L’Occitane en Provence Assistant Manager Olga Yakovchits was recognized in the “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” category of Philadelphia International Airport’s (PHL) second round of the Employee Recognition Program. This distinction acknowledges employees who create a positive experience for guests through service and delivery while collaborating with other organizations.
Yakovchits has served as an assistant manager at L’Occitane in the B/C Connector location for the past six years. She works directly with the store manager to organize, plan and implement strategy, coordinate retail store operations, and provide excellent customer service to PHL’s guests.
“I like working in a fast-paced environment and interacting with the customers,” said Yakovchits. “Meeting customers’ expectations and giving them a moment of delight is the most meaningful part of my job.”
Yakovchits came to the U.S. from Russia 11 years ago. In her home country, she was a French teacher. After arriving in the US, she earned an Associate’s Degree in Surgical Technology from Delaware County Community College. She’s also a certified yoga teacher and has been teaching yoga classes for the past five years. She enjoys the fast-paced environment of Philadelphia and enjoys tasting food from different cultures. “I love taking public transportation and looking through the windows instead of driving my car,” she said.
Yakovchits' experience working with people assisted her in making the career switch into the beauty industry. Customer centrism, transcending expectations, and prioritizing passenger needs are all descriptive words that relay the true spirit of Yakovchits. She is well-versed in L’Occitane's products and enjoys sharing her knowledge with guests who want to pamper and improve their skin.
In her nomination of Yakovchits, L’Occitane store manager Meghan Allen stated, “Olga is a fantastic employee and an even better person! She works tirelessly for both L'Occitane and Paradies, providing amazing customer service and coaching her teams to perform with excellence.”
Allen also made special mention of a customer who spent $750 on merchandise at L’Occitane due to the excellent customer service displayed by Yakovchits.
As a leader, Yakovchits creates a positive, trusting environment of accountability and clarity with staff. Before tackling a task or assignment, she sets clear intentions and communicates with her team accordingly.
The festive holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas are her favorite times of the year. “Making customers happy, helping them find the right gifts, and wrapping their goodies uplifts my heart and nourishes my soul,” she said.
“I love the company I work for and the industry I’m in,” said Yakovchits. “My connection with French beauty products makes me feel appreciated, valued, and even cherished for helping people find the right product for them.”
The PHL Employee Recognition Program was established by the airport’s Guest Experience (GX) Department. Honorees are nominated by their peers and selected by the GX Council Steering Committee’s Employee Conduct and Recognition Committee. To nominate an employee click here. For more information about the program, click here.
