Getting to Know the Summer Interns
Every summer, for a month-and-a-half, we at MSLO, open our doors to a group of college students and recent graduates who work as interns in various departments of the company. I had the opportunity to meet them all last week at a lunch I attended at my offices in the Starrett Lehigh building in New York City. I spoke informally to the group and tried to give them a bit of advice. I talked about the importance of profitability, about quality of products, and about the need to maintain high standards. I found the interns to be earnest, interested, interesting, with a good sense of humor.
1 Because it was such a fun group, I turned the luncheon into a Q & A.
2 Carrie, an International Editorial Intern was first to ask me a question.
3 She wanted to know how it feels to see Living Magazine in different languages. I told her that as an educator, it thrills me to reach out to as many people as possible across the globe.
4 Art Intern, Rachel, asked if I ever imagined I would get to where I am today? I explained that it isn't about trying to get anywhere, but how to turn my ideas into reality.
5 Alexus, an Editorial Intern, wanted to know where I find inspiration. I explained that I have always made it a point to learn something new every day and inspiration comes to me from carefully observing and by reading.
6 Melanie, an Editorial Copy Intern, asked my views on MSLO's growth and where the Martha brand might be in the 10 years? I emphasized that to grow and prosper, you must always have fresh and exciting ideas.
7 Nick, Editorial and Home Decorating Intern, asked me how I built my empire. After lunch, all the interns received a copy of my book, The Martha Rules, which explains it all.
8 Sarah, an Art Intern, wanted to know if I preferred cookies or brownies. My answer? Cookies!
9 Andrew, a Law intern, asked me how to get candle wax off of his wool suit. I suggested that he take it to a really good dry cleaner.
10 Nina, an Editorial Intern for Living Magazine, asked me which facet of MSLO is most dear to me.
11 That would be my website www.marthastewart.com. We work hard to make it an online source of information that anyone can access from anywhere.
12 Melissa, Art Department intern for Living Magazine, asked how I would advise a college graduate launching a career. I responded by never taking the easy way out and to always seek a challenge.
13 Jessica, Intern in the Art Department for Whole Living, wondered how I handle the pressure of being involved in all aspects of the company. Answer - I focus my attention on one thing at a time.
14 This is Annick, a Photo Intern.
15 Holly and Maryanna, Interns in the Style department for Weddings Magazine, took lots of notes.
16 A nice group shot
17 Angelica, a Finance Intern and Amy, a Consumer Marketing Intern, have become good friends working together.
18 Nate and Kirk arrived in matching outfits.
19 Carly, a Product Design Intern, Andrew, a Retail Merchandising Intern, and Courtney, a Retail Marketing Intern became friendly with each other.
20 Jaime and Andrew, law interns
21 Christina and Emily, Executive Interns who have been working at my home in Bedford
Martha, that group of young people look as if they're ready to go out and conquer the world.
I know they'll treasure this summer all of their lives.
Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 3rd, 2010 at 12:07 am
This is a business question for you, Martha. How do you deal with people who 'work for you'? You are self-made and you have become a brand through your own hard labor. Now, you have a collection of eager beavers all wishing to please you and become you - yet none of them are 'Martha Stewart' or else they wouldn't be working for you. You would have never worked for 'Martha Stewart' before you were 'Martha Stewart' - or at least for very long.
Posted by: will | August 3rd, 2010 at 12:22 am
Martha:
I'm hoping to be the first blogger to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Many blessings in the coming year!
Thanks for the photos and story on the interns. I'm sure they all feel grateful for the opportunity to work in such an environment.
Posted by: Joseph Brennan | August 3rd, 2010 at 12:46 am
How wonderful! (I almost said "cute" because they're so young, these beautiful babies flying out into the world!)
Posted by: Isle Dance | August 3rd, 2010 at 2:28 am
I loved being a Martha editorial intern (summer 2008)! Best of luck to this year's crew.
Posted by: Lauren Piro | August 3rd, 2010 at 2:55 am
Нарру birthday,Martha
Posted by: sagadat | August 3rd, 2010 at 6:36 am
I´m a great fan and you are a great inspiration to me! Happy birthday
Posted by: Inga Dis | August 3rd, 2010 at 7:16 am
Hi Martha,
What a nice looking enthusiastic group of young people with inquisitive minds! They asked very good questions and at least one of the answers surprised me, the fact that your website was most dear to you. They've been given a great opportunity to intern in your offices and I know if I was among the group, I would surely treasure that.
~
I see you've been celebrating your birthday already and I hope you had a great dinner at Rao's. Happy Birthday Martha - enjoy all of your cakes! Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 3rd, 2010 at 7:20 am
Wishing you a very joyous birthday!
Martha look more beautiful every year!
Posted by: Jon M. | August 3rd, 2010 at 7:26 am
happy birthday! how many cakes have you had so far?
Posted by: liisamarja | August 3rd, 2010 at 8:17 am
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Vivian Price | August 3rd, 2010 at 8:27 am
These interns are so lucky to be exposed to the genius of such a marvelous company! I'm sure they recognize that. I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday, Martha! On the blog, I've put up an old photo of you with Max, Zsu-Zsu and one of your Himalayans from a photo shoot you did for People magazine in 1995 at Turkey Hill. I love the look of joy in your face! You've accomplished so much, Martha, and I remain so grateful to you for all you've taught me, shown me and delighted me with throughout the years. Happy Birthday from me and the Martha Moments readers!
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | August 3rd, 2010 at 8:28 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 3rd, 2010 at 8:51 am
Birthday Greetings!
May God's Gaze rest with pleasure upon you...
Sempre con amore...
Dorothy & C.J.
Posted by: Dorothy Kardas, Psy.D. Th.D. | August 3rd, 2010 at 10:33 am
Hi Martha,
Happy Birthday! I am 60 today so we celebrate the same birthday and I just thought I would wish you a happy one too! After being alone and not really interested I recently fell in love with an 8th grade school crush, HE'S A GOOD THING! as you would say. MAY GOOD THINGS COME YOUR WAY.
LINDA (a huge fan)
Posted by: Linda Monkoski | August 3rd, 2010 at 11:16 am
I am pleased your interns are recognized and have opportunities to ask questions. Of course they are smart, have gone through hours of struggles just to obtain their degrees so they are "on their way" but an MSLO internship, wow.
What a wonderful experience because of the many facets your company provides for them.
Posted by: Margie | August 3rd, 2010 at 11:32 am
Wishing you a very happy birthday dear Martha... Your cakes and incredible ideas have helped us to make our celebrations especially delightful and magical... My wish is for yours to be the same. Thank you for all you do and all you give to others.
Posted by: Patti Grieger | August 3rd, 2010 at 11:42 am
A very Happy Birthday to you Martha. What a great thing you do for all the young and up coming college students. My daughter is an Illustration Major at Savannah College of Art and Design and would love to do this. How does she get a chance to be an intern? Hopefully they took all your advise seriously and will incorporate it into their daily lives. What a great mentor for them to have. I hope you keep up with all the interns that you have inspired.
Posted by: Beth | August 3rd, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Hi Martha, What a great group of interns you have at MSLO for the summer and how lucky they are to be part of your company for the summer. I recognized the 2 who work at your farm that were part of your Sirius 112 blog yesterday. Your meeting with them sure must have been valuable for you and for them. Great photos, again. Hope you are having a wonderful, fabulous, fantastic day today. Happy, happy birthday and best wishes for many, many, many more! Hope you have a great evening and dinner with Alexis! Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 3rd, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Happy Birthday Martha!!!!! I hope your day is filled with nothing but sunshine and happiness and you are surrounded by those who love you so much.
Those interns are so lucky to not only work at MSLO but also get a up close and personal meeting with you and hear your advice.
Again, a joyous day to you!
Posted by: Sonya | August 3rd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Martha!
Happiest of Birthdays today! May this coming year be enriching, rewarding and exceptionally fulfilling for you! (You were the writing prompt in Jill Badonski's The Awe-manac: a Daily Dose of Wonder, so I wrote a couplet and a haiku about you.)
PS You look GREAT!
Posted by: Michele Mary | August 3rd, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Happy Birthday to you Martha!You are great,you a the one!
With respect
Posted by: Filip | August 3rd, 2010 at 3:13 pm
happy birthday of Paris
in France ... JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE
Posted by: Mirielle | August 3rd, 2010 at 3:26 pm
That Andrew is so hot! And a lawyer no less! What a dreamboat! If that's an intern - sign me up for one of those!
Posted by: ReggieDeggie | August 3rd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday dear Martha, Happy Birthday to you!!!! Have a wonderful day full of God's Blessings. We love your show, we love your magazine and we love you Take it easy and enjoy your special day
Posted by: Susie and Sharon | August 3rd, 2010 at 4:18 pm
looks like a fantastic group of people!
Posted by: Wendy | August 3rd, 2010 at 4:22 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTHA!!!!! 39 again? Thank you so much for all the wonderful inspirations you have given us over the years. You have truly elevated the homemaker to the status we have always deserved. I can't tell you how much I have learned from you. You are such a wonderful inspiration to all of us. Again, Happy Birthday and many many more to come!
Posted by: rita murdoch | August 3rd, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Martha, your web site is the best! I am one of your fans who visits the web site almost every day. Thank you and happy birthday.
Posted by: Jan | August 3rd, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Hey martha! happy happy birthday....i wish you a lot of energy! big hug!
Posted by: vera m | August 3rd, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Happy Birthday, Martha! You should get the Beatle Paul to sing his famous Happy Birthday song to you. Those young interns are so fortunate to learn from you. Thanks
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | August 3rd, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Martha, I just wanted to wish you a Very Happy Birthday!!! before your day is over. I forgot to a 12:07 AM this morning.
I pray that you have many, many more, Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 3rd, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Martha, You've brought me many, many years of enjoyment. Thank you! I'm sending you lots of wishes for a joyous birthday from the depths of my heart!
Stephane
Posted by: Stephane | August 3rd, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Best wishes on your birthday Martha! Hope you had a most wonderful celebration and had your favorite cake, too.
Posted by: sherey | August 3rd, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Happy Birthday Martha. Enjoy and celebrate not only your birthday but also your birthmonth. I am sure you can spend all the days of the month to be able to celebrate with all your family and many friends.
Posted by: Nikki | August 4th, 2010 at 12:34 am
Carrie said wanted to know how it feels to see Living Magazine in different languages. I told her that as an educator, it thrills me to reach out to as many people as possible across the globe.
What about UK - we have to ask our friend in Detroit to subscribe to Living and bring copies over when he comes on business. We'd love to get your Pets range here too!!!!!
Posted by: Tracey Rose | August 4th, 2010 at 7:05 am
Whoever "Will" is who posted the "business" question is rude. People at MSLO make the company. It has nothing to do with "being" Martha Stewart. Everyone there works hard to create her name.
Don't make rude comments like that please because I have worked hard to get where I am and I take pride in my abilities.
Posted by: Dawn | August 4th, 2010 at 8:29 am
Hey Dawn,it's still a free country, perhaps not for long, and I did not take Will's comments as rude, just very observant...a nice relief from the kiss aspic that reigns here. I think Will is correct and he is not saying dump your staff or your staff is stupid or your staff will never meet the high standards...he is simply saying that someone of M's caliber would not have stayed beneath someone for long. Compliment, as I see it. She will lose the good ones. If there is an "M" in the crowd, they will move on, surely wiser by her proximity.
Posted by: CJ | August 4th, 2010 at 9:09 am
I understand what Dawn is saying. A company cannot work without teamwork. MSLO collaborates stylists, photographers, chefs, craftmakers and even lawyers and economy experts. I don't think Martha creates everything the company produces. She lends her name to it and she has admitted that herself. I understand what Will is saying, but to call the people who make her company successful "beavers" just sounds a little dis-respectful. I'm sure her employees are all very talented and there is a reason they work for such a great company.
Posted by: thomas | August 4th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Oh!, Martha, I can't believe an intern did not know wheather you preferred cookies or brownies. Obviously their mom didn't watch you on TV when they were young. My girls at MSU would have been embarrassed for her and they grew up eating all your yummy cookie recipes. Mmm-mmm!
Posted by: Tammi E. Janssen-Lukas | August 7th, 2010 at 1:27 am
I enjoyed CJ's comment. Tells it like it is. A little constructive criticism never hurt anyone! (And that goes for the styrofoam cups too)!!
Posted by: Mel | August 9th, 2010 at 10:53 am