Rosa Loves

Rosa Loves is an incredible organization based out of St. Augustine. It was founded by Flagler grads in 2006. It's a grassroots project that raises money and awareness through it's tee shirt sales. The profit from each style goes towards a specific story. I purchased my first (of many) Rosa Loves' shirt last week. The story is Simple Machine.

Be sure to check them out and purchase a shirt (or two)!

President Obama visits Fort Myers

After Katie's comment on my previous post, I decided I would write a little more about the economic situation in Fort Myers. Earlier this week, President Obama visited Elkhart, Indiana and Fort Myers, Florida to talk with people about unemployment and foreclosures in these hard hit areas as well as promote his economic stimulus plan. An article was published in the New York Times on Monday, February 8 discussing Lee County and Lehigh Acres in particular. This was seriously heartbreaking for me as Lehigh is where I grew up and most of my family still lives there. My father is a local real estate broker and he was featured in the NY Times article.
In the midst of President Obama's town hall meeting here in Fort Myers on Tuesday, he was informed that the senate had passed his economic stimulus plan. So here's to hoping we see some improvement soon...

South Seas

Nearly two years ago, I swore that I wasn't going to work in retail again. I had to take back that statement "due to the current state of the economy" (haven't heard that enough lately). I am happy to have found employement after being laid off on December 1, 2008. Although, it's not my ideal job, I'm still one lucky gal. The unemployment rate in Fort Myers is roughly 10% which is 3% higher than the national average.
I got word of the Retail Sales Consultant position through one of my former student's parents. I was babysitting Charlotte one night in early January when her mother, Jackie, asked me how my job hunt was going. We started talking about what I had done prior to teaching. She told me that she was pretty certain her husband had a retail position available. David is the Director of Retail Operations for South Seas Island Resort.
One thing lead to another and now I am joyfully employed.
I currently split my time between South Seas Island Outfitters and Fresh Squeezed. SSIO is located on the Yacht Harbour and sells mostly logo apparel and fishing gear. Fresh Squeezed is a Lilly Pulitzer Via Shop located just outside of the resort.
Despite it being a retail position, it is also a resort position. I have follow the retail procedures as well as the resort's procedures which is proving to be quite interesting.