Success Stories
What better way to capture the essence of a company than through the words of the very people who bring it to life? Here’s a glimpse into the world of L'OCCITANE through the eyes of a few of our associates. Read below to gain a genuine feel of what our Company means to those who live it.
Associates in their own words…
Amy - District Manager
(with us since 2000)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
When I joined, L'OCCITANE was a small company of 35 stores. I really liked that it was small but also in the process of growing. I've stayed because I've had more opportunities for growth than I've seen with any other company.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
My job is great because I am able to develop my people and see them grow within the company.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
I won a trip to Corsica for sales during the 2006 Holiday Season. The landscape was rugged and untouched, a beautiful place!
What do you like best about your work environment?
L'OCCITANE truly cares about the associates who work here. More than any other company I have worked for, they are truly committed to the professional and personal well-being of everyone who works here.
What is your favorite product?
Almond Shower Oil
Top
Aya - Manager of US Allocations
(with us since 2003)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I began at L'OCCITANE as an intern 4 years ago and instantly felt like I had found the perfect place to work. To begin as intern has allowed me to learn and grow within the company to the position I am in today. This company has provided me with knowledge, expertise and joy over the years and for that I am very grateful.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
In my position, I work closely with other departments to ensure all the products are properly distributed amongst all of our stores. This has allowed me to develop strong relationships with the Marketing/Merchandising, Retail and IT teams. I also enjoy seeing the end results and knowing the entire Allocations team was a part of it.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
The most memorable moment since joining the company was when I toured the factory in Manosque, France. I know that the true stories behind our products describe the origin of our company and our beliefs and attitudes about beauty, but to view the process with my own eyes was truly an amazing experience. Every step of the process, from the scent of the beautiful purple Lavender fields to the creation of the products, was just surreal.
What do you like best about your work environment?
The best part of the work environment is the atmosphere; I consider it, ‘my second home’. It is not like other workplaces that I have experienced which were stuffy and uptight. The environment is welcoming and supportive; when new employees join the team they don’t feel out of place, but as if they have been part of the family for awhile.
What is your favorite product?
Favorite product!?!? I can’t just pick one… so I will pick a whole range: Almond. The entire Almond range has a sweet, heavenly, scent that clings to the skin while moisturizing and cleansing the body. With the new Almond Apple skincare line, I am able to drench myself in Almond from head to toe. I even add some Almond Supple Skin Oil to the Shea Butter Hand Cream to add that extra scent!!
Top
Bill - East Coast Project Manager
(with us since 2006)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I was impressed by the brand, its design and the building program. I am challenged every day, and I have a very tight group of colleagues who take pride in what they do.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I really enjoy all of it…Art, Design, Geometry, Geology, Biology, Math, Trigonometry, Sociology, Psychology, Physics, History, Botany, Computer Science, etc, etc, etc.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
Two… dinner at a home in Provence with the Paris/Manosque team and opening the Southpoint store (which retail staff, unsolicited, called the “smoothest ever”).
What do you like best about your work environment?
My bosses have respect for what I do, and let me do it.
What is your favorite product?
Eau Des Baux
Top
Carlos - Stores Systems Manager
(with us since 2004)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
When I first joined L'OCCITANE in July of 2002 I had just graduated from school and I was eager to start working in the technology field. At this time L'OCCITANE was still fairly young and was in the process of deploying new technologies such as new registers, traffic counters, point-of-sale systems and an ERP system to improve operations. I found my niche working with different aspects of retail systems and have been challenged with many projects in this area since I first started working here.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I always find myself doing something different and the work has never become a routine. We are always deploying and using new technologies as they emerge.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
When I went to France and got to visit the factory where all the products are made.
What do you like best about your work environment?
Working with a great group of co-workers.
What is your favorite product?
Lavender Candle
Top
Chastity – Area Manager
(With us since 2006)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I joined L'OCCITANE because I was impressed with the company's core values and traditions. I've stayed with L'OCCITANE because of the people I work with every day.
I've stayed because the ambience of the store is the most welcoming I have ever encountered and there are always new opportunities for growth.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
The best part of my job is developing my teams. There is nothing more gratifying to me then seeing the people I work with succeed and knowing that I played a part in it.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
The most memorable moment was when I discovered that both of my store managers in my area came in first place for the holiday contest and won a trip to Provence as well as a cruise to the Mediterranean.
What do you like best about your work environment?
No doubt about it...the people I work with!
What is your favorite product?
Almond Supple Skin Oil....it's amazing!!!
Top
Denyse - Product Manager for Skincare and Sale
(with us since 2003)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I love the spirit of the brand – in an industry where so many companies only care about the bottom line, it’s very satisfying to be able to facilitate our partnerships with different charities. It’s also such a unique brand, what other Provencal brand is out there doing what we do? There’s really a lot of heart and spirit in L'OCCITANE.
I’ve stayed because of the amazing people I’ve been fortunate enough to work with – I can enjoy working with people in the office, and then enjoy socializing with them outside as well. I’ve made some really good friends and L'OCCITANE, both in and out of the Marketing department.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I love that no 2 days are ever the same. I can spend half the day on the phone with France, proposing new products, giving them my feedback for the US market, or simply chatting about someone’s engagement. Then I may create promotions for a campaign, give my input on the Sales Conference, or present some new ideas to different departments. Another day I might write copy or order props for a special event. And of course, I get to see all of these things when they get into boutiques in a couple months. It’s great!
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
That would definitely be last month, when I was able to go to Paris & Provence. I was added to the “Provence dans tous les sens” trip, where L'OCCITANE conducts a workshop for visually impaired students. The trip was amazing – Provence is everything you’d expect from the images we see in the boutiques every day, but so much more intense when you actually see the rolling fields of Lavender, or visit a tiny little village tucked right into a hillside.
What do you like best about your work environment?
The people. I love that we have been able to form great personal relationships outside of the office. Working closely with someone is much easier when you can joke and laugh, and have that sense of camaraderie.
What is your favorite product?
Immortelle Brightening Smoothing Exfoliator
Top
Erin - Distict Manager
(with us since 2005)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I had shopped at L'OCCITANE when I lived in France and always loved the products. When I moved back to the US, I was looking for a small company—and L'OCCITANE was the perfect fit! I’ve stayed because we are who we say we are. The more I learn about our company, the more I am impressed with our commitment to remaining true to our values.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
L'OCCITANE is the easiest product I have ever sold. Not only are the products great, but the I am continually impressed by our commitment to the quality of what we produce and our commitment to improving the world around us.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
Meeting Madame Assetou at the sales conference in 2005. Hearing her story of the impact that L'OCCITANE has on the people in Burkina Faso was very inspiring.
What do you like best about your work environment?
This is the most culturally diverse company I have ever worked for. Some companies try to force diversity, but for us it just comes naturally.
What is your favorite product?
Anything Verbena… especially the Shower Gel.
Top
Jaclyn - Marketing Assistant
(with us since 2006)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I joined the L'OCCITANE team as a summer intern for the 2006 Sales Conference while I was finishing up my last semester at college. I was interested in working for L'OCCITANE because it was the perfect opportunity to combine my two areas of study: French and International Business. I was offered a Marketing Assistant position, which has proved to be quite an intense learning experience and just the job I was looking for after graduation. I have stayed with L'OCCITANE because I really believe in the values on which the company is based.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I enjoy the multi-faceted aspect of my position. There is flexibility enough to be able to learn many different aspects of the Marketing process including campaign planning with the Product Mangers, communication to the field, reporting and analyzing campaign results, exploring different local markets with new store openings and local promotions and events.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
My most memorable moment was seeing the results of the Sales Conference last year. It was rewarding to work for many months on a project and see the results.
What do you like best about your work environment?
My team! We all help each other and learn from each other; working together to make the campaigns innovative, interesting and of course, successful. There is positive support from everyone in my department, which makes it enjoyable to come to work each day.
What is your favorite product?
Shea Ultra Rich Body Scrub
Top
John - Eastern Training Manager
(with us since 2005)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I was already a fan of the products, and with a background in retail and spa management it seemed like the perfect place. I also love all things French. As a growing company I knew there would be lots of opportunity to advance, and I have, and stay because of that and because I appreciate the core values of the company.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Being out in the field meeting and working with our field associates. I’m so excited especially to “On-Board” a new Store Manager, not only giving them the tools they need to successfully manage our boutiques, but also sharing my enthusiasm for the company.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
My first sales conference was just 4 weeks after I started and I got to meet not only the founder Olivier, but also Mme Assetou, who heads the co-operatives that we get our Shea Butter from. It really is a True Story.
What do you like best about your work environment?
For me as a trainer, I get to do a variety of things i.e. travel, conduct training classes and put together meeting protocols, so it’s that very variety that I like the best.
What is your favorite product?
I have many favorites amongst our products, but if you twist my arm and make me pick one it’d have to our Cedar Eau de Parfum. I love the intriguing blend of wood sap, cumin and cedar. The True story inspiration is also very romantic; sailors in the day knowing where they were in the Mediterranean by the scents coming off the land they were close to.
Top
Luis - Shipping and Construction Manager
(with us since 1997)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
Originally I joined L'OCCITANE because it was an opportunity to advance with a growing company. I have stayed on with L'OCCITANE because there is still room for growth within the company.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I enjoy the everyday challenges and the new responsibilities offered in my management role.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
The acknowledgment of having so many years of service with the company.
What do you like best about your work environment?
The networking with outside vendors, being hands-on with the employees, the set-up of the distribution center, and the quality of the products.
What is your favorite product?
The Shea Butter line.
Top
Mel - Store Manager
(with us since 2000)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I like that we are not a cookie cutter type of company. We are French and dedicated to our world and how we affect it by what we do.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I love my repeat customers—some have shopped with me since 2000 when our first store in Oregon opened!
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
Getting to go to Provence and visiting Valensole to see Andre Neviere and the bees (in full beekeeper outfits!).
What do you like best about your work environment?
I try to hire staff who want to do their best for our customers. It’s their (my staff’s) passion that keeps me going.
What is your favorite product?
This is hard because I like a lot of our products. I love the smell of the Olive products, but my new favorite is anything from the Grape line (especially the Shower Oil and the Crushed Grape Polish). I haven’t been without them since last September when they were introduced!
Top
Susan - Eastern Retail Director
(with us since 2000)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I joined L'OCCITANE because it was a new and different retail concept. I’ve stayed because I feel like I’m part of something big.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
The people I work with!
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
The opportunity to visit Provence and meet the people who founded our company and make our products today was inspiring.
What do you like best about your work environment?
I am always excited about coming to work, and I truly feel that my voice matters.
What is your favorite product?
Shea and Cotton Ultra Comfort Serum
Top
Thom - HR Generalist for Corporate and Eastern Region
(with us since 2003)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I joined L'OCCITANE because of the beautiful products and fantastic people at Cherry Creek #61 in Denver.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Working with other associates. I love being able to develop and maintain positive work relationships with the amazing people of L'OCCITANE.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
Traveling to Provence and visiting the factory in Manosque. I have the deepest appreciation for the hard work our friends and associates at the factory provide for us and the rest of the world.
What do you like best about your work environment?
That every day is COMPLETELY filled with things to do.
What is your favorite product?
Immortelle Very Precious Cream! Youth in a jar? Of course it’s my favorite.
Top
Tinea - Area Manager
(with us since 2001)
Why did you join L'OCCITANE, and why have you stayed?
I had never been in a L'OCCITANE before, but the boutique I worked in always burned Melissa Pear incense. One day I was sent into L'OCCITANE to purchase more incense for the store. I really liked the store and the staff was very friendly. The next day I received a call at work from the L'OCCITANE store manager asking me if I would like to interview for a part-time position, and here I am. I've stayed because the ambience of the store is the most welcoming I have ever encountered and there are always new opportunities for growth.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Being able to move between the two stores and working with so many different types of associates and customers. It is truly a different experience at each location.
What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company?
My most memorable moment has to be when I helped a bride-to-be design shower favors and wedding table gifts entirely around her favorite products. My staff and I wrapped each chou choued gift with rose petals and her personalized wedding ribbons. After her honeymoon she came back to the store with souvenirs from Italy and her wedding album.
What do you like best about your work environment?
The people I work with.
What is your favorite product?
Almond Supple Skin Oil
Top