Jan Tribbey earned her first dollar during a summer job ushering at a local summer theater in Dayton, Ohio. A bonus, she says, was getting to attend every performance of every show.
“I still know most of the lyrics from 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' ” she says.
A look at her career in store design – now as vp, planning and design for Aveda – proves she learned more than just catchy lyrics – she also learned how to succeed in business.
Tribbey attended the University of Cincinnati, earning a bachelor's degree in design, before embarking on a 25-year career in corporate design management. Among her career highlights are designer, automotive interiors, for General Motors; product designer and creative director, visual merchandising at J.C. Penney; and vp, visual merchandising at Blockbuster.
Tribbey worked for FRCH Design Worldwide (Cincinnati) from 1999 to 2002, directing retail projects for clients such as Kmart, Old Navy, Macy's and Disney Epcot Center.
In 2002, she joined Aveda, where she supervises retail store, lifestyle salon and institute design within Aveda's global network. She is responsible for interior planning and design, exterior brand identity, fixturing and architecture.
Recently, Aveda's first venture into the Japanese market, a lifestyle salon and spa in Tokyo, was named Store of the Year in the Institute of Store Planners/VM+SD International Store Design Competition. Her work has also been featured at the Whitney Museum and in various art and design shows and publications.
Tribbey will discuss ecologically conscious store design, including Aveda's award-winning Tokyo salon and spa, at VM+SD's International Retail Design Conference, September 15-17, in Miami Beach.
In five words, describe the Aveda customer?
Intelligent, aware, loyal, caring and nurturing.
How does Aveda express its environmental commitment through its store designs?
We enact the policies established by our executive director by selecting sustainable materials that reduce air pollution, support global diversity and reduce toxicity in interior environments. In addition, we approach architectural and interior design from a minimalist perspective, integrating reclaimed or recycled materials as part of our environmental mission and utilizing indigenous objects and furniture to reflect our global heritage.
Why is it important for retailers to be forward-thinking environmentalists?
Environmental and economic sustainability are synergistic goals. Every business can understand the fundamental notion that being mindful of things such as energy efficiency, material selection and recycling can provide immediate rewards in operating savings.
What do you like most about coming to work in the morning?
Working at Aveda is a delicious mix of project variety, environmental challenge, fabulous products and intelligent, motivated colleagues. What's not to love?
What do you like the least?
The fact that it's morning.
What's the best advice you ever got? From whom?
From more people than I care to mention: “Trust your intuition.” They haven't been wrong yet.
Name one retail design that stopped you in your tracks in the last year?
I really do love the Amore Pacific space in SoHo. It is so seductive.
Three words that describe me best…
Candid, determined, articulate, funny. (Did I also mention verbose?)
If I only knew when I was younger what I know now…
I would still own that apartment with the working fireplace at 35th and Lex.
Aveda's award winning Tokyo Lifestyle Salon and Spa embodies the company's environmental commitment through the use of locally sourced and reclaimed wood for the flooring, stairs and fixtures and solar panels on the roof. Nacasa & Partners, Tokyo.