Pets At Work: Winston from ModCloth.com talks fashion
- June 07, 2012
- By VetShopAustralia.com.au
- 2 Comments
As most VetShopAustralia
customers know, we're a pet friendly work place, and indeed, it
sometimes seems that it's the pets that run the place rather than the
people! The VetShop pets are not the only lucky pooches that have now
become part of the team in the office; every week we seem to be hearing
about more and more pets at work and the great things they're doing!
Winston and Susan Gregg Koger, arguably the most influential dog/person team in the online fashion world! |
In this, our first in a series of Pets At Work Interviews, fashion icon Winston from Modcloth speaks exclusively to VetShopAustralia.com.au about his role at Modcloth.com, his relationship with his "person", Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of ModCloth, Susan Gregg Koger and his life helping run what many consider to be the best online store selling independent designer & retro influenced fashion!
Q: Winston, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for our readers, we understand you're a busy dog. I know that while some parts of the media have reported that your rise to "top dog" in online fashion retail has been meteoric, I'm sure it's been a long hard road. When did you get your "first big break"?
A: You
are quite welcome. No success is ever truly meteoric; even if it seems
effortless there is likely much churning beneath the water that one
cannot glimpse from land. My first big break was meeting Susan and Eric
all those years ago. As soon as our eyes locked, I knew my life would
never be the same.
Q: Could you please briefly describe your "average" day at ModCloth?
Do you still get to go on shoots, to the shows and on buying trips, or
is it all paperwork and staff management now that ModCloth has grown so
much?
A: My
sleep is very important to me; so a typical day starts around 9:00am. I
prepare several things at home before Susan and Eric drive me to the
office. Fortunately there are many lovely employees who help me with
paperwork and management and that sort of thing. In fact, that's my
answer to your next question: the most rewarding aspect of my role (and
rolls) and ModCloth are the humans. So delightful, so talented. Though
they could give me more treats, I suppose.
Q: What do you think is likely to be your biggest challenge for ModCloth in the next 12 months?
A: Everyday
is a challenge when you love what you do! Over the next 12 months we
are going to continue to perfect our Mobile site, which I'm eagerly
anticipating.
Q: You're
obviously a good looking dog, and you're surrounded by so many
beautiful dogs (the ModDogs) at ModCloth, but your relationship with
Susan is an inspiration to working dogs everywhere - what would you
describe as the key to balancing a relationship that spans both work and
home?
A:
Listening, of course, is terribly important. Everyone says this in
response to this sort of question, but then, it's one of those
attributes much more easily discussed than acted upon. But in order to
truly respect someone, and I believe respect is the basis of any
successful relationship, you must listen carefully. Susan and I have
perfected this to such an extent that we are practically telepathic.
Q: You
clearly have your own sense of style, but no doubt (we hope!) even you
have the occasional "bad fur" day? Do you have any tips or hints for our
readers on staying healthy and looking great?
A: I
rarely look anything but polished, and I attribute it to excellent
genes, lots of water, and daily runs up and down the stairs. Running was
the hardest to incorporate into my life, as it's not very glamorous,
but once you've established your routine, you don't even think about it
any more.
Q:
And finally, do you have any words of advice for the young dogs (and
their people) out there who are just starting their careers as working
dogs?
A: To quote another distinguished talking animal, Arthur the aardvark, "Believe in yourself - because that's the place to start."
The low down on Winston
Winston leads ModCloth by example |
Since being founded by Susan, Eric and Winston, ModCloth has grown into a thriving business of 200
employees, and the company has quickly gained attention for its
dedication to customer engagement.
Susan was recognized by Inc. Magazine as the #2 "Top Entrepreneur under
30”, named in BusinessWeek’s 2010 list of the “Best Young Tech
Entrepreneurs.” and was recently named as a Champion of Change by the White House.
To read more of Winston's story and the amazing journey he, Susan and the ModCloth team have been on, click here or visit the ModCloth dogs at www.facebook.com/moddogs
If you know a working pet (or a pet who goes to work!) who has an amazing story to tell, please let us know by emailing petsatwork@vetshoponline.com
2 comments
What a great story. love pugs!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! Thanks for the info!
ReplyDelete