Keeping the World’s Largest CHRISTmas Store merry and bright all year long takes a pretty remarkable team. Of course you’ll see many friendly faces when you visit Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan, but there are equally as many behind-the-scenes, too! Meet another 5 members from Bronner’s team in part 4 of our “Meet The Team” series.
MEET MS. PERSONAL-ity™, BETHANY
Bethany has been with Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland since 2008. She started off at checkout before becoming an ornament painter.
We asked Bethany what her favorite part of the job is, she shared that, “it brings me joy when customers watch me paint and interact at paint-and-go. It’s lovely seeing their reactions and interest in what I do. I love seeing them get excited over their custom personalized ornaments that were just painted.”
We also asked her what her favorite color is and how it makes her feel? She said, “My favorite color is green. Variations of forest green, grass green. It makes me feel calm and comforted.”
Did You Know Bronner’s ornament artists use the same hand-lettering technique that Wally Bronner used when he first created name bulbs as gifts for the children of staff members in the 60s?! Whether behind-the-scenes or in the storeroom at our PAINT-N-GO, Bronner’s ornament painters are working around-the-clock to bring your “Gifts with PERSONAL-ity™” to life!
TIP: Online orders influx at Christmas time. Place personalized orders early to avoid the Christmas rush. – It’s never too early to think about CHRISTmas in our opinion!
MEET THE TEAM | GISELA
Gisela has been a part of the team at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland since 2000! In those years as a sales clerk she has worked with many different products, including Christmas stockings, toys, spun glass, personalized ornaments and is now a part of our Collectibles area working primarily with the Department 56 villages.
We asked her what she loves most about her job. Gisela shared, “I enjoy the arrival of new items, but I also love getting to meet people! Over the years I have become well acquainted with some of our returning guests. And I always enjoy the opportunity to speak my native language [German] with visitors.”
In November 2019 Gisela was featured in a German television program, highlighting Bronner’s. Additionally, Gisela is featured in our Mother’s Day post highlighting Mothers that work with their family at Bronner’s.
We also asked her where she would choose if she could travel anywhere in the world? She told us, “to Jerusalem!”
CONNIE IS HAPPY TO HELP!
Connie has gotten a well-rounded experience at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in the last 9 years! She started off as a penning artist in our catalog and internet fulfillment department before moving to customer service. Shortly after Connie became an assistant supervisor in our ornament department but most recently has transferred back as a supervisor to our customer service team.
Connie said of her favorite part of her job, “Our guests! I love seeing the excitement of new first time visitors, just as much as I love hearing the countless stories/memories of returning visitors.”
We asked Connie about for her favorite quote. She shared from Mother Theresa,
“People are often unreasonable and self centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
For in the end, it is between you & God. It never was between you & them anyway.”
Our customer service team can be reached here: https://www.bronners.com/category/customer-service.do
MEET THE TEAM | CANDY
Candy has worked at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland for 12 years!
Curious, we asked her about her favorite part of the job and she explained, “Meeting new people and interacting with them! I love learning about the many different people that visit – their nationalities, speech. I’m delighted to try and help them find what they want. I also enjoy working with the ladies [in my area] every day – listening to them talk about their children or grandchildren. I could write a book!”
We also asked her where she would like to travel? Candy shared, “I dream of going to Scotland to walk the paths of so many [of my] family members! To find out where they lived, what they did for a living, how they made the decision to immigrate to Canada, and the conditions in which they lived. The history of Scotland is so interesting that I would want to see every part of the country that I can possibly see, meet the people, experience the work, eat the food, enjoy myself.”
MEET THE TEAM | JASON
Jason joined Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in 1999 as part of facilities and logistics before additionally joining our commercial paint team.
We asked him what he loves most about his job. “The best part of my job is getting projects that are challenging and let me have creative freedom,” he said.
Jason is part of the two-man team that brings new life to many of Bronner’s larger-than-life fiberglass displays that create fun photo ops for guests at our Frankenmuth location. Our paint team also refurbishes commercial displays for both the public and private sector.
We also asked Jason about his hobbies. He tells us, “I have a couple hobbies I really enjoy. I like building computers and I enjoy playing the guitar. I started playing guitar 24 years ago and I play both electric and acoustic.”
BRONNER’S TEAM
In light of Bronner’s staff numbering around 250 in the slower season but ramping up to over 700 at Christmas time, we can’t wait for you to meet a few more smiling faces and departments!
Catch up on our series and MEET THE TEAM:
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