GD Employee + Entrepreneur: Meet Alison Callaway, Retail Consultant

GoDaddy LifeCategory
•4 min read
Katelyn Armas

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you currently do at GoDaddy?

I am based in Scottsdale, Arizona and am a Director in Website Design Services overseeing the fulfillment teams (production, builders and QA teams) that build out websites for our customers. This month, I am celebrating my 6th year at GoDaddy!

Outside of work, you have a retail consulting business. Would you mind sharing more about it and how it came to be?

My career before GoDaddy was in the fashion/retail industry. I have 20+ years of fashion expertise in positions covering almost every aspect of the fashion industry from design, product development, product line management, branding, buying, styling, trend forecasting and website development. In my career, I have worked for major retailers such as Sears, Hartmarx, REI, Coldwater Creek and Zappos.com.

While at Zappos.com, I established the company’s trend department and created an Emerging Designer program that gave up-and-coming designers a national platform to sell their products alongside prominent established designers. I am passionate about assisting fashion entrepreneurs on how to maximize their potential and set themselves up for success.

While my career moved to the tech industry, I still had a desire to work with designers and boutique owners and share the knowledge that I had gained in my years within the fashion industry. Because of this, I started consulting with emerging designers and fashion businesses connected with the retail industry. Over the years, I have mentored hundreds of designers and helped them successfully launch and grow their brand in the marketplace. I currently volunteer as the Education Director at Phoenix Fashion Week and teach seminars and workshops on Branding, Merchandising and Wholesale. My retail consulting business is Retail Secrets 101.

As if one side hustle wasn’t enough, I also currently manage my teenage daughter’s fashion design business. She started designing at a young age and had her first collection hit the runway at age 11. She has shown collections in 7 runway shows and was a finalist in the Charleston Emerging Designer competition, where she competed against one of the stars of Project Runway! You can view her collections, here!

What are your biggest goals for your business, throughout the remainder of this year?

My biggest goal for my consulting business is to get back to in-person events. I miss the face-to-face connection with the designers and entrepreneurs that I work with. I successfully transitioned my speaking engagements, workshops and seminars to be digital versions via Zoom. However, there is nothing like being in the same room together collaborating and sharing knowledge. The energy is so different and much more dynamic! As for my daughter’s business, in-person runway shows are starting up again! So, she is looking at future shows to be involved with.

How has GoDaddy assisted you build out your company?

GoDaddy has helped me build out my websites for both businesses. The Website and Marketing platform has easily allowed me to create my websites and maintain a strong digital presence. Additionally, GoDaddy Studio has been a game changer for my graphics. I used the tool to create my logo and continue to edit imagery and engaging social media posts, in the platform.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

“Carpe Diem” — Seize the day…

I love this quote. For me, it represents making the most of every day. Taking action to make a better future, for yourself, for others!

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERG’s, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

  • Katelyn Armas

    Katelyn Armas is the Senior Employer Brand Strategist on the Global Employer Brand Team, here at GoDaddy. Her experience includes Content and Recruitment Marketing. Outside of work, you can find Katelyn walking her Doberman named Deklan, working out, reading, traveling, and making ginger shots!
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