Meet Riley, Your First Point of Contact at SOLE
Get to know the people behind SOLE.
Melted your footbeds in the microwave? Worried about an order arriving on time? Having difficulty using a discount code? Riley's your guy. Ever calm and helpful, he has a knack for improving people's days. When he's not fielding customer questions you might find him reenacting cinema classics for the joy and amusement of his colleagues.
Name and Role at SOLE.
Riley Galarneau, Customer Relations Manager based out of Calgary, AB.
What does your job involve?
I handle the day to day Customer Service operations for SOLE, and assist in Social Media relations/creation, as well as communication for our ReCORK partners, and other general operational tasks.
What year did you start working at SOLE?
September of 2021
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a local Calgary actor outside of work, have two cats, and a partner of 6 years.
What led you to SOLE? How did you end up here?
I kind of fell into SOLE. I have known Jeff (our wholesale sales manager) for a while, including before he started working with SOLE. One day I got a call from him saying that SOLE was looking for a CS Rep, and if I was available for an interview in 10 mins. I was sick of my job at a coffee shop, so I agreed, took the interview, and the rest is history!
What do you love to do outside of work?
I love to walk around the city and find new places to eat.
Riley and a few of the many characters he played in SOLE Hard, the 2023 smash hit that kicked off SOLE's end of year company awards.
Riley and a few of the many characters he played in SOLE Hard that kicked of SOLE's 2023 end of year company awards.
What’s your favorite thing about working for SOLE/ReCORK?
My favorite thing about working for SOLE is the freedom. I am trusted to do my work and I'm treated like an adult, and encouraged to live my life outside of work. That’s a very rare find for a company and I am forever grateful.
Do you have a favorite SOLE story?
Filming the end of the year awards video for the SOLEies. Three of us came in on a Saturday, unbeknownst to anyone else in the company, and filmed a parody version of Die Hard. I can’t think of another company where that would be encouraged, all for a 2 min video just for the fun of our coworkers.
What about the SOLE company culture?
SOLE has one of the best company cultures, genuinely. From being encouraged to volunteer for your passionate cause, to community clean ups, to playing video games with my coworkers at lunch, I have never had a job where I have had this much fun, and don’t dread going to work Monday morning.
Three hates and three loves.
Love: Freedom at work, Adventure Days, genuine support.
Hate: When customers don’t understand that I don’t control Canada Post, hot weather, rush hour traffic.
What’s your favorite way to wear SOLE, or your favorite SOLE product?
I love our Performance Medium insoles in my running shoes, but the Jasper Chukka is quickly becoming the best thing I have ever worn. They fit well, look good, and are so comfy. Like a hug for your feet.
Pick a meme or GIF that best describes you, or that you just love.
