ZARA’S DESIGN LEGACY
Friday was Zara’s last day at InsideStyle and it was not without many emotions.
As we usually do, we had a celebration in the form of lunch and Jill’s tears were all over her blouse.
I came home and was confronted by the change, the sadness of missing her, the wonderful times, conversations and growth that will be missed.
The story is, Zara came to us almost 8 years ago (our longest team member) she came as “green” as possible, but she had a sense of style and an approach no one else has approached us with.
We were confused about whether this was a good hire or not because of her lack of experience , but ultimately decided that she was.
She has always been open to growth opportunities and to how things can be done better.
She started by understanding the back end (the accounting and design responsibilities that make the engine go) and as time passed she grew into an assistant to Jill, and then ultimately able to do her own design with very few changes to make it an “InsideStyle Design.” Jill loved collaborating with her on designs.. The laughter was a big part of that process.
To watch her growth as a designer and a person has been a gift, similar to watching a child grow up (I use this analogy because she came to us when our daughters were small and watching them grow at the same time.)
We have come full circle, in that she is leaving because she is starting a family of her own…and this is exciting and sad.
We are so excited for her in her with her new path and sad because our relationship felt more like family than just business.
It is a natural process and in this, we wish her well and know that she is up to great things.
But when Monday comes, it will be confronting and emotional.
Just as she has a new path, InsideStyle has to forge a new path too and Hailee and Michelle are the newest members of the team that will bring great growth for us.
Zara, we love you!!!! and know that this is not the end,
but the beginning.
