Internship Opportunity Launching “The Flax of Life”

The Flax of Life has five internship opportunities for ambitious self-starting undergraduates or graduate students looking for experience in launching a social venture.  A social benefit venture is designed to generate both profit and a positive impact on our community. Students who are passionate about nutrition, who have an innovative spirit, unbridled creativity, fun loving personality and tolerance for ambiguity should apply.  Looking to create a team that has broad viewpoints, skillsets, knowledge base and diversity of backgrounds/perspectives.  Starting dates, hours and time commitment are flexible. There is no monetary compensation for these positions.

 The Flax of Life isa social benefit venture for teens. Teens and their guardians who participate will be on the ground floor of launching a product.  They will learn all aspects of establishing and running a business. Teens will develop the business plan, production methodology, marketing strategy, advertising, branding, fiscal forecasting, bookkeeping and quality control. Teens will work with a group of parents who agree to serve as the “board of directors.” The board of directors will coach, review and approve every aspect of this business.  An agreed upon percent of all profits earned by teens will be invested in their education/college savings fund.

The product we’ve been developing and prototyping over the past several years is called “The Flax of Life.”  This tasty product is packed with all the super food ingredients that psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons says are vital to keep our brains and hearts healthy.  Combined together, these ingredients result in a delicious product that is ready to market.  Several local establishments have expressed interest in prototyping this with their customers.

Key Functions and Responsibilities

  1. Create a communications plan and marketing materials to promote and raise awareness for the products
  2. Design the website and technical capacities necessary to support the product, distribution, education and business processes.
  3. Assist in researching stakeholders, partnerships and potential supporters/funders for the efforts.
  4. Establish a fiscal forecast for the product, timelines, and milestones for the strategic scale up of the product.
  5. Design business processes, policies and procedures required to support the launch.
  6. Refine the business plans and assist in facilitating strategic planning
  7. Assist in identifying potential sponsors and key supporters.
  8. Establish and manage financial aspects of the venture, bookkeeping, and fiscal accountability structures.
  9. Assist with organizing and supervising teens in the Flax Fifth Avenue venture.
  10. Designing web content, blog information and key links.
  11. Create and implement a social media strategy.
  12. Other duties agreed to and assigned.

Skills and knowledge required (some but not all required)

  1. Passion and interest in animals and rescuing them in emergency situations.
  2. Knowledge of marketing, communication strategies, food product development, fiscal accounting, bookkeeping, motivating teens, building partnerships, research, organizational capacity building
  3. Solid writing and communication skills
  4. Research skills
  5. Website development
  6. Technology competence
  7. Social Media expertise

Character traits desired

  1. Good team spirit
  2. Ability to communicate effectively and respect and honor the contributions of others
  3. An experimental attitude, innovative spirit, passion for creativity
  4. Ability to handle ambiguity in an environment where systems and procedures are emerging, not existing
  5. Drive for excellence and willingness to settle for the best and continually strive to do better
  6. Curiosity and desire to learn
  7. Ability to absorb feedback/coaching
  8. Integrity, authenticity, honesty and directness
  9. Fun loving

Starting date, hours and time commitment are flexible.

Please send a resume and cover letter expressing your interest and character skills to:

Tim Reardon

tim@cheassisi.com 763-370-9927