#FollowTheRetailAdvisor
This week we are delighted to share some of Melissa Moores founder story and an insight into her business as The Retail Advisor and her talent for helping retail owners with their customer journey, business growth and agility.
How would you describe yourself in 6 words or less?
Retail and Creator Advisor, Mentor, Trainer
What prompted you to start your business?
I was meeting more and more independent retailers who felt alone and lacked support or accountability. Having worked in the retail sector for over 20 years with national and international brands including Brown Thomas, IKEA and Kilkenny Design I knew I had the experience to empower these business owners to make a change. I saw a need for independent retailers to develop their skillset; enabling them to put efficient processes in place, improve their customer experience, move to online selling (this was before Covid) and engage across social platforms.
Setting up The Retail Advisor in 2019 has enabled me to mentor independent retail owners and Irish makers and creators. Running my own business has given me the time to design and deliver training programmes to hundreds of people across Ireland and the UK. I have been able to work with well-known high street brands, supermarket chains, credit unions, community groups and the hospitality sector to deliver customer experience and sales training.
Can you tell us a bit more about you?
Having moved to London from Dublin as a child, I grew up in an age of large out-of-town shopping centres and glitzy West End stores. It was here that my own retail journey started with Laura Ashley in the summer before university. After achieving a first class honours degree, family ties in Dublin beckoned. Having returned to Ireland, I completed a Masters degree in Business Studies (MBS) in 2005, having written a retail focused dissertation.
In 2016, my husband and I made the brave (some would say bold) decision to move across the country from Dublin to County Mayo in search of a work-life balance. It was the right decision; we grow our own fruit and vegetables and go for long walks around Lough Corrib and Lough Mask with our dog Mr Doyle.
How has being part of the AwakenHub community helped your business?
This energetic, inspiring community is so knowledgeable and kind. Being able to connect with female founders who are honest about their struggles and generous with their advice has been of huge benefit to me and my business.
Website www.theretailadvisor.ie
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theretailadvisor/
Twitter https://twitter.com/advisor_retail
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-advisor
