Anyone on social media in Rankin Inlet has likely seen one of Jennica Pissuk鈥檚 advertisements for convenience-and-grocery store Arctic Connection.
From her lively and humorous reports on sales and contests, Pissuk has earned many positive comments online, with views on some of her videos ranging into the thousands.
A cashier at Arctic Connection, known to many as AC, she said it all started last Christmas season when the store had a contest to win a flatscreen TV.
鈥淣o one really came, so I was like, 鈥業 should advertise,鈥欌�� remembers Pissuk.
She posted a video advertising the contest, and it blew up from there.
鈥淭hat evening, when I finished work, out of nowhere AC got busy,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o the advertisement really helped. A lot of people came.鈥�
Customers loved it and told her it was something new and different, said Pissuk. As well, the videos help people from other communities remember there鈥檚 now an AC in Rankin Inlet, in addition to a location in Arviat.
鈥淧eople forget about the new store, Arctic Connection, so that鈥檚 the reason (I advertise) too,鈥� said Pissuk. 鈥淚 want to express that there鈥檚 an Arctic Connection store and that way it can get busy and sell out here.鈥�
Now the videos have become a regular occurrence, always generating attention online. Store owner Ashleigh Still couldn鈥檛 be more pleased.
鈥淲e have so many amazing staff that we like to establish such trust to give our employees the autonomy to experiment and pursue their ideas without constant supervision, and Jennica has taken that to such a creative level that we couldn鈥檛 be more proud of her,鈥� said Still. 鈥淪he is joyful, lively, making us amused with her daily positivity.鈥�
Still added that the videos spread the message that it鈥檚 good to be yourself and be creative.
Pissuk said she likes to make people laugh and smile.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something different for others,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 few people even said, 鈥榝irst Inuk in Nunavut to make advertisement.鈥欌��
Beyond that, Pissuk said she鈥檚 encouraging people to enter the workforce.
鈥淭he reason too I advertise is to make work interesting for others, to inspire them to work,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 would see people posting on Facebook, 鈥榃here can I find a job? It鈥檚 hard. How can I make income fast?鈥欌��
For Pissuk, there鈥檚 no embarrassment in working in retail.
鈥淚 know people are embarrassed to work as a cashier and they think it鈥檚 low pay,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檒l tell them, it鈥檚 better than not getting paid, and at least it鈥檚 enough to make a bit of profit.鈥�
Still knows Pissuk and other staff are talented, and she wants to provide a springboard for them.
鈥淵ou never know what opportunity will come with taking those steps,鈥� said Still about Pissuk鈥檚 videos.
She added that as a convenience store, the company is aware its staff won鈥檛 be with them forever. She says she constantly encourages students who work at the store to pursue education and other opportunities that come their way.
鈥淎s for Jennica鈥檚 case, I wish for an amazing connection to come her way where she can take her humour and great qualities she carries to another level,鈥� said Still. 鈥淲e just want to be a stepping stone for the people who want to work for our company. We always want bigger and better for everyone that crosses our paths.鈥�
Though some have suggested Pissuk get into acting, she鈥檚 not in a rush.
鈥淚鈥檓 enjoying working here, it keeps my mind busy,鈥� she said. 鈥淔ew times I wasn鈥檛 working and it was getting to my mind and it was getting boring, so I was so happy when the Arctic Connection hired me. It keeps my mind off things.鈥�
