HER STORY ⟡ Kate Lawson
Today, we are meeting Kate Lawson of Clothes Mentor!
Tell us about your business and why you started it:
I own six Clothes Mentor stores in the Cincinnati and Dayton area and I’m always so surprised at how many people haven’t heard of Clothes Mentor yet! Clothes Mentor is a resale store designed for today’s busy, modern woman. It is a national franchise with over 100 locations across the U.S. But for me, this business is personal. I grew up in resale — I was just 14 years old when my mom opened her first Once Upon A Child store. What started as one store has grown into a family business that now owns 10 Once Upon a Child locations and 9 Plato’s Closet locations in the region. Bringing Clothes Mentor to the Cincinnati area felt like a natural progression for me – I outgrew Plato’s Closet, but I still wanted a place where I could shop and sell the bands and styles that I am wearing now.
That is where Clothes Mentor comes in – we’re like the older sister / mom brand to Plato’s Closet. We carry a wide range of brands, from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton to everyday favorites like Loft and Old Navy. I love it, and now that I’m used to seeing our great resale prices, I don’t know how I ever shopped these brands at full retail price! Once you start shopping secondhand, you’ll never go back.
What advice would you give your past self—or someone just starting their own business?
Always put people first — your employees and your customers. Your people are your business. If you invest in them, respect them, and truly care about them, everything else follows. When employees feel valued, they naturally take better care of customers.
What do you love most about being a business owner?
I get to create meaningful work experiences for more than 800 women across the greater Cincinnati area — and that’s something I never take lightly. People will always be the heart of our business. I love getting to know our employees, hearing their stories, and watching them grow. My goal is for every person who works with us to feel empowered, included, and genuinely important.
What impact do you hope to have?
This is something we talk about often. When someone leaves our company — whether to pursue another career, go to college, or spend more time with their family — I want them to say, “That was the best place I’ve ever worked.” I’ve been given an incredible opportunity to shape experiences and influence lives, and I take that responsibility seriously. If I can make a positive, lasting impact on the people who pass through our organization, then I know I’m doing this work for the right reasons.
Who or what inspires you?
The women I work alongside every day inspire me. Our management team inspires me constantly. Their leadership, kindness, resilience, and commitment to our people push me to be better. We are a strong team — we’re partners in this. We grow together, lead together, and build together.
What is your favorite quote?
People may forget what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
Learn more:
@clothesmentor_fieldserteloh
@clothesmentorhydepark
@clothesmentor_westchester
@clothesmentorandersonoh
