Working -- Shop talk

Suzie Harrison

SHE IS

Making the shopping experience a friendly one.

Giving her all

Walking in downtown Laguna, well actually anywhere in Laguna, there

are a myriad of choices for shopping, entertainment, dining and art. One

of the things that can set a place apart is the level of customer service

it provides.

At Zazu Boutique, you’ll always find exemplary shopping satisfaction

because of the hard work and friendly, outgoing customer service Kelly

Brown has brought to light since she began working at Zazu in January.

Brown said she has always wanted to work in retail clothing. Although she

has worked in food and home decor sales, Brown has always loved the idea

of working with clothes and becoming a buyer.

“The owners, Wayne and Jeanette Engel, had wanted me to work here for

years but never knew I was available,” she said. “It felt like family.

It’s a family business and they told me if I ever leave your current job,

we would love you to work at the store.”

Loving her work

Zazu is a small boutique that specializes mostly in women’s clothing

and accessories. Brown said that most people come in for the lines they

carry, but customers also come in because of the service. Doing her job

well may come easy for Brown, who says she finds her job relaxing, social

and fun.

“I love working with people. The whole aspect of making people happy

is what it’s all about,” Brown said.

Particularly Brown enjoys helping customers who aren’t sure of what

they want. She enjoys putting something together for them for any

occasion. Over the past five months, Brown has built a regular clientele.

“The rapport and the friendship created here is great. People start

coming in regularly and we know each other by name. They in turn send

their friends in and the relationship you make is really fun. To see them

come back again and again is amazing,” Brown said.

Tight-knit town

Brown said she enjoys the camaraderie of Laguna because it is a small

town, and she feels because it is such a small town all the stores are in

it together. So if Zazu doesn’t carry a certain line another store might

carry, she offers her clients suggestions on where to shop.

“It’s important to make it a friendly business and cater to the locals

and tourists. It’s fun to mix ideas with other people and when a customer

comes in and leaves totally excited about the clothing they’ve purchased,

something they never thought of or thought they would look good in,”

Brown said.

Brown said she is looking forward to fulfilling one of her goals of

becoming a buyer.

“I am really excited to choose lines for the store. My employers are

the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to work for,” Brown said.

Zazu is at 303 Broadway, Suite 112. Information: 464-0888.