I spend my life in the field, and the start to this year is no different. By the end of January, I will have visited 30+ stores that carry Alchimie. From every visit, from every interaction, I learn something new – what is working with my brand, what we can do better, and more.
I also spend most of my waking hours trying to figure out why certain locations sell a lot, and others less. I asked Marie Cook, who works in The Woodlands Beauty Evolution store in Houston, how she does it – not just with Alchimie, but with all of the brands she carries. She has been successfully selling beauty for 23+ years, and is filled with knowledge and advice. Read on…
AP: How long have you been working with Walgreens?
MC: I started with Walgreens on June 27, 1994, so a little over 23 years and six months.
AP: Please tell me how you started with Walgreens, and why?
MC: Before Walgreens, I had worked in the retail industry for 6 years and I loved the retail business. When my husband made the decision to retire from the U.S. Navy, we left Japan, and I came ahead to Texas, while my husband completed his last six months aboard a ship. When I arrived in the Spring, I made several friends who worked for Walgreens, and I decided to apply. When they placed me in Beauty Care, I knew I had found my home.
AP: To you, what does Walgreens stand for?
MC: For me, Walgreen’s represents stability. The company is devoted to studying their clientele, and providing the types of product that will sell in any given location.
AP: Have you always been in the same store? If so, why?
MC: No, this is my second store. In 1998 a District Manager (DM) from Chicago was sent to work in Houston. He heard about my performance and he came to my store and ask me if I would work for him to run the beauty department in one of his new store that was going to open on May 4 of 1998. I was glad I accepted the offer, because I had achieved and accomplished and received recognition awards for my hard work under his watch until he retired. I know I made him proud. Besides these two stores, I was actually sent by my DM to many other stores to help out in beauty departments. When Walgreens started expanding, I was sent with the District Beauty Supervisor to help set up beauty departments in the new stores. I was also sent to some existing stores to help the beauty departments set up for Christmas and help others do the resets.
AP: In your own words, please describe your position to me?
MC: Sales and Customer Service: I promote best selling products to exceed my targets. I share success stories and learnings with other stores to enhance their performance, inform team members and leaders how to insure store success in beauty. I engage with customers in conversation about their beauty needs and exhibit a sincere concern for the customer. I am to offer tactful, informed, and personalized advice, tips, and product suggestions based on customer’s beauty needs and desires. I do demonstrations and makeovers. Most importantly perhaps I think about the long term, and offer extra customer care to build relationships and enhance customer loyalty to inspire the next purchase and repeat business.
AP: What is your favorite part of your job?
MC: Making people feel beautiful about themselves inside and out.
AP: How do you consistently make your goal? What are your tips for success?
MC: I consistently make my goal by planning ahead, monitoring and printing out my daily departments sales, and focusing on the goal to stay on top. I mix up the displays, do event tables, and keep the merchandising interesting for my customers. Also, I play with my outfits: I like to color coordinate my outfit to match with my theme. It attracts customers’ attention and it’s a great conversation starter.
AP: How do you self-motivate every day?
MC: Loving what I do and my customers appreciating what I can offer is the key for my positive attitude.
AP: What are the keys to your positive attitude, regardless of traffic in the store?
MC: Passion and drive are the keys for my self motivation everyday. I truly love what I do.
AP: What would be the one suggestion you have for Walgreens corporate?
MC: My suggestions for Walgreens is to do more beauty training and keep us up to date with all the new beauty trends. For me, knowledge is power. Also better incentives would be helpful, including recognition for top sales, extra customer care winners. I would love to be invited to the headquarters in Chicago to receive an award before my 25th year. This is on top of my wish-list: to get flown somewhere again, all company expense to receive a recognition award and be on the Walgreens World Magazine one more time.
AP: What are the words of wisdom you have for your fellow beauty team members?
MC: Do what you love and love what you do. Don’t be an expectation, be an inspiration. Own it, Love it, Live it. Care. Win Together. Inspire.
