PLATO'S CLOSET: LITTLE ROCK, AR
Owner, Renae Peterson, talks about her Winmark journey.
How did you come to own a Winmark franchise?
After my four children entered school full-time, I retired my title as a “stay-at-home mom.” As I began the search for what this next chapter could be, I enjoyed volunteering at a local food bank. I knew giving back to the community was important in moving forward. Growing up, my family was unable to afford designer labels or the latest trends. My mother sewed my clothes until I started thrifting. I loved the thrill of the hunt, and finding something I was searching for AND could afford. Plato’s Closet was a place I frequented for these treasures. The Winmark ideology seemed to be the exact mix of corporate responsibility and pursuit of the ultimate hunt that I was looking for.
What is one thing you know now that you wish you had known when you first opened your store?
When I began Plato’s Closet West Little Rock, I did everything by the book. I struggled studying proper procedures and was getting caught up in the details. As time went on, I learned to trust my gut. I needed to let go of the distractions and really focus on things that were tugging at me — things that I know I could improve.
while change is a constant, these past two years maybe more so than ever; What is one way you’ve had to evolve to stay flexible?
This seems like such a cliché, but I have some staff who have stuck with me through it all. Our PCWLR family has come through stronger, closer and more open to try new things and take chances.
Have you implemented any new tactics to keep your staff motivated and to help with employee retention?
Our PCWLR management emphasizes the need to emotionally support each other. This year has certainly hit us with some personal challenges, as well as challenges with the business. We often change the way we support our staff based on different needs. Management checks in with employees to find out how we can best support their successes. Our leaders in the store are working on aspects of the business that they may want to pursue in the future. This year, we started a scholarship program to financially help those that are balancing school, work and family. Even small gestures like after school snacks, hygiene products and little surprises for jobs well done make the staff feel appreciated and like a part of our family. All of this has helped us both recruit and keep quality employees.
