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The importance of mentors — having one and being one — was the focal point of a packed Lean In & Lift Up event, Sunday, July 28, at World Market Center in Las Vegas.
The inaugural event, sponsored by Progressive Business Media and hosted by International Market Centers, recognized some of the home furnishings industry’s most successful female executives, many of whom shared their mentorship stories.
“We are thrilled to celebrate mentorship in the home furnishings and gift industries,” said Catherine Silver, president of Progressive Business Media. “Leaning in and lifting up the next generation of leaders is a mission we support at Progressive Business Media and in our industry. We hope our event inspires mentors and fosters the relationships that help our industry prosper.”
The evening event drew a crowd of more than 250, spanning the full spectrum of home furnishings companies, from furniture to décor, gift to housewares. And a panel of more than 20 female executives took to the stage to share their stories of mentoring and being mentored.
OW Lee’s Leisa McOllister took a question regarding the characteristics of a great mentor. As well as being supportive and generous with knowledge, “they’re very frank to a point of being honest to where it hurts,” she responded, adding that their level of knowledge to share is another key. “Both my mentors have so much long-term industry experience that I can learn so much to my advantage in my career.”
Margaret Chang of Treasure Garden said that working with mentees has taught her new lessons. When before she may have micro-managed those up-and-comers, it made doing her own job harder.
“Everyone told me ‘you have to delegate,’ and I started to train my support (staff) and learn to be patient,” she said. “They taught me themselves to be patient and listen to different perspectives and ideas.”
She also learned a shared sense of accomplishment: “Everyone gives credit for the success of the company to everyone else.”
Megan Pierson, senior vice president of business development at Polywood, said that she has sometimes had the reputation of doing a lot of the talking. But thanks to the kind counsel of others, she has learned to become a better listener. “Sometimes you have to listen and learn things from a different perspective,” she noted.
Silver noted that as change continues to drive the industry, it’s necessary to have great women and men in all different segments of home furnishings. This event, she said, was one way to bring people from different segments and categories together to communicate with each other.
At the same time, the event also is helping support the WithIt Scholarship Foundation.
This event was sponsored by Ashley Furniture, Classic Home, Connie Lineberry & Associates, Crestview, Howard Elliott, Las Vegas Market, Mud Pie, Progressive Business Media, Replacements Ltd. and TD Partnership Programs.
For photos from the event, check out this flipbook: https://www.flipsnack.com/PBMAngie/lean-in-lift-up-flipbook_part5.html
