Most of my friends dream of having a job that involves travel – and I’m not talking about a conference in Auckland or the annual teambuilding trip in the Wairarapa. In my two years with ‘Team EU’, I’ve been to Europe five times. Most of the trips have centered around trade shows, which are an avenue to showcase our new ranges to current and potential buyers. The summer trade shows are my favourite – probably because I get to escape the torturous Welly winter.
I’ve been working at Icebreaker for just over three years now, starting out in the NZ customer service team. After less than a year in that role, an opportunity came up to move into a small team that looked after our European distributors. I’m still there, but our EU markets have grown massively so my role is forever changing.
My last couple of Euro stints have been geared to helping with the set-up of our European-based teams and offices. It was hard-nuts at times, working some big hours to get things done, but in August when the first German sales go through our system it will all be worth it! It’s a unique thing to be involved in – a Kiwi company making it worldwide! In five years’ time, when our German office is booming, I can say I was there when their furniture was being delivered. That’s pretty cool.
While the weeks abroad can be full-on with work, the weekends…well, let’s say I’ve been a Kiwi girl making the most of being in Europe.
So far in 2009, I’ve been skiing in Austria and Switzerland, hung out in Gaudi’s Barcelona, had coffee in Amsterdam and saw more breasts than I’ve seen in my life at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. I’ve visited friends and family in London, twice, and I’ve lost my bags on trains in Munich, twice!
At 24, I really have had the best of both worlds. I get to see the world, and I get to live in the best country in the world. However, I’m a firm believer in freaking yourself out every once in a while, and that’s exactly what I’m about to do – I’m moving to Switzerland to work with our crew there for a year. And because I can’t speak much French, I’ll probably be freaking myself out every day. Great! Can’t wait!
So big thanks to Icebreaker for all the doors you’ve given me to open. It has been a challenge, and a privilege. Looking forward the year ahead! EU is going to crank.
- Rebecca Ryan, Export Coordinator
