Meet the Batch Team: Mark Newsom, Fulfillment Manager

Batch is a small business, but it takes a lot of special folks to make the magic happen. From time to time, we will be featuring different members of our team on the blog. First up is Mark Newsom, our fulfillment manager, who is taller than average and never short of a good movie recommendation.

Mark, tell us a little about your position at Batch.

I maintain inventory and handle shipping needs for a handful of local third-party clients (all small businesses) that don't have warehouses of their own.

 

Where are you from, and how long have you been in Nashville?

I'm originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and I have been in Nashville since 2012.

 

What's your favorite part about your job as fulfillment manager?

I'd say it's an even tie between learning about all the artisans and small companies in my community and my coworkers. We have a great working tempo in the warehouse - we share music, swap dumb hypothetical questions, and generally just make it a great environment to do good work and build relationships. 

[Read more about our team members and their favorite products in the Meet the Batch Team series.]

In your opinion, what are the best items that we carry at Batch?

Prohibition Popcorn, Loveless Cafe Sweet Potato Butter, Lillie's of Charleston "Hissy Fit" Dry Rub, and 8th & Roast French Occupation Coffee (Shop Mark's Picks here!) 

 

What items would you put in a batch for a loved one?

I would include a bag of Two Thompson's Prohibition Popcorn, a True South Jigsaw Puzzle, Batch's Nashville Skyline Mug, a set of Buckle and Hide Leather Coasters, a Nashville Wildsam Field Guide, High Cotton Cashews, Loveless Cafe Belgian Waffle Mix, and a jar of Loveless Cafe Sweet Potato Butter to round it out.

 

[Read more about our makers in the Meet the Maker series.]

What things do you enjoy outside of work?

Writing, movies, playing piano and guitar, cooking

 

Favorite spot in Nashville and why?

My favorite place in Nashville has always been the Belcourt Theatre. I loved it pre-renovation when it was the building equivalent of a warm, cozy hug from a grandparent with a thousand stories to tell, and I love it now with its sleek, beautiful redesign (that upstairs screening room is my favorite place to watch a movie in the world).

 

Favorite Musical Artist, and why?

I worship the ground Jason Isbell walks on. His songs are all about storytelling, and he can craft a lifetime in three or four verses. Just about every song has at least one turn of phrase that made me say "damn" out loud the first time I heard it. And he's insanely candid about his own life, his mistakes and shortcomings, and how he might seek to become a better person, which is about as admirable a trait I could hope for in a writer.

 

Have you picked up any new hobbies, skills, or habits since Covid shut-downs began?

I wouldn't necessarily call it a skill, but I've spent a lot of time in the months since George Floyd's murder trying to educate myself on American history, civics, and government. This is stuff I haven't consciously thought about since high school, and it seems there's an awful lot I didn't learn about (or at least didn't want to grapple with) on the first go-round. And now, as we're in the midst of a historic conflict over American identity, over who exactly we are and who we want to become, I'm hoping to become the sort of citizen I wish to see more of: self-reflective, clear-eyed, knowledgeable, impassioned.

In a way, I'm grateful the shutdown removed so many distractions from my life. Because it's not like this stuff isn't important; it always has been. It just took being stuck inside for six months and a couple national tragedies to finally shake some sense into me.

 

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

Be Spider-Man. Obviously.

 

Aside from necessities, what could you not go a day without?

Stand-up comedy. I can't remember the last full day I went without listening to at least one comedian.

 

Any interesting facts or final thoughts?

Y'know that scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark when Indy's facing down the guy who does all these intimidating sword flips and Indy just pulls out his gun and shoots him? That was supposed to be a whole sword fight, but the entire crew (Harrison Ford included) was suffering heat exhaustion so they improvised the gunshot and sent everybody home. Movies are wild man.

 

What the team has to say about Mark

Sam: "Mark is always looking for ways to add to the Batch experience so that customers and clients are more delighted than ever. He also has a genuine concern for his fellow teammates - everyone is always glad to be working alongside Mark!"

Brittany: "Mark is the perfect mix of silly, responsible, and encouraging. He keeps the work environment fun and organized. Most of the time he makes me forget I'm at work!"

Chap: "The man LOVES John Mayer!!"

 

Thanks for your hard work, Mark! We are so glad you are a part of the Batch team.

Don't forget to shop Mark's picks!