my urban
(from my high school sketchbook)
When I started out at Urban, I had no idea that it would take me to different cities, that I would meet some of my best friends, or that I would have so many awesome experiences. Most of all, I had no idea how much I was going to learn along the way. Each store and each person I have worked with has taught me something new.
commUnity
lawrence, kansas#35
I started at Urban in Lawrence, the week before my first day of college. My last day was 5 years later, the week before my first day as a Womens Manager in Chicago. Within those 5 years I learned a lot, but above everything I learned about the Urban Community. Although it was a small store, we had a very strong team. I learned this type of team work and sense of community is what makes Urban such a creative and exciting company to be a part of. !
Opportunity kansas city #72
The summer after my freshman year in college I had to move back home to Kansas City because the dorms were closing. When I heard that they were opening an Urban that summer and Shelly Horst was leaving Lawrence to be the Merchandiser, I begged to transfer for the summer. I was lucky enough to be a part of the opening team and, even though I was an associate at the time, I got to witness what went into an opening and how many awesome people with awesome jobs it took. From the day I started at Urban I knew I wanted to be a part of how things looked, but it wasn’t until KC that I could put a name to the job. It was only three months that I worked there before I went back to Lawrence, but I learned what opportunities were available for me if I worked hard enough. !
people
oakbrook #82 The summer I graduated from Kansas Rob Paverud gave me the opportunity to be the Womens Manager in a mall store in the suburbs of Chicago. I was so excited, so my dog, boyfriend and I packed up the car for a new adventure! ! I had been a TL for 4 years at the point and had never been more ready to be a manager. Oakbrook is where I learned to lead a team and create that sense of community that I got in Lawrence. I learned what kind of manager I wanted to be.
Business Schaumberg #64
After being at Oakbrook for 8 months, I moved to the big mall store outside of Chicago. Some would call it a “beast”. This is where I learned business. Obviously I knew all about business before, but at Schuamberg Cassie Burniston taught me what it meant to “stack it high and watch it fly” and “if it don’t make dollarz it don’t make centz”. This was the store that had a mob outside hours before opening on Black Friday. I learned how to truly balance merchandising and business to make some serious dollar billz. This is also the store where we had some of the most amazing perfect closes I have ever seen! !
merch and ising rush st #19
A$er a holiday at Schaumberg I finally had made it to Rush St! This was a BIG DEAL to me. It meant that I had not only made it to the city but to the first Urban I had ever been to (15 years earlier). I came to Rush St as Womens Manager and soon a$er became the ASMM. I had been part of merchandising for years, but this is when I got to set aside my manager duMes and focus on merchandising. It was beNer then I could of imagined! As my Merchandiser and Mentor, Colleen Speer taught be the importance of strong ouPiQng and the difference small details can make.
planning dedham #133
After falling in love with Chicago we made to the decision to follow an opportunity to Boston. My Boyfriend, two dogs and I packed up, and I took the position as SMM at Dedham, MA.! I finally had my own store‌there was just one thing. The display room was out of order. This was hardly how I imagined my first store. This is where planning comes in, lot and lots of planning. My DA and I learned how important planning and communication are. With lots of prep work, planning and a great team we were able to pull off 2 complete floorsets without a display room. Maybe it wasn’t what I dreamed my first store would be like, but walking away from that store I was proud of what we were able to accomplish. !
adapting
faneuil hall #74
I had heard sooo much about the Faneuil Hall store; it almost felt like I had been there before. The fact is, I had never set foot in the store until my first day. It was the the Monday after Black Friday that I started. It was just as crazy as everyone had said, and I love the layout. This is the store I learned the true meaning of adapting. This space was nothing close to any proto store and they was no way we could treat it the same. Working with my DA, we had to be realistic about what we could do with our space and how we could highlight the unique set up. Our feature fixture is the middle of the store and there are two entrances, that are five store fronts apart. The DA, Ben O’Connell and I have learned where we can make the most impact while still focusing on the crazy summer business we have. !
now
This year I have I also become a Merch Mentor. I couldn’t be more excited to be teaching my Mentee, Kaleigh Foley, everything I have learned through the years and continue to learn everyday. ! During my time in Boston, I have also been able to take on a leadership role within the district. The three Mentors in the district have all worked closely together to create a strong Merch community. We do everything from merch trips, bbqs, to weekly merch calls. I would love to take everything I have learned about Community, Opportunities, People, Business, Merchandising, Planning, and Adapting and help lead Boston Metro as the next DMM. !