Kathy Lou Barlow
Kathy Barlow, born and raised in Illinois, discovered her passion for craftsmanship, creativity, and customer care at an early age from her mother. This early influence shaped her approach to retail, where she developed a love for the art of presentation and ensuring every customer felt valued, understood, and excited about the products they discovered. Over the years, Kathy built a reputation for learning quickly, adapting to challenges, and becoming a trusted resource for support, training, and problem-solving in the retail environment. She currently serves as an Assistant Manager at Columbia Sportswear Company and has held roles at J.C. Penney and Goodwill Industries, gaining extensive experience in sales, customer relationship management, and team leadership.
A gifted seamstress and maker, Kathy has created countless handmade items for family, friends, and professional projects, including custom apron sets, casserole covers, seasonal décor, and staging textiles. Her hands-on creativity and meticulous attention to detail have influenced both the spaces she’s worked in and the experiences she delivers to customers. This blend of creativity and operational skill underscores her approach to retail management, where presentation and customer experience are paramount.
Outside of her professional life, Kathy nurtures a lifelong love of motorsports, introduced to her by her father, and maintains a deep passion for animals, frequently supporting shelters and rescue causes. She is also incredibly proud of her 23-year-old son, a certified diesel mechanic. Throughout her career and personal life, Kathy exemplifies resilience, curiosity, craftsmanship, and genuine care for others, consistently striving to bring beauty, comfort, and positivity to everyone she encounters—whether through her work, her handmade creations, or her community involvement.
• CPR cerification
• Athens High School
• ASPC
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my Success to Always wanting to be better
my parents taught me, If you work hard, you can accomplish anything.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You have a great attitude with your job, and people
don’t ever loose that; and you can do whatever your heart desires.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Enjoy what your doing and you will go far, don’t be afraid to take advice or give advice.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being in Retail, it’s getting it. It’s getting harder to find Rick and Morter stores. Everything is mostly online; if we can give the customer a great experience, I think more stores will remain open and people will want to go in and have the interaction.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Commitment, honesty, communication are great values to always have.