Karen Henry is the Retail Brand Manager at Calgary’s Edge Marketing Corporation (aka SOLE) and has some insightful words to share with other young professionals about careers and life in general. Curious? Read on to find out…
Where do you work?
Edge Marketing Corporation, better known as SOLE.
What do you do?
Retail Brand Manager – I integrate the SOLE brand at trade shows, events and with retailers. This is primarily through the use of marketing, merchandising, strategic planning and relationship development.
Homegrown in Calgary or Transplant? I was born in Saskatoon, but moved to Calgary in 1988, so I pretty much consider myself a Calgarian.
One thing we might not know about your profession?
Footbeds have a glamorous side to them, or at least the sporting goods market does. My job has taken me to all sorts of interesting places, most recently the Burton Open in Vail. I’ve also met a ton of great people from all over the world.
Best career tip you’ve learned along the way?
Never be afraid to ask for what you want. You have nothing to lose, only something to gain.
Most common mistake you see other young professionals make?
Taking themselves too seriously. You have to have a good balance in life. Have fun, but work hard. If you do it right, there is no reason that work should not be enjoyable (at least most of the time).
How do you find a happy balance between striving for success and being happy with where you are?
I try to view my job as a constant challenge, always trying to improve the little things along the way. I think this is really a step in success. The travelling helps too; I love to travel and it gives me a lot of variety in my job. Variety is important to me.
Favourite restaurant in Calgary?
That’s a tough one; Calgary has really stepped up the food scene in the last few years. I love breakfast, so one of my constant favourites is always Diner Deluxe – it’s a great place to take kids for supper too.