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LAS VEGAS—Twenty women took the stage here last night to share their mentoring experiences during an inaugural Lean In and Lift Up event at Las Vegas Market.
The evening event drew a crowd of more than 250. The event was sponsored by HFN’s parent company, Progressive Business Media, and hosted by International Market Centers.
“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.”
Representing all categories of home furnishings, the women answered questions about who supported and guided them throughout their careers, how and where they sought help when they needed it, and the importance of paying it forward and helping others, a mandate one honoree described as the need to “lift as I climb.”
Some women cited mothers, fathers and spouses as their main source of support, some were guided by bosses or other superiors, and some were helped out by fellow honorees in the group. “Build relationships. It will help guide your life,” advised Linh Calhoun, chief marketing officer of the tabletop retailer Replacements.
Lisa Cody of Twin-Star Home, who had earlier said she utilized a “board” of mentors, was asked how she benefited from those individuals.
“It’s a combination of people I can turn to for personal as well as professional advice,” she said. “One person might be someone I can call on (for a personal issue). Other people I turn to specifically for advice that can help advance my career.”
Cody added that the benefits of having mentors inspired her to mentor herself, particularly in the community.
“I mentor teenage girls in … a program serving underprivileged girls from kindergarten to high-school age,” she said. “I’ve benefited from my mentors’ advice, and it makes me want to pay it forward.”
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.”
“Everything you do in your life, the people you know along the way, it all comes together,” said Cynthia Zheng, president of HiEnd Accents, a computer scientist who transitioned into a career in home textiles.
Mentoring can be intentional or unintentional, noted interior designer Shayla Copas. “Sometimes you have no idea what impact you have on others,” who have watched how you behave and have taken note, she said. And mentoring can extend beyond the workplace into advice for home and family life, said another.
Laura Aldrich, executive vice president of licensing, Scott Brothers Global, summed up the theme of the evening by rhetorically asking, “How can we help people do more of what they’re good at?”
A portion of the event’s proceeds will go to the WithIt scholarship fund to assist young women in industry related programs.
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.
Along with the event, the initiative included profiles of women in the most recent issues of all of Progressive Business Media brands.
