In the first part of a two part series on Stories from the River, host Charlie Malouf speaks with Holly White, Broad River Retail's first back-to-back Sales Manager of the Year and 6-time Million Dollar Memory Maker, about her rich history of sales experience that dates back to her childhood. Holly recounts her journey from her first job at a clothing store in the mall as a teenager — where she learned her first sales tip to always smile and compliment her guests — to her current role as a Home Furnishings Expert at Broad River, where she skipped the title of Home Furnishings Professional after writing $1 Million in sales in her first year in 2018, and became a (Sleep) Sales Manager in 2021. Holly (a/k/a "Hollywood") is from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and has worked in our Fayetteville store since September 2017.
Holly’s commitment to her work is evident as she has earned the elite retail performance milestone of "Million Dollar Memory Maker" six times (every full year that she's worked at The River) and is on her way to achieving it for the seventh time in 2024. She has not only made an impact through her sales achievements but also through providing for her family and fostering strong community relationships. She embodies being a Memory Maker and "Furnishing Life's Best Memories" at work and at home. And, she personifies positivity and purpose within all aspects of her life.
Holly recounts the story of what led her to Broad River Retail including taking the leap of faith when she reflected on a quote that someone had previously shared with her: "Risk Reaps Rewards."
Holly also recounts some of her favorite and standout memories at Broad River, including her first day and her first guest, obtaining an exciting $20,000 VIP approval, and the Orange Crush Tour. She shared the impact of attending Purpose 8:28 (a companywide event devoted to a day of purpose on August 28, 2019, in Fort Mill, South Carolina). She recounts when Fayetteville embraced its new identity of the "Special Forces" and how this identity resonates with their guests.
The episode also delves into the significant transitions and challenges Holly has faced in the retail world amidst the pandemic. Opening the Four Oaks store and distribution center just as the pandemic set in, Holly navigated new realities such as selling with a mask, supply chain snags resulting in a backlog of orders, and shifts in customer shopping behaviors. Despite taking a furlough, her essential role and her faith in God drew her back to work, where she developed greater resilience and mental fortitude, learning to focus on aspects within her control and overcoming fear. Holly's ability to adapt while keeping genuine connections with customers and her sales team reaffirms her talents and dedication to her career in the changing landscape of retail sales.
Make sure to come back Thursday for part two of this conversation!
This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dcp-9kVfqNU
Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.
