Today we’d like to introduce you to Marty Leon.
Hi Marty, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always been intrigued by fashion ever since I was young. My father started the showroom in the early ’70s, and when I was old enough, I would periodically come up and help him with market week. That’s when I knew that fashion was something that I love and could see myself doing as a career.
I worked at Macy’s and Neiman Marcus perfecting my sales skills throughout high school and college. During my senior year in college, I became a top-producing sales specialist for Tommy Hilfiger, and I earned the title “Best of the Best.” Tommy flew me up to NYC and had a beautiful ceremony in Central Park at Tavern on the Green to honor top performers, where I was awarded for being one of the best sales reps in the nation. I came back from that trip, and my father told me how proud he was of me and asked if I wanted to join the family business full-time. He hired me straight out of college in 1997 and the rest is history.
With over 25 successful years of growing the business, I am so thankful to have been lucky enough to fall into a career in fashion and have my father as a best friend and mentor. I love my job, and when you are passionate about your career, it just doesn’t feel like work.
You can tell a lot about a person just by looking at what they wear. It is a reflection of who they are. Trends come and go, but fashion is a lifestyle, ever-evolving and always reinventing itself.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My road has been like a roller coaster with its ups and downs. I am very thankful to have had such a great mentor in my father who was there to hold my hand throughout my career. He taught me to focus on being positive, calm, and patient; everything has a way of working itself out. Positivity and enthusiasm play such a major role in sales, so I strive to come in each day with a good attitude to create an atmosphere of success for all of my team members.
As you know, we’re big fans of L & A Showroom. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a multi-line apparel and accessory showroom that specializes in young contemporary fashion. We showcase high-quality, affordable products that retail and keep our clients coming back for more. We are well known for the relationships that we develop with our suppliers and customers that last for many years. Our amazing clients come back because of the fun and energetic atmosphere we have created within our agency. The stability within our showroom is what sets ourselves apart. We are constantly making every effort to be inventive and on the cusp of what’s happening next. I am extremely proud of the stellar reputation our agency has built over 50 years of being in the industry.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see the industry becoming more of a digital platform with social media leading the way. Online retailers are becoming a dominant force within the industry. Having an online presence will no doubt add to the success of independent boutiques in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.landashowroom.com
- Instagram: @l_and_a_showroom
