who am i?
Hello, I’m Elle Smarzinski!
(Orpha is my middle name and it’s cooler than a long Polish last name.)
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I’m a farmer’s daughter from Darboy, Wisconsin.
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Currently, I’m the Marketing and Merchandising Assistant at Midwest Shoe Merchants, gaining experience in marketing, retail, and design through social media, email campaigns, in-store visuals, and merchandising.
Working with diverse people and industries has shaped my eclectic, ever-changing design style. I’m always eager to learn and challenge my design beliefs. My background includes administrative assisting, retail, baking, customer service, health promotion, bartending, and marketing.
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I’m most drawn to typography, brand identities, advertising, UX/UI, social media, and creative directing.​​​​​
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Work history
marketing ASSISTANT
Midwest Shoe Merchants, Milwaukee, WI
May 2025 - Present
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Manage The Vionic Store Milwaukee social media presence by creating visual content and supporting digital strategy
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Design web pages for the store and contribute to email marketing campaigns through concepting, writing, and layout
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Develop in-store signage, branded apparel, and other retail design assets
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Handle internal merchandising tasks, including filing and organization
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Support the marketing manager on cross-functional campaigns and creative initiatives
graphic designer
Student Unions & Activities, University of Minnesota
August 2024 - May 2025
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Lead designer for Spring Jam™ 2025
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Co-designer for ‘SUA is’ campaign.
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Partnered with supervisors to execute daily design tasks and contribute to ongoing projects.
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Developed and delivered innovative design solutions aligned with client objectives.
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Communicated directly with clients to assess their needs and ensure design satisfaction.
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Leveraged Asana to streamline project management and task prioritization.
porter
Surly Brewing Company,
Minneapolis, MN
May 2023 - April 2024
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Delivered food and beverages while maintaining excellent service.
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Assisted with table turnover, Beer Hall cleanliness, and daily operations.
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Managed cashier duties and provided product knowledge to enhance guest experiences.
gopher chauffeur
Boynton Health
University of Minnesota
October 2022 - September 2024
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Provided safe and efficient transportation services for UMN-TC students on campus.
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Utilized previous custodial experience to manage and clean customer-related incidents promptly.
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Trained in CPR administration to respond effectively to emergencies.
bartender
Countryside Golf Course
Kaukauna, WI
May 2022 - August 2024
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Delivered exceptional customer service to bar patrons in a lively and fast paced environment.
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Maintained an enthusiastic and energetic demeanor to enhance guest experiences.
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maintained phone inquiries and efficiently scheduled reservations.
baker's assistant
Whisk & Arrow
Appleton, WI
March 2019 - August 2020
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Cleaned and organized kitchen areas and cooking utensils to maintain a safe and efficient workplace.
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ensured proper storage and handling of food items, adhering to temperature and safety standards.
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supported a positive and hassle-free customer experience through attentive service.