Employee Spotlight: Danielle Szarka

Get to know your co-workers! Each newsletter we will be highlighting a different member of the marketing team. This month’s highlighted team member is Danielle Szarka, Regional Marketing Manager for the Heritage Division.

1. Where did you grow up? Brooklyn Park, MD – Just across the Baltimore City/Anne Arundel County line. However, I did spend a lot of time in the city – Most of my family lived on the same street in Locust Point. The best part about Christmas was we only needed to find one parking spot and stay there.

2. Do you have siblings? Where do they live and what are they doing with their life?  I have one sister, who lives in Pasadena, MD. She is a NICU nurse at Mercy Hospital and working toward her DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) to become a neonatal nurse practitioner. As you might be able to tell, I’m very proud of her.

3. What were your extra-curriculars in high school? I took AP classes and played volleyball and softball. When I had some free time I did the typical teenager stuff – hung out with friends at the mall, went to tons of movies, plenty of football games and road trips. On Friday and Saturday nights you might have also found me at the McDonald's parking lot on Richie Highway ready for the races to be set up.

4. What college did you go to? For undergrad I attended Towson University and graduate school University of Baltimore & Towson University

5. What was your major? My undergraduate degree is in Mass Communication & Communication Studies with specializations in Marketing, Advertising and PR. My graduate degree is a Master of Business Administration in Marketing.

6. What was your career before MileOne? I worked for a prestige color cosmetic company, Mally Beauty. The brand was a dominant leader on QVC and gave me the opportunity to travel the world. Although I had a few titles, essentially my role functioned as the brand marketing manager, as I was responsible for everything associated with my accounts, including product development, setting up SKUs, branding & marketing plans, POS materials, budgets, co-op, sales reporting and analytics, in-store events, launching (QVC Italy, ULTA, Birchbox), growing (QVC UK), and maintaining the brand (QVC US). I definitely miss the free makeup!

7. What is your favorite kind of music? I enjoy all kinds of music, but my go-to genres are Rap/Hip-Hop and Country. Although as of late, I listen to A LOT of ‘Baby Shark Radio!’ J

8. What was your favorite concert you’ve ever been to? Toss-up between Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan

9. What are your favorite sports teams? Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Baltimore Orioles

10. What is your favorite food? Crabs; sorry PETA. Born and raised in Maryland eating crabs since before I can remember. Crabs and beer – that’s what Maryland does.

11. What is your favorite vacation spot and the best things to do while there?  The beach. It’s the best place to relax, read, drink, eat, play beach volleyball, and find amazing excursions.

12. What are the top 3 things on your bucket list? Skydiving, to see all 50 States (28 more to go!) and show Bentley the world!

13. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

    1. Austria & Czech Republic – I’d like to go meet my family who still lives there.

    2. Germany – I’d like to see where my grandfather was stationed during the War.

    3. Italy – I did not get to spend nearly enough time here. Love the food!

14. If you could have a discussion with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and why? My grandparents. We always had great conversations when I was a child so I’d enjoy having a conversation with them as an adult, especially with all of the changes in the world. And, I’d just want to catch up with them.

15. What is your favorite car? Ford Shelby GT500 & Roush

16. How do you usually spend your weekends? With Bentley, Steve and Frisco

17. What is your favorite thing about yourself? My smile.

18. If you could be any animal, which would you be and why? A unicorn. Who wouldn’t want to be an awesome mystical creature who is so fierce yet always fabulous?

19. What are your top 3 favorite movies? Beauty and the Beast, The Bourne Series, Bad Boys II

20. What are some of your pet peeves? Slurping/gulping, dishes in the sink, not putting things back in their place.