No, I have no relation to this agency but the owner and Auburn mom Lillian Smith could be my second mom. She has given me so much guidance in the apparel industry and I couldn’t be more thankful.
So what is The Smith Agency? It is a premier temporary staffing agency established in 2008 that hires bright, local, sales professionals interested in the apparel industry. The “SA ladies” (Smith Agency Ladies) work various apparel and gift markets across the United States but Lillian’s hub is Atlanta, Georgia and she primarily provides sales support during markets at AmericasMart. She is a mom to 4 sons but the SA ladies are like her “daughters.”
Lillian was born and raised in North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Marketing and Communication. Her interest in fashion began around the same time mine started to develop in high school. Both of us worked for a high-end children’s boutique during our high school years. After college Lillian worked retail in both New York and London continuing to develop her passion for fashion. Her careers have included being a meeting planner, a wholesale representative, fashion merchandiser, and marketing manager, but her favorite job is being a mother to her four sons.
The process to become an “SA lady” begins during your training. Lillian makes trips to various colleges around the southeast. There her campus ambassadors (I am one for Auburn) has previously reserved a classroom where the training sessions are held. During the training session the girls learn the ropes of working in a showroom or booth during the busy market week. She explains what the showroom owners and exhibitors expect of the “SA ladies” during their time on the sales floor. Lillian goes over everything you need to know to work market, including her expectations on how to dress and conduct yourself professionally. She really prepares her SA ladies to be market ready!
Once you have successfully completed the training you are now officially an “SA Lady!” Your next step is to check your calendar and see when you can work a show and Lillian will let you know if she has a booking match. She books girls in Dallas, Atlanta and New York City. Before committing to working market you need to make sure you can commit to the days you said you’re available, have a confirmed place to stay and know how you will get to market (uber, Marta, drive- parking is expensive). During market week you are expected to arrive early in time to register and find your showroom and work the full show day from 9:00-6:00, with 30 minutes for lunch. Lillian really looks out for her SA ladies. If you want a variety of market experiences, she can book you with different lines or you may be booked with your dream client and stay with them for multiple markets.
Now how did I became associated with this fabulous company! During my time at Auburn I happened to be friends with one of her sons’ girlfriend. She introduced me to Lillian around the same time that I had gotten the job as an Atlanta Apparel Brand Ambassador aka “The Peaches.” I also had been to one of Lillian’s training sessions in Auburn when I was a freshman. At the time, I was a busy, studious freshman and it was toward the end of the year, so she was looking for people who could work summer markets. I had already solidified my plans for that summer in Dallas so wasn’t available. Fast forward and I am loving my job as an AmericasMart Peach. While I was unable to work for Lillian during markets because I am tied to a contract for the apparel market year of 2019 I helped where I could and served as her Campus Ambassador.
Here I am working my first kickoff party as an Atlanta Apparel Peach!
As a Smith Agency campus ambassador, my job covers everything from recruiting possible “SA ladies,” to scheduling and attending the training sessions and to answer any questions girls may have before and after training sessions. Lillian had fun contests with prizes for all of her campus ambassadors for recruiting the most people from their schools. If you want to work market find @the_smithagency on Instagram to see when the next training session is and let her know your availability!
Post college I am still working for The Smith Agency when time allows and recruiting. This past year I worked Atlanta and Dallas October shows! While I am starting a full time job I will always jump at the opportunity to go to market and help!
As an SA ,Ambassador we are part of the leadership team and helping to promote the company. Lastly, there are an endless number of perks of being an ambassador. First, you get paid for each person you recruit, who ends up working and for assisting with the training session and ambassadors are paid the highest pay level for working markets. Not to mention Lillian has an endless number of connections in the fashion industry.
Lillian will always be my amazing mentor, second mother and expert resume editor! I am beyond thankful for our friendship and I hope to keep recruiting talent and working as I can.
Website: https://www.thesmithagency.net/
Apply to join the Sales Team: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-UWpmndJ0oRUKe5s8kTxLElRaagpYQNXuhG-wnv6a3J0L-g/viewform
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_smithagency/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-smith-agency/