Rounding out our spotlight series is Sarah A, our most recently named Training Store Manager based in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

In our previous spotlights, we've covered how Training Store Mangers help support new Store Managers though a highly intentional, relationship-driven learning journey. One of the defining features of the year-long journey is that it is paced to the needs of the new Store Manager. It is customizable, flexible, and intentionally designed to meet leaders where they are. 

The capstone of the entire journey is the Learning Journey Reflection, where the Regional Vice President, District Director, and new Store Leader come together. The new Store Manager reflects on their journey with the company and highlights their personal growth and learning. At the conclusion, the District Director presents a formal certificate of certification.

There are so many different paths to becoming a Store Manager or Training Store Manager at Talbots. Get to know more about Sarah's journey. 

Tell us about your career journey at Talbots. 

Since joining the brand in 2018, I’ve had the pleasure of leading multiple teams in the Raleigh, North Carolina market. From high-volume mall locations to more intimate community stores, this variety of experiences has given me great insight into what makes this brand so special. Surprise…it truly is the people! My biggest passion as a leader is developing my teams to grow and succeed in their individual careers. Through my roles as a Store Manager, Market Manager, Talent Scout and now Training Store Manager, I’ve been able to fill this bucket.  

How did your previous roles prepare you for your new Training Store Manager role? 

Having peers and leaders surrounding me to provide guidance, help me work through problems and give me encouragement has been the biggest factor in preparing me for this role. I’ve never felt like I had to have all the answers or go it alone. From a practical standpoint, I have been the new store leader in five different Talbots stores in the Raleigh market. Each time I walk into a new store and navigate the process of learning a new team, I gain skills that help me walk alongside other store leaders with empathy and transparency.

What's a day in the life of a Training Store Manager? What’s most fulfilling about the impact you make in your role? 

Every day in retail is different, and that is especially true of the Training Store Manager role. It’s exciting to partner with top leaders in our brand to impact decisions that affect our entire fleet of stores. The most rewarding aspect is building relationships with our new store leaders and their mentors and ensuring their first experience with Talbots is the best, from facilitating trainings to weekly check-ins. Even on days when the work is challenging, the relationships sustain us and motivate us to be our best. 

How is development at Talbots different from other retailers?

At Talbots, I feel like leadership from the top down are all invested in helping me succeed. Not only my District Director but also other partners in field leadership and the home office—it is truly the culture at our brand. Over the past five years, especially, there has been a coordinated effort to build a path for growth through our store teams and onward to the leadership level including the newly created Market Manager and Area Manager roles. And for leaders passionate about growing in their own store at the Store Manager level, we have created opportunities to participate in recruiting, mentoring new store leaders and becoming subject matter experts. 

Relationships are everything at Talbots. What does it mean to you to build relationships and help mentor future store leaders?

It means that I am helping to create the future of our brand. Every new store leader that I interact with will help shape Talbots and the direction of this organization. By showing them the power of a relationship built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect, I am ensuring our continued success. 

What would you share with someone looking to start their journey with Talbots?

Be prepared to never leave! When I started this journey nearly a decade ago, I never would have dreamed that I would still be growing with this brand. But Talbots allows me to be the kind of leader I want to be—this brand shares my values, and that’s something to be proud of.