Meet Sloane Schaefer, a senior at Oklahoma State University, rising in the ranks of fashion and apparel merchandising. This girl has big dreams!! OSU will be proud to say we knew her when she was just starting at.
Check out some of her plans for after she graduates in May!
- What is your major at OSU and when do you graduate?
My major is Apparel Merchandising, and I am also pursuing 2 minors, Marketing and Spanish. I graduate in May 2012.
- What do you plan on doing with your major after you graduate?
Eventually, I would like to own my own local clothing boutique. Immediately after I graduate though, I hope to work for a company that inspires me and encourages me professionally, creatively, and personally.
- What is your biggest dream?
I have a lot of big dreams! Of course, I would like to own a boutique one day. Some of my other dreams include travel the world, live abroad, learn to speak Spanish fluently, hike a 14er, and learn photography.
- Tell me about the internship you had this summer and your work experience?
This summer, I interned for a local store in Oklahoma City called SHOP GOOD. SHOP GOOD is an apparel and accessories for men and women. Not only do they sell cute clothing, but their store has a mission. Every purchase gives back. Each product is associated with either a global or local community development project/cause. Some of the products they carry that give back include Warby Parker, Jedidiah, Sseko, and Falling Whistles. Also, each year they select a “charity partner”, a local nonprofit organization. They donate 5% of the profit from items not associated to a cause to that organization throughout the year.
As an intern this summer, I got a well-rounded glimpse of what it looks like to run my own business. Over the past few years, I have developed a passion for working with non-profits, and finding clothing that is more than just fashionable, but does good for others. SHOP GOOD was a perfect fit for that. My daily activities included working the floor, creating visual displays, assisting customers, and creating product descriptions for our online webstore. I also learned how to refinish furniture, participated in local community projects, and managed the store by myself.
- What did you take from this summer?
I took so many things from this summer. First, I got to see if my future dream of owning a store was something I would want to do. Throughout the summer, I became more and more encouraged that this was something I would love to do, and might be able to accomplish too! Second, I learned the value of community. My bosses not only encouraged me professionally, but they have become some of my closest friends. I was so lucky to be part of a company that didn’t focus on getting ahead or belittling each other, but was for each other, and enjoyed spending time together. We spent lots of late nights working in the store, and I never regretted a moment of it because we always had so much fun while doing our work. Third, I realized how much my major has paid off. Even though, as a student, we sometimes complain about how annoying classes are, or that they are a waste of time, when we enter the real world, we see how valuable they are. Everything I learned in my schooling truly helped prepare me to excel in my internship experience. Finally, I realized how much I love Oklahoma City. OKC has a great community of local shop owners, artists, and entrepreneurs who look out for each other. I made so many new friends and contacts from my experience that I know will be there for me in the future.
- How did your internship this summer challenge you and influence your career goals?
My internship challenged me to use what I had learned in school to better my internship experience. One thing I learned was that I need to speak up for myself. I tend to be a pretty shy person, and keep my opinions to myself. I was so lucky to be a part of a community that not only wanted to hear my opinion, but valued it as well. I am still working on becoming a better decision maker though!
As far as career goals, SHOP GOOD reinforced what I want to do in the future. I became even more passionate about working with non-profits and for-profit companies like TOMS. It’s so amazing how the purchases we make can truly make a difference in someone’s life, whether in your community or a third-world country. I met a lot of great contacts that I know will support me in the future and encourage me in whatever endeavor I choose to pursue. Two of the most important things I learned, came from my bosses, Justin and Audrey Falk. One: what I am doing now may not last forever, but I can have a lot of fun and be serving others while doing it. Two: running a small business isn’t easy, but if you are passionate about it, it will be an incredibly valuable and wonderful experience.
- What are you curently doing to continue to pursue your dreams?
Currently, I am finishing up my coursework at OSU. Even though senioritis is definitely set in, I am making the most of my college experience, and working hard in my classes! Also, I am writing a thesis to receive my honors degree. The working title of my thesis is “Retailers with a Conscience”. I am looking at companies that give back and obtaining data about where this trend started. Finally, I am continuing to work at SHOP GOOD on weekends and maintaining my friendship with my bosses.
For more information on SHOP GOOD, go to http://store.shopgoodokc.