AfterShokz Team Spotlight: Donnie Coryea

We’re excited to bring you our monthly AfterShokz Team Spotlight! We love being able to take you behind-the-scenes of the AfterShokz HQ and share a bit more about the people that make up this extraordinary team. This month, we let the Retail Marketing Specialist at AfterShokz, Donnie Coryea, walk us through his role and give us some insight on his day-to-day tasks!

AfterShokz: Give us a quick intro, Donnie! Tell us about yourself and what you do at AfterShokz.

Donnie: Yo. I’m Donnie, and I handle most, if not all, of the retail marketing requests here at AfterShokz. I’ve been with the company for over 2 years now and I’ve recently relocated with them to Austin, Texas—hook ’em! 🤘

I grew up in Syracuse, New York, and for most of my life I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, nor did I think I could really do anything outstanding. Fast-forward to AfterShokz — my whole outlook on life and overall happiness has taken a complete 180. 

From being hired to manage shipments out of our small office back in Syracuse to working with our Customer Happiness Team and Social Media squad, to finding my way into Retail Marketing, my journey has been a wild one, and I’m excited to see what’s to come next.

AfterShokz: As the Retail Marketing Specialist, what are some of the day-to-day tasks you oversee at AfterShokz?

Donnie: Honestly, I don’t really know. I’m kidding, but I feel like my day-to-day isn’t always the same—which I love. I’ll have emails that I get to respond to and I get to be in meetings with the AfterShokz squad, but most days I’ll be thrown a new project that I didn’t plan for, but I live for it so I’m not complaining. I enjoy having my hands in a lot of projects because then I get to work with all members of the company, which is iconic. 🙌

AfterShokz: What do you love most about working at AfterShokz and the team here?

Donnie: The atmosphere, and the continuous learning and growth that is offered to us. I’m thankful to work with people who I genuinely enjoy being around. I’ve always wanted to have a job with my friends and have us all working towards the same goal. I didn’t know that the group of friends I’d be working with would be the ones I made here at AfterShokz, but I wouldn’t trade it. 🧡

I worked for a company that you “don’t leave, and retire from” because it’s such a great place to work. I enjoyed my time there and I appreciate all of the lessons I learned, but listening to myself and taking the “risk” with a small startup like AfterShokz was the best decision I’ve ever made.

AfterShokz: The holidays are here and we’d love your ideas on a mini AfterShokz gift guide! 

Donnie: There are two AfterShokz products you need to own—headphones, preferably Aeropex, and our sport belt. 

• Aeropex: It’s upgrade season and you should treat yourself to the best that bone conduction has to offer. I’m not fooling you when I say that I live in these headphones, and it’s not just because I’m an employee of AfterShokz. 😉 Aeropex makes my top five list of items I own, and getting featured on that list is harder than getting into the Met Gala. 
• Sport belt: Don’t sleep on it. 😴🙅‍♂️ Fanny packs and shoulder bags are in, and our sport belt is a low-key fashion statement. 

AfterShokz: Why are Aeropex your favorite style of AfterShokz?

Donnie: I love all of our headphones, even our forgotten wired ones, but Aeropex is something special. The slim and lightweight design makes for SUCH a comfortable fit. And let’s be honest, the sound quality slaps! 👏 Don’t believe me? Listen to any song by Imagine Dragons, Lil Wayne, or Ariana Grande—that’s for you, Colin [another AfterShokz team member]. 🖤

AfterShokz: AfterShokz is constantly growing and improving. How do you keep up?

Donnie: I don’t know if I really do “keep up” and that’s what I love about it. We’re growing so quickly and time management has been a skill that I’m learning to perfect. I love a fast-paced and somewhat hectic environment (hello, Q4! 👋) and the team I get to work with is amazing at what they do. I’m #blessed. 🙏

AfterShokz: What are some of your favorite hobbies and activities you enjoy while listening to your AfterShokz?

Donnie: Eat, swim, run, bike, scooter, work—anything you can name, really. My brother and I even played our flag football championship game wearing our Air model, and we balled out. There’s nothing I can think of that AfterShokz wouldn’t make better. 🤔

AfterShokz: As 2019 comes to a close, what are some of your 2020 goals, both personal and for AfterShokz?

Donnie: I just want to keep living my life, but continuing to grow myself and the people around me. 2020 is going to be our year, so get your mind and body right and live life happy and at the speed you want to live it. 😌