Retail Company I Worked For and My Position
I was the owner of Martha's Body Bueno Shop for 32 years (now on-line at www.marthasbodybueno.com, and as wholesale). It was a "micro-business", one location, less than 10 staff at any time.
What Made It My Best Retail Job
I loved retail for 30 of those years, but find now the only thing I truly miss is the people. Employees are people - customers are people - there is no business interaction without people. So I believe taking care of people is crucial.
Let's face it - retail is an ever-changing field, and it tends to be an often-changing field of employees. A congenial working environment is necessary to have employees who willingly work to help make any business successful. Through careful screening you can find applicants who genuinely have an interest in your mission. Over the years, not all configurations of my employees worked totally well together, but when the synergy worked, sales went up, staff visited each other after hours, and they all believed in the products being sold, which of course made them better able to sell.
Customers consistently returned, not only for the benefits of effective products, but also because they knew they would be treated with friendly respect. We made it fun, and educational. We made it known that no order was too small, that we were capable of joking with them, that we couldn't be there without them, and all could expect to find something to treat the senses.
Judging by the fact that nearly all my former staff, & many of my customers, are still friends, I believe I can state with certainty that anyone in this field will be happier if they are people-oriented - not only do you engender loyalty from customers when you give them the attention they (perhaps not all, but most!) deserve, you also get more support from staff members when you show an interest in them as individuals.
You know, we all need to shop at big box stores from time-to-time - we go to small businesses for the interaction and to benefit from their knowledge.
Lessons Learned
- Listen & learn what customers want, so you supply their dreams as well as the basic requirements
- Be prepared to make suggestions based on the conversation
- Find the good in anyone and use it to break the ice, even if it's just to compliment something being worn
- Work in a place you like - when you are content, it works for all
- Remember that selling is easy, and not "pushy", when you like what you sell
- Get along with others, especially co-workers
- Use each position to learn - about product, job, dealing with people
- Retail can be fun and fulfilling, but be aware it isn't for everyone.
