Get to know Team Flea.
You might see them welcoming you to the market, delivering water to thirsty vendors, setting up and tearing down our Flea Architecture and assisting with creative projects in prep for each event BUT you might not know much about how Event Team Flea comes together or who they are outside of our parking lot.
Take 5 minutes to read up on these super-part-time hustlers, and who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to join us in our mission to Keep Cleveland Creative, too!
Luis Gomez (@lucarlos)
Sign: Sagittarius with Scorpio tendencies.
Pets: I have two fur babies. Gus a 4 year old poddle/Australian cattle dog mix and Fígaro aka Fig a tuxedo cat who is turning one on July 27th!
Bloody Mary or Mimosa?
Biggest Personal Goal: To purchase a home/cabin in my hometown of South Lake Tahoe, CA.
Biggest Professional Goal: To always be in a job that challenges me in a constructive way and they it allows me to learn and grow professionally.
Why’d you join Team Flea? To make new friends and to be around creative people/entrepreneurs.
Favorite Flea Vendor: Natterdoodles. Super fun and cute stuff.
First Flea Purchase: A vintage flannel wool jacket.
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Eating ice cream at Mitchell’s and to visit the Metroparks.
What I’d tell visitors about Cleveland: It’s not what you think it is. Cleveland is doing some amazing things.
Why someone should join Team Flea: If you want to work with creative people and if you want to support local businesses.
Gia Rosa (@giarosa12)
Sign: Taurus
Pets: Two cats that act like dogs. Their names are Luna and Lily (huge Harry Potter fans)
Biggest Professional Goal: Creating my own business! I have a whole business plan in mind. Just have to figure out how to get there.
Why’d you join Team Flea? I joined last year because, I wanted to connect/network with small businesses in Cleveland.
Favorite Flea Vendor: Now that is a long list! I don’t have just one favorite :)
First Flea Purchase: I don’t know if this counts but I bought a ticket to Emily Roggenburk’s first event from the Flea. At the event, we all got a Cleveland AF tote and were able to have a quote printed on an item of clothing we brought. This is where I got my all time favorite jacket made!
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Try new restaurants, watch/attend Browns games, thrift shopping, and going to the metros.
What I’d tell visitors about Cleveland: We are on the up and up, Clevelanders are dedicated sports fans, we have some of the coolest businesses AND the food is AH-MA-ZING.
Why someone should join Team Flea: If you love Cleveland and want to support small businesses also want to see them grow/succeed, then this is the place for you!
Alexandra Ruggieri (@alexandraruggieri)
Sign: Cancer
Pet: An axolotyl named Sunny!
Biggest Personal Goal: To build up my own confidence while also lifting up those around me as often as I️ can
Biggest Professional Goal: To never lose the ability to do what I️ love.
Why’d you join Team Flea? To dive even deeper into the Cleveland culture that surrounds the flea and to meet all of the inspiring entrepreneurs I️ could!
Favorite Flea Vendor: Fount
First Flea Purchase: And inked and dotted print for my dorm room!
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Explore new hidden gems!
What I’d tell visitors about Cleveland: It’s a bustling city and a relaxing lakeside getaway all in one. It has work and play and the best views in the world. Not to mention all of the people here! Everyone is so hardworking and inspiring. The whole atmosphere of the city is so exciting and it turns Cleveland into the greatest city in the world.
Why someone should join Team Flea: There is such a strong community surrounding Cleveland and#teamflea is such a great way to become a part of it!
Joe Lindberg (@fareheit450)
Sign: Sun in Cancer, moon and rising in Aquarius
Bloody Mary or Mimosa? BOTH
Biggest Personal Goal: Get a band together.
Biggest Professional Goal: Own a business.
Why’d you join Team Flea? To meet the people that make Cleveland what it is.
Favorite Flea Vendor: Rock Candy
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Walk through the metroparks, shop for vinyl and drink local craft beers.
What I’d tell visitors about Cleveland: There's always something to do.
Why someone should join Team Flea: It where the coolest Clevelanders come together.
Monica Nessel (@MTthevampireslyer)
Sign: Sun: Libra / moon: Leo / rising: Gemini
Pet: 2 cats: Amadeus and Maeve
Bloody Mary or Mimosa? Mimosa
Biggest Personal Goal: My biggest personal goal is to leave the planet better than I found it. It’s cliche but it’s true. I want my children and their children to be proud of how hard I fought to make the world a better place.
Biggest Professional Goal: Professionally, I want to connect with Clevelanders and beyond by demonstrating a passion for my work and for my city.
Why’d you join Team Flea? I joined team flea because I wanted to be part of something that I have always admired from afar. I also wanted to get to know more vendors on a stronger level.
Favorite Flea Vendor: Legend and Urban Planting Cleveland
First Flea Purchase: Something old and dusty, I’m sure. I was at the very first one but I can’t remember what I found! Vintage finds are favorite, though
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: I will never get tired of driving on the Shoreway and taking in the lake on one side and the buildings on the other. Also stand up paddle boarding!
What I’d tell visitors about Cleveland: We’re small, but despite that there is so much character and love packed into this city that you can’t help falling in love with it.
Why someone should join Team Flea: If they’re willing to grow and work to make the flea a beautiful event for all, then absolutely join!!!
MEET YOUR TEAM CAPTAIN, LIZ PAINTER.
Liz is our full-time leader of this purpose-based crew.
Name: Liz Painter
Sign: Virgo (but I had to google it)
Pet: Yes, a rescue dog, her name is Indie (she is a wild child)!
Bloody Mary or Mimosa? Mimosa
Biggest Personal Goal: I have a list a mile long! But one is to immerse myself in other cultures and continue to explore the world.
Biggest Professional Goal: To help businesses become advocates, develop systems that create postive social change, and empower others to take risk to reach their fullest potential.
Why’d you join Team Flea? To motivate positive change in my city by using creative solutions to ignite momentum - ultimately being a part/designing a movement that aligned with my values.
Favorite Flea Vendor: Oh this is tough one! I tend to get caught in all the vintage tents.
First Flea Purchase: Chips - always chips.
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: I always love trying new things - restaurants, events, local businesses - but when I have a free moment you will find me IN the lake!
What I’d tell visitors about Cleveland: I'll drive! You ready?!
Why someone should join Team Flea: We are designing a authentic opportunity to be creative, build community and be a part of something bigger than ourselves!
EVENT TEAM MEMBERS ARE SUPER-PART TIME HEROES, SUPPORTING US AND OUR VENDORS IN DELIVERING THE MOST CREATIVE AND CONSISTENT EXPERIENCE WE CAN TO YOU, OUR INTERNAL TEAM + VENDORS. THEY WORK ON AVERAGE 5-10 HOURS PER EVENT, DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY’RE INTERESTED IN AND WHAT WE NEED HELP WITH. THEY’VE GOT ACCESS TO CAREER DEVELOPMENT COACHING AND GET PERKS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.
BUT THE BIGGEST PERK? THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY’RE AN INTEGRAL PART OF MAKING OUR CITY A BETTER PLACE.