Alexa Arquhard
Hamilton,ON
Summary
I am seeking a training role within the luxury fashion industry where I can leverage my passion for fostering excellence in customer service, team collaboration, and organizational growth. I aim to support both store-level and corporate teams, ensuring a seamless, high-end customer experience while promoting an inspiring, inclusive, and safe work environment.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Sporting Life Mapleview
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Spearheaded the successful launch of a new flagship location, overseeing all aspects of store setup, including staffing, operational processes, and store culture
- Led a recruitment initiative, strategically hiring and onboarding 100+ employees across multiple functions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and culture
- Developed and implemented comprehensive training programs for the management team and sales associates, focusing on leadership development, operational excellence, team building, and a customer-centric sales approach
- Drove the execution of organizational strategies by leading weekly management meetings, aligning department goals with overarching business objectives, and facilitating cross-functional collaboration
- Conducted performance assessments for senior management, including evaluating key performance metrics, providing constructive feedback, and guiding professional development plans for department heads
- Ensured operational efficiency by monitoring and optimizing daily, weekly, and monthly workflows, ensuring alignment with corporate initiatives and maximizing store performance
Store Director
Brunello Cuccinelli Bloor
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Evaluating the Current Team and Hiring New Talent:
- Conduct regular performance reviews and identify skill gaps
- Develop hiring strategies to attract top talent, with a focus on diversity and inclusion
- Implement effective onboarding processes to ensure smooth integration of new hires
- Cultivate a positive, results-driven work culture that promotes teamwork and high performance
- Plan and execute high-end events that align with the brand’s values and client expectations
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., marketing, sales, customer service) to ensure seamless execution
- Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including personal shoppers and external vendors, to enhance the customer experience
- Coordinate efforts to introduce exclusive services or offers, positioning your team as the go-to resource within the company
- Design and implement a continuous learning and development program for team members that provided ongoing coaching to ensure high levels of product knowledge, customer service, and sales effectiveness
- Identify high-potential employees and provide them with career growth opportunities
- Promote a culture of feedback, where team members can voice ideas for improvement and feel supported in their professional growth
Assistant Store Director
Valentino Yorkdale
01.2019 - 12.2022
- Created and implemented a comprehensive Selling Ceremony training program for the Canadian market, ensuring alignment with Valentino’s global standards
- Developed detailed training materials including documentation, visual aids, and a structured training schedule to be distributed across all Canadian locations
- Adapted and localized training content inspired by corporate training acquired at Valentino’s headquarters in Italy, tailoring it to meet the specific needs of the Canadian market
- Led the train-the-trainer program, empowering store leaders with the skills to effectively deliver the training to sales teams, ensuring consistency in luxury service standards
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution, fostering a culture of excellence and elevating customer experience across the Canadian retail network
General Manager
Coach Sherway/ Fairview
01.2017 - 12.2019
- Lead and manage a team of 40 employees across multiple departments, including hiring, onboarding, training, and performance evaluations
- Foster a positive work culture by mentoring staff, providing ongoing coaching, and creating individualized development plans to support career growth
- Ensure alignment with company goals by setting clear expectations, monitoring performance, and providing constructive feedback
- Implement strategies for team motivation, retention, and skill development, while maintaining a high standard of customer service and operational excellence
Store Manager
Rudsak Yorkdale/Mapleview
01.2016 - 12.2017
Assistant Store Manager/ Multi-Store Trainer
Michael Kors Vaughan Mills/Eaton Center
01.2014 - 12.2016
Education
Fashion Business Degree -
George Brown College
01.2014
Skills
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Proficient in utilizing CRM systems (eg, Salesforce, and custom luxury brand platforms) to track customer interactions, analyze sales data, and personalize client engagement strategies
- Training & Development: Experience in designing and delivering tailored training programs, with a focus on product knowledge, customer service excellence, and soft skills (eg, communication, teamwork, emotional intelligence)
- Customer Experience: Proven ability to create a customer-centric culture, ensuring a memorable and seamless luxury experience through both in-person and digital channels
- Leadership & Team Building: Skilled in fostering collaborative, high-performing teams through clear communication, mentorship, and performance feedback Dedicated to nurturing a work environment that promotes inclusion, safety, and personal development
- Luxury Retail Knowledge: Deep understanding of the expectations and nuances of the luxury fashion market, including the importance of brand heritage, clienteling, and VIP service
- Microsoft: Skilled in creating and editing professional documents, training materials, and templates, ensuring clarity and consistency across all corporate and retail communications using MS Word, Power Point and Excel
Accomplishments
- Offered an international managerial promotion and choice of location in three US cities
- Successfully lead/organized international pop-up project (Episode Hamptons), due to the success of this project it has now become an annual event for the company
- Successfully pitched and launched new social media project for Canada
- Selected to join an elite team of global trainers at our Milan, global headquarters
- Moved Comp from -20% YTD to -12% YTD (Duration of 8 months) - Coach GM
- Increased store shop scores from quarterly average of 77.3% to 98.6% in 6 months - Coach GM
Educationalaccomplishments
Fashion Business Degree, George Brown College, Toronto, ON, 01/01/12 - 12/31/14,
Director of year end fashion show
Timeline
General Manager
Sporting Life Mapleview
01.2022 - 01.2024
Store Director
Brunello Cuccinelli Bloor
01.2022 - 12.2022
Assistant Store Director
Valentino Yorkdale
01.2019 - 12.2022
General Manager
Coach Sherway/ Fairview
01.2017 - 12.2019
Store Manager
Rudsak Yorkdale/Mapleview
01.2016 - 12.2017
Assistant Store Manager/ Multi-Store Trainer
Michael Kors Vaughan Mills/Eaton Center
01.2014 - 12.2016
Fashion Business Degree -
George Brown College
Similar Profiles
Raj SanghamreddyRaj Sanghamreddy
Business Quality Assurance Analyst at Sporting Life, Golf Town and Team TownBusiness Quality Assurance Analyst at Sporting Life, Golf Town and Team Town
Mae Legaspi FavisMae Legaspi Favis
Visual Merchandising Team Lead at Sporting LifeVisual Merchandising Team Lead at Sporting Life
Rudy TorresRudy Torres
E-commerce at Sporting LifeE-commerce at Sporting Life
Yassine BenkandilYassine Benkandil
Graduate Researcher at McMaster UniversityGraduate Researcher at McMaster University
Tony BarcovichTony Barcovich
Material Handler/Forklift Operator at Henniges AutomotiveMaterial Handler/Forklift Operator at Henniges Automotive