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Erin, VP Retail Partnerships at Blendjet: Advize Career Interview
A winding career path from English and Spanish to VP of Retail Partnerships at Blendjet demonstrates the adaptability needed for success.
This individual's journey, marked by roles at Yelp, ClassPass, and Square, and punctuated by an NYU MBA, showcases a progression from sales and account management to building a major retail channel for a fast-growing consumer goods company.
The interview reveals a dynamic role managing key retail partnerships, requiring detailed organization, persistence, and strong relationship-building skills.
A significant challenge is navigating the slower pace of retail compared to tech, yet the reward is witnessing the direct, positive impact Blendjet has on customer lives.
Advice for aspiring professionals includes focusing on developing strong work habits, actively advocating for oneself, and seeking mentorship opportunities.
Entry-level sales roles are highlighted as foundational for a successful career in this field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Erin Kristovich
VP Retail Partnerships
Blendjet
Washington University in St. Louis
NYU Stern Business School
Spanish & Other Languages, English
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Sales and Client Management
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Career Path Of A VP Retail Partnerships At Blendjet
Erin's career path, from a double major in English and Spanish with initial aspirations in book publishing, to a VP role at Blendjet, showcases adaptability and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities. The journey involved pivoting from sales at Yelp and account management at ClassPass and Square, punctuated by an MBA from NYU which broadened their perspective and led to their current role building out Blendjet's retail presence, a testament to "a pretty winding path."
Main responsibilities of a Vice President Retail Partnerships at Blendjet
Erin, VP of Retail Partnerships at Blendjet, manages relationships with major retailers like Target and Walmart, expanding Blendjet's retail presence from "1% of our business to 40%." This involves maintaining existing partnerships while actively seeking new ones to further increase revenue through the retail channel.
Day in the Life of a Vice President Retail Partnerships at Blendjet
Erin's day-to-day responsibilities as VP of Retail Partnerships at Blendjet involve frequent outreach to retail buyers, maintaining strong relationships to secure opportunities and navigate supply chain challenges ("the last few years have been difficult with supply chain issues"). Close collaboration with operations and leadership ensures alignment on new product launches and addresses complexities arising from expanding beyond direct-to-consumer sales.
Most Important Skills for a Vice President Retail Partnerships at Blendjet
Erin, VP of Retail Partnerships at Blendjet, identifies detail-orientation, organization, and persistence as crucial skills, emphasizing the need to "take ownership and move everything forward." The ability to build relationships and have "deeper conversations" is also highlighted as key to success, impacting not only this specific role but also broader career advancement.
Favorite Parts of Being a Vice President Retail Partnerships at Blendjet
Erin enjoys the autonomy of building their department from the ground up, transforming it from a "1% of our Revenue" contributor to a projected 50% of the business. This allows them to be "the expert," make final decisions, and quickly learn to "own such a large part of the business."
Biggest Challenges Faced by a VP Retail Partnerships at Blendjet
Erin's biggest challenge as VP of Retail Partnerships at Blendjet is the slow pace of the retail industry, a stark contrast to their tech background where execution is much faster; the need to "control what I'm able to control" and adapt to retail's slower pace highlights the crucial adjustment needed when transitioning between industries.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Retail As A VP Retail Partnerships
Erin's favorite aspect of the consumer goods industry is witnessing the immediate, positive impact Blendjet's product has on customers' lives, a stark contrast to prior roles in software where the effects were less tangible. The accessibility of healthy eating enabled by Blendjet is a source of satisfaction, as evidenced by the frequent customer testimonials highlighting a "healthier lifestyle."
What Type of Person Thrives in the Retail Industry According to Blendjet's Retail VP
Success in the retail partnerships industry requires meticulous attention to detail, "staying on top of your schedule and to-do list," and navigating outdated systems with patience and persistence. The ability to manage complex compliance processes and maintain diligence is crucial for thriving in this career field.
What a VP Retail Partnerships at Blendjet Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Retail
Erin, a VP of Retail Partnerships at Blendjet, wished they had understood the slower pace of retail compared to tech, noting that "the speed of accomplishing goals" in tech is "more of an outlier" in retail. This highlights the need for "additional patience and persistence" when working with established retailers like Walmart or Target, a crucial lesson for someone transitioning between tech and retail sectors.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Sales Professionals
Erin, VP of Retail Partnerships at Blendjet, recommends entry-level sales or customer-facing roles as "the foundation for most roles," because these roles build crucial skills applicable across various careers, including "convincing somebody to buy" and "advising somebody on the best course of action." This experience, even unexpectedly gained, significantly propelled their career trajectory.
Significant Career Lesson From A VP Retail Partnerships At Blendjet
Erin's most significant career lesson involved learning to "advocate for [oneself]," realizing that hard work alone isn't sufficient for career advancement; actively seeking mentorship and networking, as demonstrated by obtaining a Square role through a Yelp referral, are crucial for growth and seizing opportunities.
College Experiences That Helped a VP Retail Partnerships at Blendjet Succeed
Erin, VP of Retail Partnerships at Blendjet, advises college students to focus on developing strong work habits—"managing a schedule, meeting deadlines, working on group projects"—rather than solely on specific coursework. The transferable skills gained from consistent class attendance and assignment completion are, in their experience, more valuable for career success than a particular academic major.
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