My final entry concluding an inspirational summer as the Seattle intern

What I’ve learned at Frause goes far beyond public relations skills and techniques; and it soars beyond everything that I expected to learn as I headed to Seattle for the summer. Looking back, I realize that I had no idea what to expect. I imagined returning home with an ability to write press releases and create media lists in my sleep, but I never thought that I would have such an appreciation for this experience as I do now, after interning at Frause.

Most important are the professional principles that Frause has instilled in me. I’ve learned a few things here that are more useful to me than any tricks of the trade could be, and I will take this knowledge with me no matter where my career leads.

I have had a glimpse into Bob’s mission to provide a workplace where employees are inspired to be proficient business people before being communicators. This entrepreneurial spirit identifies itself in more ways than just securing new business. On Monday, he explained something that was simple, yet provided so much insight into the company’s philosophy. When discussing the finances of Frause, which are openly shared every Monday morning during team meetings, Bob described his excitement in the company’s success. “It’s not about the money,” he said. “It’s about the team—it’s like going to the World Series. Our team doesn’t play for the money and fame—we play for the game of getting to the Series together."

This notion is driven home in every aspect of the company. Because to Frause, this is the important stuff; success comes when both the clients' and employees' needs are met. Another admirable company goal (which will set the bar high for my future job satisfaction) is for employees to remember Frause as being the best place they have ever worked. This is a critical piece to putting together the Frause puzzle; the company's impressive accomplishments come from a talented and devoted set of team members. I will remember this wherever I work: team chemistry is critical for success.

So, thank you Frause for allowing me to take away experiences and knowledge far more useful than just the basics of PR. The professional insights I have acquired this summer will be applicable to any career path in my future, and that is the most valuable benefit of interning with Frause. -Maia

A Day with DeSantis

Recently, Matt Smedley, a Frause account executive and my go-to-man for any and all intern questions and queries, invited me on a field trip to tour properties designed and maintained by Frause client, DeSantis Landscapes. Having spent the summer after my senior year of high school behind a desk working as an administrative assistant at a landscape architecture firm in Wisconsin, I jumped at the chance to see the properties first hand.

We embarked on our journey to DeSantis’ office in Salem, Ore., with Starbucks in hand and ready to scope out potential media pitch prospects. Upon arrival we were greeted by Dean DeSantis, president of DeSantis Landscapes, and our tour guide for the day. After a quick tour of the office, we jumped into Dean’s hybrid company car to head to the first property. DeSantis’ choice of company car candidly reflects the company’s eco-friendly commitment to natural landscape and sustainable design. We arrived at the first site on our tour; a luxury property where DeSantis had previously created a fire pit area and was currently working on various stonework projects. Realizing our awe at the magnitude of the property, Dean assured us that DeSantis works on a multitude of properties ranging from commercial to residential. With our dropped jaws back intact, we continued on our way, stopping at various properties each with unique design and maintenance needs. We ended our tour at a favorite property of Dean’s – the home of his parents.



As we strolled through the backyard of the DeSantis home, admiring the plethora of flowers, plants, and ornaments, Dean fielded our questions regarding his company’s history, services and projects. We took pictures and made notes while Dean expressed ideas for articles and properties he’d like to see featured. As Dean and Matt talked, I came to realize the rapport the two shared went beyond business; they spoke of family, pets, and weekend plans. Essentially, the trip to DeSantis Landscapes instilled in me a greater knowledge of the client’s business as well as the invaluable lesson of the importance of maintaining exceptional client and customer relationships.

-Dana

I am away from my desk right now...

While I do spend my fair share of time deeply immersed in Excel spreadsheets, I have to agree with Dana that there are perks to interning at Frause that I can’t imagine experiencing anywhere else.

The first perk I encountered after being here for only a week was “iPod Fridays.” As the work day comes to a close an hour early, the wine glasses begin to dance off their shelves to our living room where we pop open the bottles and celebrate the weekend’s arrival.

The client events that I have been lucky enough to attend are also notable. Whether it’s a launch of the latest Starbucks product, or a remarkable trip to Carnation, WA, I have had experiences in a couple of months that you just don’t get at most jobs. A few weeks ago I was invited to tour Carnation Farm, located about 40 minutes northeast of Seattle; the farm was recently purchased by Camp Korey, the newest Hole in the Wall camp. From outstanding views to warm Nestle chocolate chip cookies, our morning at the farm was like a mini-vacation that ended too early.

Photo by Nathan Hambley

Although a media dinner was admittedly one thing that I may have dreamed of attending while interning at Frause, I never thought I actually would. Well, lo and behold I was invited to attend the Oceanaire Seafood Room’s salmon media dinner, and it was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. With three different kinds of fresh northwest salmon, good wine and great company, the evening was a blast—I’m looking forward to the next one!

I can’t forget to mention the afternoon in June when we all left work at noon to enjoy Mexican and margaritas for lunch, followed by a trip to Belltown to see "Sex and the City."

We spend an exorbitant amount of time tackling projects together, but what’s great about Frause is their recognition of the fact that as creative people, we need to get out and enjoy each other away from the bounds of the office. Team work can be done while having fun too. So, cheers to the weekend—I’m off to an oyster shucking demo at the Oceanaire!
-Maia

Not all internships are created equally

Somewhere around the turn of semester, college students feel the pressure from parents, peers and the dreaded guidance counselor to land a “competitive internship.” Gone are the days of odd jobs and lazy summers spent on the lake, because – haven’t you heard? Working 9:00 to 5:00 paper clipping documents and filing papers at your dad’s friend’s brother’s financial firm is in! Did I mention that you won’t be paid? Scratch that, you will be paid – in “experience,” that is. For more on the harsh reality of unpaid internships, check out a recent Oregonian article. As if your situation isn’t bleak enough, don’t expect much hands–on experience in dealing with clients or much face time with your employer.

But have no fear my collegiate friend. If you’re able to tear yourself away from those mailing labels and envelopes, and see your computer over those stacks of invoices, you should perhaps look into an internship that not only pays, but more importantly, actively involves you in client relations and genuinely fosters your creativity and business mindset.

Since day–one of my internship with Frause, I’ve been encouraged to dive head first into the world of PR. Whether it’s through making calls to contacts, writing press releases, or sitting in on conference calls, my life as a Frause intern has proven atypical to that of most interns. It’s certainly rare as an intern to receive so much personal attention and advice from your employer, but it’s even rarer for an intern to feel so appreciated by those you work for. Frause specializes in skillful communication, and this expertise certainly shows in their interaction with clients and with one another. Ultimately, it comes as no surprise to me that Frause is often regarded as being a premier place to work, because take it from a girl who knows, it’s an intern’s utopia.

-Dana

Frause adventures from afar

For the first entry of the Frause blog, I thought it would be interesting to highlight the high regard that Frause holds for its employees’ international experiences. In the last month, two Frausians have traveled to Asia, both for business and for pleasure.

Bob Frause participated in the annual Public Relations Organisation International (PROI) (http://www.proi.org/) conference, this year hosted in Beijing, China, and then went on to visit a PROI partner in Hong Kong.

Photo by Sue Frause

Upon the conclusion of the PROI conference, Bob and his wife Sue left China for the lovely land of Bali. Fondly reminiscing about the vacation of all vacations, Bob couldn’t believe how inexpensive it was: his priciest purchase was a 20 dollar t-shirt!

Bob has a story for every occasion—some of the funniest have to do with traffic. He described the road regulations as suggestions rather than laws. For example, instead of stopping at every light, people stop at their convenience. It was not at all uncommon to see an entire family piled onto one little Moped weaving in

and out of cars—the mother side-saddling with a baby in her arm and a basket of fruit on her head.

Photo by Taico Club
Also in Asia this month was another Frause employee, Laura Brown. After living in Japan for six years, Laura returned for two weeks to host a 24-hour music festival she co-created, called Taico Club (http://www.taicoclub.com/), which takes place near Nagano, Japan. Her hard work paid off—the festival was sold out with over 6,000 guests! After long months of planning, and a few days of festivities, Laura celebrated with her friends at a nearby hot springs.

From beaches to rice paddies, we enjoyed hearing about their adventures—and seeing evidence of them, too! Laura showed us the goodies stashed away in her desk—some of her favorite things from ‘home’ she just can’t do without. Not all is amiss because the rest of us weren’t able to make it to the other side of the world; Bob brought us all handmade sarongs from Bali! -Maia