It’s March 8, 2023 – International Women’s Day! For over 100 years, we have been celebrating International Women’s Day and drawing attention to women’s rights and gender equality worldwide! This day is perfect to remind ourselves of all that women have achieved so far. To celebrate, our three wonderful team members from Germany, Poland and Canada share their individual success stories and tell us how they motivate themselves every day.
Seda, Team Lead Planning & Allocation at Olsen in Germany
Hey, I’m Seda and I’m 30 years old. I started at Olsen almost five years ago as a junior in Planning & Allocation. As a career changer, I didn’t know exactly what to expect within the job, so it was a very exciting time for me. However, I quickly realized that I really enjoy working with numbers – much more than a creative job, although I am passionate about everything to do with fashion. Over time, I also gained better insight, came up with new solutions and discoveries on my own, and continued to grow because I was having so much fun doing what I was doing. After a year, I got my first project of my own, which I was responsible for independently. It turned out to be a huge success and became a milestone in my career. After the project was completed, which was around a year after I started the project, I was rewarded with a senior title.
And the next major project was already in the starting blocks, which was also handed over to me as the main person responsible after a short time. This major project also gave me the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge I had gained so far. Four and a half years later, which were characterized by ups and downs as well as stressful and joyful times, my performance of the last years was rewarded. Today, I am Team Leader of the Planning & Allocation department.
Sports as a motivating balance
Fitness is the best and most effective way for me to give myself a balance in addition to the sometimes stressful daily job routine. During sports I can switch off my head and really let off steam, which gives me new energy. It doesn’t matter if it’s joy, frustration, stress or other positive or negative experiences – in the gym I let out everything I’ve experienced that day. This allows me to fall into bed every night exhausted and start the next morning with a fresh head for the day.
My personal power look
I love fashion and like to follow current trends. Likewise, I attach importance to my everyday look that I get through the day casually and comfortably. That’s why I love the black and white striped cardigan from the Olsen collection Life Motion! I like to combine it with cool jeans and black boots.
Joanna, Financial Analyst at Olsen in Poland
Hi, I’m Joanna, 39 years old and I’ve been working as a Financial Analyst at Olsen for one year. Before my current job, I worked at Olsen in accounting and auditing. There, my job was more about looking into the numbers of the past. Now, however, as a financial analyst, I am looking into the future, which presents me with new and exciting challenges! Today, I now move into the areas of planning, forecasting, and business analysis. As a financial analyst, I spend most of my time on reports, business and number analysis. Now, this might give you the impression that I’m a lone wolf making my way through working life. But quite the opposite – I am a very social and open-minded person and I am convinced that a good working atmosphere and respectful interaction with colleagues is reflected in the quality of the work.
And the next major project was already in the starting blocks, which was also handed over to me as the main person responsible after a short time. This major project also gave me the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge I had gained so far. Four and a half years later, which were characterized by ups and downs as well as stressful and joyful times, my performance of the last years was rewarded. Today, I am Team Leader of the Planning & Allocation department.
Full-time job and family life
To motivate myself on a daily basis, it is inevitable for me to pay attention to my own needs and those of those around me. A good relationship with myself and others is the most important thing for me and that gives me the energy to cope with the daily challenges. My work life is important to me, but there is of course plenty of room for my personal life. As a working mother, I know how important it is to find a good work-life balance and to keep it for a long time. That’s why I try to draw a clear line between work and private life. I set fixed points in my family’s daily routine, such as having dinner together, reading and playing with my two daughters. But the time I spend with myself is also very important to me. What I also get my energy from is meeting friends, my weekly dance class and the daily yoga routine when my two daughters are already asleep.
My personal power look
My power outfit not only looks great, but is also very suitable for everyday wear, so I can comfortably get through the workday. The viscose sweater from Olsen’s Life Motion collection is perfect for work and after work! Since Olsen doesn’t live a strict dress code, I can feel free to wear fluffy knit sweaters, which I love. I prefer to combine the beautiful sweater with classic jeans pants.
Tammy, Customer Experience & Maintenance Coordinator at Olsen in Canada
Hey, I’m Tammy and I’ve been a member of the Olsen family in Canada for six years now. I started as a Sales Associate in a Toronto store. I’ve had a great passion for the Olsen brand from the very beginning, and I’ve also been very passionate about the way we interact with our customers. That was also the reason why I was promoted to Store Manager after only a short time. I was also constantly praised for my commitment and loyalty to the company, which kept me motivated. After three years, I joined the head office team as a customer service representative in e-commerce and recently I was promoted to customer experience and store maintenance coordinator. There, I will oversee all customer service and some projects related to the store environment.
In the past six years, I have always enjoyed working with our customers the most! I love serving our customer with my passion for fashion and conscientiously advising them. This is also what motivates me every day to continue to grow my career at Olsen.
Self-confidence and meditation
To be successful, I am convinced that you should believe in yourself, work hard and organize your everyday life the way you want it. It is also important for me to create a balance between my job and my private life. So, in order to find a balance after work and get new energy, I dance and meditate every day. In addition, my two teenage children keep me on my toes, both of whom are very active and infect me with their youthful energy.
My personal power look
My power outfit from the Olsen collection Life Motion is at least as colorful as my life itself! I love the elegant pink blazer. To create a little style break, I combine the feminine blazer with a comfortable jogpant and a soft cotton shirt. And since I love scarves at any time of the year, an airy scarf in my favorite color pink can not be missing!