Janell CainesAge:39Role: Sales team leader at Gibbons CompanyWhat is your job? To provide effective leadership to all sales associates, manage all aspects of the sales floor and communicate daily with the department buyers. A retail manager needs to have stamina and energy, be good at motivating staff, be well organised, able to think on their feet, have plenty of common sense, have a hands-on approach, be spontaneous and have the ability to work well under pressure. I feel this is a good match for my skills, strengths and experience. Every day is a wonderful new challenge!What is your favourite part? The interaction with our customers. In retail you learn so much about a person regarding their preferences. I enjoy getting to know our customers and in assisting them with meeting their needs.What is your least favourite part? Having a customer leave the store without being completely satisfied with our service, merchandise or policies. Sometimes we’ll have customers attempt to return items that are not returnable. Even though the Return Policy signage is posted in the departments, customers still insist that we should allow the return.What is your most interesting experience at work? The diversity of offerings in the retail industry, whether it’s bakeware, jewellery, clothing, bedding or suitcases ... we supply almost every need for everyday family living and it is intriguing to see and learn how so many individual styles come together like a beautiful piece of art. Amazingly, one trend is that nothing has to match anymore! I have learned so much from the unique styles of customers who have shared their ideas on home decor, lifestyles, visions, dream homes and even family recipes. It is a great experience to be a part of the customers ‘big picture’.What would you be doing otherwise? Furthering my education and residing overseas. I have always had an interest in ‘recreational therapy’ and would one day like to return to school to learn to work with those who are challenged and have special needs.