20 Questions With Nadina Guglielmetti, Vice President and General Manager of Marketing, The Vitamin Shoppe

Nadina Guglielmetti is the vice president and general manager of marketing at The Vitamin Shoppe. She’s also a Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) corporate partner member! In this member spotlight, we asked Guglielmetti a series of questions about both her professional role and personal life, including the woman that inspires her, her leadership style, her advice for the next generation of female leaders, and much more, so that you can get to know her better.

1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
   “Contain Multitudes” by Ed Yong. It’s about the microbes and how they sculpt and protect our bodies.
2. What is a tip you have for productively leading a WFH or hybrid team?
   Having a routine while WFH is critical — mostly to make sure I take a break and get up from my chair. With a hybrid team, I have found purposefully getting together for key meetings, events or work sessions works well to keep the team collaboration and culture going.
3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?
   I wasn’t very good at asking for what I needed — specifically when I first had children and needed more flexibility to work through how to be a successful working parent.
4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
   I am lucky to have an incredible team who make being in charge easy. Where I need to be careful is not working to exhaustion. I am a workaholic and have a difficult time disconnecting or taking time for myself. I think that is critical to being a successful leader.
5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
   Having a clear vision and enthusiasm for the work we do every day. Leaders set the tone and energy of the team. A team also motivates itself — I encourage my team to take their vacations and recharge.
6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
   Shonda Rhimes. I recently picked up her book of “Year of Yes” and love the perspective of confronting your fears and opening doors to more than what you may be comfortable with. I am also inspired by her talent and success.
7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry over the next year?
   AI to deliver better customer experiences or improve marketing efficiency. While AI is not new, how it is integrated into tools marketers use is still evolving.
8. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a potential candidate?
   I look for someone who understands their strengths and weaknesses, in addition to curiosity.
9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
   I love to paint. I took courses when I was younger but have recently picked up the brush again.
10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    “Pivot” — I love listening to Kara and Scott banter while talking through critical issues in technology and politics.
11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Transparency is critical. Teams deserve to understand why decisions are being made. The best leaders also know how to balance empathy with decisiveness.
12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    My greatest success is when I help others succeed.
13. What practices or boundaries have you implemented in your personal life to create more work/life balance?
    I don’t really think work/life balance exists. It’s more work/life blend! But one boundary I try to adhere to is to not work on Saturdays. That might not seem like much, but Friday sundown through Sunday morning I give myself a complete mental break.
14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
    Open, honest and driven individual who loves supporting women achieve success.
15. What’s your favorite app?
    Astrology Zone. I did a project with Susan Miller years ago and she did my chart. I’m still addicted to her advice!
16. What do you do to recharge?
    Walking and yoga are ways I recharge. I also love to explore new places or countries.
17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    My children. They are incredible humans.
18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    My journey has not been a straight line, but even when a door closes, the door that opens is the right next step. Appreciate your own journey!
19. What gets you up in the morning?
    I love what I do — and my dog, Simon. I walk him for 45 minutes every morning! The best way to start the day.
20. What do you like most about being a member of Women in Retail?
    I love the women in WIRLC. It’s wonderful to be part of an organization where I know I can find connections if I need advice or inspiration.