A N OT E T O M Y Y OU N G E R S E L F
T U R N T H E PA G E Jo h n P i e r c e , v i c e p r e s i d e n t o f s a l e s f o r L a m o , r e f l e c t s o n a r o a d to success, complete with speedbumps and surprises. young, energetic basketball junkies. While you’re much older than DEAR JP, I’m delivering this note to you via Marty McFly’s almost everyone, you learn from them as much as they learn from DeLorean. It’s July 2022. You have no idea what lies ahead, but I’m you. Teamwork is always a winning formula! Keith Daly, And1’s writing to tell you everything will be ok. The ups and downs that executive VP, then gives you your first opportunity to sell. You jump you’ve encountered thus far have prepared you for a life filled with at the chance to become a key account rep, relying on the golden rules many ups, some downs and a few twists and turns. Take the road learned working on the floor and in the buying office: listen to your as it comes, and always be willing to turn the page and embrace customers, build meaningful relationships and always be truthful. new adventures. And while And1 rockets in popularity only to then struggle under Your love of sports guides you into an industry that you’re still involved such sustained expectations, you stay even keeled. That steadiness in today! I’m sure you never thought that’d be possible when you first enables you to rise the ranks to director of walked into Foot Locker’s Dallas offices to apply sales and learn how product is built and for its manager program. But the training and priced. Life is good. demands of that job lay the foundation for a But then American Sporting Goods acquires rewarding career in the footwear industry. And1 and you hit a speedbump: layoff #1. Right away, you love the interaction with the Happy 40th birthday—not! But, to paraphrase customers and mentoring staff. You learn that Bob Seger’s Turn the Page, “Here I am/On the teamwork is the key to success. You make sure road again/There I go/Turn the page.” You everyone knows what needs to be done each do just that, joining Pony Intl. as East Coast day. Sales growth drives you to work long hours Sales Manager, helping bring that brand to and weekends, which is just a fact of retail life. life. This stop also opens the door to your next It’s also how you’re wired. You love the chase. adventure—a move into casual footwear. You You love to win. meet the owner of Bearpaw on a golf course. After huge success managing your first store, He asks you to join his team. You jump at the you’re offered an opportunity to turn around chance to become a regional sales manager. another, bigger store in Texarkana, of all east Sheepskin boots are all the rage, and you help Texas places. Don’t be afraid, however, to turn the team score large sales increases. the page. Focus on the playbook that got you Hard work, tenacity and leadership skills here. The same retail fundamentals apply in a lead you to becoming Bearpaw’s VP of Sales. bigger store. But you quickly learn, living in a A few years later, you become President. You small town, that relationships matter. As such, help bring hosiery and loungewear licensees you develop strong ones with neighboring retail into the portfolio while expanding the brand managers and customers. Many customers beyond sheepskin styles. But just when you keep coming back, believing in you. Your hard think you can press cruise control, you’re hit work pays off: new location, same successful Career kickoff: John Pierce, sports the with another speedbump: layoff #2. Don’t freak results. The in-store hours, however, are long Foot Locker uniform, working the out, though. Your industry reputation will allow and grueling. Soon, it’s time to turn the page NFL Experience at the 1997 Super Bowl. you, as Seger sings, to get “Up on that stage/ to find your next adventure. Playin’ star again/Turn the page.” Next stop: Dallas and buying footwear for Heads up, though. It’s a two-year search before you’re singing that JCPenney. You now have a young family to support. The new gig gets tune again. That’s when you land back on your (sheepskin) feet, as VP you out of working long, in-store hours. Over the next four years, you of sales for Lamo. You know the market well. You know what it takes buy men’s, women’s and children’s athletic footwear. You meet all kinds to build a powerful brand. Life is good—again. of new and interesting people from the vendor world. Thoughts creep Hey, Marty wants his DeLorean back. Before I go, though, know into your mind of making the jump to the other side of the table as you that your turn the page stops are all worth it! They’ve molded you into create strong relationships. When you add hot and hip And1 to the mix, something to be proud of and lead you to a great place. And remember, you sense huge potential. You push to join their team. When they offer when life gets rough, at the end of the day, it’s just shoes! you a position as product marketing manager, definitely turn the page! See you down the road, Put retail in your rear view mirror, but take with you all the valuable lessons you’ve learned along the way. They’ll come in handy! JP And1 brings a move to Philadelphia and working with a bunch of
22 footwearplusmagazine.com • july 2022
22_07_FW_NTMYS_003GD.indd 22
6/25/22 1:15 PM
