Mike Simpkins Email and Phone Number

As a brand loyal, I am determined to use my passion for simply the idea that made Oakley what it is today in order to drive our local and loyal fanatics back into the Tyson's Corner location. An extreme refocus of certain controllables such as visual merchandising, product knowledge, and corporate partnership is vital to this game plan. Getting a better understanding of business acumen for this store is different to that of an outlet location and while overseeing both locations it allows me to fine tune the skills of a multi-unit level leader. With a strength in dealing with ambiguity, motivating a team where change happens daily is a routined focal point as I prepare for the next level.

My first opportunity as a Store Manager began with an outlet store for Oakley in the Hanover, MD at Arundel Mills. Never truly stepping foot into the outlet mindset, this was an entirely new platform for me. Taking on the challenge of leading a veteran team knowing the business was simple as long as I did one thing..listen. Blessed with a killer team, we grew business simply implementing a fun and educational work environment. Arundel was a huge growth opportunity for me to hone in on time management, business acumen, inventory management and process management.

With the extensive knowledge to responsibilities of an Assistant Manager already being implemented in my day to day routine, I was able to excel rapidly in this position. Taking on more operational details and coaching everyone with the will to succeed to the next position. Finding it much more productive when your leading a team of individuals with the same pride and passion as I do. Learning from individuals all around me on how managing a team stacked with energy, as well as knowledge for who we are at Oakley will continue to take my career to the next level.

In May of last year I planted a seed. A seed that I would continue to grow day in and day out. After a year and a half with such an iconic company that seed has grown rapidly. As the Sales Lead for Oakley O-Store#134 my abilities have grown. Selling is in my blood line, it comes naturally. However, there were many things I had to improve on both as a leader and as professional. Coaching, Team-Building, Visuals & Merchandising, and so much more. With the team I surround myself with, fine tuning these characteristics came easy. These guys look to me to continue and educate them on product and passion both directly and indirectly and I'm more than STOKED for the opportunities ahead of me. GET SOME!

Being a Sales Consultant in the automotive industry is easy to do. You don't need a degree, you don't need any special skill, you just need to be able to sell sell sell. With that being said, being a successful Sales Consultant in the automotive industry is an entirely different ballgame. Spending 23 months in the industry, it taught me many diffant things. How to communicate to people who are "just looking", how to overcome objection and never take no for an answer. More importantly it taught me one key trait to becoming successful in anything I do, how to listen! Asking the right questions is important too, but whats key is listening to how they answer those questions will make or break the sale. Learning how to listen well help me be patient and become successful in my everything I do. God gave us all two ears and one mouth for a reason.

At The Ski Bum I branched into a new style of life that began a path to a wonderful industry I grew to live by...the Action Sports Industry. It was at The Bum that I really noticed it wasn't just about selling, it was more about the passion for the product, the art, and the numerous brands that continued to impact my life from every angle. Each brand stood for something, somewhere, someone! I took the knowledge and passion that grew inside of me and now apply it to everything I stand for, everything I do. I owe it to the fellow co-workers, owners, and brand reps for planting the seed.