That time I took Team Pantora to Mexico

Last year I worked on new sales strategies, I got the team involved and I made them responsible for the new season that Pantora was entering. My role at Pantora has been changing for the last few years. With retailer accounts being requested all over the country, designing 2 collections per year and working on our physical expansion my focus was on the creative direction of the brand.

I saw how hard the team was working, I found an opportunity to get away, re-energize, refocus and strengthen our foundation. The trip was a treat but it allowed some bonding time, we did group activities and shared past Pantora experiences. I was really able to share with them what it looked like those first years of Pantora and they were able to impart their current day experiences with me. This was a great time to be informed on a years worth of what worked and what didn’t. We had such great transparent conversations poolside with a mojito in hand.

A lot of my entrepreneur friends reached out to me about this trip. The questions and suggestions. ranged from why and I would never! Truth is i’m unsure if it’s something I’ll do regularly, there are so many ways to congratulate your team on a job well done. This is how I chose to do it. When doing something like this it’s important to be as diplomatic as possible. No one will ever see your vision as clearly as you. There are some things that are all company inclusive and some that are reserved for a select few. Feelings can get hurt.

What i’ve learned is that sometimes people think their best was done by showing up. However our best work isn’t done by presenting the bare minimum. It’s an insult to ourselves when we don’t show up to our fullest potential. It’s a waste to be so good, but no one knows because the only time we offer our best is when the stakes are high, it’s a waste of our purpose..

I wanted to reward them for the work that they did, for themselves. Self starting and self motivating are quality characteristics. I applaud them for their hustle, I just happened to add a vacay.