A DEDICATED Mount Gambier retail professional is set to represent the city at the prestigious 2018 National Retail Awards next month.
With a $25,000 trip to New York up for grabs for the overall winner, Boating Camping Fishing (BCF) assistant manager Jacinta Farrell said she was honoured to be named in the top 25 finalists for Young Retailer of the Year.
“It is quite scary and nerve wracking, but I am excited to be part of the finalists,” Ms Farrell said.
“I applied as I believed it would be a great challenge – I also applied last year and received a highly commended, so it is great to now advance to the next level.”
Ms Farrell began her retail career at KFC at just 15 and following this she started her job at BCF, where she has been working for three years.
“BCF is an awesome place to work and the team are so supportive and the customers are amazing,” she said.
It has been a rigorous application process for Ms Farrell to get to this stage.
“Before becoming a finalist, I had to construct a business plan in regards to how I could improve my business in six months,” she said.
“That included a six-page write up.”
Ms Farrell is now at the stage of producing a one minute video on what she would do if she wins the award.
“If I was to win, it would be fantastic to visit New York and attend the biggest retail expo in the world to see what they are doing in America,” she said.
“I would also love to mentor anyone who feels they could have a career in retail.”
When discussing her future, Ms Farrell said she was always looking to improve herself to be the best worker she could.
“I want to keep achieving in my role, so this will be a big step towards that,” she said.
The awards will be held on August 23 in Melbourne.
