In Conversation with Michael Powell
Tell us about your background:
I’m a bi-lingual MBA retail trainer who prides himself on being a brand ambassador both inside and out of the work place. I am personable, loyal and a charismatic leader who enjoys being value added. I love being part of a team and firmly believe in leading by example. I am usually visiting various stores, meeting with clients and being a key member in providing PK sessions, new campaign strategies and VM standards. I have been in luxury retail for over 15 years and have been in the NYC metropolitan area for the majority of my career, but enjoy traveling to different markets to become more well-rounded. I have worked in global flagships, wholesale markets and outlet divisions so consider myself a well-rounded manager who enjoys working with both teams and clients. My ultimate goal is to be a bridge between corporate and retail management.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
I consider myself a lifelong learner and enjoy being a student- I wish I had known that you don’t have to be the loudest or the smartest person in the room to be seen. You must surround yourself with the hardest working to appreciate the dedication it takes to be great at what you do. I want to learn from the smartest people in the room and understand why certain people leave a presence. I am lucky to have had remarkable managers and support throughout my career to have had the longevity in a not so welcoming environment at times. However, I wholeheartedly agree “if Michael Phelps and Simone Biles- the two most decorated Olympic athletes ever- have coaches and improve their performances each time- you too will always need to learn, enhance your skills and come back stronger than before.”
Best career advice you've ever received?
“No one gets through this life unscathed”. This translates to “you will be pushed to the limit over and over again.” You may need time to adjust and need to change paths on a road you thought you would be on forever. However! Never give up and always believe in yourself.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
Transparency, honesty, loyalty and integrity. I have so much respect for people who say “I am not perfect and this was a mistake I learned” than people who claim to know everything. Being humble is powerful and honesty is always the best policy because the truth always comes out one way or another.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
Covid really hit the luxury retail market hard in the tristate and current tariff percentages are making trade very challenging. I had to leave NYC during 2020 and go back to my hometown outlet to start over because there were no jobs in Manhattan. I took a huge pay cut and learned how to do every single role at that store because I had no choice. It made me a better manager and it gave me more compassion to the people who do those roles every day. Right now- I’m at a cross-roads on how to apply my expertise in client relationships and retail management in a new way.
How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?
I thought you had to be the top person at the store to be considered successful. Some of the most important people in my career have not been the leaders, but the colleagues on the sales floor. These experts in their field will teach new comers how to go from lime green to forest green and it doesn’t happen overnight. Corporate is supposed to be a liaison between the shareholders and the retail teams. This unfortunately doesn’t always happen and my success has come from the fact I have been on the sales floor with: sales goals, working nights, weekends and holidays away from my family and doing floor sets till the early hours the next day. I identify with the team and my biggest goal is to prove my value to not only the teams I work with, but also represent their concerns in a proactive manner to ensure the needs are being met.
How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?
Networking should be taught in school. This has been a continuous learning curve for me because not everyone you meet is your friend. I am a very trusting person and this does not always go well when networking. I am a professional person and represent myself as my store is an extension of my own home. I take great pride in how I dress, how my stores look and how my teams behave. It is a reflection of me and my business model. Fashion is a small world and luxury even smaller so your network will make or break you.
What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
Nothing beats face time. Not gifts, not bonuses, not lunches nor Zoom meetings every week. If you want to be value added- visit the stores and meet your teams. Networking with corporate is crucial, but half of corporate is remote so for me- my time is better used in the field.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-powell-9b6906140/
