Whenever the gals at Skirt PR reach out about doing a shoot for one of their clients, I always know it’s going to be fabulous. Ever since working with them 2 years ago for their feature on The Everygirl, I have had nothing but wonderful experiences with everyone on their team. From the moment they introduced me to Shannon Ridgeway of Westfield Old Orchard, I knew another exciting collaboration was about to begin.

It could be Shannon’s sweet-as-pie personality,  her obvious love of what she does, or how someone so accomplished can be both incredibly confident and yet so modest about her achievements, but I left our photo session with a felt contribution from spending time with her. As the senior marketing director at Westfield Old Orchard, a premium regional shopping center on Chicago’s prestigious North Shore, Shannon combines two of her passions in her current position- marketing and shopping. (Lucky gal, right?)  Having grown up shopping at Old Orchard, it also holds a very special place in her heart. Shannon oversees the company’s marketing initiatives including branding, creative, public relations, advertising, digital, social and interactive media, event planning and community relations. She has helped to successfully launch the openings of C.D. Peacock, Henri Bendel, Hugo Boss, lululemon athletica, Madewell, Rolex, Splendid, and The North Face at Westfield Old Orchard, to name a few. Shannon’s special event portfolio includes the enormously popular Sip & Shop series, and most recently, a breast cancer awareness fashion event with E! News host Giuliana Rancic, as well as a book signing event at Barnes & Noble with former President Bill Clinton and an engagement with the band, One Direction.

You might be wondering if there is anything this beautiful and business savvy woman can’t do! With a lot of dedication and hard work, she has truly built a thriving career in the retail industry. It is with great joy I share a few of my favorites from our session and a more detailed interview with Shannon talking about the victories and setbacks she has encountered along her very impressive path to success.

How did you get your start in your current career path? How did it lead to where you are now?

When I started undergrad I was one of those students who had no idea what I wanted to do.  I felt like everyone around me had a career plan, except me.  They wanted to be doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc.  When I was done with my required classes (history, etc.  yuck!) I was able to start taking classes about marketing, public relations, advertising and communications.  I really enjoyed these classes and was totally engaged.  I was certain I wanted to do something in this field.

After undergrad, I started working for a small marketing agency promoting consumer packaged goods companies like Unilever Bestfoods and DelMonte.  I worked there for about 3 years and got promoted twice.  I was finishing up grad school at the time, but I knew I was ready for a change and a new challenge.  In my search for a new job, I found the marketing director position at Old Orchard.  I knew that this would be my dream job!

As a child, what was your dream job?

I was always a girlie girl (even though I grew up with 3 brothers) and knew I wanted to do something in fashion.  As a kid, I used to read fashion magazines and tear out pictures of the models and hang them on my bedroom wall.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love that my job combines a little bit of everything….fashion, retail, PR, marketing, advertising, digital, social, etc.  Each and every day is different.  I am NEVER bored and constantly learning new things.  It has made me a very well-rounded professional.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Everywhere!  I try to soak up whatever I can, wherever I can.  I read articles all the time, flip through magazines, check out Pinterest, check out competitors, see what is new in other industries and attend networking events.  I have some amazing people I work with as well so I am inspired by them every day.  I also think it is ok to steal shamelessly.  Why reinvent the wheel if it works?

What is something you are really proud of in your educational and career path?

Attending and graduating both undergrad and grad school was definitely one of my biggest accomplishments. Both my parents were born and raised in Ireland.  They grew up fairly poor and did not have access to education like we do here in the states.  They moved here to provide me and my brothers with many opportunities including education and I took full advantage of it.  I was the first in my immediate family to obtain an undergrad and a grad degree.

Most recently, I won an award from my company for Best Marketing Integration on the East coast.  I was one of only two winners in my company.  Additionally, I was just nominated as a 2014 ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) U.S. Maxi award finalist for a Sip & Shop Wine Walk event I created at Old Orchard.  The U.S. MAXI Awards recognize innovative events, programs and technology that add value to shopping centers and companies across the United States.  It is nice to be honored and recognized.  Hard work really does pay off!

What has been one of your biggest obstacles to overcome in business, and how did you navigate it?

One of my biggest struggles was when I was laid off in 2008 at the height of the recession. I was devastated.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for my mortgage, my car, etc., not to mention I was scared, sad and embarrassed.  I allowed myself a few days to be sad and upset and that was it!  I picked myself back up off the floor and moved full speed ahead! I emailed everyone I knew, spent eight hours a day submitting resumes, had coffee with contacts, etc.  I found a job in less than a month.  It was in a totally different industry and I had to take a pretty big pay cut, but I wanted to work and I was willing to do what it took to get myself back in the game.  I learned a lot of lessons during this time including humility.  As cliché as it sounds, I really do believe that things happen for reason.

What do you know now that’s helped guide your next steps that you may not have known when you were in college?

You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with.  This is very true.  I work with an amazing team and I am very thankful for each and every one of them.  You can truly accomplish amazing things when you work together, when everyone is on the same page, and when each one cares about doing a good job as much as you do.

Outside of your work, what things are you most passionate about in life? What makes you feel alive?

I am definitely passionate about my family.  I love them to pieces especially my parents (of course), my three amazing brothers, my two nieces Kaitlyn and Kiera, and my nephew Ryan.  It’s great being an aunt!  I love to work out, check out new restaurants and explore the city with friends.  Of course, I love to shop and I am always curious to learn about the latest trends.  I love the changing of the seasons and can’t wait to be outside (like every other Chicagoan) once the weather warms up.  I am a huge dork and love to rent cheesy movies and order takeout.  I am always changing something in my condo to freshen it up, weather it is repainting a room or getting a new print to hang.  Lastly, I need to take time off and travel more!!