(Note: This story appears in the June issue of STOREROTICA Magazine)
As a prodigious musical talent, Lily Wang traveled the globe. As an executive for Entrenue, she ensures pleasure for a world craving it.
Growing up, Lily Wang loved dance and music. She was serious about piano, violin, classical ballet, jazz, tap and more.
Her musical prowess didn’t go unnoticed either.
“I was in traveling dance organizations, competitive pom squads, and performed with dance groups during half time shows for national sporting events,” says Wang, now the vice president of sales and marketing for Entrenue. “I was musically competitive in solos, string chambers and orchestras that traveled across the US and overseas to 10 countries across Europe. Let’s say my family was very involved in the fine arts. Can you believe after all that I didn’t pursue a career in dance or music?!”
Fast forward into adulthood and while Wang has ascended the corporate ladder, she has still clung to her love of dance, music and arts.
“I am grateful for the upbringing I had, to appreciate the arts now,” says Wang, who volunteers for both the Phoenix Symphony, and is an active young professionals board member for the Ballet Barre, a group of Arizona young professionals who support Ballet Arizona through membership, volunteerism and their love of dance.
“We raise money throughout the year to sponsor tickets and performances to families within certain low-income school districts,” says Wang. “My favorite event is volunteering during the holidays to see children dressed in their best, attend their first ballet, and leave with awe after being photographed with the Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker. The parents are thankful and to see the families close together and smiling brings me joy! I’m sometimes the photographer, usher, or on the sales floor promoting ornaments. It’s one of my personal traditions for over 13 years.”
STOREROTICA Magazine spoke with Wang about her mastery over the procession that is adult retail, “slinging grape”, and working in a COVID reality.
SE: You were a Fine Wine specialist for five years — how much of a sommelier are you? What’s your favorite wine?
WANG: I love the piece that was recently written about Sabrina Earnshaw (sales manager at Lovehoney) and her pursuit to wine certification! I admire her path as I know how much education is needed, like sex education. I enjoyed representing wineries from all over the globe, slinging grape – I worked for the Entrenue of boutique wine distribution. I’m no sommelier, but I learned from some of the top master sommeliers, met winemakers, and a wide range of wine professionals – we all say that a good wine is whatever you like. If you like it, drink it! And mine is bubbles! Life is too short to drink bad wine. I’m thankful to have met my partner in this industry. Pop the champagne!
Two significant changes that I am seeing are: the marketing and messaging of gender neutrality and gender inclusivity towards consumers. Sex education is still lacking and the more folks talk about it, it becomes the natural norm. Secondly, there has been a growth in investments towards technology and dropship services to fulfill online shopping demands. — Lily Wang
SE: What’s your favorite thing about living in Arizona?
WANG: The beautiful sunsets and winters.
SE: What is your quarantine activity of choice?
WANG: I’ve been baking breads, cookies, cakes, and scones just before Arizona hit 100 degrees. I’ve also binged on all “The Sopranos,” countless movies, and rearranged furniture.
SE: What is the biggest headache your job entails?
WANG: No headache, but Covid certainly ruined a lot of cool business and personal travel plans.
SE: Where do you find the most joy working at Entrenue?
WANG: I enjoy all of the friends I’ve made from our retail clients, supplier-partners, and in-office associates. And knowing that all the work we do is making that end consumer healthy and happy.
SE: What’s the most intriguing aspect of your job?
WANG: As an industry, we’ve all shipped thousands, millions of toys — thousands a day — how does everyone not already own one? There is still so much potential for growth.
SE: What’s the biggest change you’ve seen across the adult industry since you started working in it?
WANG: Two significant changes that I am seeing are: the marketing and messaging of gender neutrality and gender inclusivity towards consumers. Sex education is still lacking and the more folks talk about it, it becomes the natural norm. Secondly, there has been a growth in investments towards technology and dropship services to fulfill online shopping demands. (This was even before Covid times). However, since folks are quarantining, retail therapy for self-love products are proving to be successful and enjoyed worldwide.
SE: What moment did you realize COVID-19 was going to impact business?
WANG: It was about two weeks before The Altitude Intimates Show when prior shows and travel all around was being canceled. Since this has been happening everyone is doing their best in shifting, adapting to the new normal. We are learning day by day, updates for what we can or cannot do. The best thing to do is to stay positive, strong, and supportive to others.
SE: Which area of operations has been most challenged by COVID-19? For retailers still in business, how are you working with them to keep things running as smoothly as possible?
WANG: Hands down, our operations and dropship teams. The volume of dropship online orders that were coming in to ship out was overwhelming. Our customers expected us to still continue shipping within 24 hours, however we were also following rules within the company to have a skeleton crew and distance from each other. This was not enough if we wanted to support our online retail-clients’ livelihoods and businesses. While other businesses had to temporarily close or furlough staff, we hired more! Our team has powered through this with the mindset that we are an essential business. Our clients depend on us to make sure they are able to stay open, and keep the economy going. Meanwhile, we are all healthy, safe, and well!
For more information, visit entrenue.com.
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