Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Bolton.
Angela, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town in Iowa. After high school graduation, I moved to New York to become a nanny. During this time a friend introduced me to REI, they were recruiting, and I was hired on Part-time. I knew at Basecamp (new hire Orientation) that REI was a place I wanted to be for a while. During this time I worked several positions within the store and began pursuing management roles. I was promoted to the Supervisor role in our New Rochelle, NY store.
I worked in our New Rochelle, NY location until 2001 when I moved to Atlanta, GA as an Assistant Store Manager. I stayed at that location until I became a Store Manager in 2008 when we opened in Kennesaw. I like to share with incoming new hires that REI is a place I learned to become a leader. I strongly believe that I had skills in place that would have allowed me to manage anywhere but that REI helps create and foster leadership. I have worked with and been mentored by so many fantastic leaders in my time.
One of the first people to recognize my talent was a Store Manager named Marc Reich. Marc promoted me to my first leadership position. He has been a mentor to me for the last 25 years, not only is a great teacher, guide, leader, he is an awesome human being.
REI’s core values bring people together under a common purpose, ultimately this leads to a lot of great friendships. Marc is just one example of the many talented leaders we have. I am grateful for the support I have had along the way, and hope I am the same type of leader for upcoming talent that will support our future.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I started at REI I was young I had a lot to learn. I think the struggles have been primarily the learning curve of getting better at my job. I haven’t always known where to prioritize things. When I was young work was my top priority and I didn’t really appreciate or understand what some of my staff needed from me as a leader.
After I had my kids I really began to understand that leadership requires a deep understanding of what is most important to each employee. Today I have can get caught up in the business of working and miss leading the team. I continue to do my best to stay aware and course correct as needed.
Today I struggle to balance work and kids. I am lucky to have a very supportive team at REI that allows me to be at most events. I also have an amazing husband that takes great care of our kids. He has always been supportive of my career.
REI – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
REI is a pretty special company. It has been rated on the top 100 companies to work by Fortune magazine for them since 1998. That does not happen by accident, there are strong core values that guide us. I am proud to work for a company that lives by a set of values that make a difference in how we approach our business.
Another really important thing about REI is that the purpose is clear. Getting folks into the outdoors. My life does not really work without being outside, whether its trail running, biking or hiking there is a power and peace to submerging into the outdoors. My life is better because of it.
What I love most about my job has been identifying the potential of employees and the business. This trait has allowed me to help launch careers of several employees inside and outside the coop. There are so many talented individuals out there and I am lucky to learn from them on the journey.
I am most known for is my ability to drive and increase our business. I have learned most of this through the relationships with my customers, employees and local nonprofits.
Their feedback allows me to pursue how to best serve them. I love the retail environment as it is always changing, I thrive in the ability to grow and learn. I think learning never ends.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It is hard to identify one moment I am most proud of. My proudest moments have always been when I get a call from a peer offering a job to one of my employees.
It is amazing to watch someone truly talented move onwards and upwards. I get to see folks move through the whole organization and get their own store. I think how lucky I am to have gotten work with them and learn from them.
Contact Info:
- Address: 740 Barrett Parkway Suite 450
Kennesaw, GA 30008 - Website: www.rei.com
- Phone: 770-425-4480
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