Happy second week of July! Wow, time sure does fly! For this week's #Gravi-Member Spotlight Gravitate would like to feature their first Community Intern, Ella Vasquez. Ella is a Twin Cities native who came to Des Moines in 2014 to attend college at Drake University. It was also Ella's 22nd birthday on Wednesday, so HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY ELLA!
This May she graduated with a degree in Marketing and stumbled into our office looking for work. She desired a workplace where she could use her marketing talents to make a positive impact as well as be granted the ability to wear many hats to gain as much experience as possible before starting her career.
Ella can be found at both our Valley Junction and Downtown locations wiping down tables, making coffee, creating local marketing materials and most importantly, ensuring these spotlights are completed and posted each week! Wondering who the face behind these blog posts was? Well you're looking at her!
Ella came to Gravitate because of the free beer, but stays because of the environment. "There has yet to be a time where I have come into work cranky, nor had any run-ins with anyone else who is cranky. Everyone comes to work on their own time, gets there work done and leaves. Of course there is socializing involved, it's a coworking space for crying-out-loud, but because of the relaxed vibes none of our members ever seem agitated or stressed, which is a blessing to be around!"
Ella's ideal first 'big girl job' would be to work in the events department for ITA Group in West Des Moines. She envisions working on a team where collaboration is vital and a positive work culture is present.
Let's run through a few quick facts about Ella!
Ella's go-to happy hour drink is Vodka Redbull if it has been a long day, or Peace Tree's Blonde Fatale if she is looking to wind down for the night. She discovered Blonde Fatale this summer and has been obsessed ever since. According to her it is a very versatile beer that is right for all situations.
She is passionate about being the best version of herself, and helping others do the same. "It is so easy to get down on yourself, feel lost, unworthy, or alone. It is always my mission to lift myself out of those slumps and help other's do the same. Life is too short to be unhappy!"
The nerdiest thing Ella does in her free time is paint canvases of her favorite places; one has been done on Gray's Lake already which is her favorite place in Des Moines and an area she enjoys spending much of her free time.
Her go-to midnight snack is any fruity candy - particularly Mike and Ikes, Sour Skittles, or Sour Patch Kids.
Ella could max out her credit card on wall art, funky furniture and jumpsuits!
She has been fortunate enough to attend many great concerts in her short 22 years of life, but her favorites have been Jay-Z: Magna Carter World Tour, Drake: Summer Sixteen Tour, and The Chainsmokers: Memories Do Not Open Tour.
As a closer, Ella would like to share a piece of advice to those looking to start their professional careers. "Find a mentor, go after opportunities that you may be hesitant about and listen to your gut. All three pieces of this have come into play throughout my entire life. Finding someone who listens, understands and answers your questions makes going through new stages in life 10x more bearable. Throw yourself into that room full of people you don't know. It will be more rewarding than you ever thought possible - trust me. Lastly, your gut can never steer you wrong. If you have a strong feeling that you should do something, or shouldn't do something - listen. Those that listen to their gut and act on it have truly mastered the idea behind "staying true to yourself."
Thanks for sticking around to read about our #gravintern Ella Vasquez. Enjoy the rest of your birthday celebrations Ella and save a slice of cake for us! See you next week! #graviout