ARTICLE
Epiphany, a Corridor public relations and marketing firm, announced today they have launched a Summer Intern Program, and are growing their team with the addition of Carrie Petersen, Erin Marti, and Michael Sueppel as their new summer marketing interns. “As a marketer and educator, I am a firm believer in the internship opportunity, it gives students and aspiring professionals a chance to test out the waters, so to speak, in their industry of studying.” Says owner Christa Nelson. “I am excited about having Carrie, Erin and Michael on board. I look forward to working with them this summer to spark something great for our partner organizations.” As a part of the Summer Program, the interns have been partnered with nonprofits and small businesses for the next 45-60 days.They will be immersed in their mission and help execute key marketing strategies based on the previous outlined learning objective. Epiphany will work with the institutions to ensure the interns get credit for their hard work. This is a paid internship, so they will also be compensated for their time. This program is a part of 50 Sparking Weeks, a giving back campaign that started last October in celebration of the owner, Christa Nelson's upcoming 50th birthday. As part of the campaign, Christa will be donating her time coaching and mentoring the interns through their objective this summer. This partnership allows the nonprofits and companies to get much needed services at a discounted rate while providing a valuable hands-on learning experience for the interns. Carrie and Erin, have been partnered with the nonprofit, Worldmaker International. Michael will be working with Buresh Events. “To see Christa expand her Sparking program in a way that allows young adults to benefit from her mentorship and gain real-life experience is exciting. And this assistance is timely. In response to the pandemic, our nonprofit has ramped up its support of helpers working tirelessly in their communities to strengthen youth, veterans, and other vulnerable populations. This new program is reflective of how Christa innovates on behalf of those most in need. She truly is a worldmaker,” says Dr. Mollie Marti, CEO of Worldmaker International. “I needed to do an internship for my degree and just started emailing out to various businesses and marketing agencies in the area, telling them who I was and just asking if by chance they could use an intern. Christa responded, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m a little nervous, but also excited to start this next chapter and experience in my life,” says Carrie. Erin says she is excited about the opportunity to intern with Team Epiphany and gain experience working at the intersection of psychology and communications. “I really appreciate Christa’s mentoring and providing this opportunity to expand my knowledge. I wanted to do an internship that allowed me to use what I have learned in my psychology courses in another field. I am excited to work hard and learn along the way.” Due to the pandemic, Michael was unsure how it would affect his search for a summer internship. “Although an internship is not required for my major, I need the experience like this to build up my resume and increase my chances of success in the future. It is my goal to help Eastern Iowa small businesses better prepare themselves for the future by bringing their websites up to the expectations of modern e-commerce.” Michael has been partnered with Buresh for his summer internship, the only for-profit business in the summer program. Nelson, a strong proponent for local nonprofits and woman-owned businesses, wanted a way to assist a fellow business owner as well as a nonprofit in light of the past several months. Nonprofits like Worldmaker rely on in-person events and symposiums to supplement their fundraising efforts. All in-person events have been canceled or postponed for the time being, making it tough to execute their mission. And that ripple effect extends to the event and wedding industry, where Buresh has served for decades. With all the recent closures, it is worth noting they might be one of the only local businesses of their kind to survive the pandemic. Epiphany wanted to do something to help. “A responsive website is the cornerstone for many businesses anyway, but during social distancing and virtual business it has become essential; and I wanted Jayne & Mollie to have everything they needed to succeed and continue to serve our great community!” said Nelson.”The work they are doing is important.” “Buresh Events is honored and excited to work with Epiphany on this project, and to have an Iowa based college intern gain valuable marketing experience working with a very talented mentor (Christa) and her excellent community marketing business. This surely will be a win-win all the way around, we look forward to the new Buresh Events website and the value added effect it will have to our locally owned event business.” says Buresh Events owner Jayne. “Additionally, the new site will offer an ease of use for our clients. Christa is so talented, easy to work with, professional – a great listener, she really connects with the structure of a small business.” Since their launch in January 2018, Epiphany has quickly become the local marketing firm to watch. Team Epiphany has a keen interest in helping local companies and nonprofits achieve success. The power packed team is led by Christa Nelson, a 2020 KCRG 9 Who Care Honoree, who is also a college professor at Mount Mercy University. Christa is a gifted encourager, and natural brand influencer, who is passionate about helping firms of all sizes and young people grow big dreams.