Store Managers are Business Leaders

Most Store Managers I know take ownership of their stores as if the business was their personal store. I know I did.

We head in early, stay late, or help with a visual update. We have our hands in every aspect of the business - and we like it that way.

Last week I wrote a post on LinkedIn that spoke to this Store Manager trait.

[["A retail leader's job is very close to that of a business owner. Most Store Managers take ownership in a similar way. Every time I speak to a retail leader, I am impressed by their business acumen, knowledge of their clients, and expertise in the industry. 

These are not people that "can't get a real job."

Ahem: Retail is a real job, and you have to have a killer skill set in order to do it. Keep smashing it, leaders. 💗 You got this. ✌🏻]]

Check it out - this post is at 568 reactions and approaching 30,800 views. It has resonated.

I write posts like this for a few reasons.

• To support leaders in the field.
• To show people that have never worked retail how savvy retail leaders are.
• To change hearts and minds at the corporate office.

Store leaders get new tasks piled on them almost every week. They need to learn this new stuff and ensure they've disseminated the information in a way so that their store teams can get on board.

They also need to present it in a positive way. No one wants to try something new when their leader says, "Welp, this sucks." Positivity is everything, but it can be stressful with so many eyes on the store.

As my friend, Lizz pointed out -

"I've owned a business and been in retail. They're crazy similar. Sometimes retail is more stressful because so many people have their hands in the pot or their eyes on it. Major respect for retail leaders always."

To anyone in the retail field that oversees Store Managers, a few notes.

• Store Managers have an astounding amount of pride in their stores.
• Encourage them to make decisions that may positively impact their location, whether it be creative merchandising decisions or adding a 4-hour shift to a peak day. Let them try things without getting in trouble.
• When people are entrusted with making decisions, they often soar.

Store Managers are business leaders. Give them a little autonomy and watch them fly.

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Kit Campoy is a freelance writer based in Southern California. She covers Web3, travel, leadership, retail, writing, and more. She also writes personal essays on Medium. Connect with Kit on LinkedIn, DeSo, and Twitter. Give yourself a break, and join her weekly newsletter.