Emily Tells Us How Interning Gave Her the Confidence to Speak to Anyone (and Fold Clothes)

Emily's time at HoMie has helped her grow into a more confident person.

This post is presented in partnership with ImpactPay.

Before Emily Groves got her internship at HoMie, a streetwear store in Melbourne, she had a hard time speaking to strangers.

"I'm one of those people who can't talk to random people," the 19-year-old admits to Student Edge.

But since July, when she was first offered a spot in the program at their store in Melbourne's north, she's really noticed a difference.

"They've brought me out of my bubble," explains Emily. 

HoMie may seem like your regular hip clothing store—the designs are slick and the models ooze cool—but, there's a pretty important difference.

One hundred per cent of HoMie's profits go directly toward youth experiencing homelessness. It's a charity you can donate to through ImpactPay; a new debit card that allows you to donate to social charities with every purchase you make.

And because of their work in helping out youth experiencing homelessness, it's a company Emily truly feels proud to intern for.

"I'm in my HoMie clothes every day," Emily confesses.

"I'm a walking mannequin for them."

Emily talks about the impact HoMie has on the Melbourne community and she believes it inspires people to be more generous and charitable.

"I've had a few people come in and they didn't know anything about HoMie," she says.

"Once I told them the HoMie story, they spent, like, hundreds of dollars.

"I was like 'What the hell?'; I must've told that story so well."

But it's not just the cause she appreciates. HoMie's helped her with adulting too.

"I've learnt a lot," Emily says.

"From being able to talk to customers better or just random people with general [questions].

"…to folding clothes," she adds, laughing.

"Working there, I'm forced to go talk to [strangers], I've got no other choice," Emily explains.

"It's helped me with [my dream of] being a youth worker because I'm going to have to talk to people."

She wants other shy people out there, who might be reading, to know that while you might still be thinking 'I can't do that', she was the same and, turns out, she could do that.

"I was really scared and nervous to be interviewed but once I got there, it made me feel better knowing that they were so comforting," Emily recalls.

"You're not going to know until you try.

"I basically just had to suck it up [and] stay positive and push through the shyness."

Psst. If you're looking for an easier way to do good, learn all about our mates at ImpactPay, who help young people "be good" and "do good" with their money and contribute to charities through "micro-giving". (That means donating 10c with every tap.) It's free to sign-up, and you can even choose the charities you want to receive your donations. It’s time to HumanUp. Tap & Give. Find out more.

Header Image: Supplied