New York - April 26th, 2023
At Free Country, we believe in the power of education, mentorship and providing opportunities for young individuals to explore their potential. In line with this commitment, we recently had the privilege of hosting a career planning workshop in collaboration with The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit youth development organization. This event aimed to inspire and guide high school students by offering them valuable insights into various aspects of the fashion and apparel industry. Hosted in our New York City office, the workshop was an interactive session that allowed students to connect their interests to future career paths while gaining practical knowledge from our experienced executives. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes breakdown of the event:
Create a Foundation
The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Todd Barrato, our EVP of Corporate Strategy & Licensing. Todd set the stage for an engaging and productive workshop, emphasizing the importance of career planning and highlighting the wide range of opportunities available within the apparel industry.
Discovering Free Country
Jody Schwartz, the President of Free Country, provided students with a comprehensive overview of our company's history, values and mission. Through storytelling and sharing key milestones, Jody showcased the incredible journey of Free Country, inspiring students to dream big and pursue their aspirations.
Merchandising Must-Haves
Ronna Wolf, our VP of Merchandising, gave students a glimpse into the world of merchandising. Ronna talked about the pivotal process of curating an appealing product assortment to capture consumers' attention. She explained the essential role of product placement and discussed the strategies used to create visually appealing displays.
Production 101
Kimberly Fornari, our Senior Director of Production, shed light on some of our logistical backend operations. From ideation to production, Kimberly explained the intricate steps involved in the manufacturing process. She highlighted the importance of quality control, ethical and sustainable sourcing and attention to detail, emphasizing the impact these factors have on the final product.
Navigating Today's Market
Mark Morrison, our EVP of Sales, gave insight into the ever-evolving landscape of the apparel industry and the necessity of adapting to market trends. He introduced students to the four P’s of marketing: product, price, promotion and place. He shared valuable tips and successful selling strategies required to thrive in the competitive market.
About the Fresh Air Fund
Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit youth development organization, has provided free life-changing summer experiences in the outdoors to more than 1.8 million children from New York City’s underserved communities. Learn more at FreshAir.org