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Have you heard about the Staples Baddie? If you’ve been on social media in the past few weeks, you might have encountered TikToker ✨Oblivion✨ @blivxx, an employee at Staples. She started recording herself while at work, sharing things that she thinks people should take advantage of in the store.

Staples wasn't paying for these TikTok videos – in fact, the company didn’t even know about them at first. But, her informative, authentic videos made her a “must-watch” and earned her the nickname "Staples Baddie."

Hundreds of TikTok users are sharing videos on TikTok thanking the Staples Baddie for helping them. Because of her videos, people are getting products from Staples at lower prices with no hassle.

It’s not a huge marketing budget or a crazy campaign driving foot traffic – it’s one employee's connection with her audience. No fluff – just helpful information.

In a time where influencers are being called out for manipulating (or blackmailing!) businesses, it’s so lovely to see change.

People want real people talking about benefits that matter to them. I hope we see more authentic posts from creators like Staples Baddie and fewer from paid influencers.

Behold – Staples Baddie:

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continual vs continuous

If something occurs repeatedly over time, often in intervals, it might be described as continual.

The continual interruptions during the day were making her grumpy.

Continuous means unbroken or uninterrupted. Something that is continuous never stops, whereas something that is continual starts and stops.

The white noise machine provided continuous background noise during her sleep.

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A MUCH-NEEDED LAUGH!

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INSPIRATION

By the age of 15, Bruna Moura knew she wanted to be a professional athlete and Olympian. She had hoped to compete in the mountain biking competition during the 2016 Olympics in her hometown, Rio.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Bruna discovered she had an atrial septal heart defect that would require surgery, and she couldn’t afford to pay for the treatment. One of her former coaches, who was also a cross-country skier, invited her to a training camp, hoping it would help her raise some funds.

Bruna was able to raise the money for the surgery, but she also discovered her love for a different sport – cross-country skiing.

In 2017, Bruna competed in her first cross-country world championships. Her new goal was to make it to the 2022 Beijing Olympics. On her last attempt in Switzerland, she qualified for the second and final spot on the Brazilian women’s team! She was going to be an Olympian!

Several days later, Bruna tested positive for COVID-19. She had to quarantine in Europe and was dangerously close to missing the Olympics. Finally, on January 24, she tested negative. She could fly to Beijing!

In an effort to keep everyone safe, she booked a shuttle to take her to the airport and sat in the back, far from the driver. As fate would have it, that would save her life. The shuttle was in an accident, hitting another car head-on. The driver was killed, and Bruna sustained serious injuries. She had lung damage, her arm was broken in two places, she had three broken ribs, and several fractures in her foot. She also had a concussion, and her shoulder and abdomen were injured. She watched the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics from her hospital room.

But, Bruna refused to give up. Two months after the accident, she was able to walk with crutches. She kept fighting and returned to the sport she loved.

Fast forward four years: she finally made it to the start line at the Olympics! Not only did she compete, but she stayed at the finish line to hug every woman who finished after her.

“No matter what the setbacks are, you need to keep fighting for what you believe, for what you really, really want,” Bruna said. (Quote courtesy of CNN)

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Making it to the Olympics is beyond impressive, but Bruna’s story is next level. May we all be inspired by her relentless, courageous journey.

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