Want an insider’s look at how ParsonsKellogg has become a leader in the promotional products industry? Check out our new monthly feature “Five Questions With …” and get the latest scoop on the PK Way from a featured member of our team.
Meghan White
Senior Merchandising Manager
1. You started at PK as an intern in early 2014, joined the company fulltime later that year and recently received a promotion to Senior Merchandising Manager. What are some of the highlights of your career path at PK?
I?ve been at PK for just over two years, but in a lot of ways I think the company has changed a great deal in that time. The business has grown; we moved into new headquarters, and we added some awesome people to the team ? all while maintaining the culture that really defines us as a company. It has been really fun to be a part of all this growth. On a personal level, I have gained so many new skills. I?ve always loved to learn new things, and I feel like I?m doing that everyday. I am doing things in Excel I didn?t know existed two years ago. I?ve even learned to golf?though not well! I would be remiss to not mention the travel. I have been to a lot of cool places with PK, and last spring I had the opportunity to go to San Francisco and see the Golden Gate Bridge. It was incredible and a check off my bucket list.
2. What are you most excited about tackling in this new role as Senior Merchandising Manager?
I?m excited to see where we?ll go next. Not surprisingly, we are seeing more and more of our customers gravitate towards the web. I think we are going to see our web business grow exponentially, so it?s exciting to be at the forefront of that. There are of course a million potential challenges that come with the territory, so I am looking forward to tackling those and finding new ways we can continue to grow and improve the business.
3. You work with clients on the look, feel and function of PK?s web stores. How do you help clients get the right mix of products and design that best represent them and how do you manage the inevitable technical glitches that pop up?
Brands are kind of like individual people ? they have their own identities and styles. A lot of merchandising is finding the products that are going to best represent that persona. We know that the brand is a company?s most valuable asset and as brand ambassadors, our responsibility is to present the company identity as best as possible through the webstore. There will always be technical glitches along the way ? I think that?s par for the course in this technological world. The most important part is dealing with issues efficiently and keeping it as seamless as possible for the customer. The great thing about technology is that it is an endless resource for solving any problem.
4. What keeps you energized and excited to come into the office every day?
Definitely the people. I work with an awesome group of young and energetic people who keep things exciting around the office. Coming into work feels like just going to hang out with some friends. Beyond that, I have always been the kind of person who enjoyed working. I think I just like to keep myself occupied with a challenge. Coffee also helps!
5. If you were shopping PK?s inventory of promotional products and apparel, what would be some of your favorite items?
One thing I love about PK and what totally sets us apart is our focus on high-end and lifestyle brands. I love Patagonia, Vineyard Vines, Nike ? pretty much everything we offer. It?s fun to sell these items because I genuinely can get excited about them. Product testing is way cooler when it?s the newest Nike sneaker or Titleist golf ball. I?m a 24-year old woman who?s being paid to shop online for some of my favorite brands ? what more could I ask for?
