Catherine Olivas:
CLASS OF 1981
North Salinas High SchoolClass of 1981
Salinas, CA
Brooks CollegeClass of 1987
Long beach, CA
Catherine's Story
Life
I have two children, Rachel (DOB 1995), McKenzie (son DOB 1999). I got married in June of 1992. My husband and I have lived in many cities such as Miami, Philadelphia, Hong Kong, Albuquerque, and now we live in a very small community called Coarsegold located in the foothills of Fresno.
School
After high school, I attended Hartnell Community College in Salinas and continued to work in retail clothing. I loved the concept of retail and loved the fashion industry. In 1985-87 I attended Brooks College, majoring in Fashion Merchandising. I loved what I learned at Brooks. After graduation, I continued to live in the Los Angeles area for nearly 6 years and worked for Nordstrom for 2 years as a Sales Associate. After that I wanted to learn more about the fashion industry and started working as a Sales Rep at the California Apparel Mart down town Los Angeles. I had a great experience working for a few manufactures such as Eber International a popular priced womens clothing line and Ellen Tracy, Bridge Wear. I loved working for both companies. But found myself wanting to learn more so I went to work for an importing company. I designed and imported ski wear and outer wear for a few big retail companies. That's where I met my husband.
In 1990 I moved back to my home town of Salinas and worked for Express, retail women's clothing as a Sales Manager, for 2 years. During that time, Whitney (now my husband) moved to Miami for an incredible job offer while I moved in with Mom and Dad to save money for our wedding. I had a great experience working for Express, but retail really got the best of me. Working late nights, weekends and holidays got old. I really missed product development and importing.
I have kept in touch with a lot of people from high school but unfortunately lost ...Expand for more
contact with a lot of people from Brooks College. I fortunately have kept in touch with Barbara Barich, 1986 Brooks graduate and Lisa Prowse also 1986 Brooks graduate, and Kella Moore, 1987 Brooks graduate. From high school, Vida Wright is still my best friend and am still very close to Jill Bennett and Marta Martinez. When I come back to Salinas for visits I run into old school mates from time to time. It's great seeing some old faces (no pun intended).
Workplace
My husband and I met while working for an importing company. My husband importing Christmas and I, importing ski wear and outer wear. After a lot of traveling and moving up the corporate ladder. My husband developed an idea taking chile peppers and putting them on a Christmas light set. This was an idea that started while living in Albuquerque, and is now a company. We import and distribute Chile pepper lights and shotgun shell lights for the gift industry. We sell to stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond, Ace Hardware, Hobby Lobby and a lot of small retailors as well. Our product line continues to grow as well as our customer base. It's amazing what we come up with that is made out of chile lights and 12 guage shotgun shell lights. Our shotgun shell lights are assembled by SVS (Social Vocational Services) for people with special needs. Our company name is More Than Christmas, Inc. I wouldn't be where I am today without the education I received from Brooks College. Brooks gave me the knowledge and confidence to get my foot in the door. I may not be working in fashion anymore, but Brooks College taught us the basics of owning and operating a business, how to start a business, product development, and professionalism. Without that I would have never met my husband and we would have never developed, More Than Christmas, Inc.
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