She is inspiring (Neidra Wilson)

Happy Monday!

About two weeks after I first moved to New York my lovely cousin Tia sent me an invite to an Essence magazine casting for a “Real Women” fashion spread. Not knowing many people in the city I decided to venture out to see what it was all about and to meet new people. As I was standing in line to get my polaroid taken I sparked up a lovely conversation with Miss Neidra. I was excited when I found out she was from the D.C area too. We had a lot in common. She is the one that passed along the info that helped me get my first job in the magazine world. She is fun to be around, creative, and one of the most genuine people you could ever meet…
Enjoy,
Ally

She-blogs: What is your job title?
Neidra: I guess my official title would be an Account Executive, which is a fancy name for a Sales Rep.

She-blogs: Tell me about your journey to getting your job at Blend Showroom?
Neidra: Hmm…well I moved to NYC about four years ago to pursue styling which I did for a couple of years. I met my current boss one day when I was pulling for a photo shoot at her showroom and we hit it off immediately. We always kept in touch and when I was ready to try something new she was ready to hire a sales person. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! When I was a stylist, I used to live in showrooms. As a stylist, I visited showrooms day in and day out picking up and returning clothing but I never really understood what showrooms did besides lend clothing. I became curious about the other careers in fashion that were available besides designing and/or styling. So, here I am!

She-blogs: Why do you love your job?
Neidra: I love my job for a couple of reasons - 1. I really love the atmosphere at work. It’s just the three of us (my boss, me and our assistant). Well…actually four, my boss has a toy poodle that she brings to work everyday so it’s really nice to have a puppy around during the day. 2. This job has helped a bit with my fear of public speaking. Having to stand up in front of buyers everyday was mortifying at first but I finally have the hang of it. Now I look forward to my appointments with buyers. 3. The last reason why I LOVE my job is the discounted clothing of course!! I get everything wholesale.

She-blogs: Do you have any insider scoop for someone who may want to work for a fashion showroom?
Neidra: Yes. It’s not as glamorous as you might think. It’s actually not very glamorous at all. There’s actually a lot of physical labor. There’s a lot of unpacking and re-packing boxes, putting up rolling racks, lifting heavy garment bags of clothes, etc. You are literally surrounded by clothes all day long. So, I’d say think about that before getting into this business.

She-blogs: Were you always interested in working for a showroom and did you go to school for it?
Neidra: I was always interested in working in fashion. I always wanted to be a stylist but I didn’t realistically think I could do it forever. I knew that being a stylist though could very well lead to the next gig. I went to school for Fashion Merchandising at Marymount University in VA and took a styling course while I lived in London.

She-blogs: What does your average workday look like from the moment you walk in the door?
Neidra: Well, the overall goal is the same everyday—make appointments to see buyers, meet with buyers, and make sales. Sales are the priority but occasionally stylists stop by to pull clothing for their projects. Half my time is spent making follow up calls and the other half is spent making cold calls to the hottest, new boutique that I want to get one of my lines into. During trade show time, the goal is still sales, we are just in a completely different atmosphere (out of the showroom and into a big convention center for 3 or 4 days).

She-blogs: Are there any other job fields you would like to explore in the future?
Neidra: Maybe writing, I have an idea for a great screenplay. I also love to travel so maybe the travel industry, though I have no idea in which capacity I would work.

She-blogs: Name one place that you have never been that you want to travel to and why?
Neidra: AUSTRALIA! I hear that the people are the friendliest you will ever meet and I would love to see a real live kangaroo. It just seems so exotic. It’s the number one place on my list of places to go.

She-blogs: What is your mantra on life?
Neidra: I can do all things through Jesus.

She-blogs: Who inspires you?
Neidra: I would have to say it used to be Oprah but lately it has been Barack Obama. That man is amazing.

She-blogs: When was the last time you laughed so hard you couldn’t breath?
Neidra: Ok, this is a little embarrassing being the fashionista that I am (sarcastic grin) but I just watched Sex and the City for the first time this past weekend and I have to say the part where Charlotte poo’ed her pants had me in tears!

She-blogs: What do you do to stay balanced?
Neidra: If by balanced, you mean keep my sanity, I’d have to say I pray and I talk to God all day long. I have to or I’d go nuts.

She-blogs: What do you like most about the way you look?
Neidra: Hmm…that’s a good one. I’d have to say it took me a long time to appreciate it but I really love my naturally athletic build. I was so self-conscience of it growing up. I was always being asked if I ran track and teased for having broad shoulders but now people ask me about my work out regimen…and guess what? I don’t have one! I don’t work out. I’ve tried but I just can’t seem to stick to it long enough.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 15th, 2008 at 5:17 am and is filed under Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.