Introducing Ava Munos, New Marketing Intern & Podcast Producer

Ava Munos, LoCo Think Tank’s Marketing Intern & Podcast Producer

Hello and happy holidays from LoCo’s newest marketing intern and as of a few weeks ago, podcast producer as well! I am excited to share a little bit of my background and share some insight for some ideas I have for LoCo. 

Background & Studies

I’m currently a junior at Colorado State University here in Fort Collins, entering my second semester. Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of California, I decided I needed a change of scenery—and that’s how I ended up here.

Growing up, I was always drawn to the arts. I spent 10 years as a competitive dancer and was an AP art student in high school. Anything from theatre to watercolor- had my name written all over it. When I started college, I knew I wanted to pursue a field where I could put my creativity to good use, so I chose marketing. Being part of LoCo Think Tank has opened many doors for me, exposing me to various aspects of business and giving me a more practical, real-world perspective on marketing. Through this journey, I’ve discovered an unexpected passion for sales—specifically, the opportunity to connect directly with the community.

As someone who’s always been outgoing and extroverted, I’ve started to realize that a career combining marketing and sales might be the perfect fit for me. Thanks to the opportunities I’ve had at LoCo, I’ve explored different roles and developed a clearer sense of where my strengths and passions align. I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and growth this journey has given me, and I can’t wait to see where it leads next!

The Power of Gratitude

The holidays always seem to bring gratitude to the forefront—everyone talks about what they’re thankful for, and it feels like we all collectively practice it… for about three months. However once the season ends, it’s easy to forget. Looking back on my own childhood, I realize how much gratitude shaped who I am today, thanks to my mom making it a priority for my brother and me.

I grew up in a nice neighborhood in California, surrounded by privilege and entitlement. But my mom took a different approach than most of the families around us. She taught us early on how important it was to appreciate what we had and to give back. My Christmas memories aren’t about big dollhouses or mountains of Legos under the tree. Instead, I remember shopping for socks, hats, and scarves to donate to homeless shelters. I remember picking out my favorite toys at Target—not for me, but to wrap and give to foster kids.

I’m not going to lie—I wasn’t thrilled. I wanted those gifts and even threw a fit or two about giving away what was on my Christmas list. But looking back now, I’m so grateful my mom taught us those lessons. It’s a tradition I’ll absolutely carry on because it showed me that the joy of giving can be just as meaningful—if not more—than the joy of receiving.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of day-to-day life. I often catch myself complaining about homework, exams, or the demands of a packed extracurricular schedule. But every now and then, I try to take a step back and remind myself how fortunate I am to have these stresses. There are people who would give anything to have the opportunities I sometimes take for granted.

When I shift my perspective, I realize that these "problems" are actually privileges. Homework means I have access to an education. Exams mean I’m working toward a future that I get to shape. A hectic schedule means I have passions and opportunities to grow. Of course, it doesn’t make the stress disappear, but it helps me approach it with a sense of gratitude. Instead of focusing on feeling overwhelmed, I try to focus on how lucky I am to have these challenges in the first place. It’s not always easy, but this mindset helps me stay grounded and appreciate the opportunities I’ve been given.

Practicing gratitude isn’t always easy, but we can all lean into it more often, not just during the holidays. It’s a small way to make the world a little better and remind ourselves of what truly matters.

The LoCo Experience Season 5: Embracing Change 

As 2024 winds down, we’re gearing up for an exciting Season 5 of The LoCo Experience! With a new year ahead, we’ve been brainstorming ways to revamp the podcast and bring fresh energy to the table. Change can be daunting, but I genuinely believe it’s essential for growth—and so does our team.

One of the things I admire most about my job is how much Alma and Curt not only embrace change but actively encourage it. Their “let’s just see what happens” mindset fosters an environment where creativity thrives. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? If something doesn’t work, we can always pivot. This season, I’m taking on an expanded role. In addition to post-production producer, I’ll be onsite during episode recordings. This will give me the chance to engage more directly with our guests and produce in real time! 

Some changes we will be implementing include multi camera angles, full video uploads, higher quality production software and new exciting segments. It’s all about evolving and growing, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be trusted with this level of responsibility.Season 5 is shaping up to be an amazing journey, and I can’t wait to see where these changes take us. Here’s to new challenges, growth, and another incredible year of The LoCo Experience!