Weekend Edition: Customer Service, Top Dog, StayCation, Book Reviews oh my!
Discover more from BEHIND THE SEAMS™ WITH STACY IGEL
Weekend Edition: Customer Service, Top Dog, StayCation, Book Reviews oh my!
As an owner and boss, you have to understand how customer service operates and how important that personal touch is when you’re trying to stand out.
This image is me circa 2002 at my launch at the iconic Bergdorf Goodman in NYC!
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Excerpt from Chapter 4, “KNOW IT ALL” from Embracing The Calm In The Chaos
Page 45-46, “ I went to Bergdorf and spoke directly to all the salespeople who worked in the department that sold my clothing. I knew I had to look them in the eyes, explain what my brand and I stood for, and also get to know each of them personally so I could understand their individual strengths and weaknesses. I took everyone through all my pieces and shared that a percentage of the profits would be donated to the American Red Cross in honor of the victims of 9/11 and their surviving family members. For me, it was necessary that they comprehended not only my professional goals, but also that I’d been running an impact brand from day one and that there would always be a nonprofit piece to it. I told them the story of who I was, where I came from, why I was so excited to launch there, how grateful I was to be in the store, and I went through every stitch of the product, from the thumb holes of my hoodies to the hand-painted shirts to the embroidery and my signature “cinch” shirts. It was so gratifying to see how pumped they became about selling my line.”
Page 46, “As an owner and boss, you have to understand how customer service operates and how important that personal touch is when you’re trying to stand out. And you have to treat everyone equally, from the picker and the packer to the top salesperson to the president. It doesn’t matter who they are, to earn their respect and their belief in your success, every person needs to know that you care about them so they’re motivated to represent you and your collection.
TOP DOG
This was a very important piece in my career. I also shared this story in my book about working at The Gap.
“After a month of working there, I’ll never forget walking into the cramped lunch-break room, where sales goals and acknowledgments were posted each week. I looked up at the wall and didn’t see my name right away, which upset me since I’d thought I was doing so well. As my eyes traveled higher, I noticed it instantly. It said that I was the “top dog” seller of the week. I couldn’t believe that I’d outperformed all the adult salespeople. It felt like someone was publicly patting me on the back, which was so gratifying. I wrote in my journal many years later: There it was: TOP DOG OF THE WEEK. Stacy Morgenstern. My heart dropped. It was the summer of 1989, and I was the top dog seller at the Gap in my home town Chicago. . . . I don’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t into fashion and the beat of it. I think that top dog week is something I clearly have never forgotten. It gave me the fuel to keep doing what I love, and I guess that summer it was in retail selling.” Chapter 1, DON’T BE AFRAID TO EVOLVE, Page 5-6.
STAYCATION
Walked the city I built my fabric baby @boymeetsgirlusa in, the city I had my human baby in, and the city I wrote my book Baby in. I moved here in 1999 with a dream and determination. I ❤️NYC. The hustle is hard but when you love what you do it pushes you to go harder. #staycation success!
While walking through NYC I stopped in some of my favorite stores and restaurants that I had not been to in ages and was graced with some of the best customer service I have ever had. I stopped to thank every single one of them for their help from the waiters, bartenders, and retail staff. When you are treated with quality service you are a TOP DOG! Thank you for making my 1-day Stay-Cation so beautiful.
#EMBRACINGTHECALMINTHECHAOS BOOK REVIEWS IN! THANK YOU!
"I like this book. Very unique and diverse perspective. She is very good at storytelling and telling her own unique story of how she got her start in business and how she elevated herself in the space that she has chosen. it is a lot more personable than other more traditional business books but still worth the read!" - Krys E, Reviewer ( from NetGalley ) "The author speaks to the process that occurs in business of building, visioning, storytelling. I enjoyed the insights and stories of the journey of building a business." - Reviewer 451866 ( from NetGalley ) "Just the book I needed. I have been searching for a practical, helpful guidebook which would actually help in collaboration and staying connected with people as per my professional requirements. This is just the right guidebook. Friendly and easily accessible in its writing and presentation, the book is composed of fourteen helpful yet short chapters which has different tips and tricks to guide influencers, beginners as well as anyone looking to build connections and be able to figure out how to communicate effectively. Reads like a memoir and talks to you like a close trusted friend. This book is just the perfect balance of guide and trustworthy advice. Check out for the points towards the end of each chapter. Considering each point will help you figure out a lot of things quite easily and effectively." Reading T, Reviewer ( from NetGalley )
FUN FACT
WWD CAPTURED MY 2020 NYFW ON THEIR TIKTOK AS ONE OF THEIR FIRST NYFW POSTS!
XO,