Meet Matthew

May 16, 2014

Matthew LaFave, assistant manager for Gap Outlet Fairlane Green in Allen Park, MI, shares his “do more” story and what our minimum wage increase means to him.

In all the previous jobs that I've held over the years, I was never given permission to just be myself.

When I started as a sales associate with Gap eight years ago, I remember hearing a great quote during orientation: "You be you." The manager who was training me said that Gap just wants you to be you and bring your own unique energy to work every day.

So, I really took that statement to heart. It inspired me to work very hard, always pushing myself to stand out. Five years ago, I was rewarded for my hard work and became a manager.

"You be you" is something that I teach all the new hires still to this day. I teach it because it is what Gap taught me.

Over the past eight years I've seen a company that loves doing community work and loves taking care of their own. When Gap Inc. announced their minimum hourly rate increase I truly felt blessed to be a part of this place.

The wage increase truly reiterates what I have taught my employees – do what's right, whether that’s by customers or by one another, all while being you.