Every step along our journey happens for a reason. When I reflect back on my career, that becomes more evident.
✅ A job that got me started:
My first job after college was as an assistant store manager of the now defunct chain Casual Corner. While I did not stay in retail itself, it gave me a genuine appreciation of how complex the industry is. You have to combine sales with customer service. You need to be able to merchandise and style your clients. You will run to pull goods from the stockroom, and constantly tidy the store. To this day, I hate seeing people unfold items from a table and leave them, and I have been known to fold them myself right then and there.
💡 A job that might surprise people:
People are often surprised to learn that I was a waitress in college. They are more surprised to learn that I enjoyed it. Being a waitress is hard work and it is physically demanding, but I loved the fact that my day was never boring. I was always busy, and always meeting new people. I had some not ideal customers, but for the most part, people were incredibly nice. Being in any kind of service industry really gives you insight into how to work with people from a full range of life experiences.
✨ A job that forever impacted my career:
I spent nearly 12 years working at Ralph Lauren, and it was one of the best experiences of my career. I heard working at RL described many times as "Polo University" and it is true. I learned so much during my time there. I learned about product of course, but I also learned about leadership, sustainability, and technology (my first experience ever with digital product creation). I made lifelong friends and mentors during my years there.
Every job that we have teaches us something, so long as we are open to the lesson.
#leadership #fashion #growthmindset
Manager of Clarks
3wGreat opportunity! Grand Rapids team is a great family to be a part of