About Us: Laura

Sr. Product Manager – Direct to Consumer
Check out Laura’s 5 Product Marketing Tips for Your Business.

About me

Isn’t it always odd talking about yourself to no one in particular? But, here we go anyway…

I’m Southern California born and raised. The youngest of three girls, I’m so grateful to my older sisters for figuring things out first so I could just copy them. Which I did in just about every aspect. For instance, they played soccer, so it became my obsession. I played competitively for 15 years, including Division I college soccer.

After college, I moved back home and wound up marrying a boy I had gone to school with since junior high. We bought a house in the neighborhood we both grew up in, around the corner from both our parents and siblings. Sounds like a horror story to so many people but I couldn’t be happier. We have two golden doodles, and recently brought home a human little brother for them.

My professional life

As awkward as I find it to talk about myself, I have always been a talker. I majored in Communication Studies in college and found that marketing was a great fit for me. Communicating product stories and brand values to consumers in a way that resonates is so exciting to me.

Early in my career, my organizational skills helped me to excel in product management but I always found that being a product expert and advocate was a perfect fit for developing marketing strategies. Who better to talk about products than the person involved in every aspect of them?

I previously worked in the fashion and dietary supplement industries. Many people find my career journey odd, jumping to industries that are so different. But I have found that I am more passionate about quality products that people love than a specific industry. That led me to Avery.

Working at Avery has been a dream. I had applied before, many years prior, so when I heard about an opportunity in Organizational Products (binders, folders, dividers, and writing instruments) I jumped at the chance! I honestly couldn’t believe I got the job.

Let me tell you something about Avery. The people here are SMART. Really smart. I often find myself in meetings just in awe of the people here.

Shortly after starting, I got a big opportunity to work with the direct-to-consumer labels team. Guys, it was a hard decision for me. I loved my job and my team, how could I leave it, even for a position in the same company? But online retail was calling to me. Man, do I love e-commerce. That’s where nearly all of my career experience is, and I find it… fun. You may be rolling your eyes at that but I’m serious.

I love getting to speak directly with the consumers. If you think we don’t hear your feedback, please trust that we do. It’s how new products are born, it’s how we decide to improve existing products, and it’s how we determine what content and programs need to be developed.

The thing I love most about Avery is the people. You already know they are smart, but they are also wonderful people, who care about their jobs and about each other. They have families and hobbies, and they have fun. They ask about you and actually care about what you have to say. They encourage you in work and in life.

My coworkers and bosses were so happy when they found out I was pregnant. They didn’t even think of the work I was going to miss or the projects they might have to take on, they were genuinely happy for this amazing new adventure in my life, and for that, I will always be grateful. To all my Avery people who actually came and read this, thank you for being the best work family!