Ethan Allen EVP Amy Franks on Leadership: "Have the Confidence to Empower Others"
In this episode of Women in Retail Talks, Women in Retail Leadership Circle Senior Editor Marie Albiges interviews Amy Franks, executive vice president of retail network and business development at Ethan Allen, a global luxury home fashion brand. Listen in as Franks shares how she got her start in the furniture retail niche (1:15), what her day-to-day looks like in her current role (2:40), and how she stays connected with her team regularly (5:00). She discusses how she reframes failure as an opportunity to improve towards a goal (6:40), the culture of change and innovation at Ethan Allen (8:30), and how the company adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic (10:10).
Franks discusses how her leadership style has changed as she’s grown in her career (12:45), some of the things she looks for in a great employee when building her team (15:00), and her experience being a female executive in a male-dominated industry (18:00). Lastly, she shares her advice for the next generation of female retail leaders (19:55) and what she’s looking forward to, both professionally and personally, heading into 2024 (22:50).
Franks began her career as an interior designer, an experience that laid the foundation for her steadfast commitment to customer service. Through nearly 28 years in the home furnishings, sales, design, and retail environments, she has tackled challenges with a mix of core strategies and creative thinking. Because she is passionate about helping people become better at what they do, she approaches everything with a focus on training and development. As a leader, her goal is to inspire others to action and help her teams find the pathway to success.
Date: September 5, 2023
Credits: Amy Franks
Duration: 26:27
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