Pros
Let me preface by saying this: There are two types of retail employees in this world- the ones who purchase the "break and bake" cookie dough when they want cookies, or the ones who make their cookies with love, effort, and care using scratch ingredients.
Before I started my career with Altar'D State, I had spent nine years in retail working for companies who didn't trust me to run a business. They knew what was best. They knew more than me. I was unable to merchandise creatively, unable to invest time and love into my guests, and essentially ran someone else's businesses with no real personal affect or purpose. It was cold. It was about the bottom line, and I was a dime a dozen- a warm body, running a money box. The cookie dough was already pre-made, pre-packaged, and if I didn't follow the specific instructions that came with the dough... I had zero value. But that all changed when I joined the Altar'D State family.
I started as an assistant store manager at Altar'D State five years ago, and from that very first day it was a completely difference experience. I was personally responsible for EVERYTHING. For the first time in my retail career, someone trusted me to creatively solve problems, inspire a team, creatively merchandise... it was AMAZING. It was overwhelming. But more importantly... I was challenged. I was trusted. The company I worked for BELIEVED in me, and trusted ME to overcome those challenges. Not only was I allowed, but I was ENCOURAGED to make meaningful, impactful relationships with the guests who walked through my doors. They urged me to take personal interest in my people, and they valued comprehensive, creative merchandising. Gone were the days of the money box- I was now a part of something bigger than myself. I had purpose behind my profession- a mission to inspire mother's and daughters, to give them a place of peace, a place of rejuvenation, and of refreshing. A place where every effort I made, every challenge I concurred, meant a child's life was changed forever in Peru, and a local charity that directly affected my community was blessed.
In the first three and half years I received three promotions: first to store manager, then again to store manager of a flagship location, and now I’m a member of the Altar’D State merchant team. I will say, that with every new position I have had to work harder (and smarter) than I have ever worked in my career, but I have also experienced greater personal and professional growth as a result, and I am thankful for being a part of a company that effectively challenges me at every turn- and more importantly believes in my ability to overcome those challenges and to grow.
Every day I am fulfilled, and blessed beyond measure because the Lord brought me into a family that allows me to perfectly marry my personal passions with my professional pursuits, and with every challenge, every hurdle… there is a peace that what I do is with purpose. I leave each day knowing that what I did had an impact on someone’s life. Someone, either through our volunteer efforts locally, our Mission Monday program nationally, or through our child sponsorships in Peru…. was blessed because I worked as unto the Lord that day. I have been blessed beyond what I could ever ask or think, because I have more than a job here at Altar’D State- I have a calling.
Cons
Cons for any position within any company are a matter of perspective. There are always processes and operations that an organization can improve upon, just as there are always areas of opportunity within each individual person who comprises said company. Altar'D State, unlike any other retailer I have worked for in 14 years, is a company that recognizes they aren't perfect, and continually looks for and proactively takes action on what it can do better as an employer- from both an external and internal guest experience perspective. And in a retail atmosphere where many corporations are closing doors as a result of their inability to change and empathize, I can assure you Altar'D State is continually looking for ways to do right by it's family members, and improve on any and all areas of friction.
When people ask me what it takes to be successful at Altar'D State, it really boils down to three questions you need to ask yourself: 1.) Do you have a heart for what this company has a heart for? 2.) Do you believe in the give-back? 3.) Do you have a servant's heart?
If you answer no to any of those questions, then this is probably not the right place for you. And that's ok. It isn't for everyone. It takes a person who is willing to ask what other's needs are before they clock out for the day. It takes a person who views their position as a stewardship as opposed to a right of passage. And it takes a person who genuinely, deeply wants to make a positive impact both on their immediate teams, and their communities at large... every single day- an attitude of excellence and a dedication to serving others. Essentially... standing out for good.
