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The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Paul Allison

January 2, 2014

Paul Allison | UncommonGoods

Paul Allison, UncommonGoods Quality Assurance Analyst 
 

My hometown is…
Brooklyn, NY by way of Chicago and Boston.

I’m inspired by…
Music, kindness, and fun!

An uncommon fact about me…
I had the good fortune to travel the world and sing, and got to travel the world one last time as a competitive Magic: the Gathering Card Gamer. (Magic: the Gathering is a fantasy based card game that has been around since the ’90s that has won numerous awards, and revolutionized gaming.)

The best customer interaction I’ve had at UncommonGoods was…
I appreciate every time when I am able to allay my customers’ fears and make everything right.

When I’m not at work, you’ll find me…
I still have the gaming bug, so elbows deep in game geekery–all kinds of gaming, board games, computer games, miniatures and card games (but not the gambling kind).

Working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
It’s a wonderful thing to love you job again.

If I could meet anyone currently or formerly alive, it would be…
Benjamin Franklin. He is one of those people who were a pivot in the course of history. Without him the world, and the United States in particular, would be entirely different. He is an amazing figure of intelligence, creativity and diplomacy. Plus, history suggests he was just a plain groovy guy.

Would you rather… have the ability to read minds, or to tell the future?
Can’t I fly instead? To know the future would be an awful temptation to do some awfully selfish things, and a crush of responsibility to try to stop the ill of the world, while being able to read people’s thoughts is awful intrusive. But flying, just get a snuggly jacket to keep warm up there and you get to skip rush hour traffic and get a heckuva view! And maybe I could get over my fear of heights, although no doubt I would soon develop a fear of street lamps after running into a few.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Jason Gomer

December 20, 2013
Jason Gomer | UncommonGoods
Jason Gomer, UncommonGoods Drop Ship Area Operations Manager & Senior Planner
My hometown is……
Brooklyn, NY. Born and raised.

An uncommon fact about me…
I’ve had to think of so many uncommon facts about myself since working here, so instead of a new one, I’ll list some of my favorites:
– I have never drunk or tried coffee. Ever. Not even once. I can get a caffeine buzz of a single can of soda.
– I’ve sky dived (dove?) five times and hope to get certified one summer. I once went straight through a cloud! How’d it feel? Moist.
– As you can tell by my sky-diving activities, I am not afraid of heights. However, my biggest fear/phobia is seeing someone other than myself close to a ledge or steep drop. Roof parties are horrible for me.
– I am a self-taught horror-FX make-up artist. I once entered a contest with a friend and we made me into an awesome zombie. And we won! That may not sound like much until I tell you who the judge was: Tom Savini, the original make-up artist for all of George Romero’s zombie films (Day of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, etc).

Working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned……
…The value of teamwork. There are so many moving pieces that make UncommonGoods work for our customers and they are all connected. No single person can do everything, but a well-oiled team can get it all done and exceed expectations.

I’m inspired by…
Calm under pressure. Selfless acts of kindness. My cat, Tree Trunks (on days off, I follow her daily routine of eating and sleeping).

If my 6th grade teacher could see me now, he or she would say……
“You look the same.” (I’m 28 now.)

The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen is……
A starry night in rural Maine. We don’t have many stars in the Brooklyn night sky.

If I won the lottery, I’d…
Travel the world and donate to causes that help the young, the elderly, and our environment. Oh, and I’d buy one of these!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Sharon Chin

December 16, 2013

Sharon Chin | UncommonGoods

Sharon Chin, Uncommongoods Operations Team Lead
My hometown is…
NYC (Manhattan/Chinatown).

I’m inspired by…
Knowledge. I love to read and try to learn something new every day, whether it’s a new recipe (baking from scratch) modified to my taste and what I have on-hand to make it more nutritious (my specialty: yogurt wheat brownie* (see below)); or one of my other interests. I like to challenge myself and enjoy trying new things using my imagination and being creative.

My favorite thing about working in Inventory Transaction and Control is…
That it’s always a challenge and never boring keeping track of current top sellers, new items and what’s on sale (I’m also a customer). It lets me use my current skills as well as learn new ones and by working smarter I can get more done sooner and always be prepare for the unexpected.

My guilty pleasure is…
I don’t have any. I eat in moderation whether it’s sweet, salty or fried, just enough to satisfy my cravings. Yes, sometimes all in the same meal. Who says desserts have to be last?

Something that always calms me is…
Reading a good mystery (even better if it’s food-related). Always away from the crowds, usually somewhere along the waters or in a quiet niche at a park.

An uncommon fact about me…
I have perfect attendance, from school up to my current job here at UncommonGoods.

Working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
that every job is important no matter how small. I started as a seasonal cycle counter and learned the fulfillment and receiving process as a former Outbound/Inbound team member assisting as needed. Everyone has their own job to do and we are all part of one team. Also that sustainability is more than just recycling and composting.

Would you rather… Go on a dream vacation for two weeks, or spend five days with anyone in the world, but you must stay in your own neighborhood?
Go on a two week cruise vacation to Hawaii – island hop, try new dishes and absorb the culture/sights see and enjoy the great weather.

* Sharon Chin’s Yogurt Wheat Brownie recipe
Start with King Arthur Flour’s “Guaranteed Fudge Brownies” (aka “On-theFence Brownies because they straddle the Great Fudgey/Cakey Brownie Divide):

Sharon says: “My substitute makes it easier to remember as well. I reduce the butter since it has a lot of fat and can get expensive. I cut down on the sugar since I don’t like my sweets “too sweet;” and besides, the yogurt (I use it in cookie and quick bread as well) and chocolate chips already have fat and sugar in them.”

1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup milk chocolate chips (I prefer Hershey’s)
2 large eggs (I use 3 if I want it more cakey)
1 (6 oz) container vanilla yogurt (adding yogurt keeps it moist – use your favorite brand)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/2 cups flour (sometimes I use ½ all-purpose and ½ organic pastry flour (Arrowhead Mills brand) or ½ cup each of all-purpose, organic pastry flour and oatmeal (which adds fiber as well).

Step 1 is the same as above except that I add the chocolate chips to melt after the sugar is slightly dissolved and stir it all together.

Step 2 – Whisk in the eggs then add yogurt. Add salt, baking powder and flour. Stir until combined. Then follow the rest of the baking instructions.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Daniella Lee

December 13, 2013

Daniella Lee | UncommonGoods

Daniella Lee, UncommonGoods Operations Team Lead
My hometown is……
Banbury, Oxfordshire, England

My favorite process in the warehouse is……
Keeping the warehouse in stock at all times!

The best gift anyone has given me was……
My dog Mutley which was given to me by a friend.

I’m passionate about……
Life…Enjoying it to the fullest!

When I’m not at work, you’ll find me…
Spending time with my family and my good friend Scary! (Yes, Scary is a person! That is her nickname.)

An uncommon fact about me….
I’m a little crazy, but in a good way.

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned……
How to better my communication and computer skills.

Would you rather…… go on a dream vacation for two weeks, or spend five days with anyone in the world, but you must stay in your own neighborhood?
Hell yes! A dream vacation would be wonderful, when can I leave?

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Ryan Campbell

December 10, 2013
Ryan Campbell | UncommonGoods
Ryan Campbell, UncommonGoods Senior Manager
My hometown is……
Middletown, NJ

I’m inspired by….
My girlfriend, my family, and people who achieve greatness through hard work.

I’m passionate about…
Traveling and experiencing new cultures, great music, doing the right thing, and the New York football Giants.

My favorite process in the warehouse is……
Developing team members into great leaders and seeing them own the process themselves.

Something I’ve done in my life that I’m especially proud of is……
Recently, my brothers and I have set up a charity organization in honor of my mother, who passed away from terminal breast cancer this past January. Our goal is to provide financial support to families who are dealing with a terminal or life threatening illness. Our first annual golf outing helped us to raise over $15,000, which will go towards a family in need during the holidays.

An uncommon fact about me……
I played high school football with Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno.

Working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned……
Many things, but one thing that stands out so far to me is that it’s possible to run a company where the bottom line is not the top priority at all times.

Would you rather… Have a great personal chef, or a great personal trainer (assuming money was no object)?
Personal chef, all the way. I would recruit one of our team members, Roland Glenn, who tears it up in the kitchen!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Victoria Golann

December 5, 2013

Victoria Golann |UncommonGoods

Victoria Golann, UncommonGoods Senior Manager–Data Analytics
My home town is…
Middletown, NJ

The word that best describes me is…
Curious.

I’m inspired by…  
People who create things.

If I could know anything without having to study it, it would be…
Hmm, I think half the fun of knowing something is learning it, but it wouldn’t hurt if I could master the languages of whichever countries I plan on visiting next.

My favorite place to hang out in New York City is…
Definitely the running path along the Hudson River. It goes all the way from Battery Park to Inwood, and I always get a running high as I pass by all its sites, sculptures, and views.

An uncommon fact about me…  
I was an engineering major in college, but I took printmaking classes whenever I could. Intaglio and woodcut are my favorite techniques, and I love making mixed media collages with my prints.

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…  
How important it is to find a work culture that fits your personality and views. We have an amazing team here, and a company that really cares about its customers and employees. I look forward to coming into work every day.

With a pile of stuff in front of me I would make…
You’re given a Potholder Loom with bottomless Lotta Loops refills, a box of thumb tacks,  6 salvaged window frames missing the glass, and a megaphone.

I’d sell it all for some ice cream at Ample Hills in Brooklyn!

The Uncommon Life

Meet Our Drop Ship Team

December 2, 2013

Our Drop Ship Team | UncommonGoodsDuring the holiday season, every team at UncommonGoods is very important – from the Outbound warehouse staff packaging up your orders, to the Tech Team making sure our website is in ship shape, to our Purchasing Team who makes sure all of our best sellers are in stock – but one team stands out in my mind as being integral in making the most special holiday gifts happen. Our Drop Ship team is the liaison between our customers and artists to make custom gifts like the Anniversary Wine Box and the Personalized Family Print happen.

Meet our Drop Ship Team | UncommonGoodsWhat does “drop ship” mean anyway? It’s the term used when an item is shipped straight from the designer to the customer. To ensure the product is perfect before heading to our customer, the Drop Ship team collects the information so the artist can customize the product. In many cases, the Drop Ship team checks back with the customer with a proof of the product to confirm everything looks good.

A custom gift is certainly very special so our Drop Ship team keeps busy during the holiday season, but not without deadlines. The last day to order most custom or personalized gifts is December 4, with an approved proof by December 9, so don’t hesitate. Time is running out!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Peter Zabor

December 1, 2013
Peter Zabor
Peter Zabor, UncommonGoods Customer Service Team Lead

My hometown is…
I’ve lived so many places, I’m not even sure anymore!

I’m inspired by…
The life and times of Teddy Roosevelt (The original Knickerbocker). I really admire and am inspired by his industriousness, his drive and his strength of character. His life was one giant adventure and I try to emulate it as much as I can.

Something that always makes me laugh…
Anything that is so absurd, you’re not sure if it is even real.

My favorite UncommonGoods customer interaction so far was…
We have some amazingly intelligent and knowledgeable customers. I love learning new facts and new things from customers. From learning the “true” pronunciation of Missouri (“Mizzura”) to the explanation of weather patterns in Washington State. We even have history buff customers who keep us in check with our items and make sure that our facts are straight!

An uncommon fact about me…
I’ve climbed in a lot of high elevation mountain ranges. From Alaska, Colorado, Kilimanjaro, to Tibet. Highest I’ve climbed is 21,000 ft.

The word that best describes me is…
Intuitive.

Working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
The best way to improve yourself is to be surrounded with people better than you.

Would you rather be able to go anywhere in the entire real universe, or travel to all fictional ones?
I’ll stick to the real universe and head off to Ulan Bator.