Mollie Schaefer-Thompson’s Post

Yesterday marked 1 year at 1504. Here's to many more stories, mysteries, adventures, and wine samples. When I was 18, I asked a local business owner how she got so lucky. She ran a coffeeshop / bookstore / bakery (the dream). Her advice was to not worry too much about a career path, just to focus on what interested me. As I near the last year of my 20s, it's hard to find the discernible through-line of my career. From working in the arts, to a massive road trip, to selling tents, I just felt aware that there was a path. Each season prepared me for this weird and wonderful role. I'm thankful to Tyler and Mark for hiring me as their first full-time employee. Thankful for the most rigorous interview series of my life. Thankful for the lessons we're learning together. I feel incredibly lucky to work with these people, they make me a better person. Cerca Trova P.S. Tyler Jones, Mark Slagle, and Anna Besh, send me your milestone emails. <3

This summer 1504 collaborated with American Red Cross share the story of a mother's smile. It was an honor to meet Christie and I most definitely took mental notes on modeling while holding the reflector. Watch the story here:

I’m #hiring. More information here:

1504 is hiring! We are looking for a Story Producer to join our small but mighty team. Read more about the position here:

Today marks 2 months at 1504, and my first day on a film shoot. Excited about all that’s happened, excited about all that’s coming. PS I was not in the directors chair, I was in the corner writing emails and updating Asana. But I did have the clipboard with a call sheet.

I was lucky to spend my morning in contemplation at The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. is crucial to our history as Americans, as Southerners, and as residents of Birmingham. The bravery of The Foot Soldiers, the horror of bombings, the legacy of resiliency, these are things to sit with and learn from. How can we be better for the future? Will we be brave enough to rise against injustice?

I’m thrilled to announce my new position as Studio Manager for 1504! 1504 is a narrative studio based in Alabama. We work on a wide variety of projects, and I am excited to be part of it. Thank you to Tyler Jones and Mark Slagle for trusting me to be a part of your studio. Also for the most fun final interview I’ve experienced.

Yesterday was my last day with REI. I am so thankful for the experiences I got at store #206, and the opportunities that were given to me. I started at REI fresh off a summer of adventure and curious about what retail would be like. The lessons it taught me will stay with me for life. That people-focused leadership will always win, that there are ebbs and flows to one’s productivity in relation to what’s going on in their life, that it’s okay to shape your life/identity around what you do off the clock. Some days were better than others, but overall I have gratitude for the people I got to work with and the life this job gave me. Special gratitude to Molly Self for advocating for me, and being an amazing manager. Also, to anyone from store 206 reading this, thank you for these kind notes! Stay tuned for what’s up next, I’m excited about this next chapter!