Sister: You're Rachel from Friends!
Me: What?
Sister: Rachel worked at Ralph Lauren.
Me: She did?
Sister: Yes, she moved to a new city to make her own way and ended up working at Ralph Lauren.
Me: I am Rachel from Friends.
When you're scraping up freelance writing gigs and working a part-time Anthropologie job (love it though you might) and a friend (thanks Scott!) puts you in touch with someone looking to fill a 6-month maternity leave (possibly longer) working as a Brand Manager (I'll explain that in a minute) for Ralph Lauren (should I probably buy a polo shirt or two?) and the hours are full-time and the pay is mucho bettero....you enthusiastically say yes, is what you do!
This will be my last week at Anthro (ah, short-lived magical seasonal adventure! must stock up on candles!) and I'm starting the new gig next Monday.
So what is a Brand Manager?
Basically, I visit different Ralph Lauren stores in the Bay Area (and once a month in Seattle, holla!) and check to make sure their displays, etc., are brand compliant. So every day I'll be at a different store, checking things out! I'm excited about the impending variety, all the new stuff to learn, the fact that brand management is similar to marketing and that's a comfort zone for me, the chance to listen to audio books during all that driving around the bay (recommendations come at me)....and I'm also more than a little stoked to have a full-time income again! The timing could not be more crucial, I'll tell you that much. Plus, I looked up the story of how Ralph Lauren started and it's all because a young fella (Ralph himself) started making ties and selling them on the side...and now they are a worldwide brand and make the USA Olympic uniforms. I love a good success story! And, Seattle trips, BOY HOWDY. (Tell me all the good places to eat, ready go!)
So yeah, my life is totally random.
I've long been interested in clothing (hence the whole vintage shop on the side thing), but never really considered it as a career post-college. I already feel like I'll need to introduce myself as "My name's Katie, I work in retail BUT I'M ALSO A WRITER." It's funny how much of your identity can get tied up in your job title, you know? But even as much as I love writing, I do feel lucky to be able to explore a totally different field just for kicks. Who knows? Maybe it'll be my destiny.
So here we go! Because, you know, I'm standing at the beginning and "Life is a road and I wanna keep going, love is a river I wanna keep flowing, I'm the Grand Duchess of Russia get out the way." - Anastasia*
*loose quote
14 comments:
OMG. That is lovely. I believe in your ability to be a rocking brand manager for Ralph Lauren. I was at Dillard's last week, and they had a beautiful orange cable knit cardigan that I can't stop thinking about. You get to manage the orange cable knit cardigan goodness brand, jealous.
Sounds like a pretty spectacular opportunity, and I'm not even one of those chicks into fashion! Also sounds like a pretty interesting memoir opportunity! Congrats!
Shannon
Woah, Katie the Brand Manager FTW! Manage those brands, brand those...managers...? Anyway..yay! :)
Awesome!
Yay! Also, loose Anastasia quotes need to happen more often. Loose, of course, modifying quotes rather than the Grand Duchess herself.
Congratulations! As for audiobook recommendations, check out Code Name Verity.
That is awesome!!! Congrats!!!
Two fav audiobooks right now are
"The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" by Rachel Joyce
and
"Standing in the Rainbow" by Fannie Flagg
They are both fantastic and amazing. :) Congratulations and Good Luck!!!
this is so awesome! congrats
Congratulations. This job sounds fun more fun than most "cubicle" jobs, and probably has some nice upside. People with more traditional jobs usually end up quitting and looking for something along the lines of this.
I love that you used an Anastasia quote! That song is the best! You should listen to the "Bloody Jack" book series on audiobook. Honestly it's the best one I've listened to (The Help comes as a close second). The accents are fantastic and the book is just wonderfully entertaining. Is it slightly childish, you bet. It's adorable and adventurous and I think you should read/listen to it. Have fun at your new job!!
so exciting! congrats, katie!
Congrats!
Congratulations and good luck in your new job! :)
Anastasia's loose quote. I'm dying. I'm pretty sure her essence did say that word for word though. #speakingessences
Alllllso, I know I'm super delayed, but I've been filled with all sorts of excitement for your new job and your life and the awesomeness that is perfect timing and wonderful blessings for all your California and life bravery. You are a rockstar. Anastasia Rachel Rockstar the third.
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