Wasabi Nights

Interview with Pat McCarthy: A Successful VP of Product Marketing at Yahoo

Patrick (Pat) McCarthy is an entrepreneur at heart and has worked hard, and worked smart to climb his way to the top.  I've personally known Pat for the past nine years and it was fun to interview him and have the rare opportunity to catch up. 

We met at a local Starbucks and talked over a chocolate milk (his choice) and water (my choice-they didn't have the beverage I wanted and somehow the closest alternative-a cucumber flavored spritzer-sounded like a salad smoothie). 

When I first met Pat, he was an Executive Producer at Palo Alto Software.  He was also the owner and developer of a successful website called Wakeboarder.com.  A few years later, Pat left Palo Alto to join Right Media; a company that specialized in advertising exchange (similar format to the stock market), where they auctioned off unsold online advertising space.  Wright Media was later acquired by Yahoo! and with hard work and smart decisions, he is now the Vice President of Product Marketing at Yahoo!. 

I asked Pat exactly what his title meant and he said essentially he manages a team.  The team's goal is to understand the problems and needs of their customers in order to determine how Yahoo! can build a product and associated advertising campaign to take the product to market successfully.

Pat is very thankful to the internet for providing opportunities that allow him to live in his hometown of Eugene, OR.  He loves being close to family and friends and says the quality of living in Eugene is so high that it's worth the extra travel.  Yahoo! has corporate offices on both sides of the US, but he spends most of his time commuting to the Silicon Valley offices in California.  He admitted if he was less ambitious he probably wouldn't travel as much, but he feels it's important to meet and do business in person; face to face.  This is probably a wise choice that has helped him climb his way to the top so quickly.

Pat is an entrepreneur to the core and never thought he would intentionally work for a big company.  However, he is passionate about the industry and working for Yahoo! allows him the opportunity to work with smart people; whom he luckily gets along with very well.  Pat stressed to me that while he enjoys his work, he doesn't want to miss out on the joys of being a husband and father.  He works hard to maintain a good balance between work and home.

Pat is married to his high school sweetheart; Heather.  They have three beautiful children and are getting ready to move into a custom tour home which will also house his new home office. 

I asked Pat to describe the dress code or dress "understanding" of his peers at Yahoo!.  Pat said essentially there isn't a strict dress code.  At the corporate offices in Silicon Valley, it's common to see CEO's in sandals and T-shirts.  He said it's strange to see a man in a suit at the California offices. I asked if there was a difference between the dress style at the Yahoo! corporate offices on the West coast versus the East coast.  He said the sales staff in New York who work with the "Madison Avenue accounts" wear suits regularly, but no tie.  (business casual east coast style)

Working at a satellite office in Eugene, or at his home office where he talks on the phone most of the day, means Pat can wear what he likes.  He said his father will walk into his office and see men in T-shirts, shorts and a baseball hat and can't believe they dress for work that way! 

Pat mostly wears Banana Republic, Gap or Old Navy because his wife Heather worked for this retail line before they were married.  He likes to wear Cole Haan shoes because he travels a lot and finds the Nike Air aspect of them very comfortable for all of his airport walking.  He admitted that he probably out-dresses most in the Yahoo offices because it's not a dressy culture.  However, he feels better, when he is dressed better.

Pat's pearl of wisdom into the techie clothing culture is that "it's not necessary to dress for your level of success, but it helps."

I asked Pat to describe his clothing style.  He said he doesn't want to be trendy for the sake of trendy.  His goal is to look timeless and consistent.  He said he doesn't have a lot of impending needs to dress nice in his line of work, but his wife likes him to look nice.

Pat said his wife Heather shops for him 60 - 75% of the time.  Pat doesn't hate shopping, it's more of a time issue.  He said he used to like shopping with Heather, but it's difficult now with three children and a busy work schedule. He depends on Heather's advice and needs to try things on to get Heather's approval.  He said it's always a risk when he shops alone to know if he is buying the right items or not. 

He said he knows what he likes, but isn't always sure how to put it together and know how to layer or what coordinates with what.  Heather advised him to look at what the mannequins are wearing for ideas but he finds it's not always the best look on him. 

He said he doesn't like to buy online because he finds the colors, material and fit are often not what he expected.

Pat's biggest clothing challenge is time.  He doesn't have the time to shop or the time to keep up with the current styles.  He said he reads the Wasabi Nights blog and finds it very helpful and will occasionally look at a Men's Style magazine, but otherwise, he never seeks out advice in a store.

Pat said he especially liked the Wasabi Nights undershirt post and while some might balk at the $26 price tag of the Banana Republic pima cotton undershirts, he said "it really makes a difference!"

I asked Pat what peeves he has regarding men's clothing and he said he hates sandals with socks.  Then he laughed and admitted he wears his dress socks with sandals in his back yard after work!  He said "I come home and step out of my dress shoes and into my back yard sandals.  I always look down and laugh at myself."

He said he's not too picky and doesn't have any big aspirations for men's clothing but said he cringes when he sees men wearing bulky, white walking shoes.  He said "I see men my age (30's) wearing them.  Why?!"

Lastly, as I took a few quick photos of Pat outside the coffee shop, he asked me some questions about the Trunk Club.  He said he loves the concept.  I invited him to join and he said he's interested, but knows his wife Heather likes to shop for him.  However, he said she doesn't have a lot of time anymore as a busy mother of three.  I mentioned Trunk Club could be the extension of her.  She could still make the shopping decisions without having to spend the actual time shopping. 

As a wife myself, I can honestly relate to Heather's concern.  I like to shop for my husband and like to keep tabs and have influence in what he wears.  However, the main challenges are time and my frustration having to return things that didn't fit or he didn't like (picture me rolling my eyes here).  Lastly, husbands want their wife's opinions and guidance, but they are quite sensitive to her feedback and suggestions.  I find as a Trunk Club consultant, I can say things the wife might say, but he will listen to me since I am an outside, expert, opinion.  I love having wives and girlfriends involved in the Trunk Club experience for men who want her approval. 

To Pat (Mr. Chocolate Milk), thank you for sharing your time with me and your wonderfully candid clothing experiences.  It was really nice to see you again and I look forward to seeing your gorgeous, new home!

-Lisa Bruckner Trunk Club Expert

Interview with Cameron Martin: A Successful Wealth Portfolio Manager

Mr. Cameron (Cam) Martin was referred to me by Manner of the Month founder Mindy Lockard.  She described Cam as a young, successful businessman who is always smartly dressed and recommended I invite him for an interview.  Cam agreed and I discovered there is more to his story than just a nice outfit.

For the first 15 minutes of the interview, Cam essentially interviewed me.  I was flattered and taken off guard.  Sad, but true, people have become so disconnected they don't ask more than a name and title.  Cam was genuinely interested in knowing more about me, Wasabi Nights and the Trunk Club.  Perhaps he was assessing my wealth potential?

When it was my turn to ask the questions, I quickly discovered Cam's success isn't just financial.  As he proudly showed me a framed photo of his gorgeous wife Nicole, and their two, angel-blonde daughters, it was obvious his success is equally balanced between his personal and professional life.   

Cam grew up in Eugene, OR and began his adult life as a professional golfer before entering the "working man's world."  He is a former state amateur champion and an All Pac-10 Conference selection.  He attended UNLV's golf program, but missed the college atmosphere and transferred to the University of Oregon; graduating with a degree in Sociology.  Soon after, he went pro for a brief period. 

Competitive golfing runs in the family; his brother is Casey Martin, the former golf pro who sued the PGA Tour and won.  Cam still loves golfing, but unlike his brother; who stayed in the golfing business, Cam went to find a different green. 

As a Portfolio Manager for IMS Capital Management, Inc., Cam's green is managing money.  Lots of it. He and his firm are responsible for managing over $300 million for private clients and institutions. 

Working in the investment world, Cam's dress code is business formal.  He jokingly said "I'm one of the four men in Eugene who wears a suit every day to work."  He described his work-clothing style as "traditional" and said he likes to look "right" at work.  He mostly wears navy and gray suits and has bought his dress shirts from a tailor in Irvine, CA for the last nine years.

Does your wife help you buy your clothing?
I pick out my own clothes.  I don't enjoy it though.  I have to be at work by 6:00 AM and to be honest, I don't want to have to think about my clothes.

What do you like to wear when you are off work?
My favorite is jeans and a T-shirt.  I only wear that at home though.  I don't feel comfortable out in public without a collared shirt on. 

I notice you are wearing pleated pants.  Tell me why you like to wear them?
I always associated pleated pants with a conservative look.  I'm not really sure why I wear them though.

Some men in suits, look like "men in suits."  You have a style that is uniquely your own and I love that you aren't afraid to mix different patterns and textures together.
Thanks.  Practically everything I own is patterned.  I sometimes worry that I mix and wear patterns too much!

Most wives I know would LOVE for their husband to dress more professionally.  Does your wife comment about your clothing?
She is very kind and says I "look nice," but she doesn't comment much.  I do value her input.

In an super-casual town like Eugene, I know you receive compliments from people about the way you dress.  Tell me a few you remember.
My daughters notice I look different from most of the other men here, probably because I wear a suit.  They are very complimentary.  It's very sweet.

A recent compliment I received was from woman in her early twenties at the Downtown Athletic Club.  I was there for a business lunch and as she walked past me on the stairs, she said "Oh my God!!! You look so nice!!"  It was so unexpected.  It made my day.

I know you wear a suit to work everyday, but do you always wear a tie?  What about cuff links?
If I am meeting with clients, I always wear a tie.  I wear cuff links once every few weeks.  When I am not meeting with clients on a particular day, I might leave the tie off, I just have to make sure I wear a v-neck undershirt that day since the top of my dress shirt will be open.

Living in a small, casual town like Eugene, what hopes do you have with regards to men's clothing?
I would love to see people care more about how they look.  I think it would be a positive move for our community; especially downtown.

Everyone has secret fashion peeves.  What are your men's clothing peeves?
When I see men wearing suits that don't fit well, shoes that don't match the belt and when men don't button the right buttons on their jacket.

During the last part of our interview, Cam turned the tables on me and he became the interviewer again!

Cam: I know pleated pants aren't in, but I don't want to invest in a bunch of new suit pants just to find out the trend changed again.

Lisa: The issue with pleated pants isn't so much about trend or fashion.  It's more about what looks best.  Flat front pants are more flattering in general.  Back in the day, Carey Grant was well known for his pleated pants.  However, back then, men's pants had a much higher rise and the waistband nearly touched the bottom of the ribcage.  Men wore suspenders to hold their pants in place and wore a longer jacket that covered up their hips (and the pleats) so the overall look was better.  Since then, men's pants have become lower waisted and jackets shorter or just not included.  This makes the pleats very obvious as they puff out into a pear shape creating "hips".  Pleats can also give the man a saggy looking rear end.  Worst of all, while I understand pleats may feel more comfortable, when men sit down, their pants puff up into Mr. Elephantitis!  I referred him to my post about pleated pants for more information.

Cam then asked me for advice on some specific belts, accessories and clothing etiquette.  He is obviously a man who cares about his appearance and is interested in keeping his style appropriate and up to date.  I think it would be refreshing for other men to know that even nicely dressed men have style questions and ask for advice.

I admired Cam's comfortably, elegant manner and his understanding of some of the essentials many men naively overlook.  For example, he knew to plan ahead and wear a v-neck undershirt on days he wasn't going to wear a tie (or might remove the tie).  Otherwise, his undershirt would show.  Simple things like this, especially in a business formal office, make a big difference in your overall appearance and impression.

Lastly, Cam described his style as "traditional" but when I commented on his enormous Nike watch, he laughed and said "you can't take the sportsman out of me!"  Despite Cam's gentlemanly manner, I can tell he is a driven man.  He is in it, to win it.  I see lots of green in his future. 

Thank you Cam for your time and genuine interest in our interview.  It was such a pleasure to meet you!

-Lisa Bruckner Trunk Club Expert

Interview with a Successful Man I Met at LAX

Los Angeles, CA is famous for it's Hollywood stars, opulent lifestyles and fancy cars.  One would assume that a city based on image and appearances would boast an opulent airport.  However, LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) is anything but opulent.  In fact, I would call it snoringly unattractive.  Yet as I walked through the terminal and approached my gate, a man stood out in the sea of blah.  He was a perfect example of polished-casual.  He wasn't over done; just done well.

As luck smiled upon me, the only two seats left, were next to him and his beautiful family.  Casual conversation ensued and as small worlds collide, we discovered we lived in the same city, and I have exclusively used his company's service during the past decade to repair damage to my cars (I promise I am a good driver, I just have bizarre luck!!).

Brent is the Production Manager of Auto Craft and was returning from a sunny escape to LA with his family.  From a distance, I noticed Brent was wearing dark denim jeans, a tailored oxford shirt and nice accessories.  He looked handsome, confident and successful.

Brent is an interesting dichotomy.  On the one hand, he reads InStyle magazine to help him stay up to date in the fashion world, and on the other hand, he reads Car and Driver to fuel his auto world obsession.  Unlike your stereotypical auto dude, Brent loves shopping and his favorite brand is Armani.  Like me, he LOVES shoes, and his favorites are by Gucci, Prada and Santoni.  He says he is in the practical stage of life now, as a father of two, and therefore wears ECCO loafers, Cole Haan and his infamous red Puma driver shoes.

I asked Brent how he developed his style, and taste in clothing.  He said he grew up with style because his parents were very well dressed and had both an eye for cars and an eye for clothing.  He admitted he was picked on in high school, and college especially, as being an "over-dresser."  He said he was quite arrogant in his twenties but now that he is a father, he's mellowed because "having children is humbling." 

Brent said he was a sworn bachelor for years and while he dated a lot of models, he didn't plan on settling down.  However, in his thirties, the right woman found him!  They married and are the proud parents of a five year old daughter and three year old son. As a father, Brent said there is a bigger purpose behind his style; to be consistently polished and presentable to make his children proud to have him as their father.  Brent's wife Andrea said "he is always 'done' and looks good all the time."  Brent beams with pride when he hears his daughter say "my dad is always dressed nice."

The biggest challenge Brent faces with regards to clothing is living in a small town; which is why he loves to travel!  Brent says he wants a timeless look, yet also admits he wants to know what's in and what's out to ensure he stays up to date.  While he loves to shop, living in a town with just the "bare essentials" leaves him frustrated since internet shopping is essentially window shopping because he doesn't want to buy something unless he can touch it first.

The biggest pet peeves he has about men's clothing in general are loose fitting clothes, especially dress shirts.  He was wearing a tailored shirt he had custom made for him at The Custom Shop in LA.  However, for men with his trim physique (he is a former professional cyclist and still cycles for fitness), he said most shirts are too loose in the torso and arms.  He doesn't want to wear the Seinfeld puffy shirt but doesn't have many options where he lives.

Brent is a good example of a man who likes to shop, but due to his location, doesn't have the clothing options available to meet his needs.  The Trunk Club is a great option for men is this situation because clothing is hand selected and sent directly to him so he can see it, touch it and try it on live (via webcam) with his TC expert.   With an expert at his service, he doesn't have to worry or spend time trying to make sure his clothing look is up to date.  And, he can buy with confidence knowing he is getting pieces that help him look his best.   While many Trunk Club members join because they hate to shop, TC can also be a huge benefit to men who like to shop, but don't have the right stores available in their area.

Brent mentioned at the end of his interview that in car racing you "look good, drive good." This seems to perfectly sum up a man who loves fashion and looking good; and loves cars and living well.

Thank you, to Brent, his wife Andrea and their two beautiful children, for their time and friendship on the way home from LA!

-Lisa Bruckner Trunk Club Expert

Interview with a Successful Global Marketing Manager

Mr. Conan, as we shall call him, is a Global Marketing Manager for a Fortune 500 technology company.  He lives in a beautiful home in the Pacific Northwest and tele-commutes from his own home office.  One of the benefits of his position is it allows him to wear whatever he wants (as seen in this photo).  He enjoys being comfortable and wears shorts nearly 365 days a year (regardless of the rainy weather).  His usual work at home "'uniform" consists of baggy shorts, sandals, a fleece sweater and ski cap.  Perfect for hanging out with his adorable children.

I asked Mr. Conan to describe the clothing pros and cons associated with tele-commuting from home.  He said while it's easy and comfortable to wear shorts and a sweater, he says he actually feels better when he gets up in the morning and dresses for work.  "When I wear at least a button up shirt and slacks, I feel more confident doing business that day."  He gave the example of talking on the phone and said "you should always smile during a business call because the other person can hear it in your voice."  Mr. Conan pointed out the strong influence appearance has over the way we feel and are perceived by others.

Another clothing challenge Mr. Conan described was related to business travel.  Since he doesn't need to wear professional clothing on a daily basis, he doesn't have a frame of reference for what business men are currently wearing.  He finds himself looking at a GQ magazine or checking online at the last minute to give him ideas of what to wear and what he needs to buy to keep his business look up to date.  He said "I know I should plan ahead, but as a busy man, I often find myself buying a dress shirt at the airport which I know isn't the best option."  

Additionally, as a man who works from home, Mr. Conan is not in the habit of looking in the mirror after dressing.  I've come across many men who dress solely for comfort and never look in the mirror.  If they did, they may be surprised to see how goofy they look sometimes. Going on dates or going out means it's time to care a little more about what you are wearing.  In the case of Mr. Conan, it's not that he doesn't have or like nice clothing, he just isn't used to wearing it regularly.

According to his wife, Mr. Conan, wearing an especially "ridiculous" outfit, was heading out with some friends when she stopped him and said "Are you really going out like that?"  He shrugged until his wife giggling, with a devilish grin said "Wait!  Let me get the camera!"  Mr. Conan ran upstairs and put on something nicer.  She said "He looked so much better after he changed."  I bet he felt better too.

For successful tele-commuters like Mr. Conan, lavish the luxury of working in pajamas.  Enjoy the freedom to wear what you like.  However, remember to respect the people around you and switch hats, so to speak, when you go out for business or pleasure.  Especially at a dinner party or out on the town; if you aren't careful, your comfort can be a discomfort to others.  

Next week, I will post a Business Travel Clothing Essentials List.  As Mr. Conan wisely pointed out; planning ahead to make sure you have what you need is a key component to looking your best.  Being prepared for an event or travel is a common reason men initially join the Trunk Club.

Thank you, to Mr. Conan and his gorgeous wife for their help and participation!  They are truly lovely people inside and out.

-Lisa Bruckner Trunk Club Expert