In the fall of 2008 I moved to Santa Monica, CA to be an intern for Blake Mycoskie at TOMS Shoes. Blake and the TOMS family taught me so much and I am so honored to say that I was part of the TOMS One for One movement. TOMS helped me step into my own and discover my true calling for traveling the world and helping others. This cup is for you Blake.
This internship was truly an AMAZING experience.
Diary Entry Fall 2008:"I have done lots of stuffing envelopes, addressing envelopes, working in excel, mail merging, printing labels, typing addresses into the computer, working with the design team etc. When Blake is gone I work for his assistant, and so for him I am planning events that he and Blake will be going to later in the month. That involves getting plans written up for parties, getting sponsors, venues, emails, contacts, food, beverages, speakers, supplies, packing, supplying, etc. I email and send out press packets and DVDs and attend meetings and conference calls. Working at TOMS is never a dull moment."
Tasks I accomplished during my internship at TOMS Shoes:
• Holdiay Campaign: During the holiday campaign I packaged and mailed over 5,000 gifts and letters (The office was literally a sea of yellow envelopes)
Daily tasks:
• Calling restaurants, sponsors, businesses, etc. to spread the word about TOMS.
• Completing my check list for all the different events that are going on
• Helping TOMS reach our goal of selling 30,000 pairs of shoes in 30 days for the holiday campaign (we did it!)
• Helping launch the (first ever) pop up store on Abbot Kinney
• Assisting with travel arrangements for Blake
• Following up with the design team to see how design elements are coming along on letters, posters, invitations, etc.
• Attending events and hosting Style your Sole parties
• Working on the marketing project called, "Get Them Back" how to get customers back from 2006
• (Briefly) Window Displays, Decals (learned that window decals are about the hardest thing to apply in the entire world)
• (Briefly) Worked Retail
Diary Entry: "All the work we do here in Santa Monica is being reflected back to children in Argentina, Ethiopia, Haiti, and (just last week, for the first time) in the United States. I love working hard and knowing that I am making a positive difference in someone's life. TOMS is my family. Everyday I learn something new. TOMS is small (yet, growing everyday) and so every member of the TOMS family truly feels as though their voice is being heard and that they are making a difference."
Other inspirations:
• Being close to LACMA: (saw the Annie Lebowitz Vanityfair photography Show)
• The Getty: (saw August Sander who photographed people of the 20th century in Germany) The Getty is one of my very favorite places on earth. That garden is so beautiful.
• Visiting the Rose Bowl for the first time and watching the Beavers play football (who knew that later I would graduate from there!?)
• Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. I was able to vote for the first time and witness the historic event! It was SO exciting!
• Living by the beach: So beautiful to get to see the ocean every single day
Other happenings, observations and facts:
• 85 degrees and Palm Trees does not make it feel like winter (in Los Angeles)
• Parking meters in LA are strict...carry plenty of change and have a wrist watch
• Driving in LA: I learned to drive in LA--enough said
• Parking in LA: It can take hours and lots of spots require permits (something an Oregonian is NOT familiar with) and I learned how to parallel park like a champ. The first time I ever parallel parked it took 4 of my friends and two random strangers, but I did it!
• Street Sweeping: Another thing an Oregonian isn't used to and is another way of getting your car towed
• Living in a house with 11 other girls is quite the experience!
• In and Out Burger can become addictive
• Pink Berry has the best frozen yogurt on earth
• Learned how to fill up my own tank of gas- in Oregon we aren't allowed
• Coolest Event(s) I attended:
• Roots and Shoots, in honor of Jane Goodall
• Hotel Cafe Christmas Concert
• Jack Johnson Concert
• Ran the Nike Women's San Francisco Half Marathon
