This month we’re celebrating Aaron Smith’s 15-year journey at The RE Store, from part-timer to Program Manager and community leader.
If you’ve shopped at The RE Store in Bellingham in the last fifteen years, you’ve probably met Aaron. This month, we are celebrating his growth alongside our program for nearly half of its existence. What began as a simple part-time job application has since turned into a 15-year journey of learning, leadership, and a deep commitment to our mission.
Since joining our team in March of 2011, Aaron has filled about every role you can imagine. He’s probably taken one of your donations, or helped you find a new aerator for your sink in our plumbing section, or cut down a 2×4 to fit in your car.
Over the years, his role has expanded from floor staff, to shift supervisor, to second-in-command, to now first-in-command, with each step reflecting a growing dedication not just to the store, but to the people who make it what it is. In his time here, he has witnessed The RE Store expand in community impact, inclusivity, and the creative reuse culture that defines it.
In this interview, Aaron reflects on his journey and shares what has made working at The RE Store special, then talks about his vision for the next chapter as Program Manager:
Aaron Smith: 15 Years at The RE Store in 4 Questions
What first brought you to The RE Store?
After working several years in commercial retail and customer service, a couple of acquaintances of mine who worked at The RE Store convinced me to apply for a part-time spring floor staff position that quickly became a full-time position after only a matter of a few weeks.
What drew me to stay was the broad array of donations we would see every day and the appeal of our mission to divert as much usable, reclaimed material from the waste stream as possible through creative reuse.
It is my little way of thinking globally while acting locally!
Describe your journey at The RE Store
What started as a whim of a job application became a mindset and way of life over a very swift 15 years. I have watched this place grow and expand in its community, inclusivity, and diversity with strides both large and small.
The path The RE Store has taken to get where it is now has been a wild one with an equally amazing array of people who I have had the pleasure and privilege to work alongside over the years.
With each passing year, my role has shifted towards a more leadership oriented position from floor staff to shift supervisor and person-in-charge. And now, just before reaching my 15th anniversary at The RE Store, I have taken on the role of Program Manager.
What’s your favorite part of working at The RE Store?
It’s difficult to pin a question like this to a single portion of what we do and experience at The RE Store. If I had to choose, I thoroughly enjoy the broad scope of colorful projects our customers utilize us as a means to achieve success. Each story told is filled with the excitement of their achievement, as well as the satisfaction of our ability to assist them in such an affordable and sometimes unconventional way.
Being able to help someone think outside the normal avenues of possible solutions is always satisfying when an epiphany emerges that also helps keep a project from creating more waste by contributing to an approach of reuse and upcycling.
What are you most looking forward to in your current role?
After all these years of welcoming new customers, building amazing relationships with our regular customers, training floor staff, as well as mentoring volunteers and trainees, I have finally taken on the role of Program Manager.
Thus far, after 6 months in this role, it has opened my eyes to the amazing level of support and enthusiasm our staff and customers have shown which has given me renewed encouragement in what I have and continue to offer The RE Store. I hope to help shape what comes next with my years of experience while keeping the spirit of fun and inclusive community strong and growing!
The best thing about The RE Store is there is no knowing what amazing materials may show up from one day to the next, and what further opportunities to help our community may arise next!
I just want to thank everyone for keeping The RE Store strong and ever growing as part of this City of Subdued Excitement! Thank you!