Shannon Dever’s Post

Awkward…Why is my teenage retail job still on my LinkedIn? When you scroll through my LinkedIn profile, you might notice something unexpected for a 42-year-old senior brand and creative leader: my retail job at the Concord, CA REI when I was 18 and 19 years old. Here’s why I keep it there (and why I still have my name tag, as you can see): REI was the first place I fell in love with steep learning curves, brand culture, and professional mentorship. It wasn’t just selling gear—it was about being part of a purpose-driven company. A place we could nerd out in preparation for a spicy adventure, promoting stewardship of the outdoors, and create a community. That early experience taught me that the best brands are not just products or services, but experiences and partners. Even now, decades later, it influences how I approach brand strategy and creative leadership. So yeah, my teenage retail job is still on my LinkedIn—not just as a fun nod to where I started, but because I still care about modern consumer behavior. I still seek adventure (both professionally and otherwise). And I still love a nice, steep learning curve. What’s an early job that still impacts how you work or think about your career today?

Outwork Expectations, Outshine Peers, Outearn Everyone There’s a story about a storeowner who kept an eye on a teenager making deliveries for one of his suppliers. She was a machine - always hustling, going the extra mile, never late, no excuses. Every time, she owned the job like it was her own business. Impressed, the storeowner told his manager, “That kid’s gonna get a raise.” The manager asked, “Should we call her boss to suggest it?” The storeowner grinned, “No need. Either her boss will give her a raise, or I’ll hire her for more.” Be that kid. Break the mold. Don’t just meet expectations - obliterate them. Whether you’re running deliveries or managing major projects, elevate your game. Make your work faster, smarter, more productive, and yes - more fun. When you make yourself indispensable, the opportunities won’t just come from inside your current role. They’ll knock from every direction. Push past the norm. Be the one they can’t afford to lose. #leadership #careeradvancement #workethic #beindispensable #breakthemold

"It always seems impossible until it’s done." — Nelson Mandela Looking back, this quote couldn’t resonate with me more. For years, I worked in retail, putting in the hard hours, losing time with friends and family because of the irregularity in the schedule that comes with being a Retail manager, learning the ins and outs of the industry, and always wondering if there was a bigger opportunity waiting for me. At times, it seemed impossible to break into something new, something more aligned with my passions. Then it happened—I got the chance to harness my talents in a corporate setting at Heartland, and it changed everything. I fell in love with training, and that passion quickly evolved into technology training, and later, into Product Management. I started seeing new possibilities for myself that I hadn’t thought were possible before. Today, I’m leading partnerships and integrations for Heartland Retail, and I’m truly fulfilled in this role. I get to build bridges, connect people, and educate partners and customers alike. It’s everything I love doing, wrapped into one role, and it’s a constant reminder that those "impossible" moments are often just stepping stones to something greater. So, if you’re in a place where things feel challenging or out of reach, take heart—your next step could be the one that opens a door to everything you’ve been working toward. Keep pushing forward because it’s only *impossible* until it’s done. #CareerJourney #Resilience #KeepGoing #Technology #Leadership #Training #HeartlandRetail

Looking Back on My Time in Retail Management After 12+ years in retail, mostly managing shoes and clothing stores, I’ve learned a lot about how companies operate—and how expectations can change once you’re on the ground. At the start of every new role, there’s always a sense of excitement. I’ve been promised clear goals, solid support, and all the resources I need to make a difference. But, as many retail managers know, those promises can sometimes shift. Higher sales targets, tighter budgets, and fewer hands to help are things we all have to adjust to. Even so, I’ve always tried to keep my focus where it matters: on my team and our customers. Supporting my staff and creating a welcoming experience for every customer who walks in the door is what drives me. My team’s growth and seeing satisfied customers are what make the work worthwhile. If I’ve learned anything, it’s resilience, adaptability, and how to stay motivated even when things aren’t as expected. Moving forward, I’m looking for opportunities with companies that value not just the results, but the people working hard to make them happen. #RetailManagement #Leadership #CustomerExperience #TeamBuilding #CareerGrowth #RetailLife #Resilience #PeopleFirst #RetailIndustry

A few days ago, one of the sales team shared this image with me and thanked me for supporting him, it was incredibly touching and rewarding. It reminded me how much of our lives are spent at work, and how important it is to actually enjoy where we work and who we work with. A negative work environment can cause chaos and dissatisfaction, but a positive one creates purpose, stability, and paves the way for success. Having a manager who supports and stands by you has been critical in my own career. Like many, I've experienced toxic workplaces, and in those environments, there’s no win-win—it's a lose-lose for both the individual and the organization. Being in a leadership role is something I truly enjoy. I love celebrating our team’s successes as we grow together, achieving our goals and expanding our brands. Personally, I’ve found a few simple principles that work for me in my role: 🌿Always remember you’re dealing with people—some days are tough, but tomorrow is another chance for greatness. ☀️Never make your team feel uneasy about taking time off; a day of rest is always valuable. 🤝Focus on the collective, never on "I." 💛Support your team’s career paths, even if that means helping them grow in ways that may lead them elsewhere. To the colleague who shared this with me—thank you. To the leadership teams I’ve had the privilege of working with—thank you. Today, I’m reminded that I’m in the right place, and it’s made a meaningful difference in my life. #MentalHealthMatters #WorkLifeBalance #CollectiveWins

Working 13 years in Retail Management. Am thankful for the Managers and District Managers who believed in me and developed me. Obi ama you taught me alot. find your bench talent and develop them. Features and line of sight always full. If sales are down in a certain area find out why? Is it lack of Merchandise? Is it the way it is displayed? how can you increase sales? Mandy Hill 100% recognition. Positive communication. Jenny Dyer DM looking over rolling 12 reports and P and L's. Showing me how to control expenses and promote sales. Its one thing to manage someone and another to lead them to success. when we hire someone we invest in them. we believe of their ability to perform the job and we invest in them training them. If they don't perform our expections. Then we need to have a conversation and find out what we can do as Managers and Supervisor to help them. Maybe its training. Maybe its personal. I have had several associates that would have been wrote up till their terminated. not only did they become productive but they became supervisors. ❤️

Don't ever be unprepared for that 'Surprise" notice from your "Best" Team Member due to: 👉 Winning the Lottery. 👉 Being abducted by Aliens. or the one I can understand and do appreciate: 👉 Moving onto the Career they always wanted or have studied for. This for me deserves a High Five and no Hard Feelings. In the end though you should always be ready for a notice through: 👉 Developing and having a strong Succession Plan. 👉 Building an Amazing Bench. 👉 A Culture of Always be ReCruiting (A.B.C) Yes I know we all don't have a Budget to carry someone in the "what if scenarios"..... But faced with this opportunity I bet we all wish we would have and should have. Stop the Madness. So you now have 2 options: 👉 Always Be Recruiting. 👉 Dress up like Superman and Spin around your Store Backwards to reverse Time and build that Bench. I prefer doing a combination of both 🤣. Please follow my Retail Leadership Madness Marathon and my Mental Health Journey by Subscribing to all of my Renegade channels at: 🌴 Portfolio: https://lnkd.in/eHQQFtyy ☎️ For Booking information: info@carybrandes.com And as always, Stay Phenomenal 🤩. #hiring #leadership #retail #nowhiring

Career Advancement Insights As a retail professional, advancing from Store Manager to District Manager requires strategic planning, dedication, and a proven track record of success. Based on my experience and industry insights, here are key factors to focus on: 1. Develop a business mindset: Demonstrate your ability to drive sales growth, manage budgets, and make data-driven decisions. 2. Build a strong leadership skills: Showcase your ability to lead high-performing teams, foster a positive work culture, and develop talent. 3. Expand your expertise: Stay up-to-date with industry trends, technologies, and best practices to remain competitive. 4. Network and build relationships: Connect with your regional team, attend industry events, and participate in mentorship programs. 5. Showcase your achievements: Quantify your accomplishments and prepare a solid case for your promotion. By focusing on these areas, you'll be well-prepared to take on the challenges and opportunities that come with a District Manager role. Let's connect and discuss our experiences and insights! #retailmanagement #careeradvice #leadershipdevelopment

"To be or to do." I wrote those words behind my desk when we opened the mall in 2014. They’re hidden from everyone but me, a quiet reminder of the kind of leader I want to be. Titles like president, VP, SVP: they’re easy to wear, but what do they really mean? We can either be our roles— enjoying the perks, status, and recognition that come with them. Or we can do the job— take on the weight, get our hands dirty, and focus on what truly matters. It’s harder, yes, but it’s where real impact and purpose are found. Choosing to do is not a one-time decision. It’s something you recommit to every day. That’s why, in those quiet moments at my desk, I glance at the words and remind myself: lead by example, never ask anyone to do what I wouldn’t do myself, and stay true to the work that needs to be done. "To be or to do." It keeps me grounded. It keeps me going. How about you? What are you going to choose today–to lead by being or to lead by doing? #ILoveFisherMall #WhereYouFeelAtHome

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒅... When I wanted to be a District Manager of a multi-million dollar market, I was told it would never happen. Female, in an HR role for a market, never in a sales role, not competitive enough, and other reasons-I'm sure you can fill in the blanks. Fighting against the status quo is tedious, risky, hard. It's also worth it. I became only the 6th female District Manager in Best Buy company history. Finished #1 in the company the first year and stayed in the top 5%. When you become a business owner...everything is stacked agains you. The assumption is you won't make it...many don't. Figuring it out as you go, learning to think, lead and engage differently. Doing it yourself in the beginning with no team and no resources. It's tedious, frustrating, it's hard. But it you're willing to be constantly learning, pivoting and finding the right people to surround yourself with...it will be worth it. #focus #leadership #loyalty #business #motivation