In Conversation with Katie White
Tell us about your background:
I have been a well versed stylist, buyer and merchant for over 15 years. I have worked in multi-brand retailers, e-tailers and livestream commerce channels. I was fortunate enough to work for a company early on, where I learned all aspects of the business – buying, merchandising, planning, allocating, marketing and visuals, making me very understanding of and valuable to my counterparts and coworkers. I have always had a special eye for trends and was able to create great success whether through traditional buying or collaborative brand development.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
How valuable your networks are. It is important to always be kind, considerate and honest with all of your working partners. I learned this fairly early on and it was the reason I have been successful in my career. We are all doing the same thing, selling clothes, and we all want the same end goal, to hit our targets, so how do we get there together.
Best career advice you've ever received?
Be tough on yourself, but never sell yourself short. Oh and, "Budget is Budget is Budget" (sort of an inside joke but true- you have one goal to hit, no matter the circumstance you should always PATH to achieve it)
What leadership qualities are important to you?
I have been privileged enough to have many great leaders in my career (95% female) and my main takeaway qualities are trust, passion, empathy, and agility. I have found that most leaders are able to walk the fine line between friendship and authority, making them feel more like a partner I respect, than a boss.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
There have been a few. Overcoming and surviving the 2008 recession, 2020 Covid-19 and the impending 2023 recession. Those are macro. On a more personal level, I am always challenged to find exactly the right job, the right place for me. I am a perfectionist, so that need is ever present. My challenge is to tell myself it is ok to try, test, learn and change.
And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?
A gray faux-leather oversized bomber jacket
