Reigniting Retail through people and powerful programs

Through The Retail Mentors you can be a part of an influential industry network, that is built on forming life changing connections, the sharing of expertise, and providing the tools to empower all, to thrive within this dynamic industry and to influence the future of retail

Voluntary Mentoring Program

 

Are you ready to be guided toward your future potential?

In The Retail Mentors Voluntary Mentoring Program, you will have the opportunity to be mentored by a retail industry expert who has walked the path before you and is there to support and guide you to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Your mentor has volunteered their time to share their knowledge and experience and to be your guide as you navigate the next stage of your career.

The next Voluntary Mentoring Program begins Early 2024

Applications close 31st January 2024

Become a Mentor

It is because of our generous volunteer Mentors that we can provide a Voluntary Mentoring Program.

Are you someone who would like to give back to someone who will benefit from your experience, wisdom, and expertise?

 Meet Our Mentors

  • "If my experience and knowledge can support and influence someone else, even in a small way, then that is indeed a privilege."

    - Sally Coates – CEO + Founder of The Retail Mentors

  • "Every day I feel fortunate to be a part of an industry that I love, where community and connection are paramount.  Having had Mentors across my own career, I know just how much of a positive impact they can have on your growth, development, and confidence. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give back to our industry and remind others about the abundance of opportunity available to us."

    - Emma Miller - Director Global Talent Management

  • "I see Mentoring as an opportunity to help people reach their full potential."

    - Cheryl Rae – Culture and Leadership Consultant

  • "I can credit success in my career from leaders who have guided me along the way, it is great to be in a position to play that role as a Mentor to someone else."

    - James Domensino – Chief Digital Officer + Top 50 People in eCommerce

  • "I’ve Mentored (and been Mentored) in every role I’ve been in and my philosophy for Mentoring is simple… Developing others also develops me. We can always learn from others and situations, so supporting and nurturing Mentees to achieve their potential is not only rewarding to watch their progress but also helps me continually improve as a leader. I want to be someone’s shortcut to success!"

    - Adrian Smith – Executive General Manager

  • "Whilst there is talk of times being tough and retail being hard, I see only opportunities. I am really excited about working with The Retail Mentors. I can’t wait to support and Mentor those coming through the retail ranks."

    - Tara Broomfield – Divisional Merchandise Manager

  • "Participating in The Retail Mentors is an opportunity to ignite in others a lifelong love for retail and assist them in defining and attaining their dreams through the sharing of her knowledge, wisdom, and experience."

    - Sally Pieterse – General Manager

  • "Retail has provided me with an incredible career, it is time to pay it forward. The Retail Mentors program gives me an opportunity to spend time with the next generation of amazing retailers and support them in reaching their true potential."

    - Carly Richards - Director

  • "It truly has been so rewarding to give back to a retail community that has given me so much throughout my career. It has never been so important to support, encourage and nurture our retail talent. To have them strive to be great and to have them achieve more than they ever thought they would by just being there for a constructive chat.   I can’t recommend this process and organisation more.  It is such a rewarding way to give back."

    - Deborah Donehue – Executive Leadership and Career Coach

  • "I love connecting with people. I believe a strong Mentor / Mentee relationship helps both of you grow and develop. You can share experiences, give advice and problem solve! Watching someone grow and being a support on their leadership journey is incredibly rewarding and something I am very proud to be a part of."

    - Vanessa Stevens – Head of Product Development

  • "To learn is to grow and I never want to stop learning. As a Mentor, if I can share some of the insight I’ve gained along the way and it helps others to grow into their goals, all the better!"

    - Rebecca Mansergh – Channels Director

  • "I decided to become a Retail Mentor as I have been very lucky in the past, that I have had some very supportive people help develop me, along my career.  Not only did they support and develop me, but they also taught me how to have a good look at myself and work out areas that I needed to focus on.  I found it to have a positive impact on me, firstly as it’s a privilege to be a mentor and secondly because being a mentor is different than being someone’s boss your language, ideas, and thought processes need to adapt and I found that both challenging and rewarding."

    - Roger Twigg – Project Manager

  • "It has been an enriching experience, one that I strongly recommend to others who would like to just be there for a peer to listen, knowing (at times) how you have felt when they share a crossroads with you and want to test their ideas for a way forward. The Retail Mentors program is a fantastic initiative. I wonder where I would be today if I had the opportunity to engage with an experienced Mentor in my formative days."

    - Stephen Early – Supply Chain Specialist

  • "I joined The Retail Mentors to be able to be a part of a network of like-minded leaders and to give back to a wonderful industry that has given me so much.  It has given me a greater sense of purpose and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to support others in a time of uncertainty. To be able to listen, to be an objective sounding board, to pass on what I have learned, and to help others reach their goals and grow."

    - Carly Bowra – Head of Marketing

Mentee Experiences

  • "Blown away at the level of Mentors willing to give back to the industry in this way. Midway in my career, having a mentor has provided a fresh, honest perspective on my personal brand, my CV, approach, and next stage career path. I have found the experience invigorating, motivating, and extremely beneficial."

    - Carole Cast

  • “This Mentoring program has re-ignited flames of hope. What a humbling experience to be shown the light by those who have walked a similar path before!”

    - Farai Mutasa

  • "I have so much to thank the team at The Retail Mentors and my personal Mentor for. Not only my involvement in this voluntary program allowed me to tap into the endless knowledge and experience of my Mentor, but opened the door to their network as well. Through my Mentor, I have met other industry professionals, and have accessed so many resources and opportunities I would not have had otherwise".

    - Claudia Long

  • “Having a Mentor through this program has been an excellent experience. It was invaluable to be matched with the right person. Not coming from the industry, it’s been incredible to tap in to someone who has decades of experience.”

    - Sarah Shepherd

  • "Having a Mentor helped me to do the things that I knew I had to but avoided due to lack of understanding. It has given me the confidence to take my business further as I now have a strong foundation and understanding. I’ve turned what I am doing from a hobby to a business and hopefully soon an empire. I’m forever grateful for the time that my Mentor spends with me and the retail mentors for matching me with someone that is perfect for me and my business".

    - Princess Pounder

  • "Sometimes we think having a Mentor is about having access to someone wise, who has all the answers. I've found the greatest benefit is in having access to someone who helps shift my perspective and challenges me to think in a different way"

    - Justin Gerhardt

  • "A Mentor and this program will provide me with specific knowledge that can help me grow personally and professionally and also help improve in the advancement of any specific skills so that you I hopefully advance in my career and be more efficient in my role".

    - Lisa Triccas

  • "For me, this program has been a great way to connect in a time of isolation and to establish a network outside my day to day interactions within my workplace. It has been so beneficial to have real and frank conversations that sometimes can't be had with direct bosses or colleagues. It is guidance where you need it, support when you ask for it and accountability to keep focused on your goals".

    - Morgan Westman

  • "The Retail Mentors is an incredible community of like-minded retailers who either want to give back as Mentor's or are seeking guidance from a Mentor as they approach the next chapter of their career. Speaking with a Mentor each fortnight has not only helped to push me outside of my comfort zone, hold me accountable to the things I committed to doing, but importantly simply having someone there ready to listen and share their own perspective".

    - Rick Leathers

  • "Having a Mentor and being a part of The Retail Mentor program has helped me in many more ways than one. With regular guidance and monthly catch-ups with my Mentor, I was given the confidence to make certain career decisions that I was struggling to pursue and I was also able to seek advice from a trustworthy and credible working professional who would give me advice that aligned with my best interest. I will be forever grateful and appreciative for this learning experience."

    - Renee Khouri

 How you can work with The Retail Mentors

 
 

A mentoring program designed to support you to achieve your personal and professional goals

Work with us to propel your business forward to be an unforgettable, retail brand of the future

 

The Retail Mentors Podcast

 
Podcast
The Powerful Stories Podcast - Featuring The Retail Mentor Founder Sally Coates
Sally Coates
The Powerful Stories Podcast - Featuring The Retail Mentor Founder Sally Coates
Sally Coates

Sally Coates shares the story of how her retail career began, how she dealt with one of the bigger challenges in life that she faced behind closed doors, and the importance of leading with your heart.

Sally Coates
EP 3 - Featuring Farai Mutasa
Sally Coates
EP 3 - Featuring Farai Mutasa
Sally Coates
Sally Coates
EP 2 -Featuring James Domensino
Sally Coates
EP 2 -Featuring James Domensino
Sally Coates
Sally Coates
EP 1 - Featuring Sally Coates
Sally Coates
EP 1 - Featuring Sally Coates
Sally Coates

In today's episode Ashley Ruscoe talks to Sally Coates about the role of Mentoring and how influential a Mentor can be.

Sally Coates

Articles

 
Blog
The Tale of Two Tyre Traders
Sally Coates
The Tale of Two Tyre Traders
Sally Coates

After a road incident a the experience in to two different retail businesses could not have been any different.

Read More →
Sally Coates
Is it Trouble in Topshop or Trouble at all shops?
Sally Coates
Is it Trouble in Topshop or Trouble at all shops?
Sally Coates

The documentary “Trouble at Topshop” raises the question, are the issues that caused the downfall of leading fashion retailer Topshop prevalent in retail companies of today?

Read More →
Sally Coates
When did the harmony between art and science in retail become so imbalanced?
Sally Coates
When did the harmony between art and science in retail become so imbalanced?
Sally Coates

Retail is a harmonious blend of art and science. Creativity and analysis. But has the balance shifted?

Read More →
Sally Coates
What Mt Kilimanjaro taught me about myself
Sally Coates
What Mt Kilimanjaro taught me about myself
Sally Coates
Read More →
Sally Coates
Being made redundant from a job I loved
Sally Coates
Being made redundant from a job I loved
Sally Coates
Read More →
Sally Coates
Having a Mentor is not a right. It is a privilege
Sally Coates
Having a Mentor is not a right. It is a privilege
Sally Coates

Having a Mentor is a privilege

Read More →
Sally Coates
 

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