We’re thrilled to welcome Elle Ossello to the garage as Copywriter.
Colorado born and raised, Elle spent her first 18 years running around the Rockies before packing up and shipping off to Gonzaga University to pursue a B.A. in Philosophy and Spanish. After achieving a degree and getting kicked off campus with the rest of her tassled compadres, she put her degree to good use: as a raft guide on the Deschutes. It wasn’t long before the allure of the magical Columbia River Gorge overtook Elle and she decided to put down some roots!
Get to know a little more about our newest creative team member with some Q&A.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
I love to write. Exploring a subject and finding a way to engage a reader through wordplay is so much fun–helping people learn while making them chuckle at a few corny jokes along the way is rewarding. And I get to do it every day!
How did you get involved with Blue Collar?
I somehow convinced the mechanics that Philosophy is a relevant degree. Because it is! Right?
Why do you believe in Blue Collar?
Hard work is tantamount to talent. This office is imbued with the grit and brilliant creativity of its individuals and it’s infectious! No cruise control here.
What are your favorite sites, books, places for inspiration?
I resonate deeply with some of the prolific literary minds that the Pacific Northwest has turned out. I devour the novels of David James Duncan and Ken Kesey. I love the way they manage to craft sentences that I can turn over and over in my brain, discovering such deep meaning in so few words.
What’s your favorite season and why?
Winter! I’m a cold weather creature. Snow is my favorite!
What do you do for fun?
Anything that can give my brain or my body a good workout is a thing I’m interested in. As of late, Czech author Milan Kundera works my brain, whitewater kayaking and trail running works my body.
What do you consider the greatest human invention of all time?
No question: cured meat. Prosciutto? Please! Coppa? ‘course! Salami? Sure! This salty, meaty goodness is downright unbeatable in all forms and fashions.
What’s your weirdest quirk?
I have an extensive rock collection–in my car. I am so dang sentimental that every time I am in a beautiful place, I have to pick up a rock to remember it by. I have over 30 including one 2 pounder that I carried with me in an already heavy pack for three days on a backpacking trip! I couldn’t even identify half of them for what they geologically are, but I could tell you where exactly I found each one!
What’s your personal goal?
I vie to open my eyes each morning having a really good reason to get out of bed. Happiness is a choice and I always want to choose it!