Women in Retail Leadership Circle’s stages and screens were filled with amazing speakers throughout the year. From the annual Women in Retail Leadership Summit to members-only Virtual Workshops with experienced career coaches, there are ample opportunities to be inspired and educated.

Throughout the year, the Editorial staff at Women in Retail Leadership Circle comb through the best snippets from all of our events, workshops, videos, and other content and pull out the quotes we think will inspire you (you can find a quote at the bottom of our newsletter each week!).

Without further ado, I’m pleased to present our 10 favorite quotes we heard this year from incredible women leading the retail industry. I hope they inspire you in the new year!

  1. “The only way you get better and get the next thing is if you have a growth mindset. If I look around and I’m not learning anything new in my job, it’s time to make a change.” — Meera Bhatia, President and Chief Operating Officer, Fabletics
  2. “Balance is crucial. Fill your team with people whose strengths are your weaknesses and who can provide a perspective different from your own.” — Louisa Schneider, CEO, Rowan
  3. “Take risks and use your voice for good things. And make sure to grow your people. Being a leader is a responsibility that includes giving your team a platform to shine and develop.” — Meriyem Kaf, Vice President, Merchandise Enablement, Private Brands, RONA
  4. “Own your voice. Don’t wait to be ‘ready.’ If you were invited to the table, you belong there.” — Erin Herrera, Senior Global Director, Wholesale Sales, SCOUT Bags 
  5. “I’ve learned over time that leadership isn’t just about charging ahead — it’s about creating space for others to pause and feel proud.” — Chelsea Riggs, CEO and Founding Member, amika
  6. “The exercise of professional courage, early and often in your career, is a skill worth mastering.” — Mecca Mitchell, Senior Vice President, Leadership and Organizational Transformation, DEI and Community Impact, Burlington Stores, Inc. 
  7.  “Leading cross-functional teams on international projects across my career has taught me a powerful lesson: effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability are key to successful collaboration.” — Sunny Jiang, CEO and President, EyeBuyDirect
  8. “I always encourage people, ‘What is the worst thing that could happen by trying?’ You’ll always learn something.” — Rebecca Minkoff, Founder, Rebecca Minkoff, Female Founder Collective
  9. “You have to go after what you want. You have to chase the feeling that you have, even if it’s irrational.” — Mimi Swain, Chief Commercial Officer, Ring and Blink, Amazon.com
  10. “The No. 1 attribute I look for — because it’s such a great umbrella for other attributes — is curiosity. Curiosity reflects a learning mind, an explorer, and usually somebody with innovation, engagement and passion.” — Karina Dolgan, Chief Product and Revenue officer, James Avery Jewelry