Our ambassador Holly brings her practice to the Soho community

Before you can set powerful goals, you need to identify what your values are. We asked to get a peek at Holly’s recent pursuits. Her response? “I am in the process of altering my goals AGAIN.” No problem - that's perfect. We explored what it takes to get clarity on the goal setting process. She thinks of it like trying on clothes. We like the sound of that.

Setting goals is a ongoing process for me. Sometimes defining them in words can be daunting. I’ve come to think of it as trying on clothes – there’s no need to commit, you can just see how they fit. By saying your goals out loud and writing them on paper, you try them on. Some fit better than others and that’s ok. Through the process of goal setting, we find our authentic voice and can articulate what we want to live for - but it isn't without effort. It’s something I’m working on right now. It is not easy. Things worth doing are seldom easy.

where to start

Sometimes we can get stuck on where to begin. A good place to start is to identify what moves you. I’ve discovered there are a few themes I live by, like a personal manifesto. They cultivate my inner space and create my outer experience.  They are my foundation for setting powerful goals. 

holly's themes

• The world is coming from you, not at you.    
• Love is more powerful than fear.  
• Gratitude is the greatest currency.  
• Be kind and gentle with yourself. 

I'm focusing on these as I create my future. Time to grab my journal and hit the dressing room, so to speak.

where to go from here

• Get the basics on goal setting. We can help.
• Re-ignite your goal setting fire. Read this post.
• Check out what else Holly is up to in Soho and beyond. Visit her site.

We’re inspired. Still haven’t penned your goals? No worries. Start by focusing on what inspires you. What will you try on? 

In the heart of New York City there is an inspirational man who lets nothing stop him. Matt Long was a New York City firefighter who was struck by a bus and was severely injured with broken bones and internal bleeding. He went on to complete the New York City Marathon, and most recently an Iron Man.

The lululemon athletica family is thrilled to be part of his journey. If you’re in New York or ANYWHERE close, please join the lululemon Soho store for a night of inspiration and motivation as we celebrate all things running. Get ready for the New York City Marathon! We will be spending the night with Matt and hear about his I Will Foundation.

This is an event not to be missed. The night will be magical. Wednesday, October 28th at 8pm, 481 Broadway, New York – be there!

What is your lululemon story? How did you find out about us and get started at lululemon?

I first heard of lululemon my freshman year in college. Nathalie, my friend and teammate (and who now works for lululemon!), was wearing a pair of Groove pants and I was amazed by how great they looked on her!

It was not until much later that I really learned about lululemon. After I graduated from college, my husband and I moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. About the same time that we arrived, lululemon opened a showroom there. Through the showroom I learned about not only about the great products, but more importantly the values and the lifestyle that lululemon promotes. I knew I wanted to be involved with lululemon from that point on!

We moved to New York City a month ago. Before we moved, I was already scouting out jobs on lululemon’s website. One week after I arrived, I applied for a job at lululemon and I got it!

What was the interview process like?

I applied online on a Tuesday and by Thursday morning I got a call from one of the key leaders at the store inviting me to a group interview. The morning of the group interview I was quite nervous because working for lululemon is what I wanted to do for the past year.

The group interview was casual and friendly. We sat down on some yoga mats and started by introducing ourselves and were asked to describe our accomplishments, goals, and values.

After the interview we were informed that they would call us later on if we made it for a second interview. The day went by and I was next to my phone waiting for that call to happen. It was getting late and my hopes were almost gone until a call came in from an unknown number. I answered and I was informed that I was selected to go back in. I was so happy! The second interview was much shorter and it was one on one. At the end of the interview they offered me the job and I accepted it right on the spot!

Now that you’ve got the gig – what are you doing?

I am an educator! I educate our guests and the community about the features and benefits of our products, values, and what lululemon is all about! I also get to find something amazing about every guest and engage in great conversations. Being an educator is something that brings happiness into my life. There is nothing better than helping our guests find what they are looking for and making their day.

What is your favourite part about working at lululemon SoHo?

My favourite part about working at the lululemon Soho store is the dynamics of our team. It is just an amazing group of young people who help each other to be great in and out of the store!
Also, the Soho store is unique in that many tourists from all over the world visit the store each day. Being from Argentina allows me to use my Spanish on a daily basis and communicate with our Spanish speaking guests. I love that I can communicate with them and make them feel at home! There is nothing better than seeing their faces when they learn all about lululemon and ask if lululemon is coming to their country!

What is the best part of your day at lululemon?

I am not sure that there is one single best part. I wake up each morning excited to go to work and I do not want to leave when my shift is over…so I would have to say that the whole day is the best part!

Do you have an athletic background?

Yes, I do! I was an elite gymnast at the age of 11 and member of the Argentinean national team for 8 years. Gymnastics took me all over the world competing in the Pan-American Games, World Championships, and many other competitions. When I was 19, I moved to the United States where I attended the University of Iowa on a full scholarship and was a member of the gymnastics team. Now, I am a certified yoga instructor and an exercise maniac!

What do you do in your spare time?

I love spending time with my amazing husband. We love going for long walks in the city and drinking coffee. If I am not spending time with him, I am out in the community taking fitness and yoga classes with Meghan (our community leader) and some of the other Soho girls.

What are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about my family, friends, and building relationships! I believe that happiness is found in those amazing relationships that we create every single day.

What is your 5 year goal?

I have three goals I want to accomplish in 5 years:

1 - Be a store manager of one of the lululemon stores in New York City.
2 - Be a certified prenatal yoga instructor
3 - Have a solid plan of how to introduce lululemon to Argentina!

At lululemon SoHo, in times of adversity it seemed like the "lemon" in lululemon was smothered with mold and damp clothes and a pipe bursting on the third floor of our building. But that lemon has resurfaced and is being squeezed of all its yummy juices. After re-opening a few weeks ago I think it is fair to say that with the help of an amazing team, we have made some top-notch lemonade.

It began with rebuilding the store from just a slat-wall skeleton and morphed into a beautiful, rich space: full of bright chi and swelling enthusiasm. Team SoHo, although not fine-tuned in the art of construction, most certainly is in the art of fitness. Our re-opening celebration began with a four-day fitness blitz (16 classes total) where we reconnected with our neighboring studios. We learned how to throw a mean punch in kickboxing, played with our equilibrium in an inversions yoga class, and collectively groaned as we rapidly pumped our fists in the Pilates 100’s. Our overwhelming sense of accomplishment and inner and collective strength beamed out from the top of our heads and smothered any feelings of doubt we had about making it through our fitness marathon!

At the end of the day we dragged ourselves home, and although sweaty and fatigued, we were all so grateful to have had this unifying experience. It takes a strong-willed team and positive energy to turn a challenging experience into a deeply fulfilling one. Our blitz provided us with the platform to go back into our space in SoHo and rally with our superstar helpers to create a kick-ass store. We now have cultivated the environment to provide an unforgettable guest experience, with the best product, hands on knowledge and some very tasty lemonade, I might add.

Ps, a huge thank you to Summer Starling who took the above pictures!