Welcome to Digication
Scholars Conversations.

I'm your host, Kelly Driscoll.

In this episode, you'll hear
part one of my conversation with

Kaitlyn Coskun, a recent graduate
of Texas Christian University.

More links and information about today's
conversation can be found on Digication's

Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Full episodes of Digication Scholars
Conversations can be found on

YouTube or your favorite podcast app.

Welcome to Digication
Scholars Conversations.

I'm your host Kelly Driscoll and today I
am so excited to introduce Kaitlyn Coskun.

Kaitlyn is a recent graduate of
Texas Christian University where

she received a Bachelor of Business,
Business Administration and Marketing.

That was a mouthful.

And a Bachelor of Science
in Fashion Merchandising.

Welcome Kaitlyn.

Yes.

Thank you so much for having me, Kelly.

I'm so excited to get into this today.

Yes, me too.

Um, so before we hopped onto our
recording here today, I was telling

Kaitlyn that when I discovered her
beautiful combination of her experiences

at TCU, that I was just completely
amazed by the quality of the work.

And it's such a beautiful
showcase of your experience there.

And it's an amazing, I mean, it really
just truly exemplifies This integrative

learning process that in Higher Ed
educators are so passionate about,

and you have such a wonderful story
to share about your experience and

also what you're doing now, which um,
I'm kind of tempted to start there.

So, um, I think some people listening
may not be so familiar with what

Fashion Merchandising is all about
and maybe what you have, um, been

able to achieve as a recent graduate.

So I would kind of like start there.

Start with what you're doing now and then
we can kind of work our way backwards

because it's so great with what you've
already achieved as a recent graduate.

Yeah, no, that's perfect.

I am currently working at Neiman
Marcus, which is a luxury retailer.

Um, nationally known here in the U.

S.

and this is my first company full
time job out of college and I've

been here about two and a half years.

Um, and it was honestly such a
pantry moment when I ended up getting

this role straight out of school.

Yes.

I, there's a lot of backstory as to
kind of me looking and trying to figure

out what it is I wanted to do, which
I feel like a lot of college students

Just have no idea unless you're on
one of those tracks where you know,

when you're kind of like just a kid
in high school like medical or you

end up going to finance, there's
like steps that you follow and

then you end up in that position.

Fashion is a whole nother realm
where there's just so many

possibilities and that kind of plays
in with the creative side of it.

Uh, so when I was, uh, graduating, I
looked into a lot of different companies,

definitely did my research, trying
to figure out where I wanted to go.

Um, I did go to TCU, which is based here
in Texas, and otherwise I didn't have any

ties here per se, but, uh, Neiman Marcus
Group is based here, and it was one of the

first ones that I was really looking at.

It definitely has that brand recognition,
especially if you're in the fashion world.

Uh, so I applied to a bunch of jobs
there that seemed right up my alley with

my marketing and Fashion Merchandising
background, um, and ended up landing

this image coordinator position that
focuses on our overseas and remote photo

shoots, which if you know me, that's
like The perfect combination of who I am.

I never knew that, like, this job
existed before I came across it online,

which goes to show that really just
things happen for a reason and things

will play out how they're supposed to
and to just have faith in the process.

But in this position, I have grown a
lot in the past two and a half years.

Starting off, I manage The core of
the job is managing the imagery that

comes from our photoshoots that are
done remotely, which is everything not

shot here in Dallas where we're based.

So that includes Milan, Paris, London,
and New York City, which I wish

that I was on location, but I handle
everything remotely here in Dallas.

Um, but it does give me the opportunity
to travel if I want to, uh, just

not for the job, unfortunately.

Not yet, fingers crossed, but yeah, I, to
put it simply, I manage the imagery that's

going to go on our eCommerce website.

So when you're online shopping for a
shirt, for example, you're going to click

on it and see a couple different angles.

Maybe there's five,
depending on the company.

There'll be a different
number of images per item.

I narrow down thousands and thousands.

I've worked on so like hundreds of
thousands of images to the ones that

really fit our brand image at the time
and the direction that we're going

in based off the platform, which if
you're not familiar with Neiman Marcus.

We are a company of two, which is Neiman
Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, which

Bergdorf Goodman is based in New York,
whereas Niemann's is based here in Dallas,

um, and I have specialized in the Bergdorf
Goodman imagery, uh, while I'm still well

versed in the Niemann Marcus one as well,
I have a counterpart who works on that,

that I have, um, trained up to this point.

So, yeah, it was, uh, Very
exciting post college going into it

because I've always loved imagery.

Like, I'm such a visual person, just,
it, it's so natural and intuitive

to me to go through images and find
the one that really encapsulates

the perfect design elements of
like balance and texture and color.

And I think it just
came from an early age.

I did it without even thinking about
a career through social media as a,

like a high schooler and younger.

Um, so then when I came across
here, I felt greatly equipped.

Um, and since I've been here, I have
definitely grown into more of a junior

producer position where I help people.

Further manage the overall
production of the photo shoot.

So that's from start to finish of
getting everyone organized, getting

the right people and teams in place,
um, budgeting, uh, negotiating rates.

Getting everyone to the right
location, making sure everything

is well organized logistically, and
then providing image guides to the

photographers on what exactly needs
to be done with the right direction.

Getting those images back, which
is at the core of my job, and going

through those, curating it for our
company to put out the best product for

customers to end up buying our product.

Buying our merchandise.

So, yeah, that's a bit.

It's just extraordinary.

I just, I love your story and you, you
clearly have a creative soul and I think

such a gift for kind of storytelling
and you've done that through both

your words and your imagery and your.

Design Aesthetic.

You're a very clear communicator on
multiple levels, which you really exuded

through what you created using Digication
and is clearly at play in your work today.

Thank you so much for sharing what
you've been doing since graduation.

So now we'll rewind a little bit.

And I would love for you to share
kind of how you found your way to TCU.

Uh, I, I recall, I think you're
a Southern California gal, right?

Yep, sure am.

Yes.

And you guys are based
in California too, right?

Well, we, I was there for a time.

So I was actually born in Southern
California and I grew up, uh, in Virginia

and always wanted to move back there.

I just had this like magnetic pull.

So after, um, college and having some
kids, we were just like, Alright,

if we're going to do this, we need
to do this now before they all start

going through elementary school.

So we did make the leap and I lived
out there for about 10 years and

now I'm back on the southeast.

Yeah.

Okay.

The family again, but it was wonderful.

We were in the Bay Area.

Oh, yes.

Yep.

I was down in more Southern
California, a little north of LA,

but all of California has my heart.

Kind of same thing, though.

I haven't been there my whole life, but
certainly most of it and my upbringing.

I wasn't born there, though,
so a little bit different.

Born in Kansas City, lived in Turkey
for a little bit, and then moved

there, and then Now I'm here in Dallas.

Yes, yes, you've had some time, yeah,
you've had some time, um, living

and studying abroad, which is great.

And we'll talk about that more too,
because you've detailed some of

that in, in the pages of the work
that you've created in Digication.

So, um, So being in California,
were you there for high school?

Yes, I was there for high school.

So when you were thinking about what
you wanted to do next for college,

what were you kind of thinking at
the time, you know, as you're getting

ready to start your senior year and
think about where you wanted to apply?

Did you already know in the TCU is
going to be your destiny or what kind

of things were you thinking about?

Did you know what you wanted to major in?

I'd love to hear it.

Certainly had no idea, which I feel
like a lot of people can relate to.

Um, going through high school and just.

My upbringing, I knew I had an interest in
fashion, um, but beyond that I really had

no specialization or further idea of it.

Um, so going into like, I think
it was about junior years when

you really start applying to
colleges, um, back in high school.

I visited a ton of schools
through my high school.

We had a good program that brought me
all along the East Coast and then I

also saw a lot in California as well.

I, I, Visited so many schools I can't
even remember the full number, but

I'm definitely a thorough person.

So, I had to do my research
and I had to visit in person.

That was always my criteria, and my
parents were so supportive in that

as well, which I'm truly blessed for.

But, I'm such a feel, like, a It's just
an intuitive feeling kind of person.

Like my gut feeling is something that
I certainly like to trust and follow.

Um, so kind of going on to
campuses was a major part of

actually making my final decision.

And TCU, I get asked this
question and I, It's so random,

is, like, the simplest answer.

Like, I have no family in Texas.

The only connection I had was, yeah,
the only connection I had was my mom's

best friend went there, and she just
casually mentioned that she'd think that

I would enjoy it, um, and so I ended up
visiting, and I was really looking...

My two top schools at the end of the day
ended up being TCU and SMU, which are

both based here in Dallas, the DFW area.

Uh, so again, not really sure why
that they both happened to be here.

I guess it was just meant to be, but
they both had really good business

programs and fashion programs, and
that was where My mind was going, uh,

looking for a college and an edu...

further education.

And that was definitely, uh,
influenced by my family, my dad.

Uh, was the one certainly encouraging
me to also get that business,

uh, degree along with my fashion.

He thought that that would be very
helpful just in career pursual

down the line and I totally agreed.

So, um, my first initiative was
to find good business schools

that had also a fashion program.

And so, I ended up applying to TCU
and got in early action, I believe,

and I applied for the business school.

So, my first line was that BBA in
Marketing, and then once I got in with

that, it wasn't until freshman year.

that I spoke with a career counselor and
showed them that I had this passion for

fashion and certainly wanted to do some
combination of it and I really worked

with their career counselors to make that
work because it's actually not very common

to do two completely separate majors
all in four years, uh, just time wise.

It's a lot easier to do two majors within
the same department, um, right, right.

Yeah.

And so it was certainly
a struggle at first.

And there was times freshman year
where I had no idea if I was even

going to be able to make it work.

But I was definitely dead set on it,
and I think that drive helped me in

the end in just continuing to pursue
it, because I did speak to certain

counselors who said, like, this is not
going to be feasible, and I didn't want

to take a longer term to get the degrees.

I didn't want to go past four years.

I really just wanted to
be able to get it done.

Um, in that time period.

And so what ended up happening
was I had to create my own four

year plan with the assistance
of the counselors and my family.

Um, but We had to place all the different
classes, figure out how it would work,

because it's honestly very complex when
classes are available, like what semester,

especially with fashion, it being a
smaller program than the business school.

And so, I, what I ended up having
to do was take one to three classes

every summer, um, and stay on campus,
basically, instead of going home and

taking that as a full break, which
was a sacrifice I was willing to

make in order to get to my end goal.

Um, and I did enjoy it as well.

They were often classes
that I had a good time with.

Um, And most of them ended up
being my fashion based ones.

I would say maybe one or two were
business, but it ended up working out.

And, um, I think I also had to add some
extra courses during the school year too.

And so instead of doing 15 hours,
I was maybe doing 18, um, every

now and then, but it was, it
was something I knew I wanted.

And I basically just had
to figure it out to do it.

And so I did.

And I'm so happy that I did because
graduating with my class was such

a good feeling compared to what I
would assume waiting another semester

and not being able to do that
with my community would have felt.

Um, and it was also just a personal
accomplishment as well, just

knowing that I was able to do so.

But getting to the
point of how I chose my.

What the direction further,
uh, with fashion was my family.

I grew up in a very
fashion forward family.

Both of my parents worked
in the fashion industry.

Um, my dad actually
founded his own company.

Uh, he's from Turkey and my mom
is from, uh, the U S and they met.

Working on the job actually,
um, both in fashion.

Yeah.

So their love story starts there.

Um, and my dad's company,
um, luckily ended up growing.

And so both of my parents worked
there throughout my upbringing.

Um, up until just about
recently, they ended up retiring.

But their company was based in Turkey.

Um, it was a full service.

Best way I like to describe it
as like a full service apparel

sourcing and production agency.

Um, so they worked with a handful
of well known brands, um, and really

provided, At the end of the day, like
trend research, product development,

sourcing, production, he had, my
dad had really close connections

with the factories based there.

Um, and growing up, they wanted
me to be raised in America.

And so that was when we made that switch
from living in Turkey to California.

Um, at a young age, I was about four.

So I barely remember that,
but I'll never forget.

Um, because I do really appreciate
their consideration for me.

And.

Growing up, though, they were
able to continue That company

based there with other family
members leading it on the ground.

And then my parents opening a
marketing branch here in California.

So I was surrounded by fashion.

There was always samples in the house.

My dad, when friends would
come over, he'd hand them out.

And it was such a fun thing as
a kid to see, you know, just

playing around with clothes.

And then I also was able to travel
with them, which is what their

new roles entailed, um, with
marketing and connections with

different companies and vendors.

And it was all based in Europe.

Um, so from a young age, I was able to
travel around, um, to so many countries.

Like, probably, probably, probably.

13 by the time I was in high school.

Um, yeah, and I think that's something
I'll forever be grateful for, uh, from

such a young age to be exposed to so
many different cultures and people,

um, work ethic and, At the time, I
certainly didn't understand it, I

would say, up to a certain extent.

And then there was a moment where it
shifted and I began to become a lot

more interested in the actual business
side of it, where I would actually sit

in on meetings, um, and participate
to an extent that certainly shaped my

interest in fashion moving forward.

Oh, well, it just sounds like growing
up you had such a just rich experience

being able to watch your family and
all of their entrepreneurship and

You clearly have this kind of love
for design and fashion in your genes.

I certainly do.

I would be that person just
playing around in like high heels

in my closet from like age four.

Um, and then also, I feel like
it's so easily translates to

another interest of mine, which is
interior design, um, and decorating.

And I was constantly rearranging
my rooms, like moving my bed.

And when I've got, as I've gotten older
and connected with my parents a lot more

on more personal, you know, adult level.

Yeah.

So many of the things that I did and I was
interested in intuitively were things that

matched what they did as a younger age.

And my mom was like, I did
the exact same thing as a kid.

And I'm just like, oh, like we are real.

I truly am like a product of
them in the best ways possible.

So it's been fun.

It seems like you also really, um, kind
of soaked in this work ethic that you

spoke to also, um, possibly because you
were growing up around them working.

And I'm sure as a, um, married
couple working together that,

you know, it was just part of.

The in and out of daily life, you
know, there was no nine to five, right?

It was part of everything.

It's so weird going up now and realizing
that because I only know my parents

working from home and I'm so grateful for
that, honestly, because it gave me such

a greater opportunity to be around them
and also in a professional way, like you

said, learn from their work ethic and
actually see it firsthand, which I feel

like a lot of kids aren't able to for
when they grow up with parents who go

into a job and they're not able to really
see the ins and outs of how it works.

So that is a great point and something
I'm actually kind of just now

understanding a little bit better.

That makes a lot of sense.

Yes, yes.

And I'm glad that you have the
opportunity to work from home also.

Yeah, I know.

Which is such a blessing.

And I mean, that's also come
along from COVID of course.

I think the company, um, I started
with the company post COVID since I

graduated in 2021, which is a whole nother
thing that I could talk about forever.

But, um, I started it with a remote
position which generalized as a

remote position, kind of hybrid, where
I do have a base to go into here.

Um, and it's fluctuated ever since,
but I think, I think it depends

on the industry at this point.

I still think we're not 100 percent
able to see the trajectory of how that's

going to work, but everyone getting
this taste of being able to work from

home and work remotely, I feel like is
really kind of creating this whole new

dynamic with our careers moving forward.

Yeah.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

And, uh, it's been really fun to hear,
you know, this part of your story too,

um, Digication, I co founded it with, uh,
my husband, um, we technically started

the business before we got married.

Oh my gosh.

That was a little over 20 years ago.

Oh, congratulations.

Thank you.

And, you know, we've been
raising our children.

I think we.

We went remote, I'm thinking it was
about, it's definitely been over 10 years.

It may be 13 years now
that we made that switch.

You're ahead of the game.

We felt really lucky, yeah.

So I had, you know, three
young children at the time.

We had our daughter and then
18 months later had twin boys.

And we had started our company very
young and had lots of young employees at

the time and other people were starting
to get married and have kids and some

people wanted to move other places.

And, you know, we were just like, You
know, we want to keep you as employees.

We are starting to need more flexibility
with our schedule and, you know,

balancing work and life and, um,
you know, just like your parents.

You know, we were kind of working, like,
Digication was just part of our lives,

it wasn't just our job, you know, it
still is, and, um, you know, we were

like, let's just try this, you know?

We stopped having a physical office
and people started working from home.

There was a lot of Skype at the time.

I'm really glad that things have evolved.

Yeah, I remember Skyping because I had
so much family overseas, so we would

use that platform all the time, all the
time, but yeah, Zoom's become our new

go to, but now maybe Zencaster can be.

Well, Zencaster's great for podcasts,
but yes, we love Zoom and Slack

and, you know, all those things, so
it's been, you know, it's been an

evolution for sure, but I, you know,
we're always hoping that our Children

kind of have that same experience.

They've grown up watching Digication
grow up, so I'm sure they're picking

up on things that they may not
even realize, um, but it's, it's

definitely been, uh, really fun.

So it's fun to hear your perspective
too, some overlap, and I'm sure you've

got extraordinary Parents, you know,
they took that leap to come to the U.

S.

to start building out things here with
already having some success in Turkey.

And that's a, it's a,
that's a brave thing.

Oh, yeah.

And it sounds like it
worked out really well.

Yeah, luckily it did.

And I'm so proud of them.

And as I'm here now, kind of just
starting off my career, I am.

Taking more and more inspiration from it
because I mean, there's so many things

I can go through your head of like where
you want to go with what you're doing

and trying to figure out that path.

And do you want to, do I want to continue
working in a corporate nine to five kind

of job, even though there's flexibility,
or do I want to create my own company

and follow in my family's footsteps?

Um, and we'll kind of just,
time will tell on that one.

We'll see where I end up.

But yeah, well, I hope
I can stay in touch.

I would love to know, you know,
it just sounds like you're

on a beautiful trajectory.

And I just, I love that.

Here's a preview of what's coming up
next in part two of my conversation

with Kaitlyn Coskun, a recent graduate
of Texas Christian University.

The quote actually that I have on my first
page of my about me on my ePortfolio.

It kind of goes in line with that,
that there's really only Two things in

life that are in your total control and
that's your attitude and your effort.