In Conversation with Tara Tsui

Tell us about your background:

Experienced fashion industry professional with a focus on incorporating the Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet, Profit into retail planning business models. Proficient in planning and inventory management implementing strategies to reduce excess, create efficiencies, and optimize costing and product assortments to leverage inventory, minimize waste, and increase profitability.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

The importance of managing up. We are trained to manage teams and direct reports. My experience at small companies has allowed me to work with and report to VP and C-level executives. I have learned that it is just as important to achieving the departmental goals and corporate initiatives to manage up as it is to manage your team. I don't have the secret sauce figured out, but it is a constant work in progress and always top of mind.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Learn to work with different peoples skills and don't force people into roles or tasks that they might not be a good fit for. We grew up thinking we have to be good at everything. But the truth is we excel at our areas of expertise. So the key to management is recognizing everyone's unique skillset and working with it. That sets everyone up for success.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Empathy, Flexibility, Authenticity, Collaborative, Gives the team Autonomy and Trust, Growth Mindset, Strong Communication, Accountability

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

I think the volatility of the Fashion Industry. I had an expectation of finding a perfect job and staying for most of, if not my whole, career. But Fashion is constantly changing with many different ups and downs. It is a challenge to accept and embrace change. But it has forced me to adapt and to learn so many new things.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

My Chanel bag. I saved up at my first job out of college and put money aside from each paycheck until I could afford it. That was almost 20 years ago and it is still timeless. I take it out and use it all the time, it was one of the best investments I ever made.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taratsuisustainability/

Website: https://www.measureximpact.com/

Instagram: @tara.ram