Rachel Kovach
Lives in Sinking Spring, Pa.
What brought you to Greater Reading — or what made you decide to come back?
My parents moved to Greater Reading from New Jersey when I was one year old. I went through my entire elementary, middle and high school education here at Wilson School District. For college, I went all the way to Indiana, Pa., to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania. While I loved it out there, Greater Reading is and always will be home for me. I couldn’t imagine permanently moving four hours away from my loved ones.
My parents moved to Greater Reading from New Jersey when I was one year old. I went through my entire elementary, middle and high school education here at Wilson School District. For college, I went all the way to Indiana, Pa., to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania. While I loved it out there, Greater Reading is and always will be home for me. I couldn’t imagine permanently moving four hours away from my loved ones.
What were you looking for in a place to live or work at that point in your life?
When my parents moved here in 2003, they were looking for an up-and-coming neighborhood where they could build a house of their own in a good school district. It was the perfect place for them to settle and raise my sister and me. Now that I’m looking for a place to live on my own. Wherever I land, I still want that small, close-knit, community feel that Greater Reading offers its residents.
When my parents moved here in 2003, they were looking for an up-and-coming neighborhood where they could build a house of their own in a good school district. It was the perfect place for them to settle and raise my sister and me. Now that I’m looking for a place to live on my own. Wherever I land, I still want that small, close-knit, community feel that Greater Reading offers its residents.
Once you settled here, what stood out to you about Greater Reading?
For my parents, it was the quality of the school district, friendliness of the people in the area and it was a lot less congested and much more affordable than New Jersey. Now that I’m older, I recognize that it was a privilege to attend such a great and diverse school district, as well as be in a place with so many kind people!
How would you describe your day-to-day life here now?
I work at Esbenshade’s Garden Centers & Greenhouses at its headquarters in Lititz, Pa. I’m the Marketing & Social Media Coordinator there! My commute is somewhere between 35 and 45 minutes depending on the traffic. Though my “home base” is at the Lititz location, I often travel to the company’s Mohnton and Fleetwood locations to capture photo and video content.
I work at Esbenshade’s Garden Centers & Greenhouses at its headquarters in Lititz, Pa. I’m the Marketing & Social Media Coordinator there! My commute is somewhere between 35 and 45 minutes depending on the traffic. Though my “home base” is at the Lititz location, I often travel to the company’s Mohnton and Fleetwood locations to capture photo and video content.
In my free time, I love to go shopping and eat on Penn Avenue in West Reading. I like to enjoy a pretzel and ice cream at Plum Creek Creamery and go line dancing in Robesonia. I especially feel the Greater Reading community in West Reading. That small stretch of Penn Avenue is always bursting with life, exciting events and new shops and restaurants to try out. I never get tired of it! I’ve lived here for 22 years and I still haven’t explored all it has to offer!
How has living in Greater Reading supported your career, business, or professional growth?
The summer after my sophomore year of college, I worked at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) as a Communications & Marketing Intern. During this internship, I learned invaluable skills that I still use in my day-to-day career. I was held to a high standard in this internship, and while other interns may not have enjoyed it, I thrived! I was given huge cover story assignments for GRCA’s quarterly publication, and I filmed promotional videos for social media for GRCA’s members. Even in the mundane tasks, I felt important, needed and nurtured. So much of my marketing knowledge was accumulated during this internship in the two summer and winter breaks I was there. If I didn’t live in this area and made connections in this community, I would not have had this incredible opportunity that built the foundation of my career!
The summer after my sophomore year of college, I worked at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) as a Communications & Marketing Intern. During this internship, I learned invaluable skills that I still use in my day-to-day career. I was held to a high standard in this internship, and while other interns may not have enjoyed it, I thrived! I was given huge cover story assignments for GRCA’s quarterly publication, and I filmed promotional videos for social media for GRCA’s members. Even in the mundane tasks, I felt important, needed and nurtured. So much of my marketing knowledge was accumulated during this internship in the two summer and winter breaks I was there. If I didn’t live in this area and made connections in this community, I would not have had this incredible opportunity that built the foundation of my career!
What makes Greater Reading feel like home to you?
Home isn’t only a place, it’s a feeling, too. It’s home because many of my family and friends reside here, and it’s where I’ve lived my whole life. I feel so safe, secure, welcomed and happy in Greater Reading. I love living here!
Home isn’t only a place, it’s a feeling, too. It’s home because many of my family and friends reside here, and it’s where I’ve lived my whole life. I feel so safe, secure, welcomed and happy in Greater Reading. I love living here!
What would you say to someone who’s considering making Greater Reading their next move?
I would say DO IT! With its convenience and proximity to so many cities, and being a county that offers urban-to-farm living and everything in between, it’s a perfect place to live. Also, with how many businesses we have packed into one county, there are endless opportunities for careers here!
I would say DO IT! With its convenience and proximity to so many cities, and being a county that offers urban-to-farm living and everything in between, it’s a perfect place to live. Also, with how many businesses we have packed into one county, there are endless opportunities for careers here!
