#Meetourmembers: Nicole Ogando - Christofle
Meet Nicole Ogando, Boutique Manager at Christofle
Nicole’s Journey in Luxury Fashion Retail
Nicole's story begins in London, UK, where she was born before moving with her family to Florida. In 1996, she relocated to Chicago, a city she has cherished ever since.
From a young age, Nicole was immersed in the world of sales and fashion, setting her sights on a career in fashion retail. Upon moving to Chicago, she began her career at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she spent four years. Starting as an operational coordinator, she worked her way up to be the one opening the men's store on Michigan Avenue.
Nicole's next move was to Neiman Marcus, where she spent nine years managing design handbags, accessories, and women's ready-to-wear. Despite her success, she was missing the unique experience of working for a single brand in a boutique setting. Nicole loves working for a unique house because she can immerse herself in the culture and values of the brand.
This aspiration led her to Swarovski, where she became the General Manager of the Michigan Avenue boutique. At a time when Swarovski was launching a new concept and the chicago store store being a flagship store in the US, Nicole played a pivotal role. The boutique was the first of its kind globally, and Nicole's tenure was marked by numerous events and charitable partnerships. She also represented the brand at global meetings in Europe.
Nicole then joined Tory Burch on Oak Street, where she led the store's services and clienteling business for two years. Her journey continued at Burberry's flagship store on Michigan Avenue, a six-floor retail space. Although she gained valuable experience, Nicole missed the intimate atmosphere of a smaller boutique, prompting her to join La Perla as the store director. Her time at La Perla was rewarding, and she was promoted to Head of Retail for North America, overseeing thirteen stores and managing extensive travel and responsibilities.
Following the pandemic, Nicole transitioned to Chanel as the Operations Director. However, her passion for direct client interaction led her to her current role at Christofle, where she continues to thrive as the boutique manager.
Navigating Challenges and Cultivating Loyalty
One of the most significant challenges in the retail industry is client retention. Building and maintaining relationships with customers is crucial to ensure they continue to shop with the brand. This involves connecting with each client on a personal level to foster loyalty and trust. Additionally, the brand must continuously innovate, offering fresh and new ideas to keep customers engaged and excited about their products.
What Nicole loves about working in the luxury industry
By getting to know her clients and understanding their lifestyles, she gains valuable insights into their needs and preferences.
In the luxury industry, making customers feel special, comfortable, and appreciated is essential. Nicole thrives at this by asking the right questions, fostering genuine connections, and adding personal touches to every interaction. She believes that building a business relationship goes hand-in-hand with forming a friendship. Remembering small details from conversations helps strengthen these bonds over time, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Memorable experiences - Winning Contests and Helping Others Succeed
While working at Neiman Marcus, Nicole entered a year-long contest with a prize of a dream vacation on a private yacht for eight people. She was determined to win and she did! This shows her strong goal-setting skills.
What Nicole values most is seeing the people she has worked with become very successful. As a leader, she measures her success by how well she can help others grow, get promoted, and maintain good relationships with them.
Christofle - A Legacy of Elegance and Innovation
In 1830, Charles Christofle founded his silversmith company in Paris. Nearly two centuries later, the brand remains proud of its rich history, consistent quality, and ongoing innovation. Christofle offers a range of products, including sterling silver, partially and fully gold pieces, but is best known for its silver-plated items. These pieces offer the same elegant look as sterling silver at a fraction of the price, containing between 50-60% silver.
Christofle's history is deeply intertwined with French culture. The company has crafted flatware for the Orient Express, the Normandy, Air France Concorde, the Ritz, and numerous Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide.
Today, Christofle is renowned for its Mood collection, which embodies modernity, and its Malmaison Collection, which represents tradition and heritage.
The majority of Christofle's clients are loyal, long-term customers who have been shopping with the brand for years. The pandemic has heightened the demand for home essentials and gifts, making Christofle's offerings even more relevant. Whether for personal use or gifting, customers consistently seek out Christofle's high-quality products to enhance their homes.
FACC and Nicole’s Vision - Elevating the Luxury Industry in Chicago
Working with Christofle, Nicole saw a wonderful opportunity to get more involved in the French community—not just because she loves everything French!
Nicole believes that, like any organization, you get out of it what you put into it. Active participation is key to making the most of any opportunity.
Noticing that the FACC Chicago was missing a Luxury Club, Nicole felt it was something the city needed. After discussions, she enthusiastically accepted the role of running the club. Nicole envisions more than just a networking club; she wants to add an educational aspect. Members will learn together about French savoir-faire, French food and cuisine, and Chicago. This knowledge will provide more talking points with clients in the luxury industry and enhance dining experiences, such as selecting the right wines.
The club aims to be a support system for everyone in the luxury segment, helping members expand their networks and learn from one another.
The opening event was a success, bringing together many large luxury brands for one night. Nicole is very excited for the upcoming events and already has plenty of ideas!
Nicole’s Advice for thriving in the Luxury Industry
If you want to thrive in the luxury industry, it's essential to love people and genuinely want to understand and get to know them. This is the biggest piece of the puzzle. Each day is different, and you never know what will happen next. It's like being on stage—you always have to be ready. Stay positive, as it takes time to build a book of business and a loyal clientele.
Believe in yourself, show your personality, and be confident. Connecting with people is crucial so that they feel encouraged to return to the boutique to see you. Making a lasting impression is key to building those valuable relationships.
Don't Miss Out! If you're in Paris, be sure to visit Christofle, a brilliant story exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Discover exclusive pieces reeditied just for this event in Christofle boutique!
