Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Janis Treiber. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Janis thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In the retail world, risk-taking needs to be calculated, and based on not only past performance, but spur new growth and innovation for both merchandise and the ability to reach new audiences. Post-pandemic, it was clear that the retail experience needed to change and evolve to match the mission of the Museum and the heightened demand of shoppers wanting to connect to something bigger than just a transaction. With the support of NCMA, we implemented a new phase that allowed us to experiment with moving to over 85% of merchandise coming from local artists and artisans across the state. This added the need to shift to lower margins for the Museum in favor of the best compensation possible for the artist, essentially putting the artist first. After three years, our retail experience has launched multiple new vendors and attracted established ones. The staff is excited to share stories that go beyond product and ultimately bring more joy. In the end, the best risks are the ones where others benefit more than you.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been with NCMA for 10 years, serving the state of North Carolina as a volunteer docent, frontline sales associate, tour manager, volunteer manager, director of visitor experience, and my current dual role as director of both visitor and retail experience. I am committed to hospitality, philanthropy, collaboration, leadership, and learning. In my goal of guiding my team, and the Museum toward success, along with a fabulous team, I focus on creating welcoming experiences as well as reimaging future visions and opportunities. Key accomplishments include supporting local artists and artisans, greeting and meeting the needs of all visitors on campus, and constantly exploring new platforms for service, sales, and communication.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The number one piece of advice is to provide excellent service. Cultivating relationships, prioritizing visitor needs, and creating exceptional experiences lead to value, visibility, and referrals. Respect those you serve and they will support you. One key change we made as a team is the way we welcome visitors into our galleries and stores. We keep it short and sincere without asking too many questions, placing labels or expectations, and one word only; Welcome! From there, they will feel comfortable and reach out if needed with questions.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Personal growth, as well as professional growth, is essential for resilience. My journey has always been about serving others, whether as a parent, community member, or volunteer. When I chose to reenter the workforce and continue my growth, there were challenges, difficulties, and roadblocks. I learned over time that each of these situations brought me more knowledge and skill sets in the end and eventually opportunities I never would have dreamed of came my way. It is also important to lean on others for support and show gratitude for their support.

Contact Info:

• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Negin Naseri