NFM’s Nora Gomez finds herself exactly where she planned to be | Home Accents Today

Because the chief merchandising officer for NFM, Nora Gomez is accountable for creating and executing the general technique of the retailer’s merchandising division for all households of enterprise together with furnishings, flooring, home equipment and electronics.  She can be accountable for visible presentation, retailer design and retailer merchandising/show throughout all areas. Gomez brings world management expertise in strategic planning, merchandising, and shopping for in addition to product improvement, design and sourcing from a profession working with organizations together with Pier 1, Tuesday Morning, Brylane House, Victoria’s Secret, Saks Inc., Children R Us  and Lane Bryant.  She has traveled all world wide and was lately named to the Govt Advisory Panel for WithIt, the ladies’s management improvement community for the house and furnishings industries.

Did you all the time desire a profession in retail?

Curiously sufficient, I graduated from Syracuse College’s, S.I. Newhouse College of Public Communications with a level in telecommunications and advertising hoping to someday be a newscaster. A number of firms got here on campus for recruiting and I interviewed with all of them.  My final interview was with JCPenney to enter their purchaser coaching program and I made a decision to pursue that possibility.

What led to your present function at NFM?

Throughout my commute to my earlier job, I’d drive by the location of the brand new Texas retailer.  I watched that retailer each single day because it was being constructed.  In my thoughts, I knew I used to be going to work for NFM, and set that as my purpose.  In fact, they didn’t know me, however I certain knew them.  A job turned accessible on LinkedIn that was not fairly the extent I used to be searching for as the following step in my profession.  NFM should have identified that, too, as a result of after making use of for that function, I obtained a letter informing me there was not a place that aligned with my skillset and expertise. Someday after that, NFM approached me on LinkedIn, inviting me to debate the newly created chief merchandising function.

How does furnishings retailing evaluate to the opposite retail sectors you’ve labored in?

In my expertise, furnishings retailing is exclusive in that it entails a mixture of each extremely specialised technical information and design aesthetic issues.  Furnishings retailers want to concentrate on the assorted forms of supplies, tendencies, designers, makers and manufacturing processes that go into creating several types of furnishings for various pockets sizes and design types to suit a buyer’s dwelling, expressing their very own distinctive fashion.  Furnishings retailers should possess an intuitive understanding of design aesthetics and the way completely different items will slot in with a specific buyer’s décor and life-style.  Moreover, furnishings is commonly a high-investment merchandise, and as such, usually entails an extended gross sales cycle than different retail companies, with clients taking extra time to weigh their choices.  Total, I’d say that furnishings retailing requires a novel combine of specialised technical information, creativity and a powerful deal with customer support and understanding of buyer wants and preferences.  Every thing we do begins and ends with the client.

Sadly, a number of of your earlier employers have filed for chapter. What do you assume it takes to outlive in retail in the present day?

In my view, to outlive in retail in the present day, the secret’s to constantly stay versatile and adaptable to altering market circumstances and evolving buyer preferences.  With technological developments and the rise of e-commerce, conventional brick-and-mortar shops have needed to pivot to a multichannel promoting technique to service shopper demand. Retailers should meet the client the place they need to be met.  Discovering methods to reinforce the procuring expertise for our clients is all the time prime of thoughts.  This requires us to be revolutionary and artistic in our assortment and advertising methods, using information analytics and higher personalization to higher perceive our clients and ship custom-made experiences.  We create the “You wouldn’t consider” moments.  Furthermore, retailers that put an emphasis on sustainability and social accountability are more likely to outperform these that don’t, as increasingly more shoppers prioritize moral manufacturers and merchandise.  In the end, it takes focus, and purpose-driven management to navigate the more and more aggressive retail panorama.

How would you describe your management fashion? How do you retain your staff motivated?

I’ve been described as a extremely energetic and fearless chief who challenges and motivates folks to assume otherwise and embrace change.  My method comes from my loyalty and dedication to bringing out the perfect in my staff and the corporate I serve. A pacesetter is accountable for guiding, directing, and motivating a bunch of individuals in direction of a typical purpose.  Management facilities round getting the work performed with others and thru others wholistically with affect and experience.  I usually take into consideration that. I adhere to the identical recommendation I give others contemplating that each choice made by each staff member must be made with a purpose of elevating the client expertise. I encourage clear communications, onerous work and appreciation for colleagues, irrespective of the skilled title, and I’ve set targets to assist NFM climate any retail storms which may lie forward within the coming yr. And I all the time do not forget that management is a privilege, and my affect will have an effect on the trajectory of somebody’s profession and sometimes, their life.

Congratulations on receiving the mentorship award from WithIt on the current Excessive Level Market. Why is mentoring nonetheless so essential within the dwelling furnishings trade?

I’m very humbled to have been honored. My philosophy, at its core, is that mentorship is about making a supportive and nurturing atmosphere the place the individual I’m mentoring can be taught, ask questions, and obtain suggestions in a protected and non-judgmental approach. Being that individual’s information, function mannequin and sounding board to assist them determine and pursue their targets and aspirations. Changing into the most effective model of oneself is a life journey. It’s one that’s traveled day by day.  Nobody individual has all of the knowledge or all of the solutions.  Mentorship is a strong approach, nonetheless, to supply steerage and path.  It’s a reminder that we’re all interconnected and that by serving to others develop and succeed, we’re additionally contributing to the better good of society.  As a mentor, I achieve a way of achievement from serving to another person develop and develop, whereas the individual I’m mentoring good points helpful insights and steerage from somebody who has already walked the trail they’re on.  The connection is grounded in belief and respect. Mentoring just isn’t about making an individual such as you; mentoring is about bringing the perfect out within the individual you’re mentoring.

What recommendation do you could have for younger ladies who’re contemplating turning into a part of the house furnishings trade?

I inform them to say sure to main. On the current Furnishings Immediately Management Convention, I shared the stage with a number of fellow feminine leaders within the dwelling furnishings trade. All of us spoke about a number of the challenges we encountered as we moved forward in our professions. I prompt that youthful girls encompass themselves with top-shelf folks. I additionally inspired future leaders to be the consummate college students and ask probing open-ended questions, and pay attention with not solely open ears, however with an open thoughts. I counsel folks to get out of their consolation zones, to construct their networks, and to be courageous and optimistic. On the flip aspect, there are pitfalls to keep away from as effectively. It’s essential t to consider that you’re worthy, reverse the sample of self-criticism, and convey self-compassion into your journey. Don’t let failure outline you. Be taught from the expertise and transcend past the second.

At a Look:

How did you earn your first paycheck? 

I answered the cellphone for a Furnishings Stripping firm referred to as Downriver Stripper in Wyandotte, Mich.

What are you studying proper now?

I’m studying To the High:  How Girls in Company Management Are Rewriting the Guidelines for Success by Jenna C. Fisher.

What do you do in your free time?

I prefer to learn, journey, stroll our three canine and spend time with my household.

Who do you admire most? 

I like my mom, who’s 84 years outdated.

What’s the one factor you want you might do higher?

Journey the Traeger mechanical bull.