Rebecca Pelos - Cool Careers Without College for People Who Love Shopping

Published in 2018 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

29 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010

Copyright 2018 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Pelos, Rebecca, author. | Santos, Edson, author.

Title: Cool careers without college for people who love shopping / Rebecca Pelos and Edson Santos.

Description: First edition. | New York, NY : Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 2018. | Series: Cool careers without college | Audience: Grades 712 | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016059492 | ISBN 9781508175445 (library bound)

Subjects: LCSH: PurchasingVocational guidanceJuvenile literature. | Purchasing agentsJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC HF5437 .S26 2018 | DDC 658.7023dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016059492

Manufactured in the United States of America

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

PERSONAL SHOPPING ASSISTANT

CHAPTER 2

RETAIL BUYER

CHAPTER 3

INTERIOR DESIGNER/DECORATOR

CHAPTER 4

PROPS ASSISTANT

CHAPTER 5

REALTOR

CHAPTER 6

ANTIQUES DEALER

CHAPTER 7

ART DEALER/GALLERY OWNER

CHAPTER 8

PURCHASING AGENT

CHAPTER 9

STOCKBROKER/FINANCIAL ANALYST

CHAPTER 10

SECRET SHOPPER

CHAPTER 11

WINE MERCHANT/BUYER

CHAPTER 12

FASHION CONSULTANT

GLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

INTRODUCTION

F or you, shopping might be a good form of stress relief. Or maybe you just really love looking for a bargain or filling a need in your life (or your wardrobe!) But shopping can be a lot more than a form of therapy, a pastime, a chore, or an obsession. With some finetuning, it can also be a pretty good way to make a living.

First, ask yourself what you enjoy buying. Do you find yourself looking up real estate listings online when youre bored? Do the holidays fill you with joy because they mean a trip to your favorite stores? Does the garage sale at the end of your block keep calling your name? Do you spend hours on eBay every day, looking for the one thing youre missing from your collection? The good news is that the skills it takes to make those purchases are all skills that can take you forward into a career. Making purchases intelligently, for the best price, requires expertisea lot of which you can gain without even planning for college. You can make a good living buying clothes, stocks, antiques, and even houses. All it takes is research, communication, negotiation skills, and networking with the right clients and suppliers. You can work for a large company or a small one or even start your own business. The business of buying and selling is filled with possibilities.

Shopping provides many people with a great deal of enjoyment. Finding a bargain on a pair of shoes or a hard-to-find purse can fill a weekend or provide the perfect holiday gift.

In the following sections, youll learn about twelve different career paths for shopping enthusiasts. They cover a wide variety of interests to allow you to decide where you would like to go in your career. There are some occupations you might be considering already, and others that have not yet crossed your mind. Each section contains organizations, books, websites, and other helpful resources to help you figure out where you want to go next!

Chapter 1

PERSONAL SHOPPING ASSISTANT

S ome people enjoy going to the store and trying on clothes or searching for other items. Other people dread the entire experience and feel stressed at the very mention of an event where a special outfit or gift is required. Do you know people who cant stand birthdays and holidays because it means spending hours searching for gifts that they know will just end up being exchanged? All of these problems are so common that they have led to the creation of a new profession: personal shopping. If you have a knack for shopping, you might make a great personal shopping assistant.

WHAT THEY DO

Personal shopping assistants make purchases for people who 1) dont enjoy the shopping experience 2) do not have the time to shop for themselves or 3) have the personal and financial resources to hire someone to take care of purchases. Many personal shoppers specialize in shopping for clothing and accessories. Their clients are usually people with high profile jobsartists, media figures, business people, and politicianswho are seen and judged by the public. Based on their body types, personalities, jobs, and lifestyles, youll first help your clients discover what kind of styles and colors suit them. This involves knowing a good deal about fashion as well as different professions and social occasions (the proper attire for a lawyer is different from that of a rock star, best-selling author, or ambassador). Youll also need to understand people, their needs, insecurities, and sensitivities. Patience and tact are essential for a personal shopper.

Most personal shoppers are freelancers who work with clients on an individual basis. Some jobs might be one-time projects. For instance, a television journalist wants to change her image and update her wardrobe. You might begin with a consultation at her home where you both go through her wardrobe and decide which clothes look good on her and which dont. Some articles can be given away and donated, while others might be altered. Then, based on your clients measurements, needs, and budget, youll go on a shopping spree. It helps to have good personal relationships with designers and retailers at department stores and boutiques. Often, you can work out an agreement whereby you can return or exchange clothes that dont fit or suit your client. Sometimes, you can even get discounts.

Personal shoppers often use a smartphone to take pictures of potential purchases and to keep in touch with clients.

After bringing your finds to your client, you will both edit the new wardrobe, deciding what to keep, what to return, and what needs tailoring. Some shoppers help accessorize clothing with jewelry, shoes, and bags and work with clients on how to create different looks by mixing pieces. Making someone look and feel good about him- or herself can be very gratifying. If pleased with your work, some people might become permanent clients. Theyll call you if they need a special outfit for an awards ceremony, some suits for a business trip, or even back-to-school clothes for their kids. Some people even seek out shoppers for advice on what to wear at a criminal court trial or when getting a divorce.

A TALE OF TWO PERSONAL SHOPPERS

Mary Walbridge is a costume designer working in the film and television industries in Los Angeles. She has been nominated for two Emmy awards for her work as a costume supervisor for the television show Will & Grace. Mary is also a stylist and personal shopper who has shopped for celebrities such as Matt Damon, Michael Douglas, Demi Moore, and Glenn Close. Aside from general shopping services, Mary offers shopping services for bridal and holiday parties, black tie events, and career changes. Per hour, she charges $250 for a consultation, $150 for cleaning out closets, and $100 for shopping. Shoppers with experience and clients such as Marys can make around $100,000 a year.