This summer I had the chance to experience the inner workings of two distinctly different Memphis institutions: Oak Hall and Royal Furniture. Although working at a clothing store and a furniture warehouse could not have felt more different on a day-to-day basis, both jobs taught me lessons that extend far beyond a summer paycheck.
From receiving clothing orders and cataloging inventory at Oak Hall to unloading container trucks full of furniture in a massive warehouse at Royal Furniture, I gained firsthand insight into what it means to be a dependable employee and how successful retail businesses operate behind the scenes. I also had the opportunity to meet with both CEOs — Will Levy ’98 of Oak Hall and Michael Faber ’96 of Royal Furniture — who shared their perspectives on leadership and offered career advice for the next generation of Memphis leaders at MUS.
Founded in 1859, Oak Hall is one of America’s oldest family-owned and operated clothing stores and has become one of the most renowned shopping destinations in Memphis and the broader Mid-South. This summer, Oak Hall was in the process of opening a new store in Franklin, and my primary responsibility was assisting the receiving team as new merchandise arrived for the expansion.
I helped unpack shipments, tag items, and catalog inventory into Oak Hall’s system before the clothing was sent to the sales floor. My time at Oak Hall provided me with a newfound appreciation for the careful coordination required behind the scenes in a high-end retail environment.
Oak Hall’s success is driven mainly by its people. President Will Levy explained that his favorite part of leading the company is that “every day is different,” and that he values being able to serve the Memphis community by helping customers prepare for important moments in their lives.
In an industry where people skills are key, Levy looks for salespeople who are good communicators, naturally hospitable and genuinely enjoy working with others.
With remarkably low employee turnover, Oak Hall has created a family-oriented culture not only among its employees but also with its customers. Many customers develop long-term relationships with specific salespeople, resulting in a loyal customer base built on trust and personal connection.
According to Levy, the keys to success in the clothing industry are strong communication skills and real-world experience. While fashion can be a difficult field to enter, he emphasized that building relationships with brands and gaining hands-on retail experience are the most effective ways to break into such a competitive industry.
Another long-standing Memphis retail staple, Royal Furniture has been furnishing homes since 1946 and has grown into the leading furniture retailer in the Mid-South, with 27 stores serving six states.
Despite the obvious differences between working in a clothing store and a warehouse, the Royal Furniture distribution center reflected many of the same company values and organizational principles I observed at Oak Hall. I worked with a warehouse crew responsible for unloading and tagging furniture from daily truck deliveries, a role that required physical endurance, attention to detail, and teamwork when dealing with heavy furniture.
Royal Furniture CEO Michael Faber emphasized that he looks for passionate employees and takes pride in leading a “hard-working culture of go-getters who embrace the grind.” Working in the warehouse offered a revealing perspective on the extensive labor that goes into delivering furniture to customers’ homes. Within the large distribution center, specialized teams focus on specific tasks to ensure operations run efficiently.
When asked about his favorite part of his job, Faber explained that he enjoys helping employees succeed within the company and providing a consistent furniture shopping experience to customers regardless of socioeconomic status. Royal’s in-house financing options make quality furniture more accessible, and the company keeps costs low by shipping products directly from overseas to its South Memphis warehouse.
Although the warehouse work was more physically demanding, it fostered a strong sense of accountability and camaraderie among employees similar to the culture I experienced at Oak Hall.
Ultimately, both presidents emphasized the importance of the communication skills at the core of an MUS education, as well as the value of real-world experience in developing work ethic and professional judgment. On the topic of internships and early career opportunities, they highlighted the advantages and limitations of working for companies of different sizes. Larger companies often provide more structured training and exposure to established business practices, while smaller companies offer the chance to hone a wider range of skills and “wear more hats within the company,” as Mr. Levy put it.
Experiencing the inner workings of both Oak Hall and Royal Furniture gave me an invaluable understanding of what it takes to run a successful business and a deeper appreciation for the network of hardworking people behind the scenes, who we often overlook when shopping at our favorite stores.
