Clothes Mentor Sugar Land Celebrates its Grand Opening!

Check out this article from the Fort Bend Independent (fbindependent.com) featuring the new Clothes Mentor Sugar Land:

Upscale-Resale Fashion Chain, Clothes Mentor, Comes To Sugar Land

America’s first national resale chain for adult women, Clothes Mentor, opens Dec. 8th at 2581 Town Center Blvd. N in Sugar Land.

Clothes Mentor is a thriving women’s fashion chain with 18 stores in Texas and 150 open or being readied nationwide. Their first Houston store is a women’s resale experience with nothing like it close by.

Clothes Mentor offers style, sophistication and quality that help make women more beautiful. Most items originate from better specialty or department stores. Everything is like-new, clean and top quality. Clothing is organized and displayed beautifully in a fine retail environment.

“We’re a totally different form of shopping,” say store owners Pieter, Esther and Oscar de Smidt.

“We fit the style, brand and value consciousness of Houston women who love fashion and adore 70% savings. And customers selling us good-condition merchandise receive immediate cash, not a consignment form.”

Clothes Mentor helps local women replenish their wardrobes with better-brand apparel and accessories that are stylish, in good condition and at dramatic savings. They carry business, casual, smart and sophisticated apparel in sizes 0 to 26. There are tops and bottoms, jeans, dresses, career separates, coats and jackets, purses, designer handbags, shoes, jewelry, belts, scarves and other accessories. Customers find bright lights, sophisticated displays and private fitting rooms. All major credit cards are accepted.

Clothes Mentor buys good-condition clothing from neighbors and is very picky about quality. Items must be current style, freshly laundered and free of stains, fading, missing buttons or broken zippers. Clothing can be brought in any time, without appointment. If accepted, customers receive cash on the spot – not if and when the item sells (like at a consignment store).

Store owners Pieter, Esther and Oscar de Smidt offer Clothes Mentor to savvy adult women.

Early response has been outstanding with customers praising this great source of better clothing at 70% savings.

For information, call 346-309-2498 or check www.clothesmentor.com/sugar-land/.

Pieter, Esther and Oscar de Smidt own the Clothes Mentor upscale-resale fashion store in Sugar Land and may open other stores in the future. They came from The Netherlands when their daughter, Ashley, was two weeks old to live the American dream.

Pieter is a credentialed physical therapist who continues to practice here. He works in a local hospital and teaches manual therapy to other physical therapists. Esther is an interior designer and has worked as a home stager for 15 years.

Recently, they sought a business they could own and run together as a family and Esther fondly remembered the Clothes Mentor she frequented in San Antonio. The concept seemed perfect for all three including adult son, Oscar, who is the store manager. They know customer response has been impressive at other Texas and national Clothes Mentor stores and felt Houston women would respond similarly.

The de Smidt family lives in Houston and loves fitness, family time and their dog, Oreo. Their daughter Ashley is pursuing a career as a physician and loves to shop in the store.

Click here to see more from fbindependent.com.

Clothes Mentor Strongsville Helps Local Women Feel Fabulous

Check out this great article from thepostnewspapers.com featuring Clothes Mentor Strongsville and how the store helps local women feel amazing without breaking the bank.

A business for women, supporting women

Clothes Mentor: helping clients feel like a million bucks without the sticker shock

By Jaime Anton

Every girl’s dream is to find stylish clothes and accessories for a fraction of the price, and when she’s no longer in love with her outfit, be able to return it for cash on the spot.

The staff at Clothes Mentor of Strongsville has been making this dream come true daily with gently used, affordable clothing.

“We have all your better mall brands: Ann Taylor, The Limited, Lane Bryant, The North Face, Lululemon, Chicos and designer handbags like Coach, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Michael Kors, Dooney and Bourke, but our prices are roughly 70 percent off retail. Nine times out of 10, we are even more than 70 percent off,” store owner Randi Zeid said.

With prices like this, great deals are the every day at Clothes Mentor, but their Saturday before Black Friday sale, Nov. 19, sweetens them even further.

“Every single item in the store will be 30-70 percent off of what it’s already marked,” Zeid said. “Most people are shopping for their family or kids this time of year. This is great to be able to come in early, take advantage of huge savings and shop for yourself.”

So whether it’s date night, a special occasion, pieces for work or a new wardrobe for a growing baby bump, Clothes Mentor has everything for nearly every size and shape.

“From work to play in sizes 0-26, we have updated styles to fit all your needs whether you are 20 or 120,” Zeid said.

Designer fashion for less

Shopping can be euphoric, and it can be frustrating, like when fighting crowds while rushing from store to store to put together one outfit, trying to find the right fit at the right price, searching for summer clothes in the dead of winter for a Caribbean cruise.

Clothes Mentor understands and tries to make it a convenient, fun shopping experience for every customer.

The store is not seasonal, meaning it always stocks summer dresses, shirts, skirts, capris, shorts, maternity, and even athletic wear and scrubs all year.

“We have shorts on the floor year round, so you can still buy for your vacation anytime,” Zeid said.

To take the stress out of shopping, the store launched a new, free service for women who simply don’t have the time to shop, who struggle to put together a look or who simply want to be adventurous.

Customers can fill out a form online at clothesmentor.com to be part of the store’s free personal shopper program.

“After you have filled it out, we contact you to have you come in and try on outfits we have pulled for you,” Jen Gavin, the store manager, said.

“It’s a free, one-hour styling appointment,” Zeid added. “If you have trouble coordinating your own outfits or you have a special event coming up or you don’t have time to peruse our racks, you can opt in, and we’ll have things ready for you to try on when you get here.”

Hot, new items are shared regularly on their Facebook and Instagram.

“If you see something you like, we can put it aside for you,” Gavin said. “If we get a nice maternity buy, within an hour we’ll see four pregnant women walk in. Maternity clothes are expensive and you’re wearing them for such a finite time. What’s nice is when you are done with them, you can come back in and sell them back to us.”

The store does more than help customers find the perfect outfit; it also puts cash back in their wallets.

“We pay cash for your better mall brands and designer items and jewelry that are current and in style, which to us means they have been in the stores in the last one to two years,” Gavin said. “If something’s been in the closet that you aren’t using, why not get a little bit of cash for it? Bring it here first, let us take a look at it, and we will see what we can take off your hands before you donate it.”

The store has a loyalty program for customers, as well as a texting program to find out about flash sales and earn rewards.

“We have a free app for your smartphone, so you can keep track of your loyalty points and set up a free styling appointment. Our loyalty program is all computerized now, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of a card,” Zeid said.

Women supporting women

The store also livens up the shopping experience making it a night out with various events such as a Girls Night Out in the fall and spring, offering not only 20 percent off already low prices but also refreshments, raffles and vendors to make a fun night of it.

It’s about women supporting women for Zeid and her staff.

Every October the store raises awareness about breast cancer, featuring pink clothing front and center. One day each October, the store donates 10 percent of sales to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“Our business is for women, so we want to support women,” Zeid said.

Zeid, who opened this franchise in 2012, said this is her favorite aspect of the business.

“I would definitely say my favorite thing is the customers. We have such warm relationships with so many of our customers. They tell us their stories, they bring us nice things,” she said. “And a happy customer is so invaluable.”

Gavin agrees.

“One of the best parts is seeing how happy customers are when they find something they love,” Gavin said. “They can come here and get a beautiful outfit for a lot less.”

The store is located at 15143 Pearl Road in Strongsville. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information call, 440-238-8300 or visit clothesmentor.com/strongsville/.

Clothes Mentor Lee’s Summit Featured in Local Magazine

Check out this great article from Herlife Magazine, which features Clothes Mentor Lee’s Summit as well as the Tiffany Springs and Overland Park stores:

clothes mentor lees summit
Photo by Lauren Frisch Pusateri

Effortlessly Update Your Wardrobe at Clothes Mentor

By Cindy McDermott

It shouldn’t cost a fortune to have great designer clothing hanging in your closet. If you shop at your locally owned Clothes Mentor shops in Overland Park, Tiffany Springs and Lee’s Summit, it doesn’t have to!

Clothes Mentor is a women’s resale store focused on clothing in sizes 0-26, petites, plus sizes and maternity. The shops buy and resell better brand name and gently used items that are in style and in good condition. Business and casual, smart and stylish apparel, shoes, purses and accessories are stocked in easy-to-access, clearly organized segments to make your shopping experience superb.

Many Designers, Many Choices

“You’ll find all of your favorite brands in one place at Clothes Mentor,” shared Lee Gardner, owner at Tiffany Springs and Lee’s Summit. “Our customers don’t have to go to the mall and shop countless stores. We have many designers and, incredibly, our offerings are always changing. And we sell items 50 to 70 percent off from the original retail price.”

“At Clothes Mentor, we understand your life is always changing and those changes bring new needs for your wardrobe,” stated Phyllis Lord, owner of the Overland Park Clothes Mentor. “We help you meet your everyday lifestyle changes by growing and adapting your wardrobe in the most cost-effective way possible at Clothes Mentor.”

Each of the Clothes Mentor shops welcomes customers with brightly lit interiors and clothes and accessories arranged for easy view. You’ll look forward to stepping through the doors at Clothes Mentor, not only for the experience, but for the great-looking stock offered at great prices.

“Every customer is warmly greeted and welcomed when they visit Clothes Mentor,” advised Lee. “If this is your first visit, we’ll explain the process to you and set up an account. If you’re selling clothes, we’ll give you a time frame that we’ll need to review the clothes. We’ll either pay you cash on the spot or give you customer credit, which can include a bonus. Details can vary, but we’ll explain what’s being offered that day at that location.”

“Every day we pay you cash on the spot to purchase your better brand-name gently used women’s fashions and accessories,” promised Phyllis. “Unlike a consignment shop where you may wait weeks to receive payment, we pay you immediately for items that we buy.”

Social Media Alerts

Because the stock can change at a moment’s notice, the Clothes Mentor locations rely on social media tools to immediately alert customers to new items or specials. “We have a strong use of social media, and we’re constantly posting on Facebook or Instagram about new items that are coming in. If we get a nice designer item, we’ll post it. But you better move quickly because they will be taken fast,” shared Phyllis. “Texting is also important, and we offer VIP texting. We use texting to market specific sales in the store or give gentle reminders about special offers.”

“Our social marketing is dynamic. Every store has a Facebook page to post new products or share news of special events,” commented Lee. “It’s a great way for customers to see what we have in the store.”

Clothes Mentor also offers personal shoppers, a service that’s very popular with the customers who use them. “Customers love our personal shoppers. They fill out a questionnaire online to tell us about their body type and the type of clothes they want: business, casual or special occasion. Or maybe they’ve lost weight and don’t know what to wear,” remarked Phyllis. “Our personal shoppers will help them find the clothes that fit their needs. Sometimes they’ll bring in an article and ask us to match it up for a special occasion. This service is absolutely free for our customers.”

“People are surprised by how enjoyable the personal shopper experience can be. The shoppers are focused on them, working one on one,” said Lee. “They can have outfits pulled together for them when the customers arrive.”

Quality for Customers

Clothes Mentor also offers a loyalty program, featuring points for purchases. Savings off of the entire purchase or highlighted items may be featured. Check with the location to learn all of the details when you sign up.

“Clothes Mentor offers fantastic value because of our great prices and quality. We have stringent buying requirements for the items we purchase to resell to you. Our goal is to always provide excellent customer service,” said Lee. “In addition, we’re an environmentally friendly business because we’re keeping clothes out of the landfill.”

“You’re going to find great bargains on the great brands we carry at Clothes Mentor,” shared Phyllis. “We’re always willing to help a customer find something they need.” No matter if you’re searching for a new outfit or making some money on clothes you no longer wear, the staff at your friendly Clothes Mentor locations are there for you and your closet.

Click here to see more from Herlife Magazine.

CLOTHES MENTOR: 6 Ways To Treat Your True Customers Well

NTY Franchise Company graphic with title of article

Clothes Mentor franchisee Kate Paynter wrote this helpful article for the Women On Business website. Read the article below or check it out on womenonbusiness.com.

Every year, I make a point to set a new goal for my business. Not just for me, but for all the men and women I’m proud to call team members. The goal becomes a theme that we will build on throughout the year, affecting everyone from the CEO to the front line employees. Or as I like to refer to them, my “true” customers.

Prioritizing customer service for the end customer or final consumer is nothing new. But when you are a multi-unit business owner with several layers of management, you probably don’t spend much time engaged in traditional customer service. You do have customers, however; you just may not have thought of them that way.

In 2016, I’m making it a priority to treat my true customers well. Those would be the district managers I interact with on a daily basis and count on to help the business succeed. In turn, I’ll encourage them to treat their “true” customers, the store managers, well. It’s a mission I want to trickle all the way down to our front line employees whose true customer is the final consumer.

Whether you are a business owner or manager, chances are you are providing a work experience for somebody. That somebody is a customer. Employees pay with something much more valuable than money. They pay with their time, their skills, and their effort. Supervisors that expect their teams to treat customers like royalty have an obligation to do the same for their staff.

Here are some ways to get it done:

1. Solicit Regular Feedback

Whether you use anonymous surveys, open discussions, or exit interviews, putting mechanisms in place to generate specific feedback from employees is a critical starting point.

What is the best part about working here? What is the worst part? What would you do differently if you were in charge? Where are we missing opportunities?

2. Schedule Time to Review Feedback Regularly

Weekly, monthly, quarterly — whatever time you select, have a plan for how it will be discussed. I like to review everything before the meeting, then offer my managers a summary of what we will be discussing.

Remember not to spend the entire time on what needs to improve. Dedicate some time to what the employees say is being done well. Not only is that an opportunity to offer praise for good achievement, it’s a chance for your team members to hear what’s working and see how they can implement it, as well.

3. Finish Each Meeting with an Implementation Plan and Make Good on It

Nothing will undercut your efforts to generate regular feedback than a collective sense from your employees that they aren’t being heard. This doesn’t mean you have to solve every problem, but letting people know that their concern was discussed goes a long way.

Compile your meeting notes into a summary email and distribute it to all team members. Begin with what’s going to be a top priority, followed by midterm fixes, long-term fixes, and tabled issues. Finish with anything that won’t be addressed again but offer a detailed explanation why.

4. Be Nice

I’ve been a business owner for more than 20 years and know the pressure women feel to prove that they have the toughness to succeed in business. However, a perpetual scowl and grumpy demeanor will do far more harm than good. It’s difficult to expect your front line employees to wear a smile when dealing with customers if they are regularly greeted with their supervisor’s frown.

Being nice isn’t a weakness, being afraid to be nice is. If you show confidence in your mission and consistency in your operation, there is no reason you can’t be respected while still being nice.

5. Use Your Business to Inspire Your Employees

Would your employees consider their positions to be their jobs, their careers, or their callings? Some would say that answer has more to do with the work than the organization providing it, but I believe a company’s management team has a lot to do with how meaningful they make the work.

As a resale store owner, I don’t describe our team members as selling used clothes. We’re putting cash in local women’s pockets for their gently used items. We’re helping people look like a million bucks for pennies on the dollar. We are selling confidence through clothing without busting the family budget. That’s important work that we can all rally behind.

6. Measure Results

At regular points throughout the year, we’ll take stock of how our efforts are coming. We will look deeply at our retention rates, compare employee satisfaction levels, and review where we are succeeding and where we need improvement.

Don’t make the mistake of waiting until the end of the year to check in on your progress. If your goal is to improve or maintain a high level of “true” customer satisfaction, there is no sense in waiting until December to find out that what you’re doing isn’t working. Analyze results. Develop what’s working. Scrap what isn’t.

For me, success looks like this piece of feedback from one of my most trusted managers. She is one of my true customers whom I am proud to serve.

“Continued support from such a great family/company to work for is making my experience here one to cherish. ‘Take care of the employees and they will take care of the customers’ greatly describes the way you run this “family,” and it truly makes me enjoy going to work everyday. I couldn’t be happier!”

About the Author
Kate Paynter is a pioneer in the $12 billion resale industry. She and her mother, Becky, own and operate several resale franchise units in Cincinnati, Ohio, including upscale women’s resale clothing store, Clothes Mentor.