When interviewing Paris Parker employees about their time with the company, one theme comes up again and again. Richelle Phillips’ experience is no exception. “Paris Parker employees are still my family,” she says. “Even though I’ve been out of that division for six years, I have friendships with people who are willing to make a difference in my life and what I am going through.”
Families are there for each other during times of celebration, but their support is especially crucial during times of crisis. When she was interviewed, Richelle was recovering from stage 2 breast cancer, which led to a bilateral mastectomy. She says her friends at Paris Parker have supported her every step of the way.
“Since the initial diagnosis, they have been very supportive—texts and phone calls asking, ‘Do you need a anything? A ride, food?’ It’s unbelievable the support I’ve had,” she says. “Hairdressers have offered to take care of my hair no matter what, because I can’t move my arms. I don’t know many companies where you can find that.”
Richelle, today, now works for SalonBiz, the nation’s leading software for salons and spas. | Source: Richelle Phillips
During her 18 years with Paris Parker, Richelle helped our company grow from one to 14 locations. She started in 1993 as a front desk coordinator. As we expanded, Richelle’s career grew right along with us. She worked her way into inventory management, and then used her degree in retail merchandising to move into marketing. In 1996, she cut her honeymoon short to help open Paris Parker’s second location as salon coordinator. In 2001, Edwin Neill II tapped her to design a call center for the company that met our high standards and expectations for customer care. Today, one of the employees Richelle hired and trained heads the call center as coordinator of guest services, implementing procedures Richelle created, while Richelle works for SalonBiz, Neill Corporation’s salon software company.
“I moved from an entry-level position to the highest you could go,” Richelle says. “Paris Parker was about hiring and growing from within. I was fortunate that every role I went into grew me to be able to tackle the next role. Paris Parker grew me not just professionally, but personally. I would not be who I am today if not for the experiences I had with Paris Parker and Neill Corporation.”
Richelle Phillips (right) pictured with Stacie Spiers | Source: Richelle Phillips
Richelle credits much of her growth to Edwin Neill II, who she describes as the kind of visionary many people hope they have the opportunity to meet in their lifetimes. Not only that, he was something of a talent scout.
“He knew where you would succeed, what your talents were, how you could reach and grow people,” she says. “By pushing you to that, you grew as well, even if you felt you weren’t ready.”
In fact, Richelle says Edwin continued to push her out of her comfort zone even after he had passed on. She found out she was scheduled to present at Serious Business, and she told the organizers there had been a mistake. “They said, ‘We do have you scheduled for a breakout,’” Richelle recounts. “I said, ‘Who signed me up?’ And they said, ‘Edwin Neill.’”
Prior to his death, completely unbeknownst to Richelle, he had found a way to help her overcome her fear of public speaking. Two hundred people attended her talk, 52 of them handed her their business cards afterwards, and she went on to give the presentation many times. It also became part of the new hire orientation, training employees about how to exceed expectations.
“For a lot of us who started with the company when I did, Edwin made a huge impact on our lives,” she says. “There are not many companies where you have meetings at the owners’ home, in a close-knit environment that lets you share your feelings without being uncomfortable. They were my family, and I am still close to the owners. Debra has been by my side every step of the way through my medical illness. And I love her dearly.”
Richelle knows the long-lasting, loving relationships she’s found through Paris Parker are rare and precious. For people who are embarking in their careers or just thinking about their next step, she offers the following advice:
“If you’re lucky enough to find a company that loves you not just for your performance in the business, but also for yourself as a person, then you’ll be living a successful, happy life,” she says.
Richelle Phillips (middle row on right) was part of the original team for the Mandeville location. | Source: Richelle Phillips
