Around this time I was beginning to brainstorm content for the CCSP alumni section of our new website. What do I hope to accomplish with this modest little page? For starters, I want to keep you all connected with updates, photos, reunions and address changes. I also want to pass on a few resources: a job opportunity that comes across our desk, some book and music recommendations, a way to sell your old CCSP texts. But I also want to encourage you in what might be the critical focus of your post-college years: discovering a vocation. I talk to lots of students, and they mainly all want the same thing: to find meaningful work that they love.
Living in a biblically-imagined world, indeed creating that world, can be hard work especially when confronted by lots of other people eager to sell us their worlds. “ I sell worlds….I give people the opportunity to live a dream.” In the face of what seems like laughable--but often powerful--counterfeit versions of the good life we need all the support we can get. We need a whole host of faithful, fellow journeyers to figure it out. I encourage you to cultivate these communities, as you seek out your life’s calling. Stay in touch with us and other CCSP alumni as we all try to remain faithful to the kingdom vision. And let us know how we can help.
Until next month!
Tricia
Is it weird to go from selling ice cream to selling handbags?
I didn’t sell ice cream. I sold concepts. I sold worlds in which people consume ice cream, but I didn’t sell a piece of vanilla with a chocolate topping on a stick.
Defining luxury seems so confusing—a $20 lipstick is luxury, but a $50 pair of jeans is not. Should luxury goods be for everyone?
Luxury brands are more than the goods. The goods are secondary because first of all you buy into a brand, then you buy the products. They give people the opportunity to live a dream. People want to belong to certain aspirational worlds. Now, you do it at different price points---somebody buys into this world with a handbag for $500 or $800. And somebody else buys herself a dress for $20,000. Both allow people to be part of the world that they are aspiring to.
Monthly Musings from Alumni Director Tricia Elisara
Last November, I was sitting on a long flight and as usual, rummaging in the airline seat front pocket for something to read. I found the Fall 2004 Time Style and Design Issue, and began reading about Robert Poulet, the new CEO of Gucci Group, the “world’s third largest luxury conglomerate.” Apparently, he got his start in selling ice cream.
I excerpt:
Inflight Insights