WOW! Zappos’ culture is unparalleled. I’m still trying to take everything in while finding my place in the HR dynamic, yet I feel like I’ve been here forever. It’s a strange sense of belonging you only get after years of dedicated relationship building at a “normal” company.

On the first day of work, our trainer Kelly knew all of our names and the individuals in the class soon became a close-knit group. As we finished on-boarding and started in our respective departments, it was bittersweet not seeing my new friends all the time. However, it didn’t take long before I was fully immersed in my department and now I cannot imagine myself working anywhere else. Where else do you receive a Shakeweight™ on the first day??

Now I’m sure you are jealous and wondering “What department gives their employees amazing Shakeweights?” Well, I am the first HR intern! During the course of the next 11 weeks I will rotate through each department, starting with the P.E.A.C.E. team. Each day is filled with wish-granting adventures, decorating and event planning.

My overarching project is to pitch two charities for the fall season representing men’s and women’s cancer advocacy and resources. On the surface, the team looks fun and spirited—although this is true, working on this team showed me the hard work and dedication the team puts forth in making the best events possible for Zapponians. The biggest challenge I am currently facing is balancing the projects I am working on and all the fun activities going on in the company. For instance, I am working on developing a visual for the employees of the office to see the progress Zapponians are making in raising money for a charity project. But I’m getting distracted with things like blog posts, decorating desks, throwing Jolly Ranchers at people and sitting in on meetings. Zappos has a crazy way of making life easier and yet more challenging at the same time.

Challenge accepted!

--Michelle V.

The One and Only HR Intern

Happiness comes in many forms, and for many it comes in the form of a great outdoor challenge with Mother Nature as the ultimate backdrop. We asked a few outdoorsy Zapponians about their most memorable hiking and climbing experiences to date along with their top outdoor gear picks; below are their stories:

Patrick:

“I have been climbing for the last 10 years. My brother got me into it after I graduated from high school. It has been an amazing physical and mental journey to get to the point I'm at now. I have also had the pleasure of exploring some of the most beautiful places in the U.S. while on climbing trips.

This sparked an urge to document the areas and physical feats I was viewing, so I began a passion in photography as a result. The great thing about the outdoors is that there are so many cool sports to help you experience them."

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

P: When I completed a 5.14 rock climb. I spent over a year working on it. The climb is Mon Pote Assis at Mt. Potosi right outside of Las Vegas.

What do you love most about climbing?

P:  Climbing brings me to the most beautiful places in the country/world.

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

P: Evolv Shaman, Prana Flex Short and SunCloud Polarized Optics Pit Stop

Anji:

“…You never lose sight of where you are or take your environment for granted when you are getting blown over by 60 mph winds, overcoming fear of exposure or getting attacked by a Cholla Cactus.”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

A: Completing the 8,000 Meter Challenge.

What do you love most about hiking?

A: I love hiking for many reasons…the physical and mental challenges, pushing personal boundaries, and the privilege of witnessing such unique and beautiful terrain. Hiking rewards me with the best mind and body workout I could ever hope for where I can decompress and reconnect with myself and the natural world.

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

A:  Outdoor Research Solar Roller Hat, Mountain Hardware Fluid 26, and Merrell Moab Ventilator

John:

“…The sense of perpetual motion and path-finding soothes my inner wanderlust.”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

J: Going to Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro. I felt like the king of the world!

What do you love most about hiking?

J: Being outdoors and hiking helps me clear my head from a busy week. 

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

J: Inov-8 Bare-Grip™ 200, Inov-8 F-Lite 195, and Inov-8 Roclite 335 GTX

Melissa:

“Growing up in NYC amidst the hustle and bustle of taxi cabs  and subways, the highest height that had been reached by me was the top of the Empire State by elevator.

Hiking was the furthest thing from my mind as my heels avoided the potholes and cracks in the street while traipsing through the city.

Life brought me to Vegas, it was not the lights and fanfare of the strip that motivated me to move here, but the mountains.  “I want to go up there!”, I exclaimed to my tour guide as I motioned to a beautiful mountain off in the distance.  She rolled her eyes  and continued pointing out the attractions of  the strip…”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

M: The 8000 Meter  Challenge provided  me the chance to trade in my heels  for some trail runners.  On my first hike (Black Mountain), it surely felt as if death was emanate and my life would end on that mountain! All the cursing, and pain felt on the way up fell by the wayside as my feet hit the summit. The feeling of accomplishment was immeasurable, in that moment, life didn’t seem so bad. I DID IT!!

What do you love most about hiking?

M: The feeling of joy, pain, humbleness, and love each time a summit is reached!

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

M: The North Face Women’s Tyndall Mid, Patagonia Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket, and Black Diamond Women’s Distance Trekking Pole

While it’s true that Hurley has some pretty awesome boardshorts, all you  creative types will most definitely enjoy the freedom of customizing your very own boardshorts with the Hurley Phantom* Create.

The good folks at Hurley challenged us at Zappos HQ to flex our design muscles with the Phantom Faceoff Contest. Click HERE to vote for your favorite pair! The two styles with the most “likes” will be created and given to the lucky (and talented) Zappos employees who designed them.

* Hurley’s Phantom boardshorts have been named “Boardshort of the Year” by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) the past four years in a row!

You’ve probably noticed four of our lovely staff members highlighting some of their favorite spring sandals on the homepage this week. Here they are creating some “fun and a little weirdness”, hamming it up during their photo shoot! 

We asked these Zappos ladies a couple of questions to get to know them a little better:

Describe your personal style in 3 words:

A: Urban, girly and relaxed

What is your favorite sandal currently for spring? :

A: I LOVE the “Manngo” espadrille wedge by Steve Madden!

What are your top three favorite Zappos brands? :

A:  Free People, BB Dakota and Nike

If you could have any theme song, what would it be and why? :

A: “I’m in a Hurry” by Alabama. I’m a master in multi-tasking and always on the go. 

Describe your personal style in 3 words:

S: Comfortable, colorful and striped. I love stripes!

What is your favorite sandal currently for spring? :

S: I live in the Volcom Forever Creedler  flip flops when it’s warm out.

What are your top three favorite Zappos brands? :

S:  Converse, Volcom, Purminerals

If you could have any theme song, what would it be and why? :

S: “The Imperial March” (Darth Vader’s Theme). Not because I'm evil and part machine, but because I'm determined and under the impression that I'm tall.

Describe your personal style in 3 words:

E:  boho, low-key and comfortable

What is your favorite sandal currently for spring? :

E: The Volcom New School Creedlers. I literally own four different pairs!

What are your top three favorite Zappos brands? :

E: Roxy, O’Neill and Volcom

If you could have any theme song, what would it be and why? :

E: “The Science of Selling Yourself Short” by Less Than Jake. It has such a great flow and I can listen to this song over and over again. It makes me want to take the top off of jeep and blast it while driving down the highway!

Describe your personal style in 3 words:

C: fun, effortless, comfortable

What is your favorite sandal currently for spring? :

C: I love the Steve Madden Manngo in Coral!

What are your top three favorite Zappos brands? : Joie, Jessica Simpson, BCBGMAXAZRIA

If you could have any theme song, what would it be and why? :
C: "Daylight” by Matt and Kim. I absolutely love this song because the beat is so up lifting. This song always puts me in a good mood!

The Super Awesome Description award is a way of recognizing a member of the Zappos Development content team once a month. If a product description is particularly witty or creative, anyone in the company can nominate the person who wrote it.  The nominations are then read by other members of the content department and voted upon; the description with the most votes wins. The writer of that description is rewarded with a trophy and a certificate, not to mention recognition from their peers.

The winner for January 2012 is Jay G. Jay is part of the athletic performance team and his witty description for the Ward’s Boxing Club NYC The Husband Beater was too clever to ignore. Congratulations Jay!

We asked Jay a few fun questions to get to know him better. Check out his answers below!

What is your biggest Grammar pet peeve?

Exclamation points. I use it to no end regardless of mood! See what I mean?

What is your favorite color?

Back when I was 10, I would have said “Blue”.  Nowadays, I don’t really have one, but I’ve found that anything light-colored or pastel-ish goes well against my skin tone.

What inspired you when writing this description?

It’s boxing-inspired athletic wear so I just played on those aspects.  Plus 1) I’m a big boxing fan (go team Pacman), 2) I use to write Athletic Performance clothing back in the days so it wasn’t that far from my wheel house and 3) I’ve been happily married to a beautiful yet stubborn woman for 11 years… hence the tone.  Everything else just fell into place.

What's a fact people would be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve owned 8 pairs of Z. Cavaricci pants and 3 MC Hammer pants.  Anyone above 35 would know what I’m talking about.

Here is your Action Quote For The Week:

 “An eagerness to sacrifice personal interest or glory for the welfare of all.” – John Wooden, Coach

Your Action for this week is to give each other hugs, high fives and congratulations for the sacrifices you made during the last few weeks.  Be proud of yourselves for not only coming together as a family for the welfare of our customers, vendors and everyone, but doing it eagerly. With that, I leave you with one more quote from Tony:

 “Zappos is a truly special company. Thank you everyone for being a part of it. It never ceases to amaze me what we can do together.” – Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh

Core Value # 7:  Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit

Yours in team spirit,

Augusta

Graham K is a key component of the Zappos music world and is deticated to making the downtown scene more viable. Graham has been working for Zappos for two and a half years
and is currently the Social Commerce Product Manager. This is his 6th position in his Zappos jorney! When he is not busy at work, he is playing in the band CUPPS. To learn more about Graham and his love for music, I asked him 5 questions:

1) What are your top five albums of all time and why?

G: Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon"- This is the ultimate concept album. Experimental meets rock n' roll meets space. It's everything you could want in a record.

The Flaming Lips "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots" - The Flaming Lips not only accomplished a wide range of feelings and textures on this record, they pull ALL of it off live too.

Radiohead  "Kid A" - This record taught me that music is just as much about subtlety as it is about sound. Another great live band.

Cursive "The Ugly Organ" - Ugly Organ was one of those records that was in constant rotation in my high school to college transition. I can remember where I was during parts of this record.

Nas "Illmatic" - Seriously one of the best hip hop records of all time. No hype, all hooks.

2)What new artist(s) are you currently excited about?

G: The Black Lips, F*d Up, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Los Campesinos, SBTRKT, Girls, Sleepy Sun, TV on the Radio

3)What is your favorite venue to see shows at in Las Vegas and who are your favorite local artists?

G: It WAS the Huntridge and now probably the Boulevard Pool. As for local bands, I dig Minor Suns, Hassan and Phil A, Beau and the Outfit, Dinner Music for the Gods, Kid Meets Cougar and lots more.

4)What was the last song/artist you listened to(be honest)?

G: Sleepy Sun – "Marina" (off the record FEVER).

5)How has music impacted your relationship with employees at Zappos?

G: I have met many other musicians (I'm in a band with one other Zappos employee and two previous employees), had the opportunity to do booking for Zappos events and tapped into the fun and weirdness with parodies, music videos and more during my time here.

When our Senior Director of Accounting, Mike A. turned the big 4-0 recently, he was surprised by a local high school marching band. Just another Zappos birthday in the office!