How did you get to where you are now?
I have been working in fashion retail since I got a Christmas casual position when I was 16. As soon as I finished high school I worked as an assistant manager in another retail company. I then got a full-time position at Jeanswest in 2008. I re-located to Melbourne, where I was promoted to an assistant manager position, and when I returned to Sydney I was assistant manager again, at the Chatswood store. I was then promoted to the Macquarie store as full store manager in July 2010 and remained there until November 2011 when I decided to return to working part-time.
What is your biggest achievement in retail?
Being nominated for Young Retailer of the Year Award and then finishing in the Top 10 and being an A-grade store Manager at 20.
What has been your biggest challenge in retail?
The consistently changing, fast-moving pace of the retail world. However, this is also what I love about retail as there is always something to do, a goal to achieve and something higher to aim for to improve both yourself and your team.
What keeps you motivated?
The satisfaction you get when you have a customer leave your store with a smile that they can’t wipe off their face. Especially selling jeans. Most women find it hard to find jeans that fit them perfectly, and knowing you have made their day and that they are leaving your store feeling confident and happy with the way they look is what keeps me motivated.
How have you improved loss prevention of sales at your store?
By re-focusing the team on customer service. If all the customers are being served 100 per cent, then there are no opportunities for theft. Also, making sure all the stock in, stock out and loss prevention procedures are adhered to correctly.
What were your responsibilities as part of the Jeanswest advisory panel?
I was part of a one-off advisory panel to give feedback on a summer tops range. I was a part of a group who travelled to the Jeanswest head office in Melbourne to discuss with other store managers, state and regional managers and the product team our range and to give feedback on the areas, from the field, we felt were opportunities.
What is your ultimate career goal?
At this stage I’m enjoying exploring the opportunities that retail is providing me. At 21, I don’t want to limit myself to one path when there are so many other directions retail could take me.
What advice would you give to those who want a career in retail?
The skills learnt working in retail – providing customer service – is the basis of any successful career. I want to encourage all young people to have a go at working in retail. I believe retail provides great opportunities for young people to develop, learn and work as part of a team to achieve their goals and become the best they can be.
Are you at all concerned about the future of retail?
No, I’m not concerned about the future of retail. There will always be a need for shopping centres and retail stores and I’m excited to see what the future brings for retail. Also, with everything constantly getting bigger and better, it will be interesting to see how the fashion retail world transforms.
Why have you decided to go part-time?
There was a shift in my priorities - I decided I needed time to explore other interests.
Are you still interested in a long-term career in fashion retail?
Yes, the great thing about retail is it is so versatile and can fit around whatever you need to do in your life at the time. This means you can always go back into retail and retail management at any time in your life, which is why retail is such a great career.
PROFILE:
Name: Jessica Wiseheart
Store: Jeanswest Macquarie, NSW
Current position: Part-time team member
Date of birth: 10/04/1990
Courses undertaken:
• Certificate III in Retail, Franklin Scholar Group
Achievements:
• Improved all KPIs since being promoted to store manager, Jeanswest
• Significantly improved loss prevention of sales
• One of three managers from the company’s 240 stores on a national Jeanswest advisory panel
• Duke of Edinburgh Awards – Bronze, Silver and Gold