Behind every great retailer is a mentor who helped shape their journey.

When Betsy Nathan, founder of Pagoda Red, started selling Chinese antiques, she leaned on a mentor to help her understand the intricacies of Chinese culture and craftsmanship.

That relationship helped her refine her expertise and grow her business into a trusted destination for collectors worldwide.

Read on for her story and to learn six ways mentorship in retail can unlock opportunities for you.

1. Learning from Experienced Retailers

When Betsy first thought about starting her own furniture store, she was alone in Beijing, China. With little knowledge of Chinese furnishings and no technical know-how, she knew she needed someone to teach her the furniture-making fundamentals. Luckily, she met Josh Albe, her future mentor, who introduced her to “the ins and outs of joinery, lacquer, and history. He was key to learning a lot about China’s history and the amazing visual culture that comes from there.” These lessons became the foundation of Pagoda Red, allowing her to turn her passion into a thriving business.

If you’re an up-and-coming retailer, try to find more experienced retailers who share your niche. Shadowing an expert, attending industry events, or even joining mentorship programs can provide you with unique insights that a textbook or training manual can’t offer. The right mentor can provide strategies, collaborations, and connections to benefit you and your brand. 

2. Building Confidence Through Mentorship

Knowing if you’re making the right decision in retail can feel impossible. For Betsy to feel confident selling Chinese antiques and furnishings, she had to immerse herself in the culture. 

With guidance from her Chinese-speaking mentors, who kept her language sharp through discussions of lacquer and furniture, she gained the confidence to source rare Chinese pieces, negotiate deals, and run her own gallery.

Here’s why confidence in retail is so important:

• It strengthens decision-making: When you trust your knowledge and instincts, you make quicker, smarter choices.
• It improves negotiation skills: Believing in your expertise helps you stand firm in deals and advocate for the value of your products.
• It builds customer trust: A confident business owner reassures customers, making them more likely to buy and return.
• It encourages risk-taking: Confidence helps you take calculated risks without fear.
• It inspires leadership: Your confidence sets the tone for your team, creating a stronger, more motivated business.

With the right mentorship, you’ll gain confidence in your retail skills, develop a deeper appreciation for your craft, and have the courage to turn your retail dreams into reality.

3. Overcoming Challenges with Mentorship

In the world of retail, shifting consumer trends, supply chain hiccups, and unexpected market changes can make it tough to stay ahead. Having a mentor in retail can help you overcome these challenges. 

Betsy’s mentor taught her the art of sourcing, allowing her to verify the authenticity and value of antiques. Her mentor’s expertise saved her from facing legal problems, ethical issues, and a damaged reputation in the antiques industry.

If you’re struggling with retail challenges, start by reaching out to potential mentors through LinkedIn, local business associations, or retail networking events. If a formal mentorship program isn’t available, schedule regular check-ins with someone whose experience aligns with your goals. The right mentorship can give you a leg up over your competitors, so you’ll make smarter business decisions and navigate retail problems with ease. 

4. The Role of Mentorship in Career Growth

Though Betsy’s journey didn’t start as a retail employee, the guidance from her mentor and other friends in China inspired her to begin her journey in retail ownership and go all in on Pagoda Red. Mentorship may be your solution if you’re struggling with growing in your retail career. A strong mentor can help you negotiate promotions, get leadership opportunities, and develop your skills. 

Not sure what to ask your mentor? Here are five important questions: 

• How can I position myself for promotions or new opportunities within my industry?
  

• How did you transition into leadership, and what challenges did you face?
  

• What advice would you give your younger self when starting in retail?
  

• Are there any books or courses you recommend for career growth?
  

• Who else should I connect with to advance my career?
  

Answering these questions will give you a powerful base for making informed career moves and setting yourself up for long-term success!

5. Creating a Mentorship Culture in Retail

The best retail businesses have one thing in common: a culture of mentorship. When experienced employees guide new team members, everyone grows, and the business benefits. At Pagoda Red, Betsy shares her expertise with her team and collaborators so that they can succeed as a collective. 

You can implement a mentorship culture within your own business. Pair new employees with experienced staff, encourage hands-on learning, and host training workshops to create a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment. Prioritizing a mentorship culture will strengthen your business, create a sense of belonging, and promote continuous improvement among your employees. 

6. How Mentorship Fuels Innovation in Retail

Innovation in retail thrives on fresh ideas, creative problem-solving, and evolving business strategies. For Betsy, mentorship allowed her to adapt, think ahead, and stay in business for over 27 years. She passes that mindset to her team, encouraging collaboration, experimentation, and innovative problem-solving.

Mentorship speeds up the learning process by providing takeaways from real experiences, helping retailers avoid easy mistakes and focus on innovative strategies that work. When guiding newer retailers, think about passing down knowledge that sparks creative thinking, inspires new approaches, and can help them stay ahead in a fast-moving industry. That’s what will shape the future of retail.

Conclusion 

The role of mentorship in retail cannot be overstated. It provides the guidance, confidence, and industry knowledge needed to build successful careers and businesses. 

If you’re an aspiring retailer looking for direction or an experienced professional ready to give back, mentorship in retail is the key. 

Want to hear more powerful retail stories? Learn from retail leaders across Illinois who are making a difference.

If you loved learning about Pagoda Red’s story and know a retailer who deserves recognition, Nominate A Retailer to submit your nomination!