Coal
Miner’s Daughter – The Important Role of an Employee
When
thinking of the topic “Escape”, an instant thought for myself is retail
therapy. One of the most individualistic places that came to mind was a
charming boutique called “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Something about the store’s Down
Town Toronto location allows the customer to feel detached from the world as if
they’ve entered a whimsical place where all clothing and jewelry is beautiful
and ethically produced – that’s an escape if I’ve ever heard one. I reached out
to the company and instantly received a response within the same day. I had the
opportunity to meet with an assistant buyer for the company, Cassandra, a new
Assistant Buyer that also maintains her older position working as an Assistant
Manager. Yes, you read that right, she upholds two positions at Coal Miner’s
Daughter, both of which are very contrasting. Cassandra said it has been difficult
detaching herself emotionally from the new role as a buyer. She told me, “It’s
hard to buy items you really like while trying to please the customer, it’s
almost impossible to buy something that everyone is going to love as much as
you do.” Since she started out as the Assistant Manager for the Queen Street
location, she’s used to selling product day to day, the adjustment comes when a
customer critiques your decision as Buyer.
In meeting with Cassandra, I’ve
learned that an individual can contribute so much more than just one role to a
company. Often employees get promoted, very rarely do they get promoted while
still maintaining their old position within the same company. “I was offered the retail position
first, from then I started buying a bit for the company. Which I really like
having a say in what I sell in the store”. As someone who is actively in the
store, it is important that the employees are selling products that they love.
I learned that Cassandra has so many
additional opportunities in fashion – especially with her experience, although
she does not currently possess any qualifications or previous education, her
ability to adapt exceeds any limitations. A position like “Assistant Buyer” is
a dream for many in the fashion and retail world, for Cassandra this has become
a reality within a year. When asked if she ever thought she’d become an
Assistant Buyer, Cassandra responded “No, I never really took fashion or retail
to be a serious option. I initially took this job as the Assistant Manager then
I gained more responsibility throughout.”
A buyer does not just have to be a buyer, they can work in retail,
visual merchandising, design, textiles, and public relations and so on”
Cassandra explained, “it is important to know what the customer wants and by
being a part of the creative and business side, it makes it easier to reach a
target market and sell cohesively”. The
unique chain of three boutiques called “Coal Miner’s Daughter” located in the
GTA is owned by Janine Haller and Krysten Caddy, who have worked with and mentored
Cassandra for three years now, “it’s a lot of fun…I’ve worked with the owners,
Janine Haller and Krysten Caddy, and they’re really cool. I like the
environment and the creative vision they have for the store”.
In
the modern age of retail many employees work for companies and brands that they
don’t personally believe in. It’s refreshing to hear an employee genuinely
excited and passionate about the success of their employer. A lot of this may
have to do with Cassandra’s promotion, regardless, the trust and ability to
create such a positive space to work in is something many companies should take
note of. Not only is the Coal Miner’s Daughter boutique an escape for the
customer, but also for the employees. The opportunity to thrive and be excited
is constant, the owner’s, Janine Haller and Krysten Caddy, encourage
individuality to better their company every day. The company predominantly
promotes Canadian designers and have handpicked every international designer
based on design and ethics of their sourcing. The individuality of the brand
has always been a main focus as well as quality. Cassandra has the same
creative vision for the store as the owners, which can turn an employee into an
entrepreneur.
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