Favorite quote: "Little by little, the bird makes its nest”
Hobbies: Working out, cooking and watching movies
Role model: My mother
Hidden talents: Photography. In my spare time I enjoy taking pictures
Ideal vacation: Anywhere with a lot of sun, beaches, and with fun activities to do. For example, Costa Rica
Q. What's a typical day at work for you?
A. On a typical day, I fulfill management tasks like opening and closing the store, as well as overseeing my teams. I check in and help them with any tasks they have and ensure that company policies are followed. Most importantly, if there's an unhappy customer, I ensure that the customer leaves our store satisfied. I constantly follow up with my employees throughout the day to make sure that together, we can complete the work.
Q. How has your role evolved since starting at Ardene?
A. When I started at Ardene, I was a very shy and reserved person, however I always did what I was asked to do without any problem. I once had a manager who helped me "come out of my shell" as she said all the time. With her help, I learned to have confidence in myself and not be hesitant or afraid to approach customers or talk with my teammates. I've been working at Ardene for 6 years now and today I can say that I'm not the same person I was 6 years ago. I have now attended several store openings, and I'm always one of the first names that comes to mind when my supervisors or managers need assistance.
Q. What's your favorite part of working at Ardene?
A. My favorite part of working at Ardene is meeting new people with different personalities. In my opinion that's what makes a team unique. Working as a team is also about helping each other, whether it's on a personal level or professionally. I also love the fact that when we're working as a team, we build strong relationships and have open communication. Overall working at Ardene is fun because you're always learning new things and there's always a great chance of advancement.
Q. What accomplishment are you most proud of?
A. I'm proud of all the great connections and relationships that I have been able to build with my managers and district supervisors. My work, effort and motivation have brought me to where I am today: an Assistant Manager.
Q. What challenges have you overcome in your career, and what did you learn from them?
A. In one of my recent roles, I helped a customer who was initially unhappy with her purchase. I offered to speak with her and took the time to listen to her concerns. I was then able to offer her various options to help resolve the issue. She thanked me, left the store happy and ended up coming back to our store as a regular customer. I've learned that customers are our number one priority, and that it's important to have them leaving the store satisfied, no matter the circumstances.
Q. What advice would you give to someone starting a career in your field?
A. I would advise them to be empathetic. We should always try imagining ourselves in the position of the customer looking for a solution for their needs, and think about how we would want to be served. Also, I would advise them to learn how to adapt to and prioritize multiple tasks at once. Multi-tasking and reacting to unexpected situations in a calm manner are valuable skills, as well as remaining open to trying new ideas and taking on new roles or responsibilities when needed. Finally, having the ability to learn quickly and accept feedback from others go a long way.
Q. Do you have a mentor or someone you look up to at work?
A. Yes, my mentor is my current manager, Kiran. She encouraged me to take the role, even though I was unsure of my abilities. She made me realize that I was capable of doing the job because I already knew what was required and worked very well with my team. My manager has been working at Ardene for about 12 years, and I see her as someone I can look up to because she always gives me the best advice. Whenever I'm feeling stressed about something that seems new to me, she knows how to calm me down and see things in a brighter way.