Meet Summer Gilbert of Toes on the Nose in Newport Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Gilbert.

Summer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started with Toes on the Nose 10 years ago as a Buyer, Merchandiser and Retail Manager. I also am a Singer/Songwriter and Toes on the Nose sponsored me as one of their ambassadors. They Funded my first two albums which you can find on iTunes or www.summergracewatson.com.

During the first years of working for Toes on the Nose, I completed my Marketing Degree and then switched positions and came to our corporate offices and lead the Marketing team for the entire business (Wholesale, Retail, eCommerce).

I love being a Marketing Director, it’s creative and one of the most crucial pillars of a business. I just recently completed my Masters Certificate in Digital Marketing to stay ahead of the curve since all Marketing is primarily online now. Digital Marketing is always changing and improving so it’s so important to keep education myself on every segment, Advertising, Social, SEO, ETC…

Toes on the Nose just celebrated it’s 25 year anniversary. I love working for this company because they we are not your average company…. Our customers and retailers become our family, and we are all about quality and innovation. We just came out with a new proprietary fabrication called “Sea Silk” which are the softest performance top styles on the market right now 🙂

Being in Marketing is such an inspiring and creative field, that I am constantly overflowing with ideas and dreams to pursue on the side. I encourage others to never just settle for one thing and to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and trust your ideas and intuition, you never know what could come of it. I have another side project that I am working on now and if I didn’t try and I would always wonder what if.

It’s been quite an adventure to move from just an idea and dream to an actual process of building a career for myself, 3 music albums and now my new side business which will launch October 2017.

I thank Toes on the Nose for being the kind of company that inspires and motivates their employee to be the best versions of themselves and follow their dreams.

Has it been a smooth road?
Of course it hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I have always been very agile and innovative. Being in the retail world we are effected by what the economy is doing, but we have so many loyal customers that we have built overtime that even if we go through a hard economic time, if they do go to purchase clothing they will spend their hard earned dollars with Toes on the Nose. This is because they know our product is quality and will last them years and be one of the best clothing investments they can make. I think what sets us apart and keeps our customers loyal through hard times is that I always make sure my team treats each person like they are family, check in with them, keep them informed on what’s going on, ask for their opinions and feedback etc.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Toes on the Nose story. Tell us more about the business.
Toes on the Nose is a coastal lifestyle brand inspired by a love for great times with good friends and designed with premium style and versatility in mind. Calling Newport Beach “home,” and submersed in surf/coastal culture for over 20 years, “Toes” has developed a loyal following by evolving with the needs of its customer. It is not just about surfing anymore, it is about the active lifestyle and the need for comfortable clothes that are multipurpose while keeping a defined coastal-casual aesthetic, with a nod to the roots of surfing. Designed by surfers, for surfers, it will always be part of our history – but that does not mean it is limiting. The Toes on the Nose man may still chase the perfect break, but also cares about fitness, his family, and his career. He wants to look and feel good no matter what each day brings, be it a round of golf, a trail run, or happy hour at his favorite resort bar. From coast to coast people from all wakes of life are inspired by California culture, and Toes on the Nose marries this aesthetic with functional quality for men that appreciate a wardrobe that can perform.

Because we consider ourselves more than just a brand, we dive a bit deeper and support our community by sponsoring musicians and athletes. Our ambassadors range from watermen, artists, paramedics, teachers, and everything in between. We go way beyond clothing. We’re an attitude, a culture, and a lifestyle. Above all else, we’re a family.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I can foresee the clothing industry in general plateauing in the near future, but fortunately we have created a unique niche for ourselves in the market, and because of that I think Toes on the Nose will honestly keep growing and expanding the more our customers share their experience with the product and interaction with our company.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.toesonthenose.com
• Phone: 949-335-9858
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/toesonthenoseclothing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toesonthenoseclothing/

Image Credit:
Toes on the Nose

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