If you’re a retail leader who thrived under the guidance of a great career mentor, consider yourself lucky. Today’s ambitious industry professionals really want a mentor, but can’t seem to find one.

In a recent survey of 3,000 professionals, 76% said they think “people with mentors are happier at their current jobs than those without.” But only 37% said they have one.

Are you the game-changing career mentor someone is missing?

Laura Ravo, retail veteran, executive coach, and author of “The Power of Grit and Grace; A Woman’s Journey to Putting the Heart Back into Retail Leadership,” says the act of mentorship isn’t just a role to play, it’s a legacy to leave. And it’s time for more retail and hospitality leaders to step up.

In this episode, host Ron Thurston and Laura Ravo unpack what it takes to be an effective career mentor for tomorrow’s retail leaders.

They dig into:

• The growing gap in mentor-mentee relationships
• What’s stopping some leaders from stepping up
• Qualities of a great mentor and how to cultivate them
• What to do if you’re still looking for your own mentor

GUEST BIO

Laura Ravo, Retail Guru, Executive Coach, Author

Laura Ravo is a retail guru with 30 years of retail stores and operations experience. She most recently served as COO of Jane.com, and at the iconic Strand bookstore in NYC.

Leveraging her leadership skills and authentic approach, Laura has developed some of the highest performing teams in global retail. Her scrappy determination (or grit as she likes to call it), her endless curiosity, and very humanistic approach (or grace as she likes to call it) have been the cornerstone of her leadership success. Laura has held senior management roles in some of the most prominent brands, both in department stores and specialty retail, including Macy’s, L Brands, Victoria’s Secret, LensCrafters, Oakley and The Body Shop.

Laura is a sought after executive coach, speaker and author of the book “The Power of Grit and Grace; A Woman’s Journey to Putting the Heart Back into Retail Leadership,” published in March 2023.

She was voted one of the Top Women in Retail in 2021 by Women in Retail Leadership Circle.

She is an advocate, activist and force for good in her native NYC, serving as a senior volunteer for City Relief, a mobile outreach program offering people experiencing poverty and homelessness hot meals, supplies and connections to resources for housing, employment, and health care.

HOST BIO

Ron Thurston is the host of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS. 

Ron is the co-founder of OSSY, a full-service agency platform that connects retailers, candidates, and solution providers to create thriving retail careers and businesses.

With 30+ years leading retail stores and operations for America’s most prominent brands, like Gap, Saint Laurent, Apple, Bonobos, and INTERMIX, Ron has developed a deep expertise in retail strategy, management, and innovation.

Ron is the author of RETAIL PRIDE, an Amazon bestseller that inspires retail professionals to take pride in their accidental careers. He hosts the RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast and tour, sharing the untold retail success stories and the incredible people behind them.

Ron’s work has set him up as one of the most influential voices in retail and retail tech, and he serves on the Advisory Board of YOOBIC and several emerging retail technology platforms, including Ometria, Reflex, and Vendoor.

ABOUT FRONTLINE FRIDAYS

FRONTLINE FRIDAYS WITH RON THURSTON is a live podcast for frontline leaders and advocates in retail and hospitality.

Ron Thurston has a question for leaders out there who are inspiring excellence in their frontline teams: “What do you do differently?” In this candid discussion series, he’ll sit down with them to find out.

Each episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS offers real-world strategy from retail and hospitality change makers on frontline leadership and personal career growth.