A Day at Our New York City Office
It's back to work at the office - kind of...
After nearly two years of "working from home," I am finally spending a little more time back at our New York City Headquarters. Marquee Brands is located in midtown-Manhattan, about one hour from my Bedford, New York farm. Because the risks COVID-19 poses continue to evolve, we're currently following a hybrid business model that allows small groups to work in the office on various days, while others continue operating remotely. Earlier this week, I went into the city for an in-person executive meeting and I'm happy to report - it was informative, productive, and most of all, safe.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Our offices are new and bright and very inviting. It is refreshing to be able to return to our safe corporate environment, and to see colleagues after all this time. Our partner, Marquee Brands, is a leading global brand managing and marketing entity. It was founded in 2014 and is sponsored by well-known investment corporation, Neuberger Berman.
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- Walking down one of the corridors is a wall showcasing all the brands managed by Marquee – we’re in very good company.
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- Valerie Waterman is our office manager – always so enthusiastic and ready to help.
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- Our space has both private, executive offices as well as open desk seating. To ensure everyone remains healthy and safe, we all follow strict guidelines – all employees must wear masks, provide recent proof of negative Covid-19 testing, and work on a scattered schedule.
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- On various walls, we also remind employees to remain distanced whenever possible – a sign of the times.
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- My Bedford operations manager, Stephanie Lofaro, joined me in the city on this day. She usually works at the farm. She and my executive administrative manager, Dorian Arrich, joined forces and worked across from each other at their stations – six feet apart.
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- And you all recognize Kevin Sharkey, our EVP design director. Kevin has worked with me for about 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge about our brand and our many, many Home products. He also takes excellent photos – follow his Instagram page @seenbysharkey.
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- More giant inspiration images line the long hallways.
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- Here’s a view of our test kitchen, where all our book and magazine recipes are tested and retested until they’re perfect. It is complete with lots of light, large working islands, multiple commercial refrigerators and freezers, and side-by-side door wall ovens.
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- On another wall, we have a complete set of magazines for quick reference – everything is organized and tidy.
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- Jerry Haggerty is our EVP of brand strategy – Home at Marquee. He stopped for a quick snapshot during one of his many Zoom conferences from his office.
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- On another wall, a row of large photos featuring all the Marquee Brands businesses. Our Martha Stewart brand has a very busy fun year ahead – stay tuned to all our social media platforms and web sites to keep informed on everything we’re doing.
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- Among our other partners – my friend, Emeril Lagasse. Emeril is the chef and proprietor of 12 restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Florida, plus one at sea. He is also a national television personality and has hosted more than 2000 shows.
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- Sur la Table is a retail company based in Seattle, Washington, that sells a host of kitchenware items including cookware, cutlery, cooks’ tools, small electrics, tabletop and linens, bakeware, glassware and bar, housewares, food, and outdoor products.
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- Bruno Magli is an iconic Italian luxury brand. In 1936, Bruno Magli and his siblings, Marino and Maria, began crafting women’s shoes in a small basement in Bologna, Italy. Today, the company also sells luxury essentials ranging from accessories, handbags, and men’s tailoring to timepieces and personal care items.
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- Ben Sherman is a British clothing brand that focuses on shirts, sweaters, suits, outerwear, shoes, and men’s accessories.
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- BCBG stands for “bon chic, bon genre,” a French slang phrase that roughly translates as “good style, good attitude.” BCBG sells clothing, shoes, and accessories for women inspired by the evolving landscapes of European culture, art, and design. BCBG includes BCBGMaxazria…
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- And, BCBGgeneration.
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- Body Glove is an American brand of watersports apparel and accessories that was founded in 1953 by twin brothers Bill and Bob Meistrell. The brothers are often credited with inventing the first practical wetsuit in the early 1950s behind their Redondo Beach, California surf shop. I posted a blog about their fun paddle boards last summer – click here to revisit it.
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- Dakine is an American outdoor clothing company specializing in sportswear and sports equipment. Founded in Hawaii, the name comes from the Hawaiian Pidgin phrase “da kine” meaning “very good,” “the real deal,” or exceptional.
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- Destination Maternity oversees A Pea in the Pod, one of their two designer maternity wardrobe businesses. A Pea in A Pod offers clothing for every stage of pregnancy.
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- Their other business is Motherhood Maternity, the world’s largest designer and retailer of maternity apparel, based in Moorestown, New Jersey.
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- Here is our VP of product development, Zaki Kamandy, on the left, with Keith Li, one of our dedicated IT consultants – don’t worry, they only removed their masks for this photo.
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- And here I am in our meeting – everyone is well and ready to continue working on our many projects for 2022. We took this photo of our group on the large monitor.
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- And here is the actual view. It was so nice to see everyone face-to-face. I hope you are all able to resume your regular work routines to some extent – productively and safely.
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