In Conversation with Kristin Gardener

Tell us about your background:

Over 20 years of experience running high volume Flagship Retail and multi unit roles in fashion retail for brands like SCOOP NYC, Club Monco, Ted Baker and DVF. Currently work in events for Endear, an AI powered clienteling software for stores.
I have a huge passion for the retail industry and love bringing people together.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

That it's OK to not have the answer, and take time to figure it out.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Raise your hand and ask for help- there are so many people who want to help you.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Transparency and consistency.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

Pivoting from retail to tech. While the basic operations of my role are similar to events I have run in the past, the entire eco system is different where I can't always lean on decades of experience and industry knowledge.

How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?

I used to chase growth- bigger store, higher volume, more stores, title changes. These days success is being able to balance family life with work, feeling fulfilled in what I do- being able to build community and provide service for the brands I once worked for.

How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?

I'm a big people person. Every success I've had has come through team work and leaning on those in my network. Two heads are always better than one.

What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?

Be genuine in your connection. For me, it's not about the number of people I meet or transactional relationships. Really get to know people, take the time to meet up for coffee, everything else will fall into place.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-gardener-ms-16485627/