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Clothes Mentor Lee’s Summit Featured in Local Magazine

Check out this great article from Herlife Magazine, which features Clothes Mentor Lee’s Summit as well as the Tiffany Springs and Overland Park stores:

clothes mentor lees summit
Photo by Lauren Frisch Pusateri

Effortlessly Update Your Wardrobe at Clothes Mentor

By Cindy McDermott

It shouldn’t cost a fortune to have great designer clothing hanging in your closet. If you shop at your locally owned Clothes Mentor shops in Overland Park, Tiffany Springs and Lee’s Summit, it doesn’t have to!

Clothes Mentor is a women’s resale store focused on clothing in sizes 0-26, petites, plus sizes and maternity. The shops buy and resell better brand name and gently used items that are in style and in good condition. Business and casual, smart and stylish apparel, shoes, purses and accessories are stocked in easy-to-access, clearly organized segments to make your shopping experience superb.

Many Designers, Many Choices

“You’ll find all of your favorite brands in one place at Clothes Mentor,” shared Lee Gardner, owner at Tiffany Springs and Lee’s Summit. “Our customers don’t have to go to the mall and shop countless stores. We have many designers and, incredibly, our offerings are always changing. And we sell items 50 to 70 percent off from the original retail price.”

“At Clothes Mentor, we understand your life is always changing and those changes bring new needs for your wardrobe,” stated Phyllis Lord, owner of the Overland Park Clothes Mentor. “We help you meet your everyday lifestyle changes by growing and adapting your wardrobe in the most cost-effective way possible at Clothes Mentor.”

Each of the Clothes Mentor shops welcomes customers with brightly lit interiors and clothes and accessories arranged for easy view. You’ll look forward to stepping through the doors at Clothes Mentor, not only for the experience, but for the great-looking stock offered at great prices.

“Every customer is warmly greeted and welcomed when they visit Clothes Mentor,” advised Lee. “If this is your first visit, we’ll explain the process to you and set up an account. If you’re selling clothes, we’ll give you a time frame that we’ll need to review the clothes. We’ll either pay you cash on the spot or give you customer credit, which can include a bonus. Details can vary, but we’ll explain what’s being offered that day at that location.”

“Every day we pay you cash on the spot to purchase your better brand-name gently used women’s fashions and accessories,” promised Phyllis. “Unlike a consignment shop where you may wait weeks to receive payment, we pay you immediately for items that we buy.”

Social Media Alerts

Because the stock can change at a moment’s notice, the Clothes Mentor locations rely on social media tools to immediately alert customers to new items or specials. “We have a strong use of social media, and we’re constantly posting on Facebook or Instagram about new items that are coming in. If we get a nice designer item, we’ll post it. But you better move quickly because they will be taken fast,” shared Phyllis. “Texting is also important, and we offer VIP texting. We use texting to market specific sales in the store or give gentle reminders about special offers.”

“Our social marketing is dynamic. Every store has a Facebook page to post new products or share news of special events,” commented Lee. “It’s a great way for customers to see what we have in the store.”

Clothes Mentor also offers personal shoppers, a service that’s very popular with the customers who use them. “Customers love our personal shoppers. They fill out a questionnaire online to tell us about their body type and the type of clothes they want: business, casual or special occasion. Or maybe they’ve lost weight and don’t know what to wear,” remarked Phyllis. “Our personal shoppers will help them find the clothes that fit their needs. Sometimes they’ll bring in an article and ask us to match it up for a special occasion. This service is absolutely free for our customers.”

“People are surprised by how enjoyable the personal shopper experience can be. The shoppers are focused on them, working one on one,” said Lee. “They can have outfits pulled together for them when the customers arrive.”

Quality for Customers

Clothes Mentor also offers a loyalty program, featuring points for purchases. Savings off of the entire purchase or highlighted items may be featured. Check with the location to learn all of the details when you sign up.

“Clothes Mentor offers fantastic value because of our great prices and quality. We have stringent buying requirements for the items we purchase to resell to you. Our goal is to always provide excellent customer service,” said Lee. “In addition, we’re an environmentally friendly business because we’re keeping clothes out of the landfill.”

“You’re going to find great bargains on the great brands we carry at Clothes Mentor,” shared Phyllis. “We’re always willing to help a customer find something they need.” No matter if you’re searching for a new outfit or making some money on clothes you no longer wear, the staff at your friendly Clothes Mentor locations are there for you and your closet.

Click here to see more from Herlife Magazine.

Ronald G. Olson

President

Ron Olson has been President and a Director of NTY Franchise Company since October 2006. Ron’s background included starting his career at Dayton’s Department Store, where he held many management positions. In 1977 he opened his own furniture store in Minnesota, which was a Drexel Heritage prototype store. In 1988 he co-founded Grow Biz International, now called Winmark. The first franchise rights that Olson purchased and started marketing was Play It Again Sports. Olson continued buying the Franchise rights for Once Upon A Child, Plato’s Closet, and Music Go Round. Today there over 1,000 Franchise locations.

Under NTY Franchise Company, the franchise rights were bought for Clothes Mentor and New Uses. In 2013 Olson bought Laptop Exchange and changed the name to Device Pitstop. In 2014 the company opened NTY Clothing Exchange and NTY Kids, now Children’s Orchard. There are currently 204 stores sold and 133 stores opened under the NTY Franchise umbrella.

Chad Olson

Chief Operations Officer

Chad Olson has been Chief Operations Officer of NTY Franchise Company since January 2007. From May 1994 to December 2006, he held various positions for Winmark Corporation (f/k/a Grow Biz International, Inc.), including Field Operations Manager for the Once Upon a Child concept from 1999 to 2002, and Regional Operations Manager for the Plato’s Closet concept from 2002 to 2006.

Sarah Primmer

Vice President of Finance & Human Resources

Sarah Primmer is the Vice President of Finance and Human Resources for NTY Franchise Company. She joined the company in January 2014. Prior to joining NTY, Sarah spent over 25 years as the controller and business manager of a local sales and marketing firm calling on Target stores.

Michael D. Smith

Vice President of Strategic Planning

Michael D. Smith has held numerous roles with NTY Franchise since 2010. He is currently the Vice President of Franchise Development and Strategic Planning. From December 2000 to July 2010, Michael held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of the franchise company Laptop Xchange. From June 1994 to December 2000, Michael held numerous roles within the Grow Biz International brands of Play It Again Sports and Computer Renaissance. These roles included Corporate Store Management, Field Operation Specialist, and Franchisee.

Jenny Mann

Vice President of Operations | Executive Director of IT

Jenny Mann is the Senior Vice President Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. In February of 2024, Jenny took on her current role overseeing IT, Marketing and the e-commerce platforms for both brands. Prior to this, Jenny was the Director of Marketing for NTY Franchise Company since January 2013. Jenny started with the NTY Franchise Company in 2008 with Clothes Mentor and has held many roles, including; Store Manager, New Store Opener, and Regional Operations Manager. Before joining NTY Franchise Company, Jenny worked for Old Navy (Gap, Inc.) and Target in management roles.

Michelle Vaudrin

Senior Director of Operations

Michelle Vaudrin is the Senior Director of Operations for Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. Prior to joining NTY Franchise Company in March 2016, she worked in leadership roles for Burlington, American Eagle and Macy’s. Michelle attended University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Retail Merchandising and Business Administration. She brings extensive background in training of strategies, merchandising, customer service and multi-unit store operations to the team.

Ashley Huebner

Director of Marketing

Ashley Huebner oversees NTY Franchise Company’s marketing and advertising efforts to drive sales, build brand awareness and lead the planning on how to effectively market both brands. She leads creative initiatives for NTY Franchise Company, driving the brands’ vision in aesthetics, tone, and trends to elevate our brand position as a leader in the resale category. Ashley joined the Clothes Mentor team in March of 2015. Ashley has 8+ years of Graphic Design experience. Ashley holds a strong background in design, user experience, and a passion for creativity. She holds a BA degree in Advertising and Art.

Jessica Fix

Franchise Contract and Office Administrator

Jessica Fix is the Franchise Contracts and Office Administrator for NTY Franchise Company. She started with the company in January of 2018. Jessica works alongside the Franchise Development Team and provides office support to the headquarter office. She has 20 years in the franchise industry, previously working for Carlson Leisure Group/Travel Leaders Franchise Group in a variety of roles, such as Database Coordinator, Legal Contract Administrator, and Executive Assistant to the Franchise Sales Team.