At 23, Walmart Store Manager Kiley Pulley Worked Hard, Started as a Cashier—and Built a Life and Career Journey Here

From cashier to store manager

Pulley began working at Walmart because her mother and sister were already there, and the store was close to her high school. She could walk to work after school.

She later worked as a stocker and in online fulfillment. At 18, she became an academy trainer, then moved into a digital team lead role six months later.

Pulley says she sought chances to cover for store managers to build experience for promotion. She once hoped to become a store manager at 21, but reached the role at 23.

Finding purpose in leadership

Pulley initially wanted to start a nonprofit or business to help homeless people. She later saw a way to make a difference through Walmart, including by hiring people and supporting associates.

She says she wants to advocate for her team by addressing needs such as supplies and service tickets. She believes that support can help associates work more productively and feel happier at work.

Learning to lead differently

Pulley says her communication changed when she became salaried. As an associate, she joked with coworkers, but leadership required her to adjust her tone and connect with people from different cultures.

She was nervous about managing people older than she was, but says she has not had problems with her team respecting or listening to her. She also learned to delegate rather than handle training herself, trusting team leads and academy trainers to take on that work.

Support, balance and future goals

Pulley credits her former store manager with promoting her through hourly supervisor roles and preparing her for her first salaried position. The manager practiced interview questions with her, while her market manager has continued to support her.

She says she used to focus on metrics and messages from her team even after getting home. Now she is learning to trust her leaders and has returned to the gym.

Pulley says adapting to change, including new technology, is important. Her short-term goal is to become a market manager at 27 or 28; her long-term goal is regional EVP.