Project Overview
ModSock in Bellingham, WA
ModSock is a small business located in Bellingham, Washington. In 2011, ModSock opened their headquarters at 1323 Cornwall Ave., among the many locally-owned independent businesses that make downtown Bellingham so unique. Shortly after in 2013, ModSock's own brand launched, a line of original sock designs defined by whimsy, color and fun. Since opening, ModSock has made its own quirky additions to the area that many call "Belling-home", and they make significant contributions to the city's personality.
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At ModSock, they believe boring socks are stupid. "Don't let your feet drag you down – pull on a pair of amazing socks and let them lead the way!" ModSock specializes in delivering joy, one perfect pair of socks at a time. ModSock sells fun socks, funky socks, lucky socks and monkey socks. Left socks, right socks, socks for nerds and socks for jocks. ModSock has cute socks and crazy socks, socks for spring and fall – they even have some art socks you could hang up on the wall. Their sock selection is unmatched! With ModSock, you can find any sock to fit your personality and interests out of their 1,000 different offerings. They have hundreds of unique designs from their own collection, and they carry designs from other popular brands like Socksmith, Sock It To Me, Hot Sox, and Blue Q. Their socks don't just look good either, they feel amazing too! Their soft and stretchy material makes me want to keep them on forever! At ModSock, they have the socks you've been missing!
Photo courtesy of The Western Front
Supervisor: Ben Shaklee
During my time with ModSock, my supervisor was Ben Shaklee. Ben handles Sales and Operations at ModSock. He and his wife Urania own ModSock, and moved to Bellingham to open up the business. Originally, they are both from New York, but decided to move to the Pacific Northwest for something new. Ben is super "punny", and loves to tell sock puns while we're in the office together. He also has a passion for biking, and spends a lot of his free time on a bicycle.
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Ben has been many things in his life – beef jerky salesman, engineer, corporate pirate, Vanilla Ice impersonator and bicycle race champion. Growing up on a dairy farm, he learned the importance of having socks that would actually stay up when worn under rubber work boots, but it wasn't until his marriage to a purveyor of fine hosiery that his appreciation for socks truly blossomed.
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Today, Ben likes to wear Darn Tough Vermont socks while competing in grueling 8-hour mountain bike races, which he recovers from by going on leisurely, relaxing 6- and 7-hour bike rides. Ben considers himself the bike messenger of ModSock, but he also works in sales and production management. Swing by ModSock to meet Ben, but you'll have to ask for him, as he is usually lurks in the “Sock Cave” working behind the scenes.
Project Learning Objectives
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To have an effective experience practicing leadership, management, and facilitation
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To improve writing skills related to leading and managing in organizations
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To effectively use course concepts and terms to diagnose leadership and to diagnose and improve my own leadership experience
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To develop and practice skills necessary for effectively leading teams and projects
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To understand the implications of diversity and ethics on leadership in organizations
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To develop written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills as a leader
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To practice professionalism in a business context
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To learn about retail markets from a more holistic point of view
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To learn more about the challenges of owning a small business