Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) recently released its 12th annual Top Women in Retail report featuring many of the female executives leading the industry. Included in the report was a special section honoring women on the rise — i.e., up-and-coming stars who are catching our eye and doing amazing work in the retail space.

Louise Pullin, vice president of exclusive designs at Rent the Runway, was one such Woman on the Rise honoree. In an exclusive and in-depth interview with WIRLC, Pullin offered insight on what it’s like to be a woman climbing the corporate ladder, the role mentorship has played in her career development, among other topics. Here’s an excerpt from that interview:

Women in Retail Leadership Circle: What do you love about working in retail?
Louise Pullin: Retail is an incredibly fast-paced and dynamic industry. I love the energy of it! I’m passionate about being part of the process of giving someone an opportunity to express their individuality and feel confident in their day through fashion. I really enjoy the process of leveraging both creativity and data — a bit of art and science — to provide the customer with what they want.

WIRLC: What skills have been instrumental in your career?
LP: People skills, determination and a sense of humor combined with the ability to be nimble and constantly adapt. Retail is changing faster than ever. It’s important to stay fluid and be prepared to adjust course and create a new opportunity when something isn’t working. I would also say that the ability to flex between my right and left brain, between creativity and my passion for data, has been key.

WIRLC: What role has mentorship played in your career?
LP: I’ve been really fortunate to have incredible mentors from the very beginning of my career who have supported me and helped me become a better advocate for myself. My mentors have been a source of advice, a sounding board, and trusted advisors who have helped propel me forward in my career. It’s important to me to pay it forward to my own mentees, and I make it a point to give them the same kind of honest feedback and support that I’ve been so lucky to receive over the years.

WIRLC: What’s one thing you want to spend more time doing in 2022, and one thing you want to spend less time doing, personally or professionally?
LP: In 2022, I would like to focus on myself! Between work and family, I sometimes forget to take a little time for myself every day, and that’s something I’m committed to. If there’s one thing I want to spend less time doing in every aspect of my life, it would be to stop sweating the small stuff and just be in the moment more.

Read more interviews from our 2022 Top Women in Retail report, including Women on the Rise honorees, by downloading it here. Want to connect with women leaders such as Louise Pullin? Apply to become a member today!