Name: Ariene Merkle

Hometown: Ambler, PA

High school/college: Mount Saint Joseph Academy/Fordham University Gabelli School of Business

How was your first year at Fordham?

My first year at Fordham was amazing! Along with meeting lots of new people and adjusting to college life, I continued my rowing career on the women’s varsity crew team which kept me extremely busy! I also fell in love with the Big Apple (I’m talking head over heels Carrie Bradshaw obsessed with New York City!) My friends and I ventured into the Manhattan every chance we could to scope out the best spots, which are where my fondest freshman year memories were made.

Delicatessen, Soho

Hailing a cab at The New York Public Library

Birthday celebration on the Upper East Side!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve learned?

Besides trying your best to get along with your freshman year roommate, the best piece of advice I’ve learned is a quote from my dad, “If you want something, you have to work for it. You can’t just expect things to happen, you need to get out there and make them happen.”

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?

My Birkenstocks, (I can’t imagine being stranded on a desert island without Vogue’s number one rated comfortable footwear!) The Wall Street Journal, (I’ll want to know what stocks to buy once I’m rescued) and my poodle mix, Sacha.

Favorite book/TV show/blog?

Right now my favorite TV show is Grey’s Anatomy, it’s terribly addicting!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Living in a penthouse in New York City, married to a Wall Street man, with two adorable kids and a dog… or two.

A rainy day at Times Square

City you would most like to visit:

New York City, all day!

What’s your go-to ice cream sundae topping?

I’m not picky, so long as under it chocolate chip ice cream!!

Dream job?

I definitely want to do something with marketing, or even start my own business. The opportunities are limitless!

What is your favorite Baby Be Hip product?

My favorite product is the College Bucket. I have one in my dorm room and it is perfect for storing my extensive collection of Lululemon headbands!

What do you learn working at Baby Be Hip?

Working at Baby Be Hip has taught me a lot of principles that will prepare me for the business world. Out-of-the-box thinking, effective teamwork and collaboration skills, the importance of social media exposure, and the small, often overlooked details that help a business run smoothly are just a few of the many things I’ve learned so far!

What was your favorite project you worked on last year at Baby Be Hip?

The most exciting projected I worked on was the pitch to Oprah Magazine. I picked an editor from the magazine and reached out to her, sending her a very special Baby Be Hip gift for her new baby nephew. A lot of effort went into that hours of research, many emails, and countless takes. It’s a project I’m very proud of and I’m excited to follow up with it this summer!

Welcome back, Ari! We’re happy to have you at Baby Be Hip again for the summer!