Thea Green, Founder of Nails Inc, tells Retail Week about her life working in retail.
What was your first job in retailing?
Working in a hair and beauty salon as a Saturday girl. I enjoyed learning the trade but what I found most rewarding was delivering the best possible customer service.
Which retail company do you admire most and why?
Sephora – it places equal importance on its customers and its employees, and it’s a brand with energy, innovation, personality and big ambitions.
What is the trait you least like in yourself and why?
I’m a stickler for the detail and always striving for perfection, so I’m a tough critic on myself.
Who have you learnt most from in your retail career?
My dad. He doesn’t sweat the small stuff and sees a problem as a challenge. I also have a brilliant team and I learn from them all the time.
What advice would you give someone starting out in retail?
Retail is a mixture of overall strategy and meticulous detail. If you don’t have the head for the detail it’s not the job for you. Also, never get complacent – my motto is ‘the best is yet to come’.
What keeps you awake at night?
I don’t have sleepless nights and I’ve learnt on the job to cope with the problems and the stressful situations.
What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Seeing Nails Inc in stores across the US and Canada for the first time last year was a really satisfying moment.
What’s your proudest achievement?
Receiving my MBE for services to the beauty industry.
What job would you have done if you hadn’t become a retailer?
Hopefully something else entrepreneurial – I’d have hated to miss out on this journey.
What’s your favourite shop and why?
I love eclectic shops that have fashion, beauty and lifestyle side by side, such as Merci in Paris or Bluebird in London.
What was your last purchase?
I’m off on holiday so I’ve just stocked up on books.
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