Meet Marianna Skelton, Email Marketing Senior Manager

How long have you been with 1800flowers and how did you get involved with the company?
This past June makes 6 years as a full-time employee with 1800Flowers.com. Prior to working here full time, I was an intern for the Marketing department for 2 years.

I got my start here when I attended a Resume Critiquing session at Hofstra University. It was at this event where I met the person in charge of the Internship Program at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. At the end of my critiquing session, he suggested that I build my resume with some internship experience… so I asked if he needed an intern himself. He did! And that’s how I got my foot in the door with the company!

What is your favorite 1800flowers product?
My favorite product is the Everlasting Love™ arrangement. It reminds me of the first Valentine’s gift my husband sent to me when we were just engaged. He was looking to make a big impression, and it worked!

What is your job title? Can you tell us about what you do and what is your favorite thing about it?
I am the Senior Manger of Email Marketing. I plan the company’s email calendar and help keep our program current and innovative! My favorite part of the job is being able to incorporate the latest trends into what we do – like using Social Media tools such as Facebook and Pinterest to help sell our products.

How did you get into Marketing?
When I started my first year of college, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. I only knew that I wanted to be creative. When a friend of mine suggested I join the Advertising Club, I did. It was here where I realized how I can be creative in not just the traditional sense but apply my creativity in the business world. The mystery of how and why people like to buy is so interesting to me – that’s why marketing seemed like the perfect fit for me as a career.

My favorite part of the job is being able to incorporate the latest trends into what we do – like using Social Media tools such as Facebook and Pinterest to help sell our products.

What is your favorite flower or plant and why?
My favorite flower is the red rose – it is a classic beauty.

1800Flowers is a gifting company. What is your favorite gift to receive?
Ever hear the saying “diamonds are a girl’s best friend?”
I love to receive jewelry, but there’s nothing like the excitement of having flowers delivered. It’s a very close second!

What’s your favorite thing about working at 1800flowers.com?
My favorite part about working here is the people! I’ve made many friends, learned and continue to learn from many mentors, and even met my husband while working for the company!

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned working at 1800Flowers?
Because I started here as a young, straight-out-of-college employee, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to be confident. When you can learn to voice your opinions in a confident manner, people will respect you and your point of views!

Where did you grow up and can you tell us a little bit about it?
I grew up in Massapequa, New York. It’s a great residential area on the South Shore of Long Island. I loved it so much, that my husband and I bought our first home here this past summer!

Other than your fabulous work at 1800flowers, do you have any secret, or not so secret, talents? If so, what are they?
I love to draw and paint. Anything crafty!

What do you do in your spare time?
My latest is hobby is interior decorating. I love finding unique pieces for my home and adding splashes of color everywhere!

One of 1800Flowers’ main missions is to deliver smiles. What makes you smile?
If you looked me up on Pinterest, you would find a board called “makes me SMILE ” As typical as it may seem, all but one of those pictures are of cute little puppies! Cheesy, but true!

What is your favorite food type/dish and dessert?
I love to try all kinds of food but Italian and Mediterranean foods are my favorite. Anything chocolate works for me when it comes to dessert!

Who or what is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspirations are my parents. They were both born in Italy and immigrated here when they were young. They had to learn a new language and adapt to a new environment, leaving behind friends and family. They came to this country with their families for opportunity and achieved their goals. They are wonderful people that I aspire to be like each and every day!

What rule do you live by?
Life is the art of drawing without an eraser…
I love this quote because it reminds me to just go for it and not second guess myself.