Meet Us – The Goods

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Mary Catherine Halfpenny

August 13, 2013

Mary Catherine Halfpenny, UncommonGoods Senior Manager – Operations

My hometown is…
Technically, I’m from Staten Island, the last borough to get dug out when blizzards happen. New Yorkers think I’m not really a New Yorker, but everyone else thinks I’m legitimately from here.

When I was 9, my family moved to Warwick, NY. I was raised to be capable of building my own chicken coop, by parents who always took home the class pet. We had an assortment of creatures at home at all times.

My favorite process in the UncommonGoods warehouse is…
I think creativity is really important in the warehouse, especially in terms of process design. I’m excited when I can take the innovations of my team and transform them into improvements to our processes, and benefit both the customers and those of us who work here at UncommonGoods.

I’m inspired by…
The idea that all great movements start as seemingly small acts.

The best gift anyone has given me was…
I want to tell the story of a memorable gift that, unbeknownst to the giver or receiver, I was a part of putting together. We had paper roses that were made from paper from elephant dung. It was a bouquet of twelve roses, and I packed it in with a card that said, “I know you’re going through a tough situation right now, but be assured that good things can come from a sh*tty situation.” This combination of humor with genuine care and creativity is one of the reasons I love our customers.

An uncommon fact about me…
I started at Uncommon Goods as a picker in the warehouse on December 4, 2009, and expected to be seasonally employed for 3 weeks.

When I’m not working, I’m probably…
Watching Rachel Maddow online.

The word that best describes me…
Queer.

Working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
That staying up until midnight running correlations on datasets is really fun.

With a pile of stuff in front of me I would build…
You’re given paint, some scraps of wood, an old t-shirt, rubber cement, cotton swabs, and 36 cents (in whatever combination of coins you choose).

I would build my net worth! Considering I’m a Halfpenny, I would have just increased it by 7200%!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Jen Grim

August 12, 2013

Meet Jen Grim, UncommonGoods Director of Customer Service

My hometown is…
Hamburg, NYThe best customer interaction I’ve had at UncommonGoods was…
This one is hard – there are a lot of memorable experiences. The ones that stick out the most are the ones where the customer went out of their way to thank me for doing something extra for them. It’s our job to make our customers happy and it’s always heartwarming to hear that our efforts are appreciated. One customer sent a photo of him and his friend holding a ‘thank you’ sign. It’s hanging up in the customer service room right now.

I’m inspired by…
New experiences. Trying something new and allowing yourself to sometimes be uncomfortable is the best way to truly experience life.

When I’m not working, I’m probably…
Planning something – the next vacation, my budget, a to-do list. I’m a planner; I just can’t help it.

An uncommon fact about me…
I’m a licensed skydiver but not a licensed driver. Does it also count that during one of my trips I used the following modes of transportation in one day? Taxi, bus, large plane, horse, small plane, boat, bike and walking.

My favorite place to hang out in New York City is…
Sunset Park. It’s a great tiny neighborhood full of multi-generational families who spend all day at the community park playing together and socializing. Sunset Park has a great community feeling to it. Plus, the best tacos EVER can be found here. Trust me – they’re amazing.

My style is…
Style? Not sure you can call what I have going on ‘style’. The rules are: I don’t iron, I don’t hand-wash, I don’t use a hair dryer, I won’t polish shoes. My clothes, shoes, and accessories need to be able to handle the rough treatment I dole out. I can always be dressed and out the door in 10 minutes.

Working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
That it’s OK to make mistakes. Really, it is. As long as you always make new mistakes. I’ve also learned that it’s OK to fail now and then. (‘Fail’ is not a bad 4-letter word around here.)

With a pile of stuff in front of me I would make…
(You’re given a carpet square, a box of nails, an empty milk crate, ribbon, a small recycling bag of empty soup cans, and a houseplant of any variety you choose.)

An awesome cat tree for my two cats to play on, complete with cat grass as the reward at the top of the tree.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Orlando Geronimo

August 7, 2013

Orlando Geronimo, UncommonGoods Senior Software Architect

My hometown is…
Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija Philippines–but living in Sayreville, New Jersey.

The tech project I most enjoyed working on at UncommonGoods was…
Website redesign.

I’m inspired by…
Young people who have overcome incredible challenges to gain their education. They take a leap of faith and begin their pursuit of college without any guarantee that they will be able to pay for it and survive. Along the way, they seek out any and all opportunities and resources that can support them. And nothing should stop them. Whatever obstacles they may reach in their lives, they shouldn’t give up on what they want to do. Nothing should keep them away from their dreams or their goals, whatever they might be. God bless them.

My favorite place to visit in New York City is…
The top of the Empire State Building.

An uncommon fact about me…
I eat code every day!

When I’m not working, I’m probably…
Working in my yard! I like to make different things all the time. I love to see my plants grow and I enjoy the beauty of it. They are a constant reminder of growth, re-birth, persistence and determination.

The word that best describes me…
Technical. I’ve always had a hunger for knowledge. Some people may find it weird, but it’s actually true. It’s fun to have passion for learning stuff you’re interested in.

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…
Always be a part of the solutions and start being vocal about what’s right! Set a goal for every day and never be tired.

Would you rather… sing a full song in front of the entire company OR work in silence for an entire week, without talking to anyone?
Sing. I can play guitar and sing!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Shana King

July 18, 2013

Shana King, UncommonGoods Merchandising Operations Associate – Home Décor

My hometown is…
Born in Brooklyn NY; raised in Newport News, VA.

My favorite UncommonGoods product in my category is…
Sea Serpent Garden Sculpture, by Chris Crooks. (It was the first product I presented at company lunch as a merch assistant, and it is KILLING IT!!!!)

I’m inspired by…

My daughter; she is amazing, has breathed new life into my world, and always gives me reason to push forward. I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’D DO WITHOUT THAT LITTLE GIRL!

My guilty pleasure is…
Baked mac ‘n’ cheese.

An uncommon fact about me…
I was 6 months pregnant before I found out!

My favorite place to eat in New York City is…
Home!

The word that best describes me…
Hard worker! (Two words.)

Since working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
All about sustainability!

Would you rather…Eat your favorite food for every meal for a week OR not get to eat your favorite food for a year?
Eat my favorite meal every day for a week.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet NéQuana Rollings

July 15, 2013

NéQuana Rollings, UncommonGoods Associate Buyer-Tabletop
My hometown is…
Bronx, NY. But I’ve been living in Brooklyn for 18 years.

My favorite UncommonGoods product in my category is…
The Pinch and Dash Salt and Pepper Shaker Set.

I’m inspired by…
Colors, sounds, feelings..nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. There is inspiration in everything.

My guilty pleasure is…
Children’s snacks. If there is a snack targeted towards kindergarten students to fifth graders, I’m on it.

An uncommon fact about me…
I barely watch television. I watch TV approximately 0-2 hours a week (2 hours is a major stretch).

My favorite place to eat in New York City is…
Everyone I know can answer this for me. Chipotle!! Whoop! I visit their site just to drool at the images (lame, greedy..call it what you want!).

The word that best describes me…
Ethical.

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…
That there are more people [like myself] who do things for others without looking for repayment.

Would you rather… Have to stay up for 24 hours straight, but get a front row spot to see your choice of band/artist perform after you’ve deprived yourself of sleep OR get to sleep in as late as you want every day for a week?
This is harder than I thought, because I love to chill in bed. I have stayed up 24 hours straight—so I’d choose to stay up a whole day to sit front row at a Nas concert. (Backstage would be better…)

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Sharon Hitchcock

April 30, 2013

Sharon Hitchcock, UncommonGoods Buyer – Jewelry & Accessories
My hometown is…
Hmmm….well, let’s see, I was born in Manhattan so I guess I am a New Yorker, but I lived in Austin, Texas for 9 years (Hook ‘em Horns!), and have also resided in Seattle, Washington, DC, and London. Now I call Brooklyn home.

I’m on the lookout for…

Jewelry and accessories that are beautifully made with thought and care. Pieces and collections that use materials in a distinctly different way, and have a strong point of view.

I’m inspired by…
People-watching in NYC.

My guilty pleasure is…
Can I have two guilty pleasures? ’80s music is a definite. And, flea markets! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a good flea market.

An uncommon fact about me…
Although I have never considered myself to be very musically inclined, I have taught myself to play the ukulele, which I think is the happiest of all instruments.

My favorite place to eat in New York City is…
For fancy-pants food I love Balthazar. I always feel French glam when I go there. To get my Mexican food fix, I head to La Esquina.

My style is…
Hard to define! After a phase of wearing all black every day, I now embrace colors and patterns. Anything with stripes has been a recent favorite. I also collect vintage jewelry and try to wear something from my collection each day.

Since working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
So much! I truly do learn something new each day. I love the collaborative environment here, and how supportive the team is of different ideas and points of view.

With a pile of stuff in front of me I would make…
(You’re given paperclips, yarn, cheesecloth, markers, and plastic beads.)

I would make a mini, colorful, and fabulous Eiffel Tower sculpture.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Melissa Bishop

April 17, 2013

Melissa Bishop, UncommonGoods Senior Buyer–Children’s, Leisure & Desktop

My hometown is…
Los Angeles, CA

My favorite product that I’ve brought into the assortment at UncommonGoods is…
Kinetic Sand.

I’m inspired by…
The amazing friends, family, and colleagues I am surrounded by. Also I’m a huge tech geek so I’m inspired by Kickstarter and TechCrunch.

My guilty pleasure is…
Goldfish crackers, sour candy, and young adult fiction novels.

An uncommon fact about me…
I play on two nationally competitive kickball teams. (Yes, really.)

My favorite place to eat in New York City is…
I’m a sucker for restaurants with twinkle lights and candles – and great wine lists.

My style is…
Completely mood-based – I’m a chameleon. California casual, if I had to pick a lane. Learning how to dress for my first winter has been a comedy…

Working at UncommonGoods, I’ve learned…
How to navigate the subway & survive in New York City. (I started at UG the day after I moved to NYC!)

Would you rather… Have a front row spot at any sporting event you choose for the rest of your life OR get free stuff from your favorite clothing store for the rest of your life?
Definitely front row at any sporting event! (!!!) – I’m a football and baseball fanatic. Hopefully this choice comes with transportation to get me there, too, since I’m far away from my Cali teams now!