Employee Story: Molly Mitchem

Canada Goose isn't like anything else. We've built something great, something special - an iconic performance luxury lifestyle brand with an inspirational and authentic story. It's the people at Canada Goose - the initiative takers, the creative thinkers, and the doers - who continue to keep our culture strong.

Meet Molly Mitchem, Retail Area Manager in the Mid-West, U.S. When she's not working in our stores and on the sales floor guiding leadership teams, supporting new store openings and managing product tools, you can find her spending time with family, travelling and exploring new cultures. She truly embodies our brand ethos by living bravely and boldly.

Learn about Molly, her role as an Area Manager, what her day-to-day looks like, her proudest Canada Goose moment, and more below!

What does a typical day-to-day look like and what is your favourite tool or platform to utilize in your role? 

A typical day-to-day depends on the day of the week. In the beginning of the week, I am connecting with Store Managers, reviewing the week’s successes and challenges.

One of my favourite tools to use is Power BI. It is a great indicator of how our stores are performing. It also sheds light on available product and product needs that work within each market. 

Before a new store opens, what are the top 3 practices you share with store teams to set them up for success? 

It's important for me to make sure new teams know there is support available and partnering them with tenured leaders. By having an experienced mentor for each role, it allows teams to receive the best suited guidance while creating meaningful connections. The second thing I do is make sure teams know they can come to me for guidance. And third, I ask that teams take time for themselves! I believe we cannot be resilient if we don’t take care of our own needs. Taking time to do what you love and what inspires you is important. I do the same for myself and encourage that same mentality with our Goose Crew.

What inspires you? 

Family. Especially my kids and grandkids. They motivate me every day to be a better person. I raised my {now grown} children as a single parent which wasn’t always easy. I couldn't have done it without the support of my amazing parents. My daughter is now a mother, and I am in awe of the strong and capable woman she has become. Being able to return the support with my grandchildren is an honor. They are truly inspiring and incredible little beings!

What has been your most memorable or proud experience at Canada Goose? 

At last year’s leadership conference, I was awarded Store Manager of the Year. Receiving this award was a huge honour and a surprise! After 30+ years in the retail industry, I felt as though I had finally found where I was meant to be after joining Canada Goose. I am so proud to be part of such an amazing group of people that motivate and inspire me every day.  

Do you have any passions or hobbies outside of work? 

I love to travel! Exploring new cultures and meeting new people brings me joy. I love to learn through experiences and adventure. Submerging myself in the unknown expands my knowledge and growth. 

What is one way you demonstrate 'Live in the Open' (LITO)? 

While LITO means so much more than outdoor activities, one of my favorite ways to Live In The Open is kayaking. I love to river kayak whenever I can in the summer months. Connecting with nature and friends, while disconnecting from my daily routine, is my happy place! 😊

If you have one piece of advice to give, what would it be? 

Be kind. As leaders, we are striving for results and driving our teams to achieve them. While this is paramount to success, making sure we have a human component attached to our leadership style is important. Being compassionate and supporting teams with the tools needed to succeed.