What’s funny/weird to me is the legacy that I’m leaving behind in the apparel industry. It’s practically written from a book (textbook or otherwise). Some (very few) have called me cocky, arrogant, or even an a-hole, mostly because I chose some paths selfishly where others may not have. Sure, I would brag about my sales and my results, but that’s mostly because you have to, especially in a day and age and working environment where you’re constantly proving and re-proving to people what you’re doing there (besides bringing in profit to pay THEIR salaries). I chose to relish in my hard earned spoils, and I took them. All of them. Sure, there are perks with almost any job, but in this industry, it was formed as taboo to actually capitalize on those perks. I chose to say… “Meh, if not me, then whom?”
Clearly, we are misunderstood.
The other part that’s weird to me is how people would confuse my laid back nature for laziness. There IS a difference. Just because I never chose to run around screaming, yelling, and demeaning people in case of an urgent issue, does not constitute that I was lazy. Sure, people would be able to tell from my tone just how serious and urgent an issue was, and when it was sold to them properly, they would normally react in a favorable, helpful manner. I still adapt the whole “Work Smarter, Not Harder” mantra, mostly because well… life’s too short.
Truth is, I never came out to Toronto 10 years ago with the intent that I wanted to be the best buyer that ever was. Not only was that not in my vocabulary, but it was highly unreasonable. I’ve still got mentors in this business that have handled way more volume than even myself. From day one, I was learning, and I’m still learning 10 years later. The thing about going out there and trying to put yourself so far ahead from everyone else, is that there will ALWAYS be someone more smart, more savvy, more hungry, more strong, more good looking, more fast, more trendy, more more more of whatever than you are today.
I would still like to thank the Industry for all the love it has shown me. I’ve received so many unexpected compliments, and so much respect. I will be back, no worries about that. In what capacity, only time will tell.
Song of the Day: 44 4′s – Jay-Z
