Welcome to Digication Scholars Conversations.
I'm your host, Kelly Driscoll.
In this episode, you'll hear part one of my conversation with
Kaitlyn Coskun, a recent graduate of Texas Christian University.
More links and information about today's conversation can be found on Digication's
Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Full episodes of Digication Scholars Conversations can be found on
YouTube or your favorite podcast app.
Welcome to Digication Scholars Conversations.
I'm your host Kelly Driscoll and today I am so excited to introduce Kaitlyn Coskun.
Kaitlyn is a recent graduate of Texas Christian University where
she received a Bachelor of Business, Business Administration and Marketing.
That was a mouthful.
And a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising.
Welcome Kaitlyn.
Yes.
Thank you so much for having me, Kelly.
I'm so excited to get into this today.
Yes, me too.
Um, so before we hopped onto our recording here today, I was telling
Kaitlyn that when I discovered her beautiful combination of her experiences
at TCU, that I was just completely amazed by the quality of the work.
And it's such a beautiful showcase of your experience there.
And it's an amazing, I mean, it really just truly exemplifies This integrative
learning process that in Higher Ed educators are so passionate about,
and you have such a wonderful story to share about your experience and
also what you're doing now, which um, I'm kind of tempted to start there.
So, um, I think some people listening may not be so familiar with what
Fashion Merchandising is all about and maybe what you have, um, been
able to achieve as a recent graduate.
So I would kind of like start there.
Start with what you're doing now and then we can kind of work our way backwards
because it's so great with what you've already achieved as a recent graduate.
Yeah, no, that's perfect.
I am currently working at Neiman Marcus, which is a luxury retailer.
Um, nationally known here in the U.
S.
and this is my first company full time job out of college and I've
been here about two and a half years.
Um, and it was honestly such a pantry moment when I ended up getting
this role straight out of school.
Yes.
I, there's a lot of backstory as to kind of me looking and trying to figure
out what it is I wanted to do, which I feel like a lot of college students
Just have no idea unless you're on one of those tracks where you know,
when you're kind of like just a kid in high school like medical or you
end up going to finance, there's like steps that you follow and
then you end up in that position.
Fashion is a whole nother realm where there's just so many
possibilities and that kind of plays in with the creative side of it.
Uh, so when I was, uh, graduating, I looked into a lot of different companies,
definitely did my research, trying to figure out where I wanted to go.
Um, I did go to TCU, which is based here in Texas, and otherwise I didn't have any
ties here per se, but, uh, Neiman Marcus Group is based here, and it was one of the
first ones that I was really looking at.
It definitely has that brand recognition, especially if you're in the fashion world.
Uh, so I applied to a bunch of jobs there that seemed right up my alley with
my marketing and Fashion Merchandising background, um, and ended up landing
this image coordinator position that focuses on our overseas and remote photo
shoots, which if you know me, that's like The perfect combination of who I am.
I never knew that, like, this job existed before I came across it online,
which goes to show that really just things happen for a reason and things
will play out how they're supposed to and to just have faith in the process.
But in this position, I have grown a lot in the past two and a half years.
Starting off, I manage The core of the job is managing the imagery that
comes from our photoshoots that are done remotely, which is everything not
shot here in Dallas where we're based.
So that includes Milan, Paris, London, and New York City, which I wish
that I was on location, but I handle everything remotely here in Dallas.
Um, but it does give me the opportunity to travel if I want to, uh, just
not for the job, unfortunately.
Not yet, fingers crossed, but yeah, I, to put it simply, I manage the imagery that's
going to go on our eCommerce website.
So when you're online shopping for a shirt, for example, you're going to click
on it and see a couple different angles.
Maybe there's five, depending on the company.
There'll be a different number of images per item.
I narrow down thousands and thousands.
I've worked on so like hundreds of thousands of images to the ones that
really fit our brand image at the time and the direction that we're going
in based off the platform, which if you're not familiar with Neiman Marcus.
We are a company of two, which is Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, which
Bergdorf Goodman is based in New York, whereas Niemann's is based here in Dallas,
um, and I have specialized in the Bergdorf Goodman imagery, uh, while I'm still well
versed in the Niemann Marcus one as well, I have a counterpart who works on that,
that I have, um, trained up to this point.
So, yeah, it was, uh, Very exciting post college going into it
because I've always loved imagery.
Like, I'm such a visual person, just, it, it's so natural and intuitive
to me to go through images and find the one that really encapsulates
the perfect design elements of like balance and texture and color.
And I think it just came from an early age.
I did it without even thinking about a career through social media as a,
like a high schooler and younger.
Um, so then when I came across here, I felt greatly equipped.
Um, and since I've been here, I have definitely grown into more of a junior
producer position where I help people.
Further manage the overall production of the photo shoot.
So that's from start to finish of getting everyone organized, getting
the right people and teams in place, um, budgeting, uh, negotiating rates.
Getting everyone to the right location, making sure everything
is well organized logistically, and then providing image guides to the
photographers on what exactly needs to be done with the right direction.
Getting those images back, which is at the core of my job, and going
through those, curating it for our company to put out the best product for
customers to end up buying our product.
Buying our merchandise.
So, yeah, that's a bit.
It's just extraordinary.
I just, I love your story and you, you clearly have a creative soul and I think
such a gift for kind of storytelling and you've done that through both
your words and your imagery and your.
Design Aesthetic.
You're a very clear communicator on multiple levels, which you really exuded
through what you created using Digication and is clearly at play in your work today.
Thank you so much for sharing what you've been doing since graduation.
So now we'll rewind a little bit.
And I would love for you to share kind of how you found your way to TCU.
Uh, I, I recall, I think you're a Southern California gal, right?
Yep, sure am.
Yes.
And you guys are based in California too, right?
Well, we, I was there for a time.
So I was actually born in Southern California and I grew up, uh, in Virginia
and always wanted to move back there.
I just had this like magnetic pull.
So after, um, college and having some kids, we were just like, Alright,
if we're going to do this, we need to do this now before they all start
going through elementary school.
So we did make the leap and I lived out there for about 10 years and
now I'm back on the southeast.
Yeah.
Okay.
The family again, but it was wonderful.
We were in the Bay Area.
Oh, yes.
Yep.
I was down in more Southern California, a little north of LA,
but all of California has my heart.
Kind of same thing, though.
I haven't been there my whole life, but certainly most of it and my upbringing.
I wasn't born there, though, so a little bit different.
Born in Kansas City, lived in Turkey for a little bit, and then moved
there, and then Now I'm here in Dallas.
Yes, yes, you've had some time, yeah, you've had some time, um, living
and studying abroad, which is great.
And we'll talk about that more too, because you've detailed some of
that in, in the pages of the work that you've created in Digication.
So, um, So being in California, were you there for high school?
Yes, I was there for high school.
So when you were thinking about what you wanted to do next for college,
what were you kind of thinking at the time, you know, as you're getting
ready to start your senior year and think about where you wanted to apply?
Did you already know in the TCU is going to be your destiny or what kind
of things were you thinking about?
Did you know what you wanted to major in?
I'd love to hear it.
Certainly had no idea, which I feel like a lot of people can relate to.
Um, going through high school and just.
My upbringing, I knew I had an interest in fashion, um, but beyond that I really had
no specialization or further idea of it.
Um, so going into like, I think it was about junior years when
you really start applying to colleges, um, back in high school.
I visited a ton of schools through my high school.
We had a good program that brought me all along the East Coast and then I
also saw a lot in California as well.
I, I, Visited so many schools I can't even remember the full number, but
I'm definitely a thorough person.
So, I had to do my research and I had to visit in person.
That was always my criteria, and my parents were so supportive in that
as well, which I'm truly blessed for.
But, I'm such a feel, like, a It's just an intuitive feeling kind of person.
Like my gut feeling is something that I certainly like to trust and follow.
Um, so kind of going on to campuses was a major part of
actually making my final decision.
And TCU, I get asked this question and I, It's so random,
is, like, the simplest answer.
Like, I have no family in Texas.
The only connection I had was, yeah, the only connection I had was my mom's
best friend went there, and she just casually mentioned that she'd think that
I would enjoy it, um, and so I ended up visiting, and I was really looking...
My two top schools at the end of the day ended up being TCU and SMU, which are
both based here in Dallas, the DFW area.
Uh, so again, not really sure why that they both happened to be here.
I guess it was just meant to be, but they both had really good business
programs and fashion programs, and that was where My mind was going, uh,
looking for a college and an edu...
further education.
And that was definitely, uh, influenced by my family, my dad.
Uh, was the one certainly encouraging me to also get that business,
uh, degree along with my fashion.
He thought that that would be very helpful just in career pursual
down the line and I totally agreed.
So, um, my first initiative was to find good business schools
that had also a fashion program.
And so, I ended up applying to TCU and got in early action, I believe,
and I applied for the business school.
So, my first line was that BBA in Marketing, and then once I got in with
that, it wasn't until freshman year.
that I spoke with a career counselor and showed them that I had this passion for
fashion and certainly wanted to do some combination of it and I really worked
with their career counselors to make that work because it's actually not very common
to do two completely separate majors all in four years, uh, just time wise.
It's a lot easier to do two majors within the same department, um, right, right.
Yeah.
And so it was certainly a struggle at first.
And there was times freshman year where I had no idea if I was even
going to be able to make it work.
But I was definitely dead set on it, and I think that drive helped me in
the end in just continuing to pursue it, because I did speak to certain
counselors who said, like, this is not going to be feasible, and I didn't want
to take a longer term to get the degrees.
I didn't want to go past four years.
I really just wanted to be able to get it done.
Um, in that time period.
And so what ended up happening was I had to create my own four
year plan with the assistance of the counselors and my family.
Um, but We had to place all the different classes, figure out how it would work,
because it's honestly very complex when classes are available, like what semester,
especially with fashion, it being a smaller program than the business school.
And so, I, what I ended up having to do was take one to three classes
every summer, um, and stay on campus, basically, instead of going home and
taking that as a full break, which was a sacrifice I was willing to
make in order to get to my end goal.
Um, and I did enjoy it as well.
They were often classes that I had a good time with.
Um, And most of them ended up being my fashion based ones.
I would say maybe one or two were business, but it ended up working out.
And, um, I think I also had to add some extra courses during the school year too.
And so instead of doing 15 hours, I was maybe doing 18, um, every
now and then, but it was, it was something I knew I wanted.
And I basically just had to figure it out to do it.
And so I did.
And I'm so happy that I did because graduating with my class was such
a good feeling compared to what I would assume waiting another semester
and not being able to do that with my community would have felt.
Um, and it was also just a personal accomplishment as well, just
knowing that I was able to do so.
But getting to the point of how I chose my.
What the direction further, uh, with fashion was my family.
I grew up in a very fashion forward family.
Both of my parents worked in the fashion industry.
Um, my dad actually founded his own company.
Uh, he's from Turkey and my mom is from, uh, the U S and they met.
Working on the job actually, um, both in fashion.
Yeah.
So their love story starts there.
Um, and my dad's company, um, luckily ended up growing.
And so both of my parents worked there throughout my upbringing.
Um, up until just about recently, they ended up retiring.
But their company was based in Turkey.
Um, it was a full service.
Best way I like to describe it as like a full service apparel
sourcing and production agency.
Um, so they worked with a handful of well known brands, um, and really
provided, At the end of the day, like trend research, product development,
sourcing, production, he had, my dad had really close connections
with the factories based there.
Um, and growing up, they wanted me to be raised in America.
And so that was when we made that switch from living in Turkey to California.
Um, at a young age, I was about four.
So I barely remember that, but I'll never forget.
Um, because I do really appreciate their consideration for me.
And.
Growing up, though, they were able to continue That company
based there with other family members leading it on the ground.
And then my parents opening a marketing branch here in California.
So I was surrounded by fashion.
There was always samples in the house.
My dad, when friends would come over, he'd hand them out.
And it was such a fun thing as a kid to see, you know, just
playing around with clothes.
And then I also was able to travel with them, which is what their
new roles entailed, um, with marketing and connections with
different companies and vendors.
And it was all based in Europe.
Um, so from a young age, I was able to travel around, um, to so many countries.
Like, probably, probably, probably.
13 by the time I was in high school.
Um, yeah, and I think that's something I'll forever be grateful for, uh, from
such a young age to be exposed to so many different cultures and people,
um, work ethic and, At the time, I certainly didn't understand it, I
would say, up to a certain extent.
And then there was a moment where it shifted and I began to become a lot
more interested in the actual business side of it, where I would actually sit
in on meetings, um, and participate to an extent that certainly shaped my
interest in fashion moving forward.
Oh, well, it just sounds like growing up you had such a just rich experience
being able to watch your family and all of their entrepreneurship and
You clearly have this kind of love for design and fashion in your genes.
I certainly do.
I would be that person just playing around in like high heels
in my closet from like age four.
Um, and then also, I feel like it's so easily translates to
another interest of mine, which is interior design, um, and decorating.
And I was constantly rearranging my rooms, like moving my bed.
And when I've got, as I've gotten older and connected with my parents a lot more
on more personal, you know, adult level.
Yeah.
So many of the things that I did and I was interested in intuitively were things that
matched what they did as a younger age.
And my mom was like, I did the exact same thing as a kid.
And I'm just like, oh, like we are real.
I truly am like a product of them in the best ways possible.
So it's been fun.
It seems like you also really, um, kind of soaked in this work ethic that you
spoke to also, um, possibly because you were growing up around them working.
And I'm sure as a, um, married couple working together that,
you know, it was just part of.
The in and out of daily life, you know, there was no nine to five, right?
It was part of everything.
It's so weird going up now and realizing that because I only know my parents
working from home and I'm so grateful for that, honestly, because it gave me such
a greater opportunity to be around them and also in a professional way, like you
said, learn from their work ethic and actually see it firsthand, which I feel
like a lot of kids aren't able to for when they grow up with parents who go
into a job and they're not able to really see the ins and outs of how it works.
So that is a great point and something I'm actually kind of just now
understanding a little bit better.
That makes a lot of sense.
Yes, yes.
And I'm glad that you have the opportunity to work from home also.
Yeah, I know.
Which is such a blessing.
And I mean, that's also come along from COVID of course.
I think the company, um, I started with the company post COVID since I
graduated in 2021, which is a whole nother thing that I could talk about forever.
But, um, I started it with a remote position which generalized as a
remote position, kind of hybrid, where I do have a base to go into here.
Um, and it's fluctuated ever since, but I think, I think it depends
on the industry at this point.
I still think we're not 100 percent able to see the trajectory of how that's
going to work, but everyone getting this taste of being able to work from
home and work remotely, I feel like is really kind of creating this whole new
dynamic with our careers moving forward.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
And, uh, it's been really fun to hear, you know, this part of your story too,
um, Digication, I co founded it with, uh, my husband, um, we technically started
the business before we got married.
Oh my gosh.
That was a little over 20 years ago.
Oh, congratulations.
Thank you.
And, you know, we've been raising our children.
I think we.
We went remote, I'm thinking it was about, it's definitely been over 10 years.
It may be 13 years now that we made that switch.
You're ahead of the game.
We felt really lucky, yeah.
So I had, you know, three young children at the time.
We had our daughter and then 18 months later had twin boys.
And we had started our company very young and had lots of young employees at
the time and other people were starting to get married and have kids and some
people wanted to move other places.
And, you know, we were just like, You know, we want to keep you as employees.
We are starting to need more flexibility with our schedule and, you know,
balancing work and life and, um, you know, just like your parents.
You know, we were kind of working, like, Digication was just part of our lives,
it wasn't just our job, you know, it still is, and, um, you know, we were
like, let's just try this, you know?
We stopped having a physical office and people started working from home.
There was a lot of Skype at the time.
I'm really glad that things have evolved.
Yeah, I remember Skyping because I had so much family overseas, so we would
use that platform all the time, all the time, but yeah, Zoom's become our new
go to, but now maybe Zencaster can be.
Well, Zencaster's great for podcasts, but yes, we love Zoom and Slack
and, you know, all those things, so it's been, you know, it's been an
evolution for sure, but I, you know, we're always hoping that our Children
kind of have that same experience.
They've grown up watching Digication grow up, so I'm sure they're picking
up on things that they may not even realize, um, but it's, it's
definitely been, uh, really fun.
So it's fun to hear your perspective too, some overlap, and I'm sure you've
got extraordinary Parents, you know, they took that leap to come to the U.
S.
to start building out things here with already having some success in Turkey.
And that's a, it's a, that's a brave thing.
Oh, yeah.
And it sounds like it worked out really well.
Yeah, luckily it did.
And I'm so proud of them.
And as I'm here now, kind of just starting off my career, I am.
Taking more and more inspiration from it because I mean, there's so many things
I can go through your head of like where you want to go with what you're doing
and trying to figure out that path.
And do you want to, do I want to continue working in a corporate nine to five kind
of job, even though there's flexibility, or do I want to create my own company
and follow in my family's footsteps?
Um, and we'll kind of just, time will tell on that one.
We'll see where I end up.
But yeah, well, I hope I can stay in touch.
I would love to know, you know, it just sounds like you're
on a beautiful trajectory.
And I just, I love that.
Here's a preview of what's coming up next in part two of my conversation
with Kaitlyn Coskun, a recent graduate of Texas Christian University.
The quote actually that I have on my first page of my about me on my ePortfolio.
It kind of goes in line with that, that there's really only Two things in
life that are in your total control and that's your attitude and your effort.