Authors

Image: Renee Laroche-Rheaume

Renee is a graduate of FIDM, and has held jobs in several industries such as apparel manufacturing, retail, professional office work, and even hospitality! Her creative outlook, wide variety of experiences, and desire to notice the beauty around us make her a great addition to the Goodness Exchange team!

Renee Laroche-Rheaume

Outreach Coordinator & Writer

Renee’s welcoming presence and desire to notice the beauty in the world around us makes her an excellent addition to the GE team, where she writes articles on topics in art and culture, and works to connect with our community as our Outreach Coordinator.

Hi there, I’m Renee, the Goodness Exchange's Outreach coordinator!

Starting from a young age, my curiosity about the world has been fueled by empathy, art, and culture. I have earned several scholarships in my youth in recognition of my vocal talents, creative writing, and moral compass.

After high school, I went on to earn my Associate of Arts degree for Apparel Design from FIDM in Los Angeles, where I gained the technical knowledge and creative inspiration to pursue a career in design.

I have combined my passion for timeless style, my ability to recognize value, my artistic eye, and organizational skills to build an e-commerce business. Since 2013, I have personally curated and styled vintage fashion for my Eco-friendly online store, Spotlight Vintage. My work with Spotlight Vintage and the Northwest Nightmares Film festival have been both a creative outlet and a great training ground for building an online following, a knowledge base I have brought with me to grow our community at the Goodness Exchange.

In addition to my many creative endeavors such as fashion illustration, learning to play the ukulele, and seasonal window painting, I am an active member of the arts community in Saint Albans, VT. I also love connecting one-on-one with local patrons by working charitable events and bartending in the taproom at 14th Star Brewing Company. My high level of empathy makes me an expert communicator and gives me the ability to instantly engage and connect with others.

If you find yourself at a dinner party with Renee, ask her about her favorite films or her tastiest concoctions in the kitchen!

Author's Articles

Image: A person skateboarding barefoot

Do As The Aussies Do, Lose the Shoes!

What’s the deal with Australians being barefoot all the time? Dip your toes into the history behind a cultural tradition that began just after WWII and remains prevalent to this day. You may just walk away feeling relaxed, with a newfound appreciation for your own feet!
5 min read
Image: Japan's "Do-Nothing Guy" walking through Tokyo

Tokyo’s “Do-Nothing Guy” Shows Us the Power In Being Present for Others

Would you rent a guy to do absolutely nothing? In a society where productivity is praised, can someone make a living by just being around? Today we’re introducing Shoji Morimoto, Tokyo’s “Do-Nothing Guy”, who gets paid to simply show up. He’s enriching the lives of others without hardly saying a word, and his approach to making a career out of his seemingly useless talent is brilliant. Here’s why.
5 min read

Gifts That Do Good: The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Need ideas for holiday gifts that give back? Each item in the Goodness Exchange Holiday Gift Guide benefits a cause close to your heart. From grandma to baby, and the little dog too, we’ve got something for everyone. And, you can feel great knowing that you used your purchasing power to choose gifts that keep giving back well after the new year. Happy shopping!
Image: The couple who went a full year without buying groceries

No Groceries For a Year: One Couple’s Homegrown Journey

Could you go an entire year without going to the grocery store? Would you know the first thing about when to plant your tomatoes? What about raising your own livestock? Or foraging in your backyard? For most of us, living off the land would feel like a near impossibility, but for one Canadian couple, their inexperience became a source of inspiration. Their goal: go an entire year without buying anything from the grocery store.

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