Although she graduated with a business degree, Brittney Needles Origas wasn’t looking for the traditional 9–5 job after her 2015 graduation. She wanted to pursue a passion and feel challenged in her daily life—sentiments not always associated with an accounting career.
Brittney found an opening with Spreetail, an ecommerce startup in Lincoln. “I applied when Spreetail was still VMInnovations,” said Origas. “I started as an accounts payable associate, and I’ve been given opportunities to grow within the company ever since.”
Spreetail, which sells household items online, grew at a dizzying pace in the three years that followed. What began with a dream and 75 employees has become a bustling business with more than 450 employees and new locations opening throughout the country, more than doubling in the last year alone.
Brittney went into her career with confidence, thanks to the leadership opportunities she was afforded during her time at Union. “Looking back, I realize what made the biggest impact on my educational experience was getting involved in leadership positions and working as part of a team,” said Origas. “My involvement on campus as basketball captain and all the opportunities in the business program helped me learn time management skills and get a touch of adult life while working toward my degree.”
More specifically, Origas recalls her time spent in policies class with Professor Barry Forbes. “Doing a capstone project helped me see how the bigger picture works and has helped me fast-track my career.”
Origas has now transitioned to a new field within the company that utilizes the leadership skills she learned and the mentorship modeled to her at Union. As a career development specialist, her job now focuses on the success, learning and development of her rapidly expanding team. “We encourage our employees to develop themselves, constantly raising their bar and pursuing challenges.”
Something Origas especially appreciates about her job is the culture and environment that Spreetail embodies. “I want to make an impact by taking responsibility and working with awesome people. We see challenges not as roadblocks to opportunities, but as chances to learn and push the limits. It’s how I live. It’s hard not to love every bit of it.”
Because of their fast company growth, Spreetail is on the lookout for more employees who match their mantra: be relentless, pursue challenges, act like an owner, raise your bar, practice humility, and make Spreetail better.
“If you’re someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and loves a challenge, this could definitely be the job for you,” says Origas. “Selling goods is what we’re about, but really, it’s bigger than that. It’s about building relationships–it’s part of my lifestyle and I love everything about it. I could not be happier.”