It all started back in 2014, when I joined the company as a visual merchandiser at IKEA Bangna. I was responsible for displaying and showcasing our products to customers, and I loved every minute of it. But after less than a year, I had to resign due to some private issues that needed my attention.

I never thought I’d return to IKEA, but fate had other plans. My former manager came back to rehire me, this time as the Deputy Communication and Interior Designer for the new IKEA store in Bang Yai. I was thrilled at the opportunity and jumped at the chance to be part of such an exciting project. Working on the new store was a huge career leap for me. I was young and inexperienced, but my managers at IKEA saw potential in me and trusted me with a lot of responsibility. I stayed in that role for five years and loved every moment of it.

But then, another retail company gave me an offer, and I decided to try something new. I was still young and eager to see what a new challenge could offer me. Unfortunately, the culture at the new company was vastly different from IKEA’s as it wasn’t very welcoming to young managers like myself looking to try new things.

IKEA Thailand came calling once again

Suddenly there was another opportunity for me to apply to IKEA Thailand again. The role, however, called for more responsibilities, overseeing marketing for the entire country. Feeling confident, I applied, proved myself and landed the role of Inspiration and Communication manager for IKEA Thailand. I was amazed at how IKEA truly stands for a fair and equal people agenda, giving opportunities to people regardless of their background.

One campaign that I’m particularly proud of is the #ikeaforeveryone initiative that we launched in 2022. We started off with the rainbow bag, the STORSTOMMA bag, but it wasn’t about the bag itself. It was about the message of inclusivity and making the world everyone’s home. We wanted to go beyond the LGBTQ+ agenda and showcase how IKEA is for everyone. We have transgender women in logistics, people with tattoos in HR, and women in senior roles.

What made the campaign so special was that we used our own co-workers to tell the real stories. Nothing was made up, and it showed that if we care, we truly can make IKEA everyone’s home. The campaign was a huge success, and we will continue to work on it in 2023, focusing on LGBTQ+ rights, disability inclusion, and neurodiversity. Seeing the impact that we’ve had on our communities has been incredibly inspiring for me. It has given me bigger visions for myself and what I can achieve. At IKEA, we are encouraged to be daring and think out of the box, and that’s exactly what we’ve done with the #ikeaforeveryone campaign.

Read more about our IKEA business and Ikano shopping centres, part of Ikano Retail.

Overall, my journey at IKEA has taught me the importance of inclusivity and diversity, not just in the workplace but in society as a whole. I’m grateful to work for a company that truly cares about its people and strives to make a positive impact on the world.

Waranthorn Tachakunakorn (Mint) Inspiration & Communication Manager, IKEA Thailand