Emerging Blue is here to help grow your team. From freelance to contingent and on-site staffing support, we have the staffing solution for you! Click here to start finding talent.
Talent Spotlight - Andrea LaMonica
Meet Andrea, a consumer-centric merchant with experience across a diversified portfolio of global and domestic brands, all distribution channels, wholesale and retail, and price points from value to premium. Andrea started her career at the Bloomingdale’s Executive Training Program which she describes as “retail bootcamp.” From there she went to work for J Crew, Tommy Hilfiger, and Nike where she has a proven track record leading and growing strong businesses in men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, performance and lifestyle. She has a global mindset with experience in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia markets. Andrea’s expertise is in merchandising, creating a product vision and strategy, and working cross-functionally to bring it to life from concept to commercialization.
One of her proudest moments was when she led the Nike’s Women’s Sportswear Apparel Category and grew the business by $350M in less than 3 years with increases in every region. Andrea really has it all! She not only can grow categories, but she is also passionate about creating a culture where innovation, experimentation, and creativity can flourish and thrive. She does this by emphasizing the importance of diversity of thought, teamwork, and thoughtful risk taking.
For Andrea’s next opportunity, she is seeking a senior level merchandising or product role. She loves working in a fast-paced, creative environment at a company with inspiring leaders who support their people, invest in technology, and encourage innovation. If you are looking for a merchandising leader who is flexible and will easily adapt to an ever-changing and evolving retail landscape, then Andrea is the talent you need. Connect with Andrea here or at EMERGING BLUE.
Talent Spotlight - Meet Krista Borley
Meet Krista Borley, a Merchandising Expert with over 20 years’ experience in the fashion industry. Her merchandising proficiency is boundless from her most recent roles at Stitch Fix and Quiksilver, to managing both wholesale and vertical businesses in department store, sports/surf industry, and contemporary markets. In addition to her team-building skills, Krista’s merchandising roles have consisted of working closely with her cross-functional partners in design, production, and marketing to put collections together and strategically create programs to increase market share. In addition to her merchandising skills, she also has a background in styling and talent acquisition.
What’s next for Krista? Great question! Krista is looking for a role where she can bring her analytical and creative skills to drive revenue. She’s looking for a hybrid role where she can manage product, build strong teams, and deliver top quality work. She is the Jill-of-All-Trades that will help your company grow and deliver results. She loves contemporary brands that are up and coming or established organizations needing fresh talent and are ready to take their business to the next level.
Interested in Krista joining your merchandising team? Link up with her here to connect and read more about her or @ Emerging Blue.
Welcome to EB 360 - Our Integrated HR & Recruiting Solution
Do these phrases sound familiar to you?
“I’m drowning, I need to hire someone fast.”
“Our WFH policy is so outdated. We need a revamp ASAP.”
“Our business just took off and we need to look at our structure and determine how to take our organization to the next level.”
At Emerging Blue, we hear this all the time too. That’s why we created EB 360; an easy yet effective approach to external recruiting and HR support. It’s like a recruiting agency getting married to an in-house Director of HR, or an internal recruiter growing 8 arms like an octopus.
Yup, we come in, join your team (kinda) and help you where you need. Hiring; HR policies & procedures; Org development; Outplacement services…just to name a few.
Our recent partners are saying things like “The EB 360 Service from Emerging Blue has been a perfect fit for our team and business. The EB team took the time to understand our brand and our culture, which led to a more effective recommendation of candidates. They were timely, resourceful, open to feedback, and followed through on commitments. Given the size of our business and speed by which we are growing, the EB 360 Service through Emerging Blue has been an incredible addition to our team." Chris Phillips, CEO, Mizzen+Main.
And… “At Best Made, we needed a flexible but fast hiring solution to support us across of a variety of functional roles. We partnered with EB 360 to take this on, under a clear and transparent, non-commission based engagement. We were impressed and extremely happy with the experience and service. EB delivered on all of our needs, were available and were able to shift priorities as the business evolved.” Tim Sharp, CEO, Best Made Co.
It's simple. We are a team of Recruiting and HR pros, have been there and seen it all. So, if you feel like you’re drowning, let EB 360 be your life raft. We’ll fill jobs fast while lowering your cost per hire. We’ll rewrite policies that are compliant and meet all federal and state laws. We’ll offer expert advice and hands-on support with your organizational charts, job descriptions and succession planning opportunities.
Let our talent be your strength.
Talent Spotlight - Meet Tristan Modena
Meet Tristan Modena – An innovative product development expert specializing in footwear, who has delivered advanced products that positioned companies like VANS and VF Asia Pacific for profitable success. In addition to his proven ability to balance creative with manufacturing, he aligns brand strategy, sales / operations (S&OP), and marketing needs. He is a collaborative problem-solver working across business lines to deliver cost-effective solutions, meeting demanding product deadlines, while managing risk.
From innovation and material development, to fit and wear testing and product management… Tristan can do all that. He loves to innovate new ways of maximizing efficiency and manufacturability while improving cost, quality, and delivery. What’s next for him? Tristan wants to join a footwear development team where he can really add value and bring some international business experience to the table.
Want Tristan as part of your team? Connect with him here or reach out to us at Emerging Blue.
Talent Spotlight - Meet Isaiah Boswell
Meet Isaiah — Isaiah Boswell is a critical-thinking and intellectually curious Supply Chain Analyst who has vast experience in retail supply chain from top companies like VANS and American Eagle. Not only is he highly capable of building global networks by negotiating with vendors and customs brokers, he is also a diplomatic communicator with the ability to influence and win buy-in with stakeholders. While holding accountability for inventory levels, he has strong perseverance to effectively steer through difficult situations. His excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to all situations allows Isaiah to achieve in any environment.
What is Isaiah looking for next? He wants to take on a supply chain role where he can bring his planning and analytical skills to a growing team within the fashion or healthcare industries. If you are looking for a driven and outstanding Supply Chain Analyst who is also an Excel expert, then Isaiah is the talent you need.
Connect with Isaiah here or by contacting Emerging Blue.
Talent Spotlight - Meet Chelsea Blockey
If you are looking for a collaborative PR & Marketing/Events Assistant, Chelsea Blockey is your next superstar hire. Her work with #influencers, #PR and #eventmanagement, as well as her #marketing analytics capabilities are all on point. Chelsea describes herself as veracious, with great PR and product experience from her time at Zimmermann. and BaubleBar Inc.. She takes complex project details into her own hands and uses her initiative and passion to deliver results.
What is the next perfect job for Chelsea? She is looking for a challenging role with a #fashion or #beauty brand, and wants to bring her #creative mindset to a marketing and PR team to make a lasting impact.
If you want get the job done, add Chelsea to your team!
#TeamChealsea #EmergingBlue #TalentSpotlight #talent #talenttuesday #talentmatchmakers #hiring #recruiting #PRandMarketingSuperstar #PR #Marketing #Events
Talent Spotlight - Meet Keryn!
Meet Keryn Francisco, a Digital Transformation Consultant based in San Francisco. With over 25 years’ experience in design leadership and continuous process improvement, she has lead teams in global creative direction, product innovation, and digital business acumen. This unique combination of both product and digital experience, makes for one top-notch leader. As a megabrand and digital expert, Keryn has a track record of success at Levi Strauss, Nike, Lucy Activewear and The North Face. With a focus on guiding companies through a digital transformation, she brings her experiences together with the launch of KÜLHAUS, a consulting powerhouse under her direction.
Keryn has a spirit of experimentation & innovation, while partnering to empower teams through an effective renewal. What is Keryn looking for in her next consulting role? She looks to help brands that are passionate about their digital transformation and digital product creation.
If you’re looking to build a digital transformation strategy including technological workflow, Keryn is the expert you need to make it happen.
When Should you Start Planning for your Holiday Pop-up Shop? Today.
Yes, we know its summer and most people aren’t even thinking about the holidays yet…but you should be if you want to have a successful pop-up shop. There’s lot to think about and plan for so we put together a list of 5 things you can do now to ensure your pop-up is a smashing success this winter.
1. Budget. This should be first on your list, as it will help you to put together all of the below items!
2. Location. Pop-up shops have become increasingly popular and the holidays are an especially fashionable time to have one. Given this, desirable spaces can become limited. Our friends at Storefront (www.thestorefront.com) are a great resource to find the perfect location for what you need.
3. Merchandise. Curate the collection of items that you will showcase in the pop-up, keeping in mind climate appropriate items, i.e. warm weather products in the south.
4. Marketing. Decide how to best broadcast your pop-up to your customer base. Consider a combination of in store marketing, social media, signage and influencer outreach. You could also run a promotion to help convert online traffic to in store traffic.
5. Staffing. Pop-ups require candidates who are aligned with your brand philosophy, reliable, retail focused and customer service oriented. Think about your goal and vision for the pop-up and be sure to choose candidates that can bring that to life. We recommend over hiring & training the staff to be ready for whatever the pop-up throws at you.
We hope this helps to jump start your preparation for your holiday pop-up shop and as always, we are here to help with any staffing needs. We’ve already started working with some of our brand partners to get ready for their holiday pop-up and we’d love to do the same for your company!
Happy Valentine's Day
Top 3 Things We Learned from the Holiday Pop-up Season
What a wonderful Holiday season! It helped drive retail sales for many companies. According to Mastercard, total US retail sales rose 5.1% between November 1 and December 24 from the prior year. As you were out shopping, you probably noticed at least one pop-up shop. They have become more and more popular as they give a fresh twist to the former all brick and mortar retail environment. In addition to an influx in commerce, retail hiring rose this past Holiday season as well. According to the Labor Department, 312,000 jobs were added in December 2018. That number includes many seasonal retail jobs.
Since the holidays have come to a close, we want to take a few moments to step back… give out some high fives, and reflect on what we learned by staffing a record number of pop-ups across the country.
The top three trends we saw for a successful pop-up this season:
Plan out staffing needs. We cannot stress enough how important it is to hire, at least, 25% more staff than you think you are going to need. Life can be busy around the holidays and this applies to the staff you hire. Plan for additional staff to cover increased business or any ‘holiday attrition’. To keep your team engaged and committed to your pop-up, plan to pay and train them well. Development of a well-trained and informed team will make the short-term sales associates feel like they are part of your brand.
Create a lasting relationship with your customers. Channel all of your resources to find ways to continue the retail momentum you’ve built by leveraging in-person interactions, digital or social media, and to extend the brand experience beyond the event. You’ve gotten them excited about your brand and now you need to stay top of mind for their future retail purchases. One example is to interact with customers on Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook so you can stay connected after the pop-up shop closes.
Have an end game. Plan out how the pop-up shop will close and make your staff aware of your plans. Will you need them to work after the shop closes to wrap everything up? Are they good candidates for working any permanent retail locations you have? Consider offering a bonus for working through the entire pop-up or consider those candidates for future full-time positions with your company. Either way, your end game, is as important as your roll-out plan. Execute both and your pop-up will likely be a success.
To sum it up, it is critical to develop a thorough and practical staffing plan, create a lasting relationship with your clients, and have a long-term game plan. Mapping out those three key areas will have you on the right path to a highly successful pop-up event. As always, if you need support, our team at Emerging Blue would gladly connect you with the best pop-up event staff.
About Emerging Blue:
Emerging Blue is a creative recruitment agency that represents full-time and freelance talent in Fashion, Home and Beauty. We fill jobs from San Francisco to New York, and everywhere in-between. We represent top candidates, the hottest brands and innovative companies of all shapes and sizes. If you need recruitment and hiring support, we would love to support you. We fill jobs from Visual Merchandisers and Keyholders to Luxury Retail Store Managers and Sales Associates. Our talent is your strength.
Top Five Resume Tips from a Recruiter
“Your resume should tell your amazing story!”
Simply put, we love to find and place creative talent! However, as recruiters we have come to realize that applicants do not have a clear understanding of the recruitment, application and hiring processes. In turn, we see applicants send in old resumes with missing jobs and roles, put incorrect contact information on their resume and cover letter, and do not maximize their resume format in the best ways. Our team of Talent Matchmakers here at Emerging Blue pride ourselves in helping job seekers find jobs, so we have put together a list of the top five resume tips that will help any job search.
Submit an updated resume
We cannot stress enough the importance of an updated and current resume. Even if you are currently employed and do not have plans to transition to a new job, it is extremely beneficial to always keep an updated resume saved on your computer or your iCloud. In addition to always having an updated resume, your resume needs to tell your amazing story! You have achieved big things, so be sure your resume reflects your true accomplishments, and does not simply list your duties and tasks of each job you held. Additionally, your LinkedIn profile should match your resume (making sure job titles and dates align) or it could confuse the recruiter, HR manager or company.
The “Summary” is an overview of your greatest skills
Now that you have an updated resume on hand, it is imperative that your “Objective” or “Professional Summary” on your resume matches the position you are applying for. This means you may need to tweak the “Objective” or “Professional Summary” for each application you submit. Recruiters have time constraints when reviewing resumes, so help recruiters out and showcase your skills and achievements in an easy to read format, and whenever you can toss in numbers – do it! For example, a well-written “Professional Summary” would read, “Cosmetics Marketing Manager with 15+ years’ experience leading beauty brands to success, while saving clients $500k a year in costs.”
Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems
There is a lot of talk out there about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Simply put, ATS’s house resumes and candidate information for companies. When applying to a company, some companies have it set up where once you submit your application you are automatically input into their ATS while others have it set up where they manually enter the information into the ATS. A key point to remember is that some systems are automated to catch key words. Particularly if you are using an image-based resume – such as a PDF – sometimes ATS’s cannot extract the information from the image-based file to catch the key words. Therefore, set yourself up for success and submit your resume as a Word Document.
Email Address Etiquette
Next up is the importance of a professional email address. You are probably thinking, ‘what is wrong is my email address’ or ‘does my email address really impact the recruiter or hiring manager’s perception of me?’ The short answer is YES. Email addresses matter. They actually matter a lot! The first thing to make certain is that your email address is correct. Many times, we’ve reached out to applicants and candidates to hear ‘oh, that’s my old email address’ or ‘I should have updated that, I don’t have the password for that email account anymore’ or sometimes no reply at all because the email and phone number were incorrect. It is important if you are job searching to make sure you have the correct email address and phone number listed so that recruiters and hiring managers can get into contact with you. It also shows that you’re detailed, organized and highly conscientious. If you cannot update your resume to reflect your current email address, do you think a company will want to hire you as a manager?
Another aspect to consider with email address etiquette is the format of the email address. As a job seeker and applicant, it is critical to have a professional email address. Our best advice is for applicants and job seekers to create a specific email account strictly for job purposes. When creating a professional email address, it can simply be your first and last name combined together. For example, JohnSmith@emergingblue.com or JaneSmith@emergingblue.com (those are not real email address). Lastly, it is best to not use email addresses like sexy420@...com or biga$$@...com. While we are all human and want to show our fun and unique personalities online, it is best to remain professional while job searching, so leave behind the sexy420 and the biga$$ email addresses, and create a professional looking email address.
Spellcheck, spellcheck, and spellcheck again
The last key point we want to go over is spelling and grammar. You never want to ruin your chances of landing a job right at the resume review stage, so watch out for misspelled or incorrectly used words on your resume. Many times we have seen the title “manager” spelled “manger” as well as the incorrect use of their, there, and they’re. Always use spellcheck and read your resume aloud to catch any spelling or grammatical errors. Reading a resume aloud also helps to create a conversational tone to your resume.
About Emerging Blue:
Emerging Blue is a creative recruitment agency that represents full-time and freelance talent in Fashion, Home and Beauty. We fill jobs from San Francisco to New York, and everywhere in-between. We represent top candidates, the hottest brands and innovative companies of all shapes and sizes. If you need recruitment and hiring support, we would love to support you. We have filled jobs from Technical Designers and Brand Managers to Luxury Retail Store Managers and Sales Associates. Our talent is your strength.
Top Five Staffing Tips for Pop-up Shops
As the retail landscape changes and evolves, pop-up shops are quickly becoming a great way for a brand to get consumers to touch, feel, and try on their products… without having to make the commitment to a permanent retail space. Many landlords, commercial real estate firms and companies, like Storefront (storefront.com), can help find the perfect location.
Whether you are looking to showcase a new line, engage with your customers or generate brand awareness, hiring the right people to work your pop-up shop can be as important as your product and your location. Maximizing the customer interaction with your brand and hiring the right temporary employees is often the key to success.
At Emerging Blue, our pop-up clients have benefited from our “Top Five” list of things to keep in mind when staffing the perfect pop-up shop.
Hire like your Brand depends on it – Your employees and staff are your brand. As pop-up shops are becoming more and more popular, it’s important to hire employees that can take customers through the full brand experience. From greeting them to establishing a connection to the product, it is key to hire Brand Ambassadors that are friendly, eager, enthusiastic and approachable.
Over hire – Life happens, and employees sometimes do not show up. For a successful pop-up, make sure you are covered for the unexpected. We always recommend that our clients hire and train at least 20% more people than they think they will need.
Train, Train, Train – We suggest providing your Managers, Sales Associates and Brand Ambassadors with training materials and an in-person training session that covers your brand story, products and store technology. A staff that understands these, will make sure everything runs smoothly once the shop opens.
Plan Ahead – We cannot stress this enough. Allow enough time to source, hire and train great employees. Plan for your projected volume, hours, product training and internal systems. Devising a plan to have the proper sized staff to maximize sales will set you and your team up for success.
Agency Partners – Find a staffing agency partner that can help you with the points above. It is beneficial to use an agency to manage your hiring needs, if you do not have enough bandwidth to do so. Agencies will source, hire and take care of new hire and payroll needs for your pop-up shop employees. This allows you to focus on the execution of your event and not focus on details like payroll, workers compensation, taxes, and other additional HR expenses for your pop-up shop staff.
In summary, with the growth of pop-up shops, it is key to understand what makes a pop-up shop effective, as well as how to attract the right talent to work the event. A few takeaways to remember, make sure you hire staff that represents your brand well. Additionally, staff must be friendly, energetic, approachable, and a fit for the brand; this will also help to drive traffic and overall sales. For the staff to be successful, make sure they are well trained and fully understand their job duties. Most importantly, hiring enough staff will make a positive impact on the event, so make sure to over hire and have a plan for when people call out and for any unexpected emergencies that may occur. Lastly, finding reliable and top talent can be a challenge, so to save time and money, reach out to a staffing agency, like Emerging Blue, to support your hiring efforts so that you can focus all your attention to bringing your vision to reality.
* To engage Emerging Blue to help with pop-up staffing, contact us at 415-543-6636 or www.emergingblue.com