I’ve been building teams for a long time, and every time I hire, I’m reminded that resumes only tell part of the story. The people who truly make a difference are the ones with kind hearts, strong work ethic, and a genuine desire to be a part of something and make it better.
From the very first day she started, Emillie has shown up.
She bakes for the team.
She follows through.
She resolves things with integrity. She laughs constantly.
In the last 365 days, I have not once opened my inbox to a customer service issue or staff problem. That is a first in over 14 years of owning this business.
When I asked Emillie how she helped create such a positive, accountable environment, she simply said, “You made the policies. I just follow them.”
Anyone who knows me knows I struggle with that. I want everyone happy all the time. Somehow Emillie holds boundaries, follows systems, and does it all with kindness and a smile.
She is insanely talented, deeply caring, and a true leader. The kind of person who could run anything she sets her mind to.
We’re incredibly lucky to have her.
Please help me officially welcome Emillie, our Store Manager.
x Tamara
Get To Know Emillie
What is your name and what do you do?
Hi! I’m Emillie and I am the Store Manager here at Consign Couture. I have had many different jobs within the retail industry but I love working at CC because I get to utilize my creativity every day within a small business environment.
What drew you to your field, and what makes your approach different from others?
I have always loved fashion and garment making. So, naturally I was drawn to any type of work in the fashion industry. I started out making my own school dance dresses in High School and it grew into a hobby of making my own garments. Currently, I enjoy sewing bandanas and sweaters for the dogs in my life.
Name someone you admire and why.
My grandma has always been a person I admire. She was such an influential person growing up. She taught me to stay true to myself and really embrace who I am no matter what.
What is a milestone you are proud of?
I’ve recently felt very happy and content with my life and where I am at in it. I think that is something to be proud of! Not to say that can’t change and I won’t want more in the future but I am content with where I am in the present.
What inspires you? Where do you go for inspiration?
Talking to people, friends and family, I find learning about other peoples experiences can boost my inspiration. There are so many people in this world with so many experiences and it is magical to share those experiences with others.
Tell us your favorite secondhand story as a shopper or seller.
I love shopping secondhand and try to seek out secondhand shops whenever I am traveling. You can really get a feel for the place you are traveling to by what is in the secondhand stores. I recently found some of my favorite pieces while traveling and shopping secondhand. Those are the pieces that come with memories from the get-go because they are associated with your travels.
What does “thoughtful consumption” mean to you?
Thoughtful consumption to me means being intentional with where and what you spend your money and time on. It is understanding that your time and money has power if you put it in the right place. You only have so much time on this earth and there is only one earth so you best make sure you are using your time on it to make a positive impact on the environment and the people around you.
What is something you learned recently?
I learned that the brand Anine Bing is not Annie Bing!! This kind of blew my mind because ever since I have known about the brand I have been calling it Annie Bing but the spelling of it would not make any sense for it to be pronounced like that. The more you know.
You are making a Portland must-see list. What is on it?
- All the food spots! There are soooo many delicious restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes.
- Some of my favorites are eem, Hapa Pizza, Tan Tan Delicatessen, PDX Coffee Club, Yalla, Duck house, Som Tum, and Kau Kau.
- Hiking, there are short/easy trails everywhere in the city so you don’t need to travel all the way to Mt. Hood to embrace the outdoors. Make it even better by picking a trail with a view of Mt. Hood. On a clear day you may even see St. Helen’s.
- Go see the Portland Thorns play footy (Football, aka Soccer). They are so fun to watch and the supporters section is incredible!
- Portland Art Museum is a great place to spend the afternoon.
- Go see something at Tomorrow/Pam Cut theater. They do great interactive events alongside movies.
- Of course, thrifting! Portland has so many thrift and consignment stores. It’s a very Portlander thing to do too.
- Lots of small business book shops to explore too. Some of my favorites are Annie Bloom, Parallel Worlds, and Grand Gesture.
How do you spend your free time?
I have many hobbies that occupy my free time. As I mentioned, I love sewing and always have WIP projects. Then there is my love for baking and cooking. I do have an un-named sourdough starter that I use for bread making and homemade pizza dough. I also didn’t grow up playing video games so I like to do that now with my switch (healing my inner child maybe?). My husband is a gamer so I feel like I am also learning a lot about him and his childhood when I play some older games. I am also extremely close with my family and spend a good amount of my free time with them.
Tell us about your favorite outfit. What makes you feel most like you?
I get inspiration from everywhere for outfits I want to put together. I usually seek out statement pieces to utilize for everyday wear. Because your clothes are meant to be worn. An added bonus is the complements that come with wearing your statement pieces!
Three picks: the best thing you read, the best thing you watched or listened to, and the best thing you ate lately.
- I love the Throne of Glass series. Generally most fantasy novels I will give em a go.
- I like some of the new “Office” like sitcoms on tv right now. Abbot Elementary and St. Denis Medical are fun to watch.
- The Pho Tai at Tan Tan Delecatessen is so good and in the winter time fills me with the warmth I need.
Bonus: shout out a few small, local businesses you love.
- Consign Couture – obviously
- PDX Coffee Club
- Jen’s Pastries
- John’s Market Place
x Em
