some occasional time outdoors.
“Fishing is very big in our family. We live really close to Lake Minnetonka so we’re always on the lake during the summer. We do ice fish in the winter,hiking, and sightseeing to take in the sights of Minnesota again because we’re kind of newer here.”
In Conclusion
Everyone of us will always have that special relationship with our mothers. That’s why it feels like a warm hug whenever you have someone in the office that’s like a mother figure.
Andrea shares: “When I get in, whoever’s here, I usually greet them, check in, see how they’re doing and check in with the team throughout the day, making sure everything is running smoothly.”
Everyone can attest how Andrea can 10/10 solve anyone’s problems in the office. It is refreshing to see a culture where everybody helps each other to achieve a common goal. With Andrea onboard, the office runs as smoothly as possible. While everybody’s out saving the world from Pest & Wildlife issues, there is Andrea in the office, waiting for everyone to come home and tell her how the day went for them.
In every huge success, a woman works behind the scenes, making sure that everybody gets to where they are going.
This article is the tenth part of our employee spotlight series, where we get candid with Abra Kadabra’s personalities and uncover their stories. Stay tuned for more.
If you have any pest and wildlife-related concerns, feel free to call us at 763 – 363 – 4375 or schedule an appointment. New to Abra Kadabra? Avail of a Free Initial Pest & Wildlife Inspection now. Use the code: ANDREAROCKS to avail.
Abra Kadabra’s summer internship program is now open for applicants. We have a few openings, and everyone is open to apply. Learn more.
