Mabel Aronson’s Post

I got my dream job after college but it wasn’t what most people would deem a “success”. Working in an artisan chocolate shop in Nashville for $12/hr taught me more about business than any university course or fancy internship ever could. I was a baby manager elbow deep in chocolate ganache getting hands-on experience in supply chain and inventory management, brand positioning, marketing, HR, accounting, customer service, quality control. The list goes on. I got to be involved in almost every decision. I reconciled the till and I counted the inventory each night. I worked my ass off. I was yelled at by unhappy customers. I had tough conversations with employees. This experience was my first taste of business leadership and I fell in love. It taught me a lot… How the people you do business with make or break a business. How brand and story are just as important as a quality product. How you make your customers feel is everything. How an excellent product elevates human experience. And the environment surrounding it elevates the experience with that product. Whether that’s the decadence of sitting down with a cup of hand-made Mayan hot chocolate topped with fresh whipped cream in a French cafe chair, Or a platform that gives providers and patients a little more control in a world riddled with stress and unknowns. The service industry and small business have taught me most everything I know about building a great business: It’s the combination of managing the boring everyday things that make a business run, while tirelessly creating more meaningful experiences for people. #serviceindustry #smallbusiness #chocolate #entrepreneurs

Yesterday, July 10th, was my 1 year mark serving my 4th generation family owned company, Weber's Brand 💛 I started with so many ideas and goals, but had no idea where to start. 1. Establish Weber's Brand as an every day household brand and name 2. Take back Buffalo and the Western New York community as the true dominant mustard of the region in every category (retail sales and restaurant facings) 3. Modernize business practices and efficiency 4. Create a powerful online presence 5. Push expansion efforts further than the company has ever dreamed 1 year later, those goals continue to run through my veins. I know deep down what this company can look like one day. Everything is on me, and that's just how I want it. I believe I have made a lot of improvements, but there is still so much work to be done.

I’m not sure if anyone is familiar with a shop called Home Bargains; it’s a kind of upmarket Pound store, mildly upmarket, but has some good products at sometimes significantly less than other stores. I had cause to use the store to buy some essentials and I was standing in one the aisles listening to a junior female supervisor interacting with two shop floor staff (shelf stackers). My goodness. If she was in charge of a military base she would have been fine. Plus she would have acquired some skills of how to lead a team. “I want all labels facing the right way and I want the products to line up exactly. If I see the labels the wrong way or not lining up, you’ll need to start again.” I can see the reasons and benefits for this, but the way it was said was enough for the two young girls to stick two fingers up and walk out. They didn’t, but they should have. The manager was slightly better and it’s just a shame that these kids aren’t learning about management skills. You can get a lot more achieved by being polite and sincere, when being mindful of what you are saying and how it will be received. I think there is a place for management skills to be taught for early career rising stars and current management in all businesses. Turning to Housebuilding and property, has your company invested in you with management training?

🌍 Are you a university student struggling to land your dream job or internship? 🚀 Don’t worry, we are here to help! Whether you're aiming for a job in your home country or worldwide, we have the tools and resources to guide you toward success. 🌟 At STEM Insights, we specialize in providing comprehensive support to students and young professionals. Our services include: 📝 Resume Enhancement: Craft a resume that stands out to employers and ATS systems. 📈 Skill Development: Upskill with relevant courses, workshops, and certifications that meet global standards. 💼 Job Placement: Access exclusive job listings, personalized placement assistance, and career guidance to land your desired job. Why wait? Start your career journey today and transform your dreams into reality with the right guidance and support! 🌐 👉 Apply today at https://lnkd.in/eb6Q2t6p  and take the first step toward a successful career. #CareerDevelopment #JobSearch #Internship #ResumeTips #SkillBuilding #JobPlacement #GlobalOpportunities #STEM #STEMInsights #Students #Graduates #InternshipPlacement

I love my job! I was nervous and excited at the same time when I got the opportunity to come be the primary on site manager in charge of the remodel for the Lenexa, KS Sam’s Club. This week or next the final inspectors and home office representatives will be here to walk off the work to make sure everything is completed. This was no “simple” remodel. Just about every pallet of merchandise changed position in the warehouse and we added a walk in produce and dairy to maximize the effectiveness of our fresh walk space to bring more items and more quantities to our members. It was a tough yet enlightening experience. Here are the top 5 things I’ve learned throughout the whole journey. 1. Plan, plan, and then plan some more With so many fixtures, areas, and functions changing it’s important to slow down and make sure you will have all the materials, supplies, and people you will need when you need them. 2. Sometimes you just need to make a decision No matter how many blueprints, schematics, check off lists, and emails you get you’ll run into a time when you don’t know the answer and might not have anyone to ask. Make the best decision and keep moving forward. 3. People matter The best asset will always be the people around you trying to make the vision come to life. Treat them right and they will go far for you. 4. Don’t be afraid of the dirt Many times I came out of an aisle covered in dust and dirt from moving things around. It’s important to not always let someone else do it for you and to show them you aren’t afraid of letting the dirt get on you too. 5. Learn to lead through change Perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned. Change is constant and will always keep coming. Adapt and overcome and move on to the next while keeping your people at the forefront is most important. People get nervous when they see someone unsure of themselves. I’ve been very appreocative of what I’ve learned and those who’ve mentored me along the way. I’m ready and thrilled to stay after the final walk off and continue to lead through change as we deliver a fantastic new club to our local members who deserve it. Go Sam’s! 👍👍 #leadership #retail #remodel #samsclub

Here are some deeper dive stories worth reading from the world of retail: 👟 Intern to CEO: he just did it! After the call that would transform his life, Elliott Hill hung up the pay phone, stuffed everything he owned in his car and drove from Ohio to Tennessee so he could start his dream job at Nike. But when he walked into the company’s Midwest regional sales office for his first day of work, there was just one problem. Hill’s new boss told him that it wasn’t exactly a job. It was actually going to be a six-month internship. It was an inauspicious start, but Hill lasted longer than six months at Nike. In fact, he would spend his entire career at the same company. And now, he's the CEO. 🔗 Link: https://bit.ly/3Bp1S0E 🛒 Retail isn't the only way to scale businesses: If you're an entrepreneur with a product-based business, you've probably dreamed of the day you can walk into a store and physically pick up your product. For a long time, that was the holy grail. But, luckily for today's entrepreneurs, the ever-evolving business landscape means that successfully scaling a brand doesn't have to begin in traditional retail. By exploring these alternative routes, you can not only scale more effectively, but also develop deeper connections with your target audience. 🔗 Link: https://bit.ly/3XEDvUa 🥦 Kroger - Albertsons merger hangs on the fate of workers: Authorities challenging the largest supermarket deal in US history have said it must be blocked to protect unionized workers. Legal cases challenging the deal are moving through the court system. Final briefs were filed on Friday after a trial in which the FTC, eight states and the District of Columbia asked a federal judge for an injunction. The lawsuits go beyond customary claims about protecting consumers to allege harms to workers from the deal. But not all unions agree. 🔗 Link: https://bit.ly/4gKOSm5 🛍️ Small retailers can succeed against behemoths: Retail is hard. To excel in some businesses, you only have to be really smart every now and then; success depends more on execution than innovation. However, the seasonality of most retail businesses requires that they be smart four times a year – plus, like every other type of business, retailers must also execute well. Often, small retailer success comes from competing against a behemoth – but on their own terms. Small retailers that succeed usually differentiate themselves in some way that doesn’t require scale. 🔗 Link: https://bit.ly/3ZHsP9Q 👓 Smart glasses and the disruption of eyewear: Meta unveiled a prototype of its first augmented-reality (AR) glasses, but they won’t be available until 2027. Meanwhile, Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, developed with EssilorLuxottica, have already disrupted the market, selling over 700,000 units. But true disruption will come when glasses integrate AR and AI seamlessly, which may still be years away. 🔗 Link: https://bit.ly/3ZIyr3L #retail #retailnews #economy #RetailDeepDive 

🌍 Are you a university student struggling to land your dream job or internship? 🚀 Don’t worry, we are here to help! Whether you're aiming for a job in your home country or worldwide, we have the tools and resources to guide you toward success. 🌟 At STEM Insights, we specialize in providing comprehensive support to students and young professionals. Our services include: 📝 Resume Enhancement: Craft a resume that stands out to employers and ATS systems. 📈 Skill Development: Upskill with relevant courses, workshops, and certifications that meet global standards. 💼 Job Placement: Access exclusive job listings, personalized placement assistance, and career guidance to land your desired job. Why wait? Start your career journey today and transform your dreams into reality with the right guidance and support! 🌐 👉 Apply today at https://lnkd.in/eb6Q2t6p  and take the first step toward a successful career. #CareerDevelopment #JobSearch #Internship #ResumeTips #SkillBuilding #JobPlacement #GlobalOpportunities #STEM #STEMInsights #Students #Graduates #InternshipPlacement #jobsearch

Some exciting news from Crate and Barrel! 🎉 Following the successful opening of their new flagship store in Manhattan’s Flatiron District in New York, the company is gearing up to open even more new stores in the near future. In a recent interview with Crate and Barrel’s CEO, Janet Hayes, she revealed the retailer’s ambitious plans for expansion. Sales soared an impressive 23 percent in the last fiscal year, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing down. It´s a testament to the company’s dedication to growth, innovation, and keeping the customer at the center of everything. Thanks to Janet Hayes, CEO of Crate and Barrel, and the entire team to demonstrate continued excellence in their work. And to Warren Shoulberg from the Business of Home for conducting an insightful interview, uncovering valuable insights about Crate and Barrel’s bright future. Take a look at the interview in the link below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from this dynamic brand! https://lnkd.in/eRuquPjh #CrateAndBarrel #RetailGrowth #BusinessSuccess #Innovation #Manhattan #BusinessOfHome #NYC #mba #mauriciohuapaya #highperformanceteams #areamanager #strategy #leadership #DistrictManager #TerritoryManager #VicePresident  #SalesDirector #Retail   #FLORIDA #TAMPA  

When I say I worked for 25 years at Publix, people often look at me funny. I can see the calculator in their brain trying to figure out how old I am and how I could already have 25 years with a company. It’s not hard when you start at 16. Publix’s current CEO did the same. So did the previous one. It’s so commonplace at Publix that no one really bats an eye at associates with 25 or 30 or even 40 years of service. This is because Publix promotes from within. To become a stock clerk, I had to start as a bagger. To become an assistant grocery manager, I had to have experience in multiple grocery sub-departments. Many corporate openings are only visible to current Publix associates. What impact does this have on Publix? Culture is an important element, especially in customer-facing roles and the best way to maintain culture is promote from within. I learned about that culture early in my career and carried that with me throughout my time there. I don’t believe there is a more effective way to build a strong culture. However, I can see the downsides to exclusively promoting from within. A company’s growth is limited by the current talent pool. New ideas and perspectives are infrequent. Groupthink is common and appetite for change is muted. It has worked for Publix and they continue to find enough internal candidates to open 40+ stores per year. I just wonder if a more balanced and blended approach would benefit them even more. What are your thoughts? Photo credit: https://lnkd.in/e8_rWSJx

Click on 6:18 minutes in the full link (https://on.wsj.com/3ZvCLDt) for the real story: after saving $230M from re-balancing their stores - it is refreshing to hear how the team have used data to personalise their shopping experience - super impressive given the results - 50% of revenue comes from DTC/eCommerce - 20% more than the industry average. How do you maintain success? One idea - not all categories / customers discover products in the same way - could #Abercrombie&Fitch integrate AI / ML to launch guided filters in 2 days for different categories and customers? We know they could…#growth #wsj