The Merchandiser

Ella Thompson graduated from York City's most esteemed fashion institute - The Art of Fashion - with a degree in fashion merchandising in 2013.  She earned her Bachelor's with high honors and special acknowledgement in her acute analytical skills.  Ella was eager to begin in her job search in a field guaranteed not to let her down...

In 2014, Ella was tapped out in rejection after rejection, search after search.  The fashion merchandising field was exceptionally popular and therefore oversaturated in applications.  She began looking for anything related to fashion, now not just what she was trained for.

One day, Ella felt a bit frivolous in her online endeavor and stumbled upon Crystals & Gemstones, a fashion jewelry direct sales company looking to hire an assistant buyer.  Buyers and merchandisers work alongside together, so...Oh my God, she thought to herself in the most ecstatic of ways.  She immediately emailed a cover letter and resume to the Human Resources department.  After daily inbox checks, one week later...

To: Ella Thompson
From: Sandy Nickels
Subject: Crystals & Gemstones Employment Offer

Dear Ms. Thompson:

I have reviewed your resume.  Although your education and honors are impressive (...),

(Ella was certain she knew where this email would lead, despite "Employment Offer.")

(...) your work experience is admittedly lacking.  With this said, I believe you have potential and so every graduate naturally has to start somewhere.  I would like to offer you the entry level sales position titled Merchandiser.  Once you achieve the minimum sales goal of $500, I would very much like to discuss the assistant buyer position as a transition.  Feel free to respond if you have any questions.  Otherwise, should you be interested welcome aboard!

Sincerely,
Sandy Nickels

A silent shout out -

I'm a Merchandiser!

Look Book Season

Stories beautifully describing enchanting international locales in a way that made the stylists and customers feel transcended in time and place.  Imaginary passports were ready with every look book season.

Explore the festive cultures of Latin America, home to a few celebrities and loved by a few more.

Explore tropical destinations with white sand beaches, clear crystal blue ocean, sipping on drinks out of a coconut shell, lounging in the sunlight with a glowing tan, tike torches lit at night with dining and entertainment that can only be found in tropical destinations.

Explore the rich beauty of Europe, such as England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, and so many other historic gems.

Explore the ancient history that defines the Orient, especially the Great Wall of China and wonders of Japan.

Every look book season was new and fresh, eager to debut and adored upon arrival.  Pages were flipped through slowly to fully digest the background artistic scenes, snippets of stories with each given locale, and detailed product images.

Lovely Wishes was a women's fashion apparel, jewelry, and accessories direct sales company.  Stylists were otherwise known as "Wishful Thinkers."  They had online shops to customize based on personal preference, making them small business owners.Wishful Thinkers began as independent contractors with no startup cost.  Physical look books were the only investment and the investment was free.  Lovely Wishes believed that Wishful Thinkers should run their shops in any way they wished, allowing sole focus on shop profit and not business setback.  Look books, then, generally defined success both online and in person (look book parties in person and "wishful thoughts" for online sales).  Wishful Thinkers earned a flat 30% commission, from new to established.

The apparel, jewelry, and accessories were unique to the brand in design and styles but inspired by known retailers worldwide.  (Copyrights were never violated.)

Lovely Wishes was unique in one other way.  Wishful Thinkers were independent contractors until they accrued $1,000 or more in sales.  The products were priced at appropriate retail cost, but frequent seasonal sales and look book season debut sales made the financial goal possible.  When the goal of $1,000 was met, Wishful Thinkers could opt for being remote employees with standard benefits and stock options.  Income would match entry level employment on an hourly basis.  Company growth was encouraged for those Wishful Thinkers becoming remote employees.  In fact, outside of the founder and CEO of Lovely Wishes, Wishful Thinkers transitioning into remote employment easily reached management and director levels on a remote basis.

Personal success was possible.  Financial success was possible.  Business growth was possible.  Wishful Thinkers on their own were able to earn a substantial income to live on.  Wishful Thinkers choosing to become remote employees with growth potential were able to earn double the substantial income they would have made as independent contractors.  Potential belief was highly encouraged.

Look book season made the shopping experience unique for both customers and Wishful Thinkers.

Lovely Wishes - a penny for your thoughts.

Trunk Show

"Hey ladies!  Welcome to my first trunk show as a Crystals jewelry stylist!" exclaimed a very excited Lauren.

"Congrats!" A happy cheer around the room.

"So how does a trunk show work?" An introductory question asked by one of the guests with a "Yeah" in followed agreement to the question.

"Well, at a trunk show, I set up a formal display of sample jewelry pieces for you to get a sense of what Crystals has to offer.  I have copies of look books you can browse through.  I have wish list forms you can fill out if there is a must have item you can't get at the moment.  I have order forms you can fill out if you are able to make a purchase.  And lastly, I have business cards...an obvious essential.

"Do you guys have any other questions for me?"

Non-verbal nope around the room.

"Okay then, so let's get this show started!"

Display holders showcased Lauren's starter kit selections.  Statement pieces received the most attention - necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.  Swarovski crystals shimmered in every design... "So pretty" was the common response.  Gemstones were a unique feature in the necklaces... "Are the gemstones real?"  A common question.  "Yep."  An automatic response.  Cubic zirconia and silver-plated rings caught the attention of a few.  "There are matching stud earrings, hint, hint."  They laughed at her subtle suggestion, followed by an automatic "Ooh" in response.  Pearls were fancy ("Sorry, but they're not real.").  Flower petal spacer beads were somehow intriguing.  "They add to the overall aesthetic."  "Interesting."  An automatic response.

"Will these pieces wear out over time, since everything is plated?" A dominant question.

"Well, there may be some wear eventually, but the craftsmanship is high quality and will allow the jewelry to last for a long time.  Crystals has a bonus feature - lifetime money back guarantee if something is faulty."

"Okay.  Good to know." A dominant response.

Lauren was nervous by this response, but continued on as the happy go lucky hostess.

The sunlight streaming through Lauren's living room windows dazzled the jewels and enhanced the happy want (to Lauren's great relief).

Every guest took a copy of the current Crystals season look book.  Every guest immediately filled out wish lists.

Many of the guests filled out order forms (making Lauren feel quite giddy).

Everyone took multiple business cards with the promise of sharing with family, coworkers, and other friends.

At the end of the trunk show, every guest requested another get together some time soon.  "Definitely," "I had so much fun," and "Thank you" were peppered throughout the hug goodbyes.

Lauren's debut as a Crystals jewelry stylist was a profound success - $500 in sales with an excellent chance at earning more at the next trunk show.