This limited series profiles Bay Area Power Women who have helped shape Bay Area cities, neighborhoods, businesses and lifestyles. These women will be honored at Bisnow's Bay Area Power Women event in San Francisco on May 30.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. Vice President of Restaurants and Retail Patricia King has over 20 years of experience working with North American retailers. Prior to joining Ghirardelli in 2016, she worked for six years at Trader Joe’s. She has worked in various retail, catalog and e-commerce roles at several retailers such as Restoration Hardware, Williams-Sonoma and Neiman Marcus. She serves as a secretary on the board of directors at Project Open Hand, a nonprofit that provides meals to the elderly and people with illness throughout Alameda and San Francisco counties.
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Bisnow: How do you describe your job to people who are not in the industry?
King: I oversee the Restaurant & Retail Division at Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. It’s a very diverse role that includes merchandising, product development, marketing, finance, real estate, store operations and e-commerce. I have the pleasure of working for an outstanding company with many talented professionals.
Bisnow: What is the biggest business problem you have faced and how did you solve it?
King: Due to changing consumer behavior, driving traffic into stores remains one of the biggest challenges for retailers today. Fortunately, Ghirardelli Restaurant & Retail offers a unique experience that creates a destination that people want to visit.
Bisnow: What is one thing you think companies can do to address wage and gender inequality?
King: To ensure leadership understands unconscious biases and knows how to prevent them through training and development.
Bisnow: What piece of advice do you give others entering the industry?
King: It’s important that we spend our days doing work that resonates with who we are. Do it because you love it and it gives you purpose and fulfillment!
Bisnow: What do you do to unwind when you’re not working?
King: I enjoy cooking, entertaining, hiking the beautiful hills of the San Francisco Bay Area and volunteering at Project Open Hand.
Meet Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. Vice President of Restaurants and Retail Patricia King at Bisnow’s Power Women event in San Francisco May 30.
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