ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT SERIES: AN INTERVIEW WITH NICK RAYA
In our Associate Spotlight series, we are highlighting associates across the company who are shaping our community and who embody our Life at Centric philosophy every day.
Meet Nick Raya, Store Manager, Robert Graham, based in Las Vegas.
Finding His Footing in Leadership
Nick did not set out to become a Store Manager. When he joined Robert Graham in 2014, the role was not on his radar. Like many meaningful career turns, his unfolded gradually, shaped less by a plan and more by the moments that revealed what he was capable of.
He was serving as Assistant Store Manager when Centric acquired the brand in 2018, and it was during that period of organizational change that his leadership instincts came into sharper focus. In 2020, he was promoted to Store Manager, a title that, in hindsight, felt like the natural next step.
“Becoming a Store Manager was never part of my original career plan. But as I navigated the challenges of an ever-changing work environment, I discovered my natural ability to lead and inspire those around me.”
As he took on more responsibility, Nick realized that leading and supporting his team was where he made the biggest impact. What started as an unexpected opportunity became a career he truly enjoys.
Building a Business on Relationships
Once in the role, Nick focused on what he believed would separate good performance from great performance: intentional, consistent client outreach. Rather than waiting for traffic to come to them, he built a culture of proactive relationship-building, one that paid off in measurable ways.
Under his leadership, the Robert Graham Las Vegas store became the number one overall store company-wide for multiple consecutive years. That kind of sustained achievement, he notes, does not happen by accident.
“Success in today’s retail environment requires a proactive mindset and a willingness to leverage every available resource to drive sales. We cannot simply wait for business to come to us and expect to achieve exceptional results.”
The approach he cultivated, rooted in accountability, strategic follow-up and a shared commitment to the customer, continues to define how his team operates.
Getting Out of His Own Way
Among the lessons Nick carries from his years at Robert Graham, one piece of advice stands above the rest: learn to get out of your own way. Early in his leadership journey, anxiety and self-doubt created barriers that obscured his own potential. Choosing to challenge those thoughts, rather than be guided by them, changed the way he led, and the way he coached others.
Today, that philosophy is woven into how he manages his team. Confidence-building conversations and an open, supportive environment help associates push past hesitation and perform at their best, even when the industry gets demanding or unpredictable.
On Stage and On the Floor
Away from Robert Graham, Nick channels his creativity through music. For the past 15 years, he has been a member of a band called Amarionette, who has toured across the United States multiple times and released several projects available on major streaming platforms.
The discipline required to sustain both a leadership career and an active musical life is not lost on him. The same qualities that make a team run well, commitment, collaboration and a drive to keep improving, are the same ones that keep his band moving forward. For Nick, the two worlds are not so different after all.
