Erin Nadler, President and Owner, Better Styled Inc.
Submitted by haley on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 09:49.
-Patience – Patience has never been one of my virtues but it definitely pays off. Take the time to try out different careers in order to find out what suits you best. Be patient and you’ll find what you’re looking for
-Make mistakes – I am a firm believer that for every mistake you make there is an equally important lesson on the other side. No mistake should ever be thought of as detrimental, just a learning experience on the path to your final destination.
-Be yourself – no matter the situation you should always feel comfortable enough to be yourself. Whoever you are, surround yourself with people who love you just the way you are.
-Take some time to enjoy the view – working and working hard is important but taking some time to relax is just as important. If you love to travel, go hiking, spend time with friends, whatever it is, stop and enjoy your life
-Ask for help – you are never too old to learn something new and no one knows it all. Ask for some help, or advice from someone who knows more. There is no shame in asking.
President and Owner of Better Styled Inc.
What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?
Everyday is different from the next, so it’s hard to say exactly what a “typical Thursday” would look like. I’m up early, normally before 7am. I check my emails and then start the day. I’m groomed, dressed, and at the office by 7:45 at the latest. If I’m in my buying season, which is out in the market place seeing lines and buying for the following season, then my appointments normally start at 9am. So I normally head into the office earlier and answer any emails I may have, get in touch with my clients to book appointments, or confirm those that are coming in the following day. I’ll take care of some administrative items, and then head to my buying appointment. I’m back in the office around 11:30, and go right back into answering emails, etc. UPS and all deliveries normally arrive between 12:00 and 2:00pm. I unpack boxes and check out the merchandise that has arrived, as well as steam and tag the items and put them into stock. Typically my client might arrive around 5:30, which I prepare for around 4:30 by pulling out items that I think she would like and putting the outfits together including all the accessories she may want or need. The client leaves around 7:30 after which I clean up and close down the office and head home around 8:00pm.
What was your first job out of school?
My first job out of university was actually working for a fashion consulting company. Working for this company gave me the ability to build my client base, and it also allowed me the opportunity to find a career that offered the perfect balance of business and fashion.
What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?
People skills – I would say that 80% of what I do on a daily basis involves working with people
The second is a sense of fashion and style – something, in my opinion, that cannot be taught.
Being a good sales person. Having the perfect blend of being straight-forward as well as listening to your clients and hearing what they are really asking for.
What do you love most about your career?
There are so many things. I love the challenge of buying for my clients each and every season, but always trying to be fresh and new. I love searching for new lines to offer my clients and attending all the trade shows in which to find them. But most of all I love working with my clients. Helping them achieve there desired image and maintaining their “look” while still being price conscious.
Do you have any warnings?
Don’t think that fashion is so easy. So many times I hear young women stating that they want to do something in fashion. Whether you’re a buyer, in retail, or own your own business, it’s a competitive industry and you always have to be on top of your game. It’s rewarding but definitely not easy. But like I was always told, anything worth having is worth working for.
If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?
That’s a difficult question because I’ve always dreamt about being in the fashion industry. But I guess if I had to I would probably do something with children. Perhaps child psychology or social work, who knows.
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