Driven Brands celebrates our summer 2023 interns
In honor of Intern Appreciation Day on July 27, Driven Brands is introducing you to the interns who supported our businesses this summer.
Thursday, July 27 is Intern Appreciation Day, and we cannot think of a better way to celebrate the day than introducing you to the team of interns who have supported Driven Brands this summer in a variety of capacities – from analytics and operations to marketing and M&A.
Each spotlight recognizes their respective contributions to Driven Brands and gives them the opportunity to share lessons from their internship experiences and what they’ve learned about what it takes to be ‘driven’ in work and life.
We appreciate their effort and enthusiasm this summer, and we wish them luck in their future endeavors.
Thank you for joining us at Driven Brands this summer!
Brandon Kunkel
Operations & Strategy Intern at Driven Brands
Hometown: Apex, North Carolina
College/University and Course of Study: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Finance & Business Analytics
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “The path to working towards your career goal is a marathon, not a race. It is important to be mindful and proactive about what speeds you up, as well as what slows you down.”
What have you learned about what it means to be ‘driven’? “I have learned that being driven means always looking for a better and more efficient way to do something. It’s about asking yourself: ‘You got something right the first time? Great! How can we make it both more efficient and effective next time around.’ ”
Pradnya Pendse
Advanced Analytics Intern at Driven Brands
Hometown: Sangli, India
College/University and Course of Study: Michigan Technological University, Master of Science in Data Science
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “I learned how to manage time efficiently and leverage all learning opportunities.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven'? “It means passionately determined to deliver; motivated to learn and grow.”
Anugya Chowdhary
Business Intelligence & Analytics Intern, Segment R&M – BI and Data Ops Team at Driven Brands
Hometown: Richardson, Texas
College/University and Major: University of Texas at Dallas, MSc Business Analytics
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “Keep questioning the “why” behind every task that you do for better understanding of the overall purpose. It gives a sense of meaning and direction to the work you do. Don’t assume, but communicate regularly and effectively to set clear expectations and get real-time feedback.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven'? “For me, being ‘driven’ means to put in constant effort towards achieving excellence in every task and rejecting mediocrity. It requires possessing a mindset to get out of our comfort zone, embracing unfamiliar areas of growth and learning from failures along the journey.”
Lucy Lee
Advanced Analytics Intern at Driven Brands
Hometown: Seattle, WA
College/University and Course of Study: Washington State University / Data Analytics
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “I’m learning to connect with not only stakeholders, but also coworkers.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven'? “Don’t be afraid to learn! Ask questions and make your uncertainties your stepping stones.”
Aakanksha Arora
Advanced Analytics, Marketing and Consumer Research
Hometown: New Delhi, India
College/University and Course of Study: University of Arizona, Masters in Business Analytics
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “I’ve learned professional growth - Identifying personal strengths and areas of improvement, setting professional goals, and seeking opportunities for growth and development.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven'? “Being 'driven' encompasses having a strong motivation, taking initiative, and striving to surpass expectations, all while making a positive impact in the automotive industry.”
Prem Anil Amal
Advanced Analytics Intern at Driven Brands (Maaco)
Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana
College/University and Major: Indiana University Bloomington
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “One of the most impactful lessons I learned was the immense value of effective communication and collaboration. Working closely with a diverse team, including colleagues from marketing, business analysis, and the technical/dev-ops team, I experienced firsthand how these skills can drive success in a professional setting. In the realm of analysis, I quickly realized the importance of clear and concise communication. It was crucial to present complex insights and findings in a manner that was easily understood by all stakeholders.
“I learned to avoid using technical jargon and instead focused on conveying information in a simple, straightforward manner. This approach ensured that everyone involved could grasp the key takeaways without getting lost in unnecessary technical details. Furthermore, I discovered that effective communication is not just about expressing ideas but also actively listening to others. By actively listening to my teammates' perspectives, I gained a deeper understanding of various viewpoints and approaches. This helped me contribute more effectively during team discussions and problem-solving sessions. I also became more open to considering different ideas and perspectives, understanding that the best solutions often emerge through collaboration and the blending of diverse insights.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven'? “To me, being ‘driven’ goes beyond simply having initiative and motivation; it encompasses a personal commitment to excellence and continuous growth, the importance of taking ownership of assigned work and seeking out new opportunities to contribute. I was fortunate to be part of a team that encouraged and supported my proactive approach. For example, I expressed my interest in expanding my skill set beyond analytics and delving into machine learning. To my delight, I was given the chance to work on an additional project in that area. The support and guidance I received from my colleagues and managers truly exemplified the "Driven" culture at Driven Brands.
Emily Kaitlyn Reber
Marketing & Communications Intern at Driven Brands (Take 5)
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
College/University and Course of Study: Old Dominion University / Communication
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “My favorite lesson that I have learned thus far in my internship is to not be afraid to speak up when it comes to your thoughts and ideas and be enthusiastic about your work. Even if you worry that your ideas may sound silly or someone may not like it, still speak up and let your voice be heard. You may end up surprised that everyone loves your idea and your overall enthusiasm for getting involved in the conversation.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven'? “In my time with Driven Brands, I have learned that being “driven” is being and feeling included within your team and that if you drive yourself to work hard and do the best that you can, people will notice, and your efforts will be truly appreciated by all. I have learned that the Driven Brands culture is like a family, and I have enjoyed every minute of being a part of it.”
Tanner Parker
Mergers & Acquisitions Intern at Driven Brands
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
College/ University and Course of Study: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Economics, with a minor in Statistics and Analytics
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “One of my favorite lessons learned from my merger and acquisitions internship was the importance of effective communication and teamwork in driving successful deals. Through various team projects and interactions with professionals from different backgrounds, I realized how crucial it is to establish clear lines of communication, foster collaboration, and leverage each team member's expertise. This experience taught me the significance of active listening, diplomacy, and adaptability when working in a M&A environment.”
What have you learned about what it means to be ‘driven’? “Being driven, to me, means having a relentless determination to achieve desired outcomes. It involves setting ambitious goals and consistently working towards them with unwavering focus and passion. Throughout my internship, I witnessed firsthand how successful professionals in the field displayed a relentless pursuit of excellence. They exhibited traits such as perseverance, resilience, and an unyielding work ethic.”
Carson Pease
Marketing Intern at Driven Brands (Collision)
Hometown: Charleston, SC
College/University and Major: Queens University of Charlotte, Organizational and Strategic Communications, with a minor in Marketing
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “Thus far in my internship, my favorite thing I have learned is how to approach marketing to new audiences, specifically within the automotive industry. I have gained a better understanding of emerging marketing trends, strategies, and the ability to creatively tailor content to the relevant consumers.”
What have you learned about what it means to be ‘driven’? “I have learned that to be 'driven' means to approach every task with unwavering passion and dedication in order to ‘drive’ growth.”
Nolan Youngstedt
PMO Budget & Project Tracking Intern at Driven Brands
Hometown: St. Joseph, MI
College/University and Major: Michigan State University, Supply Chain Management
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “I learned the processes within PMO and the importance of following procedure.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven'? “ ‘Driven’ means staying focused on work to deliver results above and beyond what is expected.”
Ingrid Velazquez
Driven Tech, Technology Business Analyst Intern
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
College/University and Course of Study: Eastern Connecticut State University, Business Information Systems
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “One of the best things I've learned is how important it is to stand up for yourself. I've realized that there's no need to be afraid of speaking my mind and showing my team just how eager I am to take on new challenges and learn. By advocating for myself, I've created an environment where my enthusiasm for personal and professional growth is embraced and supported.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven’? “I've learned that being "driven" goes beyond simply working hard; it's about having a genuine passion for what you do. It's finding the motivation to chase your goals and pushing yourself to exceed expectations. Being driven means finding that inner fire that gives your efforts purpose and propels you towards success.”
Zach Wu
Strategy & Operations Intern at Driven Brands (Take 5)
Hometown: China
College/University and Course of Study: New York University, Double Major in Data Science and Communications
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “I’ve learned how to build business intelligence with Qlik Sense and Tableau in order to automate the claims reporting and labor forecasting process.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven'? “ ‘Driven’ means to be self-motivated and proactive. I would think of any possibilities of optimizing the operation processes and cost savings. Even if I’m unfamiliar with the tool to approach the needs, I would still try to get into the project by learning the tool immediately.”
Abi Kugapalan
Technology Office Intern at Driven Brands
Hometown: Austin, Texas
College/University and Course of Study: Trent University, Business Administration
Favorite lesson learned during your Driven Brands internship: “Owning the tasks and projects that are given to me by identifying potential future threats to ensure that the objective aligns with Driven Brands’ goals.”
What have you learned about what it means to be 'driven'? “Working alongside other individuals in a fast-paced environment that challenges you to continuously learn and adapt.”
