Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to SEAN SAGER. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi SEAN, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.
I think most people on a career path bump into a layoff or even get fired too. I have been laid off and fired a few times in my life and I can honestly say that only good has come from it!
I have had to push myself into resourcefulness and kick it into high gear to figure out my next move and was able to push through. here is an example.
When I was the Visual Director at BEBE, I was laid off due to budget and low sales in the company.
This came at a time when I was living in LA and had already had a 15 years career with several of the leading brands in lA and I was sure I would never be able to land a high enough paying job in my field.
I decided instead of looking for a permanent job, I chose to become a consultant and take on smaller independent jobs to give me a chance to showcase my talents new brands I have never worked within hopes to get hired on a more permanent basis.
This was scary and a risk.
Nevertheless, within 1 week I had several interviews and was on my way landing my first consultant job with Hard Rock Cafe that lasted 2 years along with several other very good clients.
My consulting career did end once a company I was consulting for decided to hire me full-time in
NYC. I decided to take the job in NYC and commute back and forth lA>NY NY>LA.
I never thought when I left BEBE that it would be a new beginning working with many many brands and finally landing a fantastic new job.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have always been a creative person since I was a kid. I never new how I could possibly make enough money to live being creative?
Starting at the bottom of ladder, I began my career working in visual merchandising in a clothing store in Beverly Hills. My career took off when I was hired at a corporate level at Guess Inc. to manage the Merchandising department, specifically windows, floorsets and store/fixture design.
After a few years at Guess, I moved to BCBG MAXAZRIA for 10 years of immersive work supporting the store experience for all stores global.
My career lasted 18 years before I met my future business partner and launched SET + STAGE CREATIVE, LOS ANGELES. Our company manufactures the window display props for most major fleet retail brands in America.
Once the company launched, I incorporated my passion to mentor young creatives and was placed on the advisory board at FIDM college in the Visual Communications Department. At FIDM I was able to handpick young creatives and hire them into our company to give them a start on their career paths.
This has been one of the most rewarding parts of my professional life.
Our company is known for its hand made/crafty approach to modern displays. We have most of our current work on our website www.sscreativegroup.com. we manufacture in our studio in Vernon and overseas in China.
We are leaders in our field.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Work hard this means work comes first as your launching into your career – the rest is secondary. if you want something bad enough, you must invest in the time you spend on your career. the more you invest, the more you get back
Don’t worry about how much money your making
when starting out, I found that doing people favors, volunteering and working just to get a foot inthe door works!
Build a network
it’s all about who you know!
that saying is true especially in todays world where social media is so important
that means, go out to industry events, be relevant on social media platforms, live your life within the culture of your industry.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
in our line of work, an ideal client is a chain of stores with 100+ brick and mortar stores. we work with clients like Target that have 3000 + stores.
This type of client/job is a win/win for both parties.
The client and the vendor gets a great price.
Another characteristic of an ideal client is flexibility, transparency & great communication skills.
these are key characteristics we live by.
When we work with clients with these 3 characteristics -” the magic happens” and we are able to deliver a far superior product because this was a true partnership based on the client/vendor flexibility on materials, transparency in the details and consistent and responsive communication skills.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sscreativegroup.com
- Instagram: SSCREATIVEGROUP
- Facebook: SET + STAGE CREATIVE
- Linkedin: SET + STAGE CREATIVE
