Her Story
About Rosemary
Rosemary Rivera serves as merchandising manager and assistant manager at Kohl's in San Antonio, Texas. She has spent 15 years with the company, progressing from her first role in shoes to key holder and then spending seven years in visual merchandising, which she credits with significant personal and professional growth. Rivera earned an Associate of Health Administration degree from the University of Phoenix around 2015. She is known for her hands-on leadership style, checking on her team daily, assisting with merchandise and customer service as needed, and adapting to the fast-paced retail environment. Rivera attributes her success to her faith in Christ, maturity, and a strong work ethic, emphasizing the importance of controlling one's reactions to circumstances. She received key career advice from a former manager to ignore the noise and stay focused, which helped her persevere during challenging training experiences after relocating. Rivera advises young women entering retail to remain positive, avoid discouragement, and master emotional control to become influential leaders. Her core values center on doing what is right, maintaining good work ethic, and setting a positive example regardless of who may be watching.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rosemary
01What do you attribute your success to?
I'm a firm believer in Christ, and a lot of it is just maturity and good work ethic. I've been through a lot of things in life, and somehow I'm always able to just push it forward, keep moving, don't let things stick. Control the way you react to things. I believe in good work ethic, and that is what's gonna keep you moving forward in life. Don't worry what other people think of you, have good work ethic, and that will literally lead you to things you didn't even know you were capable of doing.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Ignore the noise and stay focused. My last manager told me that during a bad experience in training, and it stuck with me. He saw in me what others didn't, and his words of wisdom really helped me to continue pushing forward.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up, be positive. Retail's not for everybody, but if you have that passion, don't let things discourage you. Learn to control your reactions, and once you handle that, you're unstoppable. You can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it. If you wouldn't have given up, you would not be here right now.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is getting other employees on the same page and learning to influence people in the workplace in a positive way so that we can work harmoniously. Especially after moving cities, the culture is different, and it's a learning experience to handle situations professionally and lead by example with good work ethic.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, it's definitely work ethic. I believe in doing what's right, the correct thing. Do what's right because you don't know who's watching you. You could be planting seeds that you have no idea that you were planting in the first place. Being a good person in general, and do what's right regardless if it's your work life or your home life.
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