Wild Birds Unlimited Promotes Christa Anderson to Director of Coaching Support

Wild Birds Unlimited is thrilled to announce that it has promoted Christa Anderson to the role of Director of Coaching Support. 

The promotion took place in December 2019. Anderson previously worked for Wild Birds Unlimited as a Business Coach and Operations Development Manager. 

As the Director of Coaching Support, she will continue to coach store owners on implementing best practices, using tools and working towards strong store performance. Her new role also involves supporting the brand’s business coaches with individual development and analyzing the feedback they receive from Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees. 

“I will oversee the implementation of best practices and evaluate our support model and determine if it needs adjustment,” she said. “This is all done with the goal of improving store performance and franchisee satisfaction.” 

Anderson first learned about Wild Birds Unlimited through a former coworker who currently manages the brand’s flagship store in Indianapolis. She joined the company in May of 2011 after enjoying almost 30 years working in retail management, specifically for big-box stores. Wild Birds Unlimited’s positive culture and offer of work-life balance drew her to join the brand as the Manager of Retail Services. 

At Wild Birds Unlimited, she said, “I was finding that balance between working and having a young family, and that’s why I’ve also stayed here for so long,” she said. “The culture here is very supportive of that and also affords me opportunities for advancement.”

The job move proved to be an excellent fit for Anderson’s background. 

“The coaching role, for example, utilizes all of my retail and leadership experience and allows me to help franchise owners with their businesses,” she said. “Sometimes, new franchisees join the Wild Birds Unlimited brand without any business or retail background, so it’s fulfilling to still have my hand in that and be able to help our franchisees reach their personal and business goals.” 

She noted that the franchising world is very different from corporate retail. She did not have a bird feeding background, either, when she joined Wild Birds Unlimited, but that did not prove to be a hindrance. 

“I’m always learning something new, which is exciting,” she said. “I also love working with people. This business is very much about relationships, both with franchise owners and team members here at headquarters, where we continue to refine best practices and translate them into actionable items for our franchise owners, who we always keep top of mind.” 

In terms of brand goals for 2020, Anderson’s team is in the process of expanding and hiring an eighth business coach. 

“My team’s goals for 2020 are centered around aligning franchise owners and making sure they have the same focus and same processes,” she said. “It’s all about really supporting the Wild Birds Unlimited brand, and we’re excited to find a great candidate for the new Business Coach role who will help us do this.” 

And yes, the Wild Birds Unlimited-endorsed hobby of feeding birds has definitely rubbed off on Anderson and her family. She set up bird feeders in her backyard, and her family has enjoyed the feathered friends they attract. Joining Wild Birds Unlimited, she said, helps her children appreciate real nature, and not just the video game Angry Birds. 

“I try to instill that appreciation for birds and nature to my kids,” she said. “We live in the age of technology, so it’s a cool hobby to pass on to them.”