Sarah Crockett, Director of Consumer Marketing and April Blakely Vitkus, Director of Lifestyle Marketing

What's your favorite part about your work environment?
Crockett: "There are so many different personalities at Vans. The people are my favorite part. They're honest, open, and inspiring. My favorite moments in the office are when it’s Friday around 2 p.m., and you can feel the weekend coming. People crank up the music and start getting silly…my cheek muscles usually feel strained after leaving on a day like that."

What's your most memorable moment working with the company?
Crockett: "One of my favorite moments that I can look back on is when Kristen Stewart wore our black-and-white checkerboard Slip-Ons when her footprints were cemented at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. We got the heads up that she was planning on wearing them, so a group of 15 or so people were all gathered around a co-worker’s computer, and a loud cheer erupted when she stepped in the cement. It was like we were watching the World Cup and our team scored the winning point. Waffle soles are now showcased in such a historical Hollywood landmark…perfection."

Where's the most exotic place your Vans have traveled with you?
Blakely Vitkus: "My Vans have been everywhere from temples in Kyoto to vintage boutiques in the Marais, but my favorite memory was being on a business trip when I was 19 weeks pregnant with my son. The pace was grueling, as we covered an entire city by foot from sunrise to sunset each day. I walked through London, Milan, and Paris wearing black Authentics with a little bundle in my belly. I‘m grateful that Vans supported my tired, pregnant-lady feet throughout the extended walking trip!"

Crockett: "I was wearing my Vans on my honeymoon to South Africa back in 2008. They were an obvious choice when I was planning my foot wardrobe — what shoes could I bring that would be perfect for a safari, scuba diving, and sightseeing? Vans, obviously."

Tell us the story behind your first pair of Vans.
Vitkus: "I got my first pair of Vans, black Sk8-Hi’s, when I was 13 years old. I’d just discovered hardcore and had to have the same shoes that Henry Rollins from Black Flag wore. I wanted to raise as much hell in suburban Northern California as possible, and the Sk8-Hi’s seemed like a good start. Vans have been a staple in my wardrobe ever since."

What inspires you most at the workplace?
Crockett: "I have the pleasure of working in the same department as Steve and Kristy Van Doren (son and granddaughter of our founder, Paul Van Doren). Hearing stories from Steve about Vans back in the day and how his dad started the company is always so inspiring. It reminds us of why we are all here. Seeing the family’s presence in the building (Cheryl Van Doren, Steve’s sister, and Paul’s daughter is the head of HR) is pretty amazing. It started as a family business, and nearly 50 years later, the clan is still part of the day-to-day…it doesn’t get more inspiring than that."