3019 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA98406
(888) 500-BEAD
(253) 572-5529

Thank you for your interest in employment at The Bead Factory. Before you fill out and return our application with your résumé, please take the time to read the following information about our company to make sure this would be the right job for you.

The Bead Factory, Inc. was established in 1992 as the premier full-service bead store in the northwest. While the main focus of our business is our retail bead store, we also feature over 50 classes per month, maintain an online store, exhibit at many national bead shows and produce our own trade show, The Puget Sound Bead Festival, the largest bead show on the West coast. The owners Viki and Mark Lareau have written books for the bead industry and teach nationally and are regular television guests as industry experts. Viki also has a regular monthly column in Beadwork magazine.

The Bead Factory enjoys a reputation as a leader in customer service in this industry. Employees are expected to deliver outstanding customer service and be willing to go the extra mile for customers on a regular basis. Our business is built almost entirely on word of mouth, so each customer’s individual experience is vital to our continued growth.

We are also a fashion-forward company. Employees are expected to dress fashionably and be knowledgeable about trends in fashion as well as jewelry. Knowledge of jewelry construction is not required as each employee participates in a series of classes as part of their training. Employees must maintain a polished appearance through an updated hairstyle, manicured nails, and current wardrobe. No visible tattoos or unusual piercings or hair colors are allowed. We do not hire smokers because the smell is offensive to customers & co-workers.

On a daily basis employees are expected to care for our customers; take care of assigned inventory sections; be upbeat, personable and professional; and adhere to all company policies outlined in training. Employees do not make jewelry unless specifically asked to do so. We also do not hire those who are seeling or have previously sold their own handmade jewelry professionally. This is a conflict of interest with some of our customers, who do sell their own jewelry professionally. Employees are also expected to work evenings and weekends as well as all special events, including holidays. No additional days off can be requested during the holidays.

Employees must be able to commit to a 1 year schedule of either part time or full time employment upon hiring. We are looking for those who can commit to a serious job and who want to grow with a professional and progressive company, where your achievements are appreciated and acknowledged, and where you understand being a part of a culture that is nurturing both for staff and for customers!

Employee benefits are many, including a progressive pay schedule, medical & dental, paid vacations, monthly bonus options, anniversary bonuses, as well as many regular personal celebrations. We are both a team and a family. If you feel you will work hard, meet all the above criteria and be a good fit to our culture, please return our application with your resume in person within three days of the date of this letter.

We realize this can be a fairly strict criteria to follow. However, we find we can significantly reduce employee turnover by being very particular about who we hire in the first place. Traditional retail turnover is around 78%. Nordstrom boasts a 35% turnover rate; The Bead Factory's is less than 10%. We are extremely proud of our employees. Give them a year with us, and they will be the best retail employees anywhere.

We are currently accepting resumes for full time sales associates and also for a store manager. Plese apply in person only with a resume. Please click here to inquire about the store manager position. If we are interested in an interview someone will contact you shortly.

Happy Beading!
Viki Lareau
CEO, The Bead Factory Inc.