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Colleen Perry
Market Manager

March 29, 2023

Start Date

November 15, 2015

Position(s) held at CWH

Finance Manager, General manager, Market manager

What brand(s) do you work for? Camping World What other teams do you work with the most? Every department is crucial to the overall success of the store. I see all of us working as one cohesive team. None more important to the other. We need each other to be successful.I love spending time in the sales tower and find as much happiness in the service department at the operations desk. Detail and accounting are equally important to me. I think that it is critical for all departments to know how important they are to the success of the whole team. What is your favorite thing about your job and why? I love my job. Everyday I get a new opportunity to work in a place that I love. We have our challenges, of course. I think that turning the unhappy customers or bad situations into a win are key to growing as a company and a store. I am also allowed to run my location and put my own personal touch on it. The people are really the best part. I get to really influence and participate with all of the employees in this location. I read an article about different styles of leadership. There were a few but the one that struck me was lead with love. That doesn't mean that we have dinner and spend time with each other but you love and care about the whole person. You understand that they are here doing their job to provide for the life they have outside of the building. I feel that leading in this way has allowed me to earn the trust and respect of my team. It also allows me to lead them because they know I have their best interest at heart. This also translates into working with our customers. I feel the same way about them. Without customers where are we? I think it's crucial to own your mistakes and take the time to work in the customers best interest. This is a fun business. We sell hopes and dreams, memories that will last forever. The opportunity to interact with the customers is very special. They are about to embark on an adventure that some of them have spent their whole life planning. I think it's important to be a good steward of making their dream come true. We started something recently here that i really enjoy. We made some t shirts in kid sizes that say "Cool Kids Camp" Inviting the kids into that special delivery day and giving them something to take away with them is fun. I remind them to wear their special camping shirt when they camp and parents tag us on social media. It's not always easy in a day to day aspect but it is worth it at the end of the day. What made you interested in working in the outdoor recreation industry? I honestly didn't know much about the outdoor recreation industry when I started with the company. I knew that the people that I had met in the recruiting process were smart and genuine. That was all I needed to see to decide to join the company. How has Camping World Holdings helped you succeed as a woman in the workplace? How is this different than other companies you have worked at? Camping World is a great company for women to work for. They don't see gender as an obstacle or roadblock to your success. You are judged on your merit and talent rather than your gender. I can truthfully say that had I not taken this opportunity with Camping World I would never have been given the opportunity or support and mentor-ship at any other employer. They allow you to have access to many parts of the enterprise, not just your individual location.

I remember when I had only been with the company a short time and my regional finance manager called me. He said he wasn't really calling for anything important, just to say that he appreciates me. I will never forget the way that made me feel. I had never in my career had someone say that they appreciate me. I will carry that feeling forward and spread that message for the rest of my career.
What advice would you offer other women who are interested in a career at a Camping World Holdings brand? I would say to run don't walk to our Camping World careers site. We offer so many opportunities in this company, too many to list here. The true spirit of being appreciated for who you are is evident from the top of the company. That appreciation bleeds down into every other level. Take a chance on yourself and see where this company can take you.