Shopping isn’t just a form of relaxation, a little something that will give you a little serotonin boost after you’ve clicked “Proceed to Checkout”. Shopping is a business, shopping is a career choice, but most importantly shopping can change the inside workings of a whole industry. Personal shopping as a branch in the fashion industry is often one that is highly glamourised due to the somewhat misguided understanding of the terms used for the position: yes, there is shopping involved, and yes it is for another person, but it’s definitely not as easy as it looks. Excellent knowledge of the industry is a must, as well as a deep understanding of customer psychology. And to further add to that statement, probably one of the most used epithets used to describe people who work in the fashion industry is: competitive. Girls (and guys) all over the world pine over a top position working in a luxury shopping company, but what is it that makes them stand out in the impeccably-styled crowd? Is it an impressive resume, or maybe a diploma from one of the most coveted universities in the world? Or maybe, dare I say, luck? Sure, some of those things might make you sparkle at your job interview, but what keeps the last person standing is discipline, determination, and persistence.
That is how Juste Navagrudskaite, our newest Cool Face, managed to survive the shark tank that is London and worked her way up the career ladder, from a post-grad Online Personal Shopping position at MatchesFashion.com to ultimately landing her role as a Customer Relations Manager at online luxury fashion and retail company MyTheresa, all while exceeding her personal sales targets and just being a hardworking girlboss in general. Her inspirational story and encouraging words are a kind reminder that one must never give up on their dream, but be aware that it requires a great amount of dedication, sacrifice and will power in order to come out on the top.
Who is Juste Navagrudskaite?
I am originally from Lithuania, however, I have been living in London for over a decade now. I am an expert in online luxury shopping and I have been fortunate to shop for the top 0.01%. My wardrobe contains a mix of luxury and vintage pieces and I always think that less is more.
What’s your morning routine like?
I am an absolute morning person and it is my favourite time of the day. I wake up at 6 am and take a few minutes to think about what I am grateful for and try to avoid checking my phone. At 7 am I go to HIIT or a Pilates class. This daily helps me to deal with stress, really boosts my mood, and gives me energy for the rest of the day. On my way home I usually grab an oat milk latte, have a quick shower, and put on something smart to keep me motivated even when working from home.
Your career is truly inspiring. You’ve worked for fashion heavyweights like Harvey Nichols, MatchesFashion.com, Browns Fashion, and MyTheresa. Could you share a bit more on how you build this amazing career for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
I came to London with a dream of becoming a fashion buyer and that is what I studied. I could not afford to do an internship at the time to gain some buying experience, so my plan was to start working for the company I love and then move internally. Right after graduating, I was lucky to get a job at Matchesfashion.com — at the time it was just the beginning of an era for online personal shopping. After having one great company on my CV more doors opened — I feel like there were not many people with personal shopping experience and this area was growing rapidly. It is crucial to keep going and do not give up. London is incredibly competitive but if you are determined and hard working you will land your dream role in the end. Also, I don’t remember the last time I was late or had a sick day. Be committed to your work and you will reap the rewards.
What‘s the most challenging and most exciting project you’ve worked on?
Being part of the opening of the Mytheresa Personal Shopping office in London last year. I felt super excited to be one of the first members of the team here, helping to choose our office and seeing it grow servicing London clients.
Three things you wish you knew before starting out…
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Don’t be afraid to take risks — whether it is a new opportunity, a very forward email or idea that has not been done before. If you believe it, it will be worth it!
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Ask for what you want — no one can read your mind
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Stay away from negative people — don’t let others bring you down and distract you from your goals
Books that changed your life
The two most recent ones are :
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell and 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris
Favorite TikToks that keep on giving…
I love @leoniehanne & @carodaur for some style inspiration
Biggest failure/setback in life and what you’ve learnt from it?
I have made many mistakes during my professional career. The most important thing it taught me is that it is definitely better to try and fail than not to try at all and wonder what would have been.
Favorite female empowerment speech
Paula Stone Williams’ funny and insightful speech explaining her experiences being a woman.
What’s in your Bastet Noir cart?
The Gia sweatshirt and shorts. As working from home is here to stay I think it is perfect for lounging around the house.
If you liked Juste’s story, there’s plenty more to come, just hit that sign up button to get in our inner circle of coolness and never miss a thang!