A finalist in The Greats 2019 Retail Employee of the Year category, and shop manager at The Present in Barnet, (winner of the Independent Retailer of the Year London category), Louise Franco joined the business in 2010 and hasn’t looked back.
Louise, can you tell us what your dream career was when you were at school?
“I wanted to be a punk air hostess with multicoloured hair and a studded leather jacket! However, I studied travel and tourism but began to realise that retail was what I most wanted to do.”
How did you get started?
“I had my own stall in Portbello market and also worked at an independent shop in the Portobello Road arcade, Baby Ceylon. Subsequently I launched my own fashion business – Portobello Road Princess – inspired by my daughter, a business I still run, with The Present selling some of my clothes.”
What has working at The Present taught you?
“Once you have had the opportunity to become part of an incredible team, interacting with customers, you rapidly develop a sense of gratification. Gift retail also teaches you a wide spectrum of skills – visual merchandising, product placement, buying, finance and, most importantly, becoming a people person and offering great customer service.”
What’s your favourite aspect of the job?
“Definitely visual merchandising. I’ve never had much of a head for numbers, so maximising my creativity has always been important to me. I find it incredibly interesting and fun to figure out the most effective way in which to merchandise not just the front window, but the entire shop too, in a way which will engage, interact with and attract customers. The window is the eye to the shop, especially when we do the Christmas makeover.”
What’s the best bit about working for an independent retailer?
“I feel like part of the business. It’s not at all like working for a big chain where there is no creative licence, or the opportunity to take risks that may be rewarding. Every day at The Present is new and different and I never stop learning. There really isn’t a ‘typical’ day. “My daughter says I have a very ‘get up and go’ mentality, so being productive is vital to maximising my days at the store.”
Top: The Present in Barnet.
