“It is incredible to see how many people our event reaches and to meet racers that travel from all over to attend.”
The Queen of Everything Epic, Jess Schnoll, is co-owner of Epic Tahoe Adventures and the driving force behind the Rock Tahoe Half Marathon in June. This popular annual event was recently featured in the national publication, Strong Fitness Magazine, and was also the recipient of the Blue Ribbon Experience Award in 2015. In addition to her epic career, Jess is on the cabinet for the Tahoe Women’s Community Fund, which successfully granted $84,000 to local South Shore non-profits this year!
Congratulations to this week’s 40 under 40 honoree, Jess Schnoll!
Can you tell us a little about your responsibilities and accomplishments in your current position?
I am the Queen of Everything Epic and co-owner of Epic Tahoe Adventures. Our company produces the Rock Tahoe Half Marathon each June. The event has sold out every year with approx. 2,000 runners from all across the United States and around the world! I wear many hats as my title would suggest including race director, marketing, finance, customer service, merchandise designer, event coordinator, and more. One of my career highlights was definitely when we won the 2015 Blue Ribbon Experience Award for the Rock Tahoe Half Marathon as well as being honored as a 40 under 40 in Tahoe this year!
What has been your favorite professional moment in the last year?
This was our 5th year of the Rock Tahoe Half Marathon and 40% of our racers returned for a second, third, fourth, or even fifth time! This number is truly humbling to have so many people return year after year. This year alone our runners represented 34 states and 6 countries, with 84% of the participants traveling more than 30 miles to participate, with an average distance of over 270 miles to attend Rock Tahoe! It is incredible to see how many people our event reaches and to meet racers that travel from all over to attend. Rock Tahoe was also selected and highlighted as a featured event in the May/June issue of Strong Fitness Magazine which was incredible to see our event in print in a national publication!
Do you have a professional/life mantra that you live by?
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”― H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Who is your role model?
I am very lucky to have an incredible group of friends who are strong successful women here in town, many of whom are entrepreneurs and moms themselves. I admire and respect so many traits and qualities from each of them.
Why choose Tahoe to make your home and career?
My husband and I moved to Tahoe on a bit of a whim back in 2012. I was between jobs and he had just switched a role that allowed him to work from home. We were living in Oakland and looking to move from renting to owning a home. We were driving through Tahoe on our way to Colorado for a ski trip and thought, “Hey, what if we moved here for a few years?” It was our plan to invest in our “vacation home” first and live here for a couple of years before moving back to the Bay, but instead we’ve found a community we love and can’t imagine leaving. The people, the organizations, and the opportunities are all incredible. I’ve found Tahoe to be extremely friendly for entrepreneurs and a place where individuals can make a big impact.
Are you active in any volunteer roles or community groups?
I am starting my third year on the cabinet for the Tahoe Women’s Community Fund and also serve as Treasurer. I absolutely love this organization and am thrilled we were able grant $84,000 to local South Shore non-profits this year! I have also recently become involved with a group of other preschool parents in Zephyr Cove working to help retain our community students at Zephyr Cove Elementary. I also signed my husband up to be coach of our son’s Kiddie Kickers soccer team this year and played “secretary” to coordinate with the other parents.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I love to cook! It is definitely one of my stress release and mind reset outlets. I also love to just be outside enjoying the great outdoors with my family. This summer I’m committed to improving my mountain biking skills and have just completed a mountain biking class with LTCC – thanks Tasha Thomas! My boys are 4-years-old and 18-months so I figure I need to start now so I can keep up with them as they get older!
Where are your favorite South Shore stomping grounds
For date night or girls night out, I love The Bistro at Edgewood, Tahoe Pourhouse, and The Coachman Hotel’s lobby bar. I work from Clyde’s Coffee Shop a few mornings a week and love their vibe and atmosphere. In the summer as a family we frequent the new Round Hill Pines beach restaurant and bar for some Painkillers and beach-side pizza or fish tacos. Harumi Sushi is another favorite and I eat there way more than I’d like to admit, but the fish is the best! I’m also obsessed with Tahoe Pops popsicles and will usually hunt them down somewhere in town!
Do you know a deserving young professional? Nominate them here.