Valerie Geiger: Founder in Orange, CA

I am a passionate roller skater, and I was a bad ass derby girl before the pandemic. I decided I wanted to combine my knowledge in apparel design and my passion for skating and create my own company, Always Rolling. I am a one-woman show, I design the products, photograph them, market them, manage and design the website, and fulfill orders. Check out www.always-rolling.com to see my work (and possibly shop)!

I began with assisting the production department in creating repeat patterns for board shorts and button downs. I was so passionate about the apparel side of the business, I transitioned over full time from marketing. My duties included creating all patterns for AFTCO including hunting camos, assist in designing and choosing shirt graphics, creating and updating tech packs for apparel and accessories.

Marketing graphic designer at American Fish and Tackle Company. I work on the catalogs, emails, webpages, and all other marketing material for AFTCO and its sister companies, Marshwear and 5Fin. I am the stylist, director, and photographer for marketing campaigns, and can do product photography if necessary.

Teach children and young adults how to ski.

Ecommerce Merchant at Thoughtfully.com, an online gift-basket company under Modern Gourmet Foods. My process as merchant included ideating new gift basket concepts, deciding the components, and following the set to completion, through both costing and design. I prototyped over a hundred gift sets, and have had twenty and counting go into production. I would help source the best prices on components from overseas suppliers, and I maintained the cost breakdowns of the sets. I looked for a 75-80 point margin between the cost of goods and final sales price, and the sets range from $60 to $120 online. For the design process, I provided an initial moodboard to a designer, and gave art direction to the production team. During photoshoots I worked on set with the photographer, and would help style the sets. I am also the food stylist; cooking, baking, and frosting anything we need to photograph. I also learned how to program, operate, and clean our Objet 3D Printer.

At Provisions Market, I prepared and served artisan meats, cheeses, and beers. I improved my palette and learned about the inner-workings of the food industry. I also developed an understanding of food presentation and food photography.

The Chapman Athletic Department provided me with an amazing internship to be their graphic designer for a semester. I provided any design work necessary, including all social media, calendars, and send-outs.

Lesal Ceramics Studio creates custom ceramics for the local community. I worked in the studio summer 2012 painting ceramics and helping around the studio.

I designed the catalog and look book for ecofriendly swimwear company, Odina Swimwear. Working with a smaller start-up company allowed me to be hands on with the entire process. I was able to exercise creative freedom, attend trade shows, and help direct and style photoshoots.