Lesia's gonna shake things up, one email at a time!

what is your favourite way to sweat?

Oh, that’s easy, yoga and running. I am really loving hot yoga right now especially. I love the good sweat you get from hot yoga. I always feel so much better after a class, cleansed, relaxed and alive! I used to run a lot as well and I’m working towards running again, I just have to get my iPod updated with some good tunes and hit the pavement.

Lesia yoga-ing at the beach recently

what gets you up in the morning?

My two and a half year old daughter Taylor! I’m convinced that child is part rooster! She’s up early and ready to party! Sometimes we do a little yoga in the morning (tree pose and downward dog are her faves) and sometimes it’s all about cuddles on the couch while we watch Yo Gabba Gabba (and I caffeinate!).

The best alarm clock ever.

what is the best place you've travelled to?

I’ve been really fortunate over the past four years to have lived in London, England and Santa Monica, California. While living in London especially, my husband and I took full advantage of the opportunity to explore Europe while we were there – Barcelona, Spain for the long weekend? Yes, please! I really love London for so many reasons from the architecture and history to the fashion and culture, that city is so alive! But California stole my heart! There is something about those endless summer nights, the laid back vibe and the smell of Banana Boat sun block in the air! I love SoCal and I can’t get over it.

Lesia and her family!

what do you love about lululemon?

What I love about lululemon is hard to put into words. It’s more of a feeling really. I’m sure you’ve felt it. It’s that vibe you get when you walk into a lululemon store, take an in-store yoga class or get in on a conversation on Facebook, it’s the feeling of being a part of a like-minded, inspiring community.

how does your role elevate lululemon?

My role elevates lululemon because it allows me the incredible opportunity to share this amazing brand with the online universe. If you can’t get to one of our stores we can still keep you in the loop (and inspired) via our email newsletters and our website. I see the Email Specialist role as a huge opportunity to deliver this great brand and all things luon straight to your inbox! (If you’re reading this and you don’t get our weekly email newsletter you’re missing out! Sign up here for our online shopping emails and I’ll make sure you’re kept up-to-date on the latest and greatest at lululemon.com!)

Interested in possibilities with lululemon? Check out our careers page here.

Jocelyn's nephew welcoming her in Toronto.

what are the biggest surprises since joining the team?

 The culture lives throughout the company. I knew that lululemon’s culture was strong, but it has been so amazing working with such an open and supportive team throughout my on-boarding.

Jocelyn's smiling face!

during the olympics, what was your favourite experience?

The first was watching Alex Bilodeau win the first Olympic Gold medal. Every Canadian was proud to have our first gold medal winner be someone who was so deserving. Secondly, I landed in Vancouver the night Canada won the gold medal men’s hockey game. The city was alive and everyone was celebrating the end of an amazing Olympic 2 weeks. It was amazing to be in Vancouver for that last night.

what is  a recent goal you've accomplished?

I recently purchased my home here in Toronto. I made it a goal to find a loft  that I loved as much as the one I had in Vancouver and  not settle until  I find the right one. A year after moving to Toronto, I found my place!

Jocelyn, with her sisters and nephew in Toronto!

what inspires you?

One of my favourite quotes has always been, "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” These words are powerful. It’s easy to get comfortable or to give in to our fears. I read this quote and it gives me that extra push to take the first step to try something new and encourages me during difficult time.

Also, so many members of the lululemon team I have met are incredibly inspiring. I have already met people who have quit their jobs to go on trips they never dreamed they could do, who have ran marathons as though it was as easy as a walk around the block. It's inspiring to see people that come to work each day and recognize the possibility in their team and support eac other  to accomplish goals. 

For all you other HR buffs out there who sigh with relief when you step on your yoga mat or tie up your runners, our HR team is growing fast and there are opportunities in Vancouver and the US right now. You can check out the roles on the careers website.

Meet Shannon, our amazing St. Louis Showroom Manager!

What is your role at lululemon?

Community Creator (a.k.a St. Louis Showroom Manager)

What is the difference between a showroom and a store?

A showroom is a "cozier" version of a lululemon store; small and intimate, and more boutique-like... it’s like stopping by a friend's home to catch up and see what’s new. We operate just like a retail store in terms of offering tons of great product, but we spend as much time out in the community as we do in the showroom, so our hours are a little funny as we are not open every day and may close early for private events and trunk shows. We do our own painting and arranging. Some may call it "kitschy", but I prefer "homey", perhaps even "endearing". The showroom atmosphere engenders such a personal guest experience that ultimately creates authentic relationships. It's so amazing!

How did you come to lululemon?

I received my first pair of Groove pantsa few years ago and fell in love with the product. After completing my Masters in Spanish Literature and realizing the academic route was not for me, I began researching companies and met MK Letchworth who came to St. Louis to open the showroom here – her energy was INCREDIBLE and her enthusiasm for lululemon, contagious. It was an instant connection; we had so much in common! I applied online for positions in New York, was contacted by lululemon and ended up finding the best fit and opportunity right here in St. Louis with the fabulous MK (now lululemon masonville assistant manager!).

Tell us about your community:

St. Louis is friendly, loyal and authentic. It is a cosmopolitan city with world-class restaurants, museums, sports teams - but all coupled with a quaint, small-town feel. In terms of health and fitness, this is a running and fitness community where yoga is really taking off!

Inside the St. Louis Showroom!

What is a typical Wednesday like for you?

No typical day really – but in general I rise early, take a cardio class or go for a run, eat breakfast, participate in a conference call, grab a coffee and head to the showroom where I hang out with friends and make new ones talking about the latest and greatest lululemon gear, fave yoga class, new restaurants, goal setting, etc., and receive new product! After work I will drop in on a yoga class (or as of November in St. Louis, run with the lululemon run club!) make dinner and spend time with family and friends.

How do you usually sweat once a day?

I love to run, spin, practice yoga and take crazy cardio classes with some of the amazing instructors we have in St. Louis.

Why do you have the best job in the world?

Because I enable people to live longer, healthier and more fun lives by being a hub of health and fitness knowledge in my community. We offer complimentary yoga and fitness classes and educate the community on super high performance gear for however they choose to sweat!

No two days are ever the same. I wear stretchy pants to work and get paid to work out and have authentic conversations with people about health, fitness and living a GREAT life. My company is constantly challenging me to create a life of possibility and never settle for mediocrity, providing me with the developmental tools and support to make that happen! And, seriously, our manifesto includes such words of wisdom like "Dance, sing, floss and travel"and has monthly challenges that include dancing the running man once a day!

What piece of advice do you have for future showroom managers?

Be yourself and have fun. Sounds simple, but you are hired into this incredible company because you are incredible, so just keep doing that thing you do. And, well, if you are not having fun every single day, then you are doing something wrong. Get out there and connect in your community - love, laugh, sweat and breath deeply every day! Honestly, just read the manifesto, it’s all there!

What makes your showroom unique?

Simple - our community makes us unique: from the educators to the guests, to the ambassadors and R&D team, to our fantastic Central West End neighborhood. There is no showroom like it!

What's your Big Hairy Audacious Goal!?

My BHAG is to bring lululemon into Spanish speaking countries, uniting my passion for the Spanish language and culture and sheer enthusiasm and desire to continue to spread the lululemon love… en español!

See the amazing opportunities at lululemon with the new showrooms opening up!

What is your role at lululemon?

I am a Showroom Manager in beautiful downtown San Diego.

Tell us about your community:

Downtown is the cultural center of San Diego. We have a really great mix of athletes, young professionals, people in the military, students and tourists. We have yogis, crossfitters, dancers, runners, cyclists, mixed martial artists and Olympic kayakers. People here are some of the most friendly I've ever met. I guess it's difficult not to be happy when it's sunny 360 days a year

How did you come to lululemon?

I worked in Los Angeles marketing for network television shows until I burned out. I took a year off and got certified to teach yoga then traveled around the world with my sister before settling in San Diego. I knew of and loved lululemon from my LA days and was surprised to find there wasn't a store here. I found the posting for a showroom manager on lululemon.com soon after I moved here. The timing was perfect! I was lucky enough to be hired to open a showroom in Del Mar, lululemon's entry into the San Diego market. The whole thing was fate really.

What is the difference between a showroom and a store?

Showrooms were originally created to go into communities where lululemon stores were not around. They operate similarly to our stores in many ways but one major difference is that we have limited hours in order to maximize our time in the community. I believe there is no better venue than a showroom to interact with our community and truly gain a sense of what they want and where they want it. The showroom setting is generally very intimate and has that neighborhood vibe where our guests feel comfortable kicking off their shoes and staying awhile.

What's a typical Wednesday like for you?

Wednesdays are different each week but they always start out with our store manager call where all the stores and showrooms in our region get to touch base. Lots of learning and sharing happens on that call! Wednesdays include a class (or two!) so that I'm always becoming more of an expert in our community, connecting with the most amazing teachers, trainers, athletes and studios in our neighborhood. Community and people development are how I spend most of my days.

How do you usually sweat once a day?

Yoga is definitely my preferred form of exercise/stress relief though I took my first hip hop class a couple weeks ago and I'm hooked! Also, I work up quite a sweat chasing after my very active 11-month-old daughter but I can't think of anything more fun!

What’s one activity/fitness trend that you’ve been dying to try?

I have two: Zumba and Kettle Bells.

Why do you have the best job in the world?

I love creating something where there was nothing but opportunity before. I love working with amazing people every day, fellow educators and all the outstanding members of our community. I am so fortunate to have a job that embraces balance so that I can be present for my family and raise our daughter. I have so much fun at work that I'd probably do it even if I didn't get paid.

What piece of advice do you have for future showroom managers?

Be flexible and open to anything! Most importantly, take ownership of whatever you do... showrooms provide unbelievable opportunities for resourcefulness and creativity.

What makes your showroom unique?

This is the second showroom I've managed in San Diego and they each had very different personalities. The first time around we were the only gig in town. Now there are two stores in the area so we have to work even harder to create our individual showroom culture and not stand in the shadow of the stores. Our mission continues to be to attract new guests, educate them on our culture and bring the lululemon love.

Sidewalk yoga! All part of a day's work at the San Diego showroom.

Do you think you are one of the three rock stars managers that can lead a team in Madison, WI, Cincinnati, OH or Birmingham, AL? Browse some of the cool locations where we will be opening showrooms!

This guest post was co-written by Becky and Tricia, a dynamic duo in NYC! Becky (aka Becks) is the store manager at lululemon Lincoln Square, and Trish is the assistant manager.

7:30 a.m.: We start our day by grabbing a cup of coffee and then walk to the Lincoln Square store to begin to roll out the game-day plan. Opening the store together in the morning remains one of our favorite parts of the job.

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: The 1st round of product walk-throughs with our growing team begins. Courtney, the new showroom manager from Orlando, joins the team this morning to experience the day in the life of a New York manager.

9:30 a.m. – 10: a.m.: Product walk-through concludes and the seven-person team works to open the store. Before the clock strikes 10, we come together for the morning meeting. Goals are stated, sections are assigned and we’re off to the races!

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: The Thursday morning party has begun with quite a storm. It is the first cold, rainy day in New York City and our guests are coming in looking for warmth and listening to Dave Matthews Band on Pandora.

10:30 a.m.: We make a last minute purchase for our class with Nalini Method Ambassador Rupa Mehta.

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 p.m.: Nalini Class with Rupa. The Nalini Method is an intense full-body workout that includes a focus on your best assets: abs, ass and arms.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Apres class, Trish and Courtney grab a quick lunch and are back to the store while Becks and Rena meet with Rupa and Liz Eustace (Regional Community Guru) to discuss Rupa’s leadership in the New York City Recreation Center renovations and lululemon’s involvement and continued partnership.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Leadership meeting focusing on community initiatives leading up to the New York Marathon and finalizing finishing touches on our Charitable Giving Day next Tuesday, October 20th.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: We bang it out on the floor.

3:00 p.m.: Becks has an interview with a key leader from the St. Louis Showroom who is pursuing her goals of moving to New York City and would like to continue growing with lululemon.

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: We meet to discuss the next quarterly sales plan next weeks’ schedule including the Halloween window installation.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Spin class with the city-wide lululemon supporting team at Soul Cycle – East with new instructor Sherman.

Inspired by these managers? The New York region is full of amazing opportunities and are looking for goal driven people to join the team! Think you have what it takes? Check it out: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA1/ats/careers/searchResults.jsp?org=LULU&cws=1?cid=blog

Want to learn more about a day in the life of an account manager at lululemon? Well you've come to the right place!

As a Strategic Sales Account Manager for lululemon, I have the opportunity to introduce lululemon to people in new areas, creating passion for the brand, whilst supporting the communities in which we operate. It's amazing to be surrounded by entrepreneurial minded people who have an incredible passion for our product and culture. I always knew I wanted to work in new markets, I just didn't know at the time that I would land my dream job doing it!

So what does a day in the life of a Strategic Sales Account Manager look like? Well, every day is different, but to give you a snippet my team starts by creating a strategy. Where do we want to go and why? We partner with yoga, pilates, fitness and wellness spas in the US and Canada with a focus on new markets in order to build great relationships with our end users, share our culture and support our stores.

One of my favourite parts of this role is fostering and developing relationships with our partners. They are a business too and it is a rewarding experience to help them grow. The Strategic Sales program provides us with the opportunity to touch so many different facets of our company, from creating seasonal product catalogues, to working with merch and finance. I now have a broader knowledge of how my job affects other teams at lululemon. We also get involved in the fun stuff like creating community events, blogging online about our partners and we also provide product education and merch tips… And of course, taking classes and wearing the clothes!

The best part of all is that I'm following my goals and I get paid to do so! If you want to learn more about our team and what we do, check out the strategic sales section of our website.