If you’ve seen the 31 Bits website or come across the Instagram, you know the company is doing pretty well. On IG, they have 65,300 followers. And, guess what? Now, there is an App State 31 Bits, thanks to Alex Hughes!
For those of you who haven’t heard, 31 Bits is a jewelry company created by college women to help women in Uganda provide for their families. The jewelry is made from recycled paper and painted by hand. Through the company, the women in Uganda go through a five year program that teaches them the skills they need to own their own businesses. Alex has kind of started her own branch of the business as the campus rep with the mission to bring awareness to some of the issues in underdeveloped countries.
Year: Senior
Hometown: Holly Springs, North Carolina
Major: Marketing
Alex Hughes is hard to miss with her bubbly, go-getter attitude and wide smile. As she stepped into the Wired Scholar, she coincidentally sat down at the table in front of us, turned around and immediately asked if were the right people she needed to talk to.
With the smell of cinnamon rolls in the air and the sound of grinding coffee, she was all smiles talking about her most recent achievement of becoming the campus rep for 31 Bits.
“I found them on Instagram in August, and they said they were looking for people to apply for campus reps, so I sent them my resume, and she asked if I could do a phone interview [a few days later],” said Hughes.
The concept is similar to businesses like Mary Kay, but it is operated as more of a non-profit organization. Like the Mary Kay reps, she was super excited to get her kit, which contained tons of bracelets and a couple necklaces.
Since then, she has been communicating with the company, and loving it, while balancing her treasurer position of Momentum Dance Club.
“So far, I’ve created an Instagram, @app_state_31bits, and I’m planning on having a 31 Bits party. I’m hoping to work with organizations to get the word out,” said Hughes.
And she has plenty of experience with getting the word out and starting up a newer, growing businesses. Three years ago, as a freshmen, she started her summer job at Charming Charlie and now works at Boone Belles during the school year. In fact, she even helped open both the the Cary Charming Charlie and Belles of Blowing Rock.
“I really like opening,” said Hughes. “You get to set up displays and decide where everything should go.”
All of her retail knowledge is helping her build a great resume. After she graduates, there are professional internships within the company that she can apply for. From the way she was talking, the internships might be something she looks into because she’s now more interested in companies like 31 Bits.
“Ideally, I would like to do something with fashion marketing and jewelry because I work in retail and I enjoy it, but I’m open to whatever comes my way,” said Hughes.
When she’s not busy with her new positon or working at a job she loves, she enjoys dancing and watching scary movies in the little time that she does have.
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