Lori Del Secco
IMAX is lucky to have a rep force full of energetic and interesting people. It’s true! Each rep has their own story to tell of what makes them who they are. To help you get to know our sales team a little better, we decided to feature a rep each month right here on our blog.
We would like to introduce you to Lori Del Secco, our August rep of the month!
We’ve asked Lori a few questions, and posted her answers below. After you get to know her, if you like Lori as much as we do (and we know you will), be sure to say “hi” in the comments section below the post.
Did you know? You can get in touch with your rep by searching by name or by zip code using the rep search on our website.
How long have you worked with your sales group?
5 years
How long have you worked as a sales representative?
5 years
Complete the following statement: I LOVE selling IMAX because…
… their products have a very high perceived value compared to the cost, they always have a good supply of merchandise, and last but not least, their customer service department understands that time is money for their retailers, so they are continually trying to make it easier and less time consuming for their customers do business with them! Oh, and there are no grouches there ever and I also have my “IMAX Angel” as I call him there that works miracles for me. 😉
Complete the following statement: I got into repping because…
… after 20+ years of being on the “other side” in the interior design and retail world, I decided to work more behind the scenes, on the wholesale level and as a customer service representative. After having walked in a retailer’s shoes for many years, I felt I had a good understanding of the day to day issues of business owners and that I could really help them.
What do you like most about your job?
I am a people person and I love to travel! I enjoy visiting all of the different businesses and getting to know them and the personality of their stores and design projects. I also like to draw on my experience as an interior designer, a business owner and a retail manager to help my customer solve the day to day issues so they can focus on selling, designing and making money!
What do you like least about your job?
Since I am a people person and love to travel, days at my desk with paperwork (ugh!) are the least favorite time of my job, but it’s all just part of the package… nothing is perfect right? In the big picture, it is not a big deal!
What is your favorite stress releaser? i.e. At the end of a long road trip, long day, long market or tough sales month?
I LOVE to hike mountains. It does not matter if they are in the Arizona desert or in the pines, they are all within 2 hours of me (yes, pine trees and snow are here in Arizona!). I meet a couple of friends at 6am or after work to do short hikes close to my house during the week and then lots of weekends are out of town camping or backpacking in wilderness areas.
You travel on the road and to markets – what is your favorite travel tip that you would like to share?
I hang all my clothes on the lightweight dry cleaners hangers when I pack my suitcase. I fold them like an accordion in my suitcase so they don’t wrinkle and then when I get to my room, I just pull all the hangers up at one time and hang all the clothes up in the closet… so easy to pack and unpack!
Fill in the blanks: When I go to market, I always have sore feet, but I never pamper them. I wish I could get a pedicure and foot massage at market (in all the free time I have while there!) 😉
What are some of your best retailers doing to be successful?
Having ongoing sales training for employees, continually changing their vignettes and store displays around to stay fresh looking, offering in-home consultations and design services, reaching their customer continually through social media and last but not least, greeting the customer with a big smile within a minute of them entering the store.
What are retailers in your area asking for?
Believe it or not, it is not a particular look or style right now as there are so many emerging trends, but availability of a diverse selection of products, good quality and good customer service are the most important thing for all businesses. Everyone is running a very lean operation due to the economic situation of this past couple of years, and out of necessity, they do business with whomever can meet all of these needs the best.
What is the funniest or most interesting thing a customer has ever said to you?
Perhaps not what they said, but what they did… This was actually during my designing days. I was helping a couple with selections of everything in the construction of their house including all fixtures, which included toilets. The husband was adamant that we all go to the bath showroom as he needed to “sit” on the toilet before he was going to buy it (you know, like sitting on a sofa before you buy it?). So there we were, in the bath showroom as we walked from toilet to toilet as he “sat” on them until he found just the perfect fit!!! I had to keep my “designer” face on through it all, but inside I was howling!!!
If you could have any position, career or job, what would it be?
I currently volunteer to teach Wilderness First Aid, but I think it would be cool to be paid to teach people how to survive in the wilderness if something bad happens.
Name something on your bucket list.
Go to the Seychelles islands. Best scuba diving in the world and I want to see an island there that a man owns and has lived on for almost 50 years. You can take a boat over and visit for the day!
Tell us about your children/family/pets.
I currently live with my two cats, Oliver and Tucker. I am their second mom, adopted from my friend who went to Australia. Actually, they finally approved of me and adopted me after a couple of years of me spoiling them rotten! I am also the favorite aunt (or so they say) to 9 nieces and nephews. I am the only one in my family living in Arizona, but I get to visit with them when I go to California… I also have 3 sisters one of which is my twin sister! We are very close. I am very lucky!
