RETAIL MANAGER
writer PETER WHITE // photographer LOGAN WEST
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POSITIVE MINDSET IS THE KEY FROM SALES ASSISTANT TO MANAGER RHYS MACKIE (27) started on the ground floor at Rebel Sports and is proud to have worked his way up to retail manager of the Henderson Retail Centre. Rhys left Westlake Boys’ High School partway through Year 13 to support his mum and family financially. He took Travel and Tourism, PE, English, Maths, Geography and History in his final year. He joined the Briscoe Group at 19, having done several different jobs after first leaving school. His first role at the company was as a retail sales assistant at Rebel Sport, and he has happily remained with Briscoe Group since. “There have been several promotions along the way, including being a supervisor and back-up storeperson, then an assistant retail manager role and now I am here as a retail manager,” says Rhys.
“For me, the high priority is uplifting the team members. We have to bring them along the same mindset that
“If someone like me that left high school early can do it, these guys can easily do it.”
YOU NEED A CAN-DO ATTITUDE AND A POSITIVE MINDSET. WE LOVE WORKING WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE POSITIVE. RHYS MACKIE
I have got and for them to reach their maximum potential. I know where these guys have come from and what they need to work through because I’ve been there myself. “It is important for me to push them and let them know that you can actually progress throughout the company.
Having a great work ethic and being highly motivated to succeed has worked well for Rhys, and he recommends three further key factors to make yourself standout. “One would definitely be resilience – you are going to come across a lot of different situations and scenarios,
with some easier to deal with than others. Being positive and being a team player are the other two main things to aim for.” Rhys says Briscoe Group are a wonderful company to work for. “They are a fantastic group to be a part of. These guys have really helped me and my family in terms of where we were and where we are now financially, but also, I am grateful for everything they have offered me with my training, and even outside of work they have inspired me to be a better person.” Many school leavers begin their working lives in the retail market. Rhys has seen so many young team members start with Rebel Sport and Briscoes, either part-time or fulltime. He says if you want to succeed there are a few skills and personal traits that will help you.
