Today’s Notable Young Professional is Avi Raphael, who’s a partner at what he describes “the most exciting fashion wholesale and distribution company in North America.” Here’s how he reached his current position after starting at the agency as an intern before working for free was even commonplace…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I’m a partner at SlavinRaphael, which I feel is the most exciting fashion wholesale and distribution company in North America. We place the best apparel, accessory and footwear brands in the world with the best retailers this great country has to offer. We also just opened up our first flagship retail store, Tiger of Sweden, at 56 Ossington in Toronto.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I decided that law school, a family tradition, was not the route for me, so I had to figure something out. I always loved fashion but had no clue what that meant or how somebody would pay me for that. I was lucky enough to have a family friend in the fashion business who guided me to who he referred to as the “only person to learn from in this industry.”
I walked into Steven Slavin’s office 18 years ago with bleached blonde hair, a few piercings, no resume, and no clue. When asked why I didn’t bring my resume I responded with the truth: most of it was irrelevant to the job at hand and the rest was made up. I’d never worked retail and actually had no idea what the wholesale side of the business meant or what they did. As you can imagine, the interview wasn’t going very well until a lightbulb went off. I offered my services for free! I was the original intern before the term was even invented. After two weeks, I was hired full-time and back paid for the time I worked for free. That was my start at the Slavin Agency, which has since been renamed SlavinRaphael; I was one hard-working intern!
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of what I do is being able to come to the ultimate work environment on a daily basis. We have the absolute best staff in the industry and their energy is contagious. Most people spend more time at work than doing anything else, so my thought is you better enjoy your work. The most challenging part is trying to turn it off and go home at the end of the day. There’s always something to be done.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
I am a little obsessive-compulsive, so I’m in the habit of rechecking every email from the day between the hours of 10pm to 1am. I just can’t help myself. I made myself a promise that once I fully review a day’s happenings and have nothing to refollow up on, I would stop this practice forever. That was over 10 years ago.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Exactly where I am, just a little older.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Early on in my career one of our customers questioned my ability to the owner of one of the companies we represented. Instead of being upset or discouraged, I made it my goal to win both of them over. I believe I achieved that and consider both of them friends to this day.
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
Success is health and happiness. Looking into my wife and children’s eyes and knowing they are healthy and happy is all I need. Money can’t buy those things.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Becoming a partner at the agency I interned at. I’m not sure how many people have been able to pull that off but it’s something I am very proud of. It shows that working extremely hard can actually pay off. You need to absolutely love what you do or it just won’t work. To be honest, this is my first and only real job.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
If you’re able, do what you love and love what you do.
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
I love Cafe Bar Pasta, Mamakas Taverna, L’Ouvrier and Terroni. I love the food, vibe and, most importantly, the people behind those establishments.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “Me” time?
‘Me’ time? I am not sure what that means. Between work, my wife and three children there, is only ‘us’ time. ‘Me’ time will come a little later. That being said, basketball is a passion of mine. Whether watching a Raptors game or actually playing, those are the few precious moments when I move the “on” switch to “neutral.”
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
Tulum. It is heaven on earth. The flight is only 3.5 hours and the places we stay and the restaurants where we eat farm-to-table food are beyond perfection. It’s our little not-so-secret getaway. We try to go once a year.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
Paranoid Android by Radiohead. It’s actually three different songs rolled into one, kind of like me.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
Truthfully, there is nothing else I’d rather be doing.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I made myself a promise to donate to any charity that asks, so the reach is very wide. I specifically have a soft spot for the Princess Margaret Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation, and Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, as all three causes have affected people near and dear to me.
What to you is notable?
Honest people. I despise BS. I’d rather people be mean and grumpy than nice and fake.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone all the way.
#NOTABLE
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