In the year that I have been working at Urban Outfitters, Daniel has been working three times as long! As manager of the popular retail store on King Street, Daniel has his hands full maintaining order throughout the store, making sure that the customers are satisfied, that his employees are stress free and filling the store with amazing vibe, and keeping in touch with the district office.
When he isn't locked away in the back office, Daniel is folding and re-stacking merchandise, assisting his employees and customers, working at the register and being a complete goof ball around the store.
Daniel is an absolute joy to be around, and recently, I took the time to sit down with him and chat it up on his time working at Urban Outfitters.
Q: So, what's a typical day for you, here at UO?
A: I wake up around 6 a.m. to prepare for a long day. I get downtown around 7 and come into the store. I go into the office and set up, maybe a have a conference call. By 10 a.m. the store opens and the customers are filing in. Depending on the day, I am out on the floor, doing my managerial duties assisting customers, helping out on the reg and whatever else is needed.
Q: What's it like being the manager of such a major store, such as Urban Outfitters?
A: Frustrating, exciting, a headache...yeah, that pretty much sums it up. It's a huge responsibility. I'm pretty much responsible and in charge of not only myself, but the store and everyone in it.
Q: What's the toughest thing, or most aggravating part of working in retail?
A: Having to deal with rude, obnoxious customers and when people come in and shoplift. There is nothing more annoying than dealing and waiting on a rude customer. For that moment, my day is just like shot to hell! And shoplifters are always a retail stores worst nightmare. Having to deal with the customers, who are most likely silly teenagers, and getting back the merchandise they attempted to steal. What's worse is if we don't get the merchandise back.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your day?
A: Coming into an atmosphere where the people that I am surrounded by are all people who I enjoy working alongside. Seeing the happy faces of the customers after they make a purchase. Being able to interact with people from various backgrounds and walks of life.
Daniel is probably the funniest and goofiest guys you'll ever meet. Although he gains his employee's respect and jokes around with them on a daily basis, he still maintains order.
Q: How are you able to have such a friendly and personal relationship with your employees, yet still get them to stay on task and complete their jobs?
A: It's the delivery and approach that I use with my employees. I don't command or demand them to do anything. I encourage them and work with them when they need help. I talk to them and treat them like they are my equals, and not like they are beneath me.
Q: So would you say that there is no need for structure, or a chain of command, so to speak within a business---that everyone is equal?
A: I think that every successfully run corporation and business follows some sort of structure and chain of command. Without it, things would fall apart. I treat my employees like my equal, but that's not saying that they necessarily are my equals in a business sense. I was appointed manager for a reason, and so my job is not to belittle or treat harshly, but to motivate and encourage my team to work together as a unit.
Thank you Daniel for your time and all that you do for Urban Outfitters!!
