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The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Laura Frost

September 13, 2013
UncommonGoods Customer Service Assistant Manger Laura Frost
Laura Frost, UncommonGoods Assistant Manager – Customer Service

My hometown is…
Brooklyn, NY. (Before that is a list that’s way too long.)

The best customer interaction I’ve had at UncommonGoods was…
I had a customer who had a big Great Dane. Her dog was getting on in years, and the vet didn’t think her dog would have too much more time on this earth. She wanted to get the Custom Nose Print Necklace while her pooch was still around, but she wasn’t sure his nose would fit the mold since he’s such a big doggy. We figured out the dimensions on the phone, and it was super cute to hear him snuffle the phone and the ruler while she checked his nose-size. She was able to order the necklace with full confidence she’d be able to keep a token of her favorite dog’s nose forever.

I’m inspired by…
Farmer’s markets and flea markets.

My guilty pleasure is…
Action movies.

An uncommon fact about me…
I’ve lived in 9 states.

My favorite place to hang out in New York City is…
Brooklyn Ale House—the best little corner bar in Brooklyn.

My style is…
Casual, quirky, comfy.

Since working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
That Excel is my friend.

Would you rather… Have to sing everything you said out loud for a week or not be able to sing for a month?
While I do like to sing around the house, I’m not up for a solo act. So, I’d stick with no singing for a month.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Anthony Carella

September 10, 2013

UncommonGoods Inbound Warehouse Team Lead Anthony Carella

Anthony Carella, UncommonGoods Software Developer

My hometown is…
Brooklyn, NY

My favorite process in the UncommonGoods warehouse is…
Returns! It encompasses every aspect of the Inbound operation and requires extreme attention to detail and a vivid understanding of how we do things at UncommonGoods. It also gives me insight as to why customers return our products, and that information is then used to better serve our customers and improve our products and business.

I’m inspired by…
My wife, my daughter, my family, and my sense of self-confidence.

The best gift anyone has given me was…
Unconditional love. I know it sounds cheesy, but sometimes growing up as an only child is rough. My mother, cousins, aunts and uncles were always there for me and provided me with support and compassion.

An uncommon fact about me…
During my late teens and early 20s, I was a world champion at the video game Dance Dance Revolution. I was on MTV twice, was in a music video, was in a New York Magazine article, and have over a million Youtube video views all from me playing Dance Dance Revolution.

When I’m not working, I’m probably…
Playing video games, spending time with my wife and daughter, cleaning/organizing/straightening something up, collecting permutation puzzles, reading science fiction novels or coding.

The word that best describes me…
Sketch. This was my nickname for everything growing up.

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…
That your career can change so much without you anticipating it. I went to school for business and accounting, got hired at UncommonGoods to work in the warehouse for the holiday season, and now (a few years later) I am still here and a software developer.

Would you rather … Have a lifetime subscription to your favorite magazine OR get to play for free at your favorite arcade for life?
I would definitely choose playing for free at my favorite arcade for life. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, arcades were such a prominent part of my generation. My all-time favorite arcade was called Broadway City and it was located in Manhattan, NY. If I were allowed to play all of the games for free, I would lose my mind!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Brent Addison

September 6, 2013
UncommonGoods Warehouse Team Lead Brent Addison
Brent Addison, UncommonGoods Inbound Warehouse Team Lead

My hometown is…
Berwick, Pennsylvania

My favorite process in the UncommonGoods warehouse is…
Using Sketchup to 3D model aspects of the warehouse.

I’m inspired by…
Carl H. Whitenight (my Grandfather).

The best gift anyone has given me was…
Seeing the Ramones live on their final tour.

An uncommon fact about me…
I once owned a 1973 Cadillac Hearse.

When I’m not working, I’m probably…
At a show, working with metal, or juggling.

The word that best describes me…
Awesome!!

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…
Team work. I’ve never worked anywhere that encourages team work as much as we do at UG. We work hard together to get things done.

Would you rather … Spend 1,000 hours creating a metal art masterpiece or listen to 1,000 hours’ worth of metal music consecutively (even in your sleep)?
I think this is a trick question because I listen to metal music while working with metal!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Kenya Wilson

September 2, 2013
UncommonGoods Customer Service Supervisor Kenya Wilson
Kenya Wilson, UncommonGoods Customer Service Supervisor

My hometown is…
Richmond, Virginia

The best customer interaction I’ve had at UncommonGoods was…
I spoke with a customer once who now orders with us by mail. She is a retired writer. Twice she sent me a letter with her orders (she refers to me as Kenya, the girl from Brooklyn). She writes beautifully about her travels through Kenya, and about why she loves that UncommonGoods gives back.

I’m inspired by…
It changes. Music is my go to, though, for inspiration. Depending on what type of inspiration I need, I know just where to go on my playlist for it. I am also inspired when I see my friends succeed.

My guilty pleasure is…
Coffee. I love the taste and the smell of it. If I let myself, I could drink it all day.

An uncommon fact about me…
I am also an actor.

My favorite thing about living in New York City is…
The diversity. I moved here on my own one month after graduating high school. I knew I wanted to make New York my home. I love it here.

My style is…
I’m not sure! Whatever makes me feel most comfortable.

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…
Just how many people in this world actually do care about sustainability. That they will support it in any way they can. Another inspiration!

Would you rather…Get to hang out with your favorite actor for an entire day or get an all-expenses paid week-long trip to any destination you choose?
I’d love to spend the day with Sidney Poitier.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Giovanna Rosario

August 29, 2013
UncommonGoods Warehouse Lead Gio Rosario
Giovanna Rosario, UncommonGoods Operations Supervisor

My hometown is…
Brooklyn, NY

During the UncommonGoods holiday season you can find me…
All over the warehouse. My main focus is leading the stock keeping and replenishment team. The stock keeping team plays an important role in the operation making sure inventory is always in stock. Last year, our stock keeping team was about 20 team members who I had a great pleasure to work with. I faced a lot of challenges throughout the season, but my main focus was in unifying the team and making sure that UncommonGoods was their favorite place to work!

I’m inspired by…
My mother, who is my role model.

The best gift my son has given me…
Is his love. Being a mother is one of the greatest gifts.

An uncommon fact about me…
I was in an all boys’ basketball team in school.

I like to spend my weekends…
With my family doing exciting things. I love to Google and search new ideas in where to take my son, niece, and nephew in order for them to have a blast. The best place I have taken them so far was Sesame Place. It was a great experience and I just recall all the laughs and smiles on their faces, and how happy they were. Family to me is very important. I just try to be the best Mother, Daughter, Sister and friend I can be. It’s worth every smile and memory!

The word that best describes me is…
Hyper.

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…
To be patient and understanding, and how to work with a large number of team members.

Would you rather… Go on a $1,000 shopping spree or go on a one week, all-expenses-paid vacation?
OMG this is easy – shopping spree of course!!! I go shopping whenever I can. That’s my favorite hobby.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Lee Griffin

August 26, 2013

Operations Manager Lee Griffin

Lee Griffin, UncommonGoods Senior Manager – Operations
 

My hometown is…
Dallas, PA

I chose to go into warehouse operations because…
The type of work that we do in the warehouse naturally fits my personality. I like to solve problems, organize, and constantly improve. I thrive on variety, challenges and being in the action. I’d be hard-pressed to find an environment better suited to me.

I’m inspired by…
The opportunity to push my limitations. And the seemingly boundless capacity for growth and achievement in the people I see here every day.

My favorite interaction with a UG team member has been…
Extending offer letters to my team. The most rewarding part of what I do is seeing the satisfaction and security that they get from their work here.

An uncommon fact about me…
I learned to read music before I learned to read English. It took me a while to understand why “flat” isn’t spelled with a “b”…

When I’m not working, I’m probably…
Spending time with my lovely wife, experiencing something new – new music to listen to or play, new food to try, new places to visit.

The word that best describes me…
At this moment? “Stumped.”

Working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
A ton. Apart from a host of technical skills, I’ve learned that we (as individuals and as teams) have far greater potential than we think.

If you could teleport to another location for 24 hours with no limitations, where would you go and what would you do?
The heart of the Amazon Rainforest. I’d get lost – just go explore and look for something no one has ever seen before.

 

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Tawana Chung

August 21, 2013
Customer Service Team Lead Tawana Chung- UncommonGoods
Tawana Chung, UncommonGoods Customer Service Supervisor

My hometown is…
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. However, I grew up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.

The best customer interaction I’ve had at UncommonGoods was…
When I returned a package to a customer that was mistakenly delivered here for the holiday season. It was a box filled with handmade gifts by her grandchildren. Although it was 5 months after Christmas, she was so happy that she cried. That made me feel really good.

I’m inspired by…
A host of people and things! Children–because they are so blunt yet carefree. My aunt Michelle, who is simply AMAZING in every aspect!

My guilty pleasure is…
Cake and ice cream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An uncommon fact about me…
I play the piano, clarinet, saxophone, snare drums, bongo drums, steelpan and a little flute.

My favorite place to hang out in New York City is…
Food/farmer markets! Any and all!

My style is…
Whatever is clean! Haha! Seriously I have no clue.

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…
A lot about repurposing, reclaimed, and recycled items and their programs and benefits.

Would you rather…Be able to teleport to and from work every day OR have any car you choose and never have to pay for gas?
Oh, I’d much rather teleport! Ooooh and scare the wits out of someone!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Matthew Disla

August 19, 2013

UncommonGoods Warehouse Lead Matthew Disla

Matthew Disla, UncommonGoods Merchant Assistant
My hometown is…
Brooklyn, NY

My favorite process in the UncommonGoods warehouse is…
I love auditing!! I get first-hand knowledge from receiving and handling the merchandise. Plus I get to see new merchandise that comes in so I know what I want to buy!

I’m inspired by…
Art. I’m an artist so any illustrations and lots of colors send me on a creative binge!

The best gift anyone has given me was…
My ex-girlfriend gave me a vintage 1984 Soundwave figure from Transformers. We broke up shortly after, but I got to keep Soundwave.

An uncommon fact about me…
I used to have a lip ring, but took it out after I found a job in advertising. It’s okay, I still have my tongue and left nipple pierced.

When I’m not working, I’m probably…
Drawing. I can’t stop. If there is paper around, I must draw on it!!

The word that best describes me…
Easy-going.

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…
That there is a company that actually cares about its customers and workers, not just about making money. I feel like this is my second family, and it’s a reunion that takes place five days a week and I get paid to attend.

Would you rather … Relive every year of the ’80s or be a band member of The Smiths?
I would give anything to say I wrote the song “I Won’t Share You” by The Smiths. Definitely a band member… preferably, the lead singer.