Amelia Hardy, Chatswood Westfield NSW, Store Manager, Tenure – 6 years
- What do you love most about your job role?
What I enjoy the most about my role is training new staff to the best they can be. Guiding them to excel further in their careers motivates me. Succession planning is very important at Kookai, they offer great mentorship and I feel truly supported throughout my 6 year journey. I was given a challenge to open the new concept store in Chatswood and the responsibility to train a fresh new team which I found very rewarding. If you are conscientious and put yourself forward, you can go far.
Belinda Gonzalez, Highpoint, PPT, VIC, Tenure – 1 year
- What are the best parts of your role as a part timer in store?
Being able to build on relationships and helping empower women to feel their best on a regular basis would have to be one of the best parts of my part-time role at Kookai, whom as a company are the very definition of supportive.
Nutta Tassnanakajit, Store Manager, Joondalup WA, Tenure 10 years
- What are some of your key takeaways from being in a Store Manager role?
I’ve found the role to be rewarding, exciting and challenging at the same time. Kookai provides ongoing training which has helped me develop many skills, including management skills. I have become more of a strategic leader as well as developed effective interpersonal and communication skills. It’s also very rewarding to be able to help customers and makes someone’s day.
Sweta Sriram, Casual Robina QLD, Tenure – 2 years
- What would you love to be doing in the near future?
Whilst working at KOOKAI is temporary for me, it has been a lovely workplace. I feel very guided and supported by my manager, as well as the other women I work with. Working at KOOKAI has allowed me to empower customers who walk into the store. Though people say retail is merely another business avenue, I see it as an opportunity to encourage, support and empower women when their inner (harsher) self-critic comes out. Fitting rooms can be daunting and unnerving, albeit, however - words of encouragement, honesty and boosting a customer’s self confidence can have the world of difference on their self image and perception. So, working at Kookai as a causal isn’t just ‘another job,’ it’s a chance to spread positivity amongst our customers and ensure they leave with their head held high (with or without a blue bag), knowing they will return to the same amazing customer service they received.
Sathees Thangarajah, Financial Controller Head Office, Tenure 15 years
- What is your best advice for people wanting to establish their career?
I think it is important for people to determine what kind of environment they want to work in. When establishing my career, I was wanting to work in an atmosphere with likeminded people, somewhere to progress and most importantly, somewhere fun.
It’s the culture at Kookai and the belief they have in employees that make everyone feel a part of the family, that is what has kept me with the business for so long. This challenging and rewarding environment keeps everyone closely involved in the business as a team, and makes you love what you do.
My best advice, find people you love to work with, and the rest will follow.