Intern Diaries: A Day in The Life with Sam Alexander
The Sledding Hill Suite at The Willoughby House Inn
☀️ Sam’s Summer Adventures☀️
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at Tour Lake County? Join me for a day in my life as a marketing intern, where I capture and edit content, promote local events, and discover what makes Lake County unique. Everyday brings new places to explore, unique stories to share, and creative social media content to plan and create.
Office Life
Artwork collage at my desk for creative inspiration
Important Research
Every productive office day starts with a little “research”. Before diving into my work, I spend some time scrolling through social media to see what’s trending and what events are upcoming. This routine helps me stay inspired and understand what content is relevant to our audiences.
Sam’s Scoop: Staying organized is key! I like to create daily and weekly to-do lists to stay on schedule.
Getting Creative
Once my assignments are organized, it’s time to get creative. One of the things I love most about creating content is having the freedom to put my own spin on trends. Reels are especially fun to create, and there’s something very satisfying about synching video clips to the beat of the music.
To me, marketing is all about storytelling. Every post is an opportunity to inspire others to discover new places. Being able to create content that encourages people to get out and explore Lake County makes each project rewarding!
Gathering Content
Patio Lunch at Señor Masa
One of the best parts of this internship is discovering new places to share with others. I headed to Señor Masa for a sunny afternoon on the patio and it couldn’t have been a better day to create content. The natural lighting from the sun always makes photos pop! My favorite items were the birria bowl and limited-edition pork bulgogi tacos. I also cooled off with house-made horchata and a Mexican iced coffee.
Shoe Fitting at Second Sole Mentor
As much as I love shopping, shoe shopping is one thing I dread. It often feels like you have to go through countless boxes just to find a pair that fits okay. That’s why getting a shoe fitting at Second Sole was such a great experience. A staff member takes the time to help you find the right pair. You can even test the shoes on a treadmill while the team analyzes your stride and gait to make it that much easier to find the perfect pair.
Hiking Through the Metroparks
Getting outdoors is one of my favorite ways to spend my free time, so exploring the Lake Metroparks hardly feels like work! Every park offers something unique, making it easy for everyone to find a trail to enjoy. If you’re looking for a scenic bike ride, I recommend the Greenway Corridor. Planning a family outing? Hidden Lake is a great choice for an afternoon of fun. The pier at Painesville Township Park is the best spot to catch the sun setting over Lake Erie.
Sam’s Scoop: Be sure to check the posted trail map before you head out. As someone who’s a little directionally challenged, I can say that those maps come in handy!
Afternoon Antiquing
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of finding a hidden treasure while antiquing. I spent the afternoon browsing Antiques & Uniques and 150 Shops, where every booth has its own aesthetic collection of vintage finds. My favorite find of the day? A few ‘90s alternative rock CD’s that were the perfect addition to my collection.
Sam’s Scoop: Creating content on your own can be challenging. Bring a tripod, or a friend who’s willing to hold the camera, to make capturing the perfect shot so much easier.
Tour of The Willoughby House and Dinner at Julia’s 1902
I felt like I was stepping back in time when I visited The Willoughby House, a charming inn with ten beautifully designed suites. Each room blends historic charm and elegance to create an inviting space. After my tour, I enjoyed dinner at the inn’s restaurant, Julia’s 1902. The menu offered many delicious dishes, but my favorite was The Farm Salad, made with heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.
Tabling at Events
Mentor Rocks Concert Series
Nothing says summer quite like live music, food trucks, and an evening outdoors. Tabling at Mentor Rocks is always a highlight of my week. It’s a great opportunity to share everything Lake County has to offer to the community.
Sam's Scoop: Always—and I mean always—pack sunscreen for outdoor events. Future you will be very thankful!
Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing
It’s probably for the best that I was behind the table instead of on the course at this event. My first time spending the day on a golf course was a lot of fun. The sun was shining making it the perfect day to watch golfers take a swing and chat about all things Lake County.
Interested in joining our list? Email elyse@tourlakecounty.com to learn more about how to partner with Tour Lake County!