who am i?
Hello, I’m Elle Smarzinski!
(Orpha is my middle name and it’s cooler than a long Polish last name.)
I’m a farmer’s daughter from Darboy, Wisconsin.
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.
I’m most drawn to typography, brand identities, advertising, UX/UI, social media, and creative directing.
Work history
marketing ASSISTANT
Midwest Shoe Merchants, Milwaukee, WI
May 2025 - Present
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Contribute to the concept, design, and execution of email marketing campaigns and landing pages, ensuring alignment with brand voice, SEO, and user experience.
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Design and produce in-store creative assets, including promotional signage and branded materials for both customers and staff.
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Manage The Vionic Store Milwaukee’s social media presence and digital content.
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Optimize web content through SEO and meta descriptions to strengthen brand visibility.
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Collaborate with the head of marketing and social strategist on cross-platform campaigns.
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.