In his own words: advertising executive Steven Aramini

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company and the duties of the position.

Steven Aramini: Bauserman Group is a full-service advertising agency based in Reno. With over 20 years under our belt, we've helped develop a lot of the brands you've seen in and around northern Nevada Rogers Jewelry, Bully's Sports Bar, Nevada Wolf Pack, Boys & Girls Club, Reno River Festival, Bishop Manogue, Reno-Tahoe Open and plenty more along with many others beyond the region. My role is to oversee the quality and integrity of the work, including brand development, print, radio, television, out-of-home, collateral, direct mail, promotions, and interactive/social media. I'm also the lead copywriter, and I tackle the broadcast production.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Aramini: I've always loved writing and art, and advertising seemed like a perfect blend of the two. I really owe it to Bourne Morris, who was a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, for turning me onto the profession and giving me an appreciation and passion for advertising.

NNBW: What's the most important thing you have learned in your career?

Aramini: Stay positive and have a good attitude.

NNBW: What's the most challenging aspect of your job?

Aramini: It's not really any one challenge in particular, but the combination of challenges that forces you to be thick-skinned. Tight timelines, restricted budgets, heavy workload, multiple client needs, creative roadblocks ... they all add up. You have to love what you do and just keep swimming.

NNBW: What was your first job?

Aramini: I worked at a travel store called Schillings in Park Lane Mall. They sold a lot of luggage.

NNBW: Tell us about your dream job. Why aren't you working it?

Aramini: I have two dream jobs and I'm working them both. One is creative writing, which I get to do every day at Bauserman Group and in my spare time. The other is game design, and I'm developing a board game company that is set to launch in the next month or two.

NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?

Aramini: If you want to get into the creative department at an ad agency, you should put considerable effort into your portfolio. Get creative but be professional. Do spec work for brands you admire. Above all, put your heart into your work.

NNBW: What's the most fun you have had on the job?

Aramini: We've had some great retreats over the years to Lake Tahoe, rafting down the Truckee River, trips to the ballpark or movies. Those are the best memories when we can hang out not just as co-workers but also as friends.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Aramini: My wife is filled with words of wisdom to keep me grounded. Her best advice stay present. Don't stress about what happened earlier in the day or what hasn't happened yet.

NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? How do you spend your time away from work?

Aramini: I've always loved traveling, so we try to get out of the house whenever possible, even if it's just a day trip. We live in such a great part of the world, so we like to go hiking, kayaking and camping a lot.

NNBW: If you could live your life over again, what one thing would you change?

Aramini: Maybe to be more adventurous. I tend to stay in my comfort zone, which can be tough to break out of. I guess it's never too late to take up skydiving! (That'll never happen, by the way.)

NNBW: What has been your biggest professional accomplishment?

Aramini: Being awarded the American Advertising Federation's "Ad Person of the Year" for 2011. It was an honor to be acknowledged for my efforts.

NNBW: What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

Aramini: For some reason I always had it in my head that I'd be an architect. Maybe in an alternate universe...

NNBW: What can you do that someone else can't?

Aramini: Turn a blank sheet of paper into a big idea.

NNBW: If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? Why or why not?

Aramini: Not retire, but I'd definitely scale back my workload and just work on passion projects. It would be nice to have all the time and money to see the world.

NNBW: What's the last concert or sporting event you attended?

Aramini: Concert: Jane's Addiction. Sporting Event: Reno-Tahoe Open.

NNBW: Where's your perfect vacation spot?

Aramini: Kaua'i has always been a favorite. I prefer "island time" to real time.

NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working/living here?

Aramini: I was born and raised here, and my family is here, too, so I've always enjoyed living here. I ended up going to UNR, where many of my friends went, and things fell into place after I graduated. What I like most about northern Nevada is the outdoor living. We're close to so many amazing trails and mountains and lakes ... I feel fortunate to be right in the heart of it all.

The basics:

Name: Steven Aramini, creative director, Bauserman Group

How long have you been in this job? 10-plus years

Years in this profession? 16

Education: University of Nevada, Reno, BA in journalism, 1996

What's on your iPod? A little bit of everything, from jazz to hip hop to '80s to surf rock.

Last book read? "World War Z" by Max Brooks

Favorite movie? "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

Spouse, kids or pets? I'm happily married to my wife, Teresa. We just had our 10-year anniversary. We have a cocker spaniel, dachshund, Siamese cat and tabby/calico mix.