A HEART FULL OF THANKS

Wait, whaaat? All of a sudden, I’m seeing ads for turkey-shaped ice cream cakes and let me tell you… the discombobulation is real. As the shock and disbelief is still wearing off… OMG, it’s Thanksgiving already, I started doing inventory on all the people and all the things I am thankful for. Being a company and brand that is 33 years strong, with major distribution, and a social impact program that gives back globally, there is always a multitude of things, people, instances, and experiences to be grateful for.

Like any business, every department serves a purpose in contributing to the company’s goals and objectives. But I believe our unique culture and strong, unwavering core values is what makes all the difference in doing what we love and loving what we do. Remaining rooted and grounded in our company ethos has attracted a like-minded work family who has caught our vision and joined our mission.  No matter what challenges, competition or “dupes” come our way, I can confidently say we are the authoritative leader. WE KNOW FIRST AID and we know they’re not like us.

Marketing:

From research to branding, promotions and visibility, these snazzy ladies work hard to give me personality, sass, and make me famous so people on these streets will talk about me. Because of them, I’ve never felt more seen and heard. But, imagine the possibilities if they had a bigger budget for me! The potential is limitless! Thank you, Queens – forever grateful, am I.

Costing:

There’s a delicate balance between being profitable and not. LOL! Costing makes me one efficient, functional, and affordable gal, lemme tell you. Because they make me profitable, we can keep doing what we love and give back to those who need it most. Thank you, you are gold stars worthy!

Research & Development:

When you say “Make me make sense”, “Make people like me”, and “Make people look at me” to this group of creative outlaws, they just get it. R & D manages to deliver seamlessly; designing my looks, styling my ‘fits, and making me pretty, duh! No one serves design, aesthetic, flair, and pantone realness like this ingenious bunch. I can never say thank you enough, so I won’t. Byeee.

Sales:

The quietest bunch of loudmouths I’ve ever known. In a room full of characters, this group of seasoned Sales people share my story, close the deals, and give me a place to live. They have meetings with buyers, do some stuff, shuffle around papers, and then BOOM, I get shoved into stores and the world wide web for all to see! Securing that $$bag$$ all year, every year. Thank you, Sales team. Holla at ya girl!

Order Entry & Customer Service:

Without these ladies, all our sales orders would still be sitting in our warehouse. Thanks to the EDI Queen, our PO’s get entered like nobody’s business. And I truly don’t know how Customer Service does it. From processing PO’s to managing inventory, working with multiple departments, and patiently handling all the random, quirky, comical, and sometimes dramatic, angry customer phone calls and emails, you truly are a trooper! The roles you play are important and for that, I thank you!

Purchasing:

To the hard-nosed negotiating, habitual spenders that basically, found a way to shop for a living. Lucky. Sourcing, procuring, acquiring all the materials, supplies, and equipment we need to run like a well-oiled machine. If you wanna talk timing, pricing, or even shoes, coffee, travel, the best Chinese restaurants, and a countdown of how many Fridays there are until Christmas, look no further. Thank you for your being such smart shoppers – it keeps us going!

Regulatory Compliance:

The rule enforcers. We know it’s not easy making the company compliant, but it is absolutely necessary, yet so often misunderstood. Compliance always fights the good fight, reminding us to follow the rules – like a good little kit should. Also, the random “isms” and out-of-this-world analogies keep this place pretty interesting. Thank you for keeping us in line when we tend to color outside of them. LOL!

Operations:

You’re kind of a big deal. I know I’m one tough cookie to figure out, but somehow, some way, they put the pieces of my puzzle together and have perfected the method to aallll my madness! From Supply Chain to Production, Inventory, Quality Control, Shipping & Logistics, Maintenance, and process improvements. Operations keeps me timely and fulfilled, fit and maintained, efficient and cost effective, clean and tidy, well dressed and put together, then they send me on a journey to all the destinations that need me. Thank you to my huge Operations team for giving me everything I need to be me and do what I do best. Shout out to all of you, the real MVP’s!    

Information Technology:

In a world full of advancing technology (with a dash of old school-ish mentality), we know IT does what they can to keep us suited, booted, and well-kept so we don’t completely crash. A huge thank you and kudos to the real internet and server SACURRRITY!     

Accounting:

To the ladies who get me paid AND pay my bills. They give and receive like the ultimate relationship. AND they always have all the good Filipino food and desserts. I mean, need I say more? Thank you ladies, keep those finances flowing!

Human Resources:

Out of all the departments full of boisterous characters, HR does an excellent job of keeping it together because they have to keep us together. LOL. To the patient, kind, compassionate, caring, memo queens…. Thank you for standing up for our employees, giving them a voice, and providing them with a safe space to talk, vent, and figure out all the things. You are stellar!