Vans-Magazine_3rd edition

HEART & SOLE
20
Are you ready for RLS Meeting 2018?
.
It’s going to be so much fun to meet again, in a very cool hotel (I checked on the internet, and it
looks awesome!) under the sun and over a drink
Last year was my very first time at RLS meeting and I must admit, I was amazed! You guys, must
have seen all kind of movies with boring meetings, where you want to be anywhere else but
there… Well, RLS proved me it can be way different than what I expected: it’s more like chill hotel,
sunshine and smiling and motivated faces. We meet to learn new things, walking together in the
same direction to bring and share the best to our team and customers. It’s always better to know
your colleagues IRL than behind your computer or on the phone.
Anyway, I am taking the opportunity to introduce myself: my name is Simon, as you may have
noticed, I am French, precisely from Lille, North of France (top of France!).
Around 4 years ago, I was working in a skate shop, and one of my coworker said that a bright new
Vans Store is going to open in a few. My head exploded!
When I was a teenager, I used to hang out at the skate park with my friends all the time
(unfortunately I was not the best skater) dreaming about those pro skaters and cool brands… The
idea of working for my #1 favorite brand, man… is it real life? Actually, this dream came true a
couple weeks after I applied: I was in the new Vans team for Lille!
I remember the first day, when we opened the shop, it was empty and a huge truck was parked in
front of the door with hundreds of parcels in it. After that epic receiving we were already a team! I
was 20 at the time and it was my first steps as a Vans sales associate, Julien was my store
Manager.
Since then, many opportunities opened up to me : a year ago Julien decided to change his
direction to Wholesale and gave me the chance to become the new Store Manager, and everyone
got to level up and were ready for new adventures. I must be honest, the first months were not a
piece of cake, but we stood as a family, stuck together and I am proud to say we made it.
It has been 4 years now it started with the best team and vibes you can ever imagine.
What I meant is that we are lucky be take part of a human organization, that allows people to be
who they are, and gives them their chance. Vans gave me that chance and I am very grateful for
that. It feels very different from other experiences I had and it feels great! This is why we give the
best of us, every single day, and it just started….
Can’t wait to see you again guys!
Simon Halegoi
Store Manager Vans Lille