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How I Started Standing: Amber Morris

By: Amber Morris | 03/14/2011

Standing's support of community organizations and candy are how I started Standing. The story starts with St. Louis 2004, a nonprofit organization created to improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region. And I'll get to the candy part in a bit.

I managed publicity efforts and played an integral role in planning a citywide, yearlong celebration for St. Louis 2004.  I met Cathy Dunkin and the Standing team when they supported us with a strategy brainstorm and a comprehensive national media list.

St. Louis 2004 also played a role in my joining the Standing team in another - less direct - way.  I am a St. Louis native, but after college I landed my first job as a publicist at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. I also had stints at a PR agency in Los Angles, at SeaWorld Orlando and at Planet Hollywood.  I loved working in the travel industry and assumed I'd never find a job exciting enough to return to St. Louis.  A fairly well-paying manager position lured me back, but I planned to live with my parents for a few years and save money to buy a house ... somewhere else.  I quickly fell back in love with the change of seasons and the comfort of being close to family and friends.  But it was St. Louis 2004 that sparked my passion and pride about this city and its residents (which, unfortunately, tend to have a bit of an inferiority complex) and I ended up putting down roots by buying a house here.  That meant when St. Louis 2004 ended as planned in the year 2004, I was looking for a job.

Here's where the candy comes in.  I'd developed a long list of contacts and decided to ask for their assistance by sending my resume.  But how would I capture their attention?  I stole a unique idea from a good friend at Disney and bribed them with a candy gram:

• It's been jolly good to work with you these past several years!
• On a tart note, my sweet days at St.Louis 2004 are coming to an end.
• If you happen to know of any organizations in need of a lifesaver, who is ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work, please keep me in mind.
• Thanks a mint for your time!

Silly ... maybe.  But attention grabbing nevertheless. 

Cathy was on the list.  She happened to be looking for an account manager and the candy, as well as my experience, did catch her attention. 

I'd been impressed with the Standing team when I'd worked with them at St. Louis 2004, but Standing's unique interview process - not only did I interview with senior leadership, but also with peers and those I'd be managing - made me realize it would be a collaborative, fulfilling place to work.

 Nearly seven years later and I'm still "Standing" strong.  And I think I got the sweet end of the deal. 

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