Robert Rizzolo’s Post

I don't have a Marc Jacobs story; I have worked in luxury fashion my entire career, and the quote in this post resonated with me: “It's that little spark of confidence that could light a fire in someone, getting them to a place they never thought they could be. Which, for me, was here.” Many years ago, I was on a flight from LA to NY. The flight was delayed for about 4 hours, and finally, we boarded the plane. I sat comfortably in my window seat in business class with a distinguished gentleman taking the seat next to me. We exchanged pleasantries that led into a conversation about where we were from and why we were traveling. The gentleman told me he was a partner in a global law firm, and his wife was a Superior Court Judge. When he asked about me, I stammered in my response and timidly said, "I work in luxury fashion." He immediately noticed my demeanor and asked if I liked it. I replied, "I love it, but I don't sell food or medicine and am not making a conscientious contribution to society." He said, "That's not true at all!" and proceeded to share his personal story as a young attorney who needed to buy new business clothes. A seasoned sales associate at a posh retailer sold him a sports jacket that retailed for 3K. He didn't think much of the jacket, but the associate made him feel great about the purchase and how he looked in it, compelling him to buy it. He still had the jacket 20 plus years later and often wore it for important meetings because of the positive feeling it gave him. He ended by saying, "You should know, somewhere along the line, you're responsible for making people feel good about themselves. That's not an easy task." I'll never forget that conversation and reflect on it often with pride. I’ve always loved making others feel good and valued. I’m a firm believer in when you feel good you do good 😊 Happy Friday! #fashionbusiness #businessmindset #friday #motivate #inspire

In today’s installment of brands and why we’re loyal to them, I submit my love for “Life is Good” apparel. I’ve been a customer for probably close to two decades. It all began with my (now very bedraggled) pink “One Love” t-shirt and continues through to the latest additions I purchased last weekend. Why I am so loyal to this brand?   ☑ Cute, quality merch ☑ Mission that aligns with my values …and the clincher for me?  ☑ That tiny little tag on every shirt that says:   DO WHAT YOU LOVE. LOVE WHAT YOU DO.   We could endlessly debate whether it’s solid advice – and more importantly, whether a t-shirt tag should serve as your career North Star. But here’s the thing: I’ve spent a lot of time the past few years questioning my decisions to remain in roles perhaps longer than I “should” for my career trajectory because I was still finding new challenges and enjoying tackling them.   Did it hamper my career and financial “advancement?” Probably. Was I continuing to grow and feel fulfilled? Absolutely. Is reasonable to find validation for my career decisions on a t-shirt tag? I say, take it where you can find it. 😊 Meanwhile, I’m going to enjoy my new tees, and keep on doing me.   You do you. #brandloyalty #purposedriven #LoCoComms

Two Michaels. Which one is the real one?   I'll be honest, I'm tired of pretending.   I'm tired of pretending there's a difference between the two.   I love suits. I always have--I was the top suit salesmen in my brief stint in retail because I could geek out over details with folks and get them excited about looking sharp. I flirted with the idea of going into the fashion scene.   I love tattoos and obscure music and Dungeons & Dragons and keep lying to myself that "this time I'll actually get good at skateboarding".   I like dressing to the occasion--when I called on wastewater treatment plants, I'd wear jeans and boots. When I go to a conference, I'll wear slacks and dress shoes.   Why does one of these have to be the "real me" and the other a façade?   It doesn't.   My one concern with posting this is that it might come across as throwing shade at people who do share 'real me' posts. I promise that isn't my intent. For some people it's true that one is faked and 'not them'. I've also seen people feel the reverse pressure--like they're viewed as inauthentic because they keep it 'traditionally professional' online, or because they don't have a "cool" backstory to share.   So this is a reminder for those people that they way they are is still the 'real authentic' you.    I'm here for being comfortable in your own skin and owning that, whether it be wearing your gauges and sporting a mohawk, wearing sperries and a polo, or dressing like a middle aged person who just wears 'standard office attire'. And remember that people are more than what they wear. We have stories and struggles and scars and awesome memories and are living breathing miracles of existence, so LinkedIn is never going to capture every aspect of who we are. So…you do you, and enjoy being multifaceted.   #linkedin #careerdevelopment #professional **** This is post 4/10 as I countdown my top posts from my first full year posting on LinkedIn **** [personal update: I have added more ink in the last couple months. Long overdue, but very happy with it]

Two weeks ago, most of America had never heard of Blenders Eyewear. In 2011, a surf instructor started the boutique sunglass company and grew it into a $90 million dollar company over the course of a decade. But a random cold call to Deion Sanders 18 months ago led to an incredible partnership opportunity. And after Coach Prime was criticized by a rival coach for wearing Blenders in his press interviews, the brand went viral when Deion responded by giving all of his players a custom pair of glasses. Since then, Blenders has been featured on Good Morning America, ESPN, CNBC, and dozens of other outlets, which quadrupled sales and led to $5 million in sales in only 3 days. The brand is now a household name and new glasses are on a 4 month backorder. 4 important lessons: 1. The things you want also want you. When Fisher reached out to Deion last year, it turned out the coach was actively looking for a sunglass partnership. 2. Your next level will include other people. Don't try to do it all by yourself. 3. You are literally one relationship... one moment away from unlocking unprecedented success. 4. The fastest way to guarantee failure is to give up on yourself and your dreams. When would NOW be a good time to take action on the idea that you've been obsessing over? Whether it's a new business, a career pivot, or a creative project you want to bring to life, I've helped clients across 20 countries to accelerate their dreams. Schedule a complimentary discovery call at the link in the comments. #CoachPrime #Deionsanders #success #goals #followyourdreams

Rodan + Fields was recently ranked #17 in a list compiled of the most recession proof companies in North America. Yes, that’s just ahead of Victoria Secret We went from a 3 million dollar brand to a 1.5 billion dollar brand with no store front, just people like me, selling our award winning products and helping people with their skin and hair issues. If your holiday wish for next year is to pay off a certain bill with less stress, start a fund towards something important, buy a house, or simply have extra money set aside for NEXT season, let's have a casual conversation. For $85 Canadian ($75 US) you have: ❌no quotas ❌no inventory ❌no mandatories ✅discounts on your skincare ✅endless earning potential ✅a community of supportive friends ✅a way to change more than just your own life Message or comment below and let’s schedule a casual convo. I’ll give you just the facts, it’s risk free and if you put time and effort into your RF business, it truly can be fabulously rewarding. Ps. He’s the link to the whole article if you want to read it: https://lnkd.in/gDQNKJie

Meet the first archetypical figure - The Innocent! Looking for someone who always looks on the bright side? This upbeat and infectious person is always ready with a kind smile and an empathetic ear. Whether you need a pick-me-up or someone to lend an ear, The Innocent is the person you can count on. Hence #brands riding on #positivity #empathy #uplifting theme, this is the #persona your customers will resonate with. Think brands like : #dove #nestle #cocacola 😇 If this is your brand: Linking and applying this core value to your brand will help align with your core #customers!

Recently I was reminded that your customer connections and maintaining their trust are everything in sales. We recently held a LeVian Trunk Show at our Macy’s Fine Jewelry counter. I’ve co-hosted 6 shows with our store so far, with a long history of exhausting myself with outreach and stressing myself until it was over. I refused to do that to myself this time. I’d had a small handful of customers repeatedly talking with me about the show, so I stuck to that small handful. Our show numbers have lightly fluctuated, but overall have trended upward since I began my journey in the jewelry department, a fact that had me slightly uneasy, especially with a storm on the way. I kept it to myself, but I only had 4 customers undoubtedly coming. Weirdly low number for me, I’m usually in the realm of 15-20 with many opting to not purchase, but I felt calm. 3 out of 4 found pieces they loved. The other chatted with me about how hard I’m trying to find exactly what they’re looking for and making sure we’re on the same page. Those 3 customers that had found pieces wanted my input in regards to them/their lifestyles, and absolutely wouldn’t commit to anything until I gave my thoughts. They know I will give ~honest~ thoughts, and if I don’t like a piece on them, I have gentle ways of stating that. I set a new personal Trunk Show best that day. Those 3 customers were the only 3 to purchase show pieces. Those three customers exceeded our sales goal. Don’t doubt what looks like small potential on paper. Trust your gut, and stick to what you know, because your customers trust you more than you could possibly think. No worries, I gave each other a personal thank you. 2 of them have already visited me again to show off their new items. While I am proud of myself for accomplishing what felt impossible with 3 people, I’m most proud that I stuck to my original goal for the show: I helped the customers find pieces that they loved. Trust yourself, because your customers trust you. #sales #success #nothingisimpossible #trust #jewelry #LeVian #TrunkShow #shortstory

Ever wondered what the secret sauce to true success is? Spoiler alert: It's not just about talent or hard work. It's about building lasting relationships and making people part of your team. 🌟 Meet Sarah Stockwell, my hair and makeup artist for over seven years. Sara isn't just someone who makes me look camera-ready; she's a trusted partner whose talent I rely on and refer constantly. She's become a cherished member of my luxury team. When you value and nurture your team, they stay with you for years, elevating your products and services to new heights. Sara's dedication and skill have not only enhanced my brand but also enriched my life. This relationship is a testament to the power of loyalty and mutual respect. In the fast-paced world of media and luxury services, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget the human element. But remember, the people behind the scenes make the magic happen. When you invest in your team, you invest in your future. So, take a moment today to appreciate those who stand by you, elevate your brand, and make your journey worthwhile. True success is a team effort, and the relationships we build make the ride truly rewarding. Who is your 'Sarah '? Take a moment to reflect on the individuals who stand by you, elevate your work, and make your journey worthwhile. Tag them below and let them know how much they mean to you. Let's celebrate the unsung heroes who make our successes possible. 💖 #Teamwork #SuccessStories #RelationshipsMatter %luxuryMediaBrands #Speakerdemoreel #SpeakerLifeMagazine Dave Sanderson Delaine Blazek Debbie Allen Catherine Pierce Cathy Droz Tab Pierce Erna Whiston Tricia Benn Jeff Senour @Mark Hunter Suzanne Lesko Will Matthews Ann Carden Glenn Milliet Julie Jones Nancy Meek Mandy Penn Dr. Toni Brucato Cheryl Meyer Ted Miller III Dawn Stebbing AICI CIC, PLBC Annette Jalbert BGS, MACP, RCC Chris Igwe Max James Jason Sievert Sheila A. Anderson Matt Leitz Colleen Biggs @bibapedron Dov Baron... The Science of Emotion 

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 We're thrilled to kick off our LinkedIn journey and connect with our amazing community! 🚀 Follow our page for the latest updates on Carolina Shoe, Double H, and Phantom Rider. 🥾 Here's what you can expect from us: 1️⃣ Company & Brand News: Stay in the loop with the latest happenings, product launches, and achievements across all our brands. 2️⃣ Employee Spotlights: Meet the incredible individuals behind the scenes who make our brands shine. 🌟 3️⃣ Company Culture & Values: Get a glimpse into the values that drive us and the vibrant culture that defines our workplace. 4️⃣ Upcoming Events & New Styles/Products: Be the first to know about upcoming events, fresh styles, and new products hitting the shelves. 5️⃣ Industry Insights: Dive into valuable insights about our industry, trends, and what sets our boots apart. 6️⃣ Behind the Scenes: Take a sneak peek into the day-to-day workings of our brands and witness the craftsmanship that goes into each pair. Join us on this exciting journey! Connect, engage, and let's walk this path together. #CarolinaBoots #DoubleHBoots #PhantomRiderBoots #CompanyCulture #LinkedInDebut