colleen o’ neill | general manager of taubman prestige outlets
Colleen O’Neill has been combining her business savvy and love of fashion since an internship in college. And it’s safe to say she has made a name for herself. Previously the director of marketing for Saks Fifth Avenue in Plaza Frontenac, the St. Louis native now is the general manager of Taubman Prestige Outlets in Chesterfield.
what i do
As general manager, O’Neill undertakes a variety of tasks. “No two days are the same. It’s interesting and keeps me very busy,” she says. She oversees staff onsite at the mall, helps retailers problem-solve and works with the marketing department. She also helps with leasing space. “I work with our corporate offices, but also locally,” she says. “I love finding a unique retailer that fits the center well.”
how i started
O’Neill knew she wanted to become involved in retail after interning at West County Center in college. “I really enjoyed the experience. It let me incorporate my interest in fashion with my marketing knowledge,” she says. “I loved blending my business sense and creativity. To this day, I still meld the two together.
where retail is going
That mix of business and creativity is a necessity for retailers in a technology-driven world, according to O’Neill. “There is still a place for brick and mortar,” she notes. “People want to try things on, and they are happy in a store environment. They enjoy the experience of shopping, but retailers have to adapt and be more experiential.” She explains that this means offering more than just a traditional selection of shops. Developers and mall owners need to think outside the box and consider adding things like gyms, museums, and amusements like trampoline parks. “That’s the fun part because you get to be very creative. It’s a chance to come up with unique concepts that have never been done,” she says.
“I love J. Crew, Saks and Nordstrom,” O’Neill says. “I also like smaller local boutiques. I always find neat things at Paperdolls and Leopard Boutique.” She also enjoys shopping for home decor. “I’m always looking for unique items. I really like Rusted Chandelier in Kirkwood,” she says.
how i give back
An alumnus of St. Joseph’s Academy, O’Neill serves as the alumnae representative for her graduating class. “I work to engage other alumnae through events and reunions. I also keep them up-to-date about the incredible educational innovations at St. Joe’s,” she says. “It’s really important to me because without my education, I wouldn’t be as far in my career as I am. St. Joe’s laid a very strong foundation for me to know how to handle setbacks and be resilient. That’s an important lesson for every high schooler to learn.”
my philosophy
“I used to try and plan everything out in my life, but sometimes you have to let plans go and be open,” O’Neill says. “It’s important to take on new things in both your career and personal life. Making too many plans or having certain expectations leads to disappointment. Be open to change.”
my favorite place
my dream
“If I could do anything in the world, I would write books on a farm with a big garden and dogs, horses and chickens. I love animals, and there is something calming about being i n nature and growing things. There is a lot of peace in seeing your time and energy turn into something rewarding.”
Photo | Bill Barrett