Accidental Opportunities. Or Blessings in Disguise.

Two years ago I applied for my very first job working as a sales associate at a local boutique. I had just finished my freshman year at ASU, and felt like it was about time I start working and I wanted something to keep me busy. About a year into working there, my manager asked me if I could quickly make up a sign for our New Arrivals because she couldn't figure out Microsoft Word (the only thing that was on her store computer) and figured I was young and tech-saavy enough to pull something together. I made something quick and cute and not long after, I was making a couple Microsoft Word 'signs' a week. Occasionally, the social media and e-comm manager would ask me to take photos that she could use to post on the store's social media accounts over the weekend. I loved taking them, and found myself taking Insta pics regularly. On long, slow, boring Sundays at our Old Town location, I would erase the A-Frame chalkboard signs, and the 4'x6' chalkboard sign behind the register and draw fancy words and pictures that pertained to whatever holiday or sale was happening at the time.

I loved doing it. People noticed how much I loved doing it, and they loved what I was doing, and after a while, the e-comm manager asked me to assist her in the office with the website and social media. I would split my shifts, half of the day out on the floor selling, and half in the back taking photos, updating inventory, fulfilling web orders, etc. I loved being back there and being so involved in the behind-the-scenes of the entire company. Long story short, after a while, I became the only in-house graphic designer and absolutely love what I do every day. I make store signage, email blasts, website graphics, post cards, clothing tags, direct mailers, and am the photographer for our weekly model photoshoots. I even had the opportunity to fly to Chicago, IL to see the four store locations we have there and help with the Grand Re-Opening of one of our stores, Hollis, which I designed the new logo for! I always tell people that I "accidentally" ended up where I am now. That is -- I had no idea I would be doing what I'm doing now, when I applied two years ago. No one did. My manager didn't, my boss didn't, my co-workers didn't. It just happened. Accidentally. But, thankfully. I am so lucky to have the opportunity that I do, doing what I love on a daily basis, for a company that I love, so soon in my career. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me and I thank my accidental job opportunity every day for being the first step in getting there!