Mandy Rassi, CMO @ Michaels: Navigating Career Transitions and Setting High Standards

What this episode covers

My guest on E376 of #thePOZCAST is Mandy Rassi! Mandy joined Michaels in April 2022. As Senior Vice President and CMO, Mandy leads the marketing, loyalty, and customer organization and develops strategy, planning, and execution for Michaels’ 1,300 stores. This includes seamless management of their e-commerce business, MakerPlace, a marketplace for handmade goods, classes, and how-to’s. Before joining Michaels, Mandy was VP and Head of Marketing at The Kroger Co., where she led a transformation of the marketing function and worked with her team to create impactful campaigns such as the company’s 2019 “Fresh For Everyone” rebrand. Previously, Mandy spent more than a decade in Brand Building at Procter & Gamble. We have a lot to unpack, so let’s get to it! Mandy discusses her career journey and leadership insights. She shares her experience working at P&G and Kroger and her transition to Michaels. Mandy emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and taking on new challenges. She also discusses the value of higher education and the need for transformation in the education system. Mandy shares her leadership lessons, including the importance of transparency, accountability, and managing expectations. She highlights the need for clear communication and tough conversations in leadership roles. Mandy also talks about the transformation work at Michaels and the company's focus on modernization and customer-centricity. Mandy shares insights on career transitions, building a supportive network, and creating a thriving community. She emphasizes the importance of clarity in job descriptions and maintaining high standards when considering career moves. Mandy also highlights the power of networking and the willingness of people to help, even those outside of your immediate circle. She discusses the success of Michaels as a brand that celebrates creativity and the joy of making. Mandy shares her approach to hiring, focusing on building high-performing teams with complementary skills. She also emphasizes the importance of being intentional with time and prioritizing self-care. Please connect with Mandy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-rassi-96672610/ Check out their new handmade goods marketplace, MakerPlace by Michaels: https://www.michaels.com/makerplace Shop Michaels for everything to create anything, including a lot of new and fun Halloween products. https://www.michaels.com/ #thePOZcast is brought to you by our friends at Interseller, the prospecting and outreach platform for recruiters and sellers. Check out a free demo today! https://bit.ly/2Fbm/BZ Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and X @AdamJPosner. Takeaways - Continuous learning and taking on new challenges are key to career growth. - Higher education is still valuable for certain career paths, but making the most of the experience is important. - Leadership requires transparency, accountability, and challenging conversations. - Transformation and modernization are essential for companies to stay relevant and customer-centric. - Take the time to write down your ideal job description and be clear on what you're looking for in a career move. - Maintain high standards and refrain from settling for toxic work environments that impact your health. - Tap into your network, be bold, and ask for help, even from people you don't know. - Michaels is a brand that celebrates creativity and serves as a platform for makers and artists. - When hiring, focus on building high-performing teams with complementary skills. - Be intentional with your time and prioritize self-care to maintain balance and happiness.