Hamilton
Area Development ManagerHow did you get started with Etcetera?
I was working full-time as a television anchor and correspondent when I joined two friends in opening an Etcetera agency. For the first year, it was just a part-time business/hobby that I fit in as I could around the demands of my full-time television career. Then, about a year later, Etcetera's Regional Manager approached me about the possibility of becoming an Area Development Manager. I had been yearning for a break from the long hours of my job (nights, weekends, holidays, up at 2 a.m.- 3 a.m. to host morning shows). I wanted more flexibility in my life and was excited by the thought of being my own boss, creating and managing a team of fantastic women. So in November of 2005, my little hobby turned into a career change.
What's the best part of being an Area Development Manager?
The flexibility is great - I can work on my schedule, allowing time for the other demands, commitments and opportunities in my life. I love working with my agency partners and training new consultants as an Area Development Manager. Most of all, it's a blast working with beautiful clothes, introducing other women to Etcetera's fabulous collection, meeting people and making new friends.
What do clients love about Etcetera?
We offer personal attention, outstanding customer service and a genuine relationship. I know what's going on in my clients' lives. I know who has a wedding coming up, who just started a big new corporate job and needs some sharp suits, who has gained weight and just wants a new top or two to update her look a little bit until she slims down, and who has a new boyfriend and really wants to wow him when they go out. No other store can match our product range and level of customer service. When I see a client's eyes light up and her mood and energy change as she looks in the mirror and loves what she sees - that's what I strive for with each and every client.
Tell us about the clothes ...
They're amazing. I live in a major city, and we have just about every shopping opportunity you can imagine. Women certainly don't need to wait for an Etcetera show to come around, and yet, they often do. Speaking from 4 years of experience with my own clients, I can tell you that Etcetera helps women feel more confident about their ability to dress well and feel good about themselves as well as their investment in their wardrobe. Many clients have told me that their Etcetera pieces are the 'go-to' clothes in their closet, and when they get a compliment on what they're wearing, odds are it's Etcetera.
