Renowned entrepreneur Gary Kusin has mentored over 1,000 individuals, spanning from Fortune 100 CEOs to high school students. Drawing from his extensive experience, Kusin decided to author a book, “Always Learning: Lessons on Leveling Up from GameStop to Laura Mercier.” This book aims to broaden his mentoring reach, sharing career and life lessons garnered from his diverse professional journey.
Gary Kusin, co-founder of GameStop and Laura Mercier Cosmetics, has influenced various industries, making significant marks in retail and cosmetics. Unlike his past ventures, Kusin’s book offers insights into his mentoring style, which he describes as “Socratic,” focusing on questioning rather than dictating solutions.
Kusin’s Career Transitions
Kusin transitioned from video games to cosmetics, leveraging his early career experience in department stores’ cosmetics sections. This shift capitalized on the emerging trend of makeup artists creating their own cosmetic lines, a phenomenon he observed while at GameStop. He applied his understanding of the industry’s phases to successfully launch Laura Mercier Cosmetics.
Mentoring Approach and Key Lessons
Kusin’s mentoring technique relies heavily on asking probing questions to help mentees uncover underlying issues and potential solutions. He emphasizes learning from experiences and encourages mentees to recognize “the bearable minimum” and “know when to walk away from something that isn’t working,” lessons he has applied in his ventures.
Comparing Kusin’s recent statements to previous interviews, his consistent emphasis on practical business decisions rather than passion stands out. Kusin advises entrepreneurs to identify solvable problems rather than merely following their passions, challenging the romantic notion of passion-driven success. This pragmatic approach has been a recurring theme in his guidance and public speaking engagements.
Kusin’s book also delves into the emotional intelligence required in leadership, using his experiences at Kinko’s to highlight the importance of respect and honesty in the workplace. He shares anecdotes about hiring and firing, underscoring that transparency and direct communication are crucial in maintaining a healthy organizational culture.
For aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, Kusin’s book offers valuable advice rooted in real-world experience. His perspective that success stems from addressing real problems rather than pursuing passions may provide a refreshing and practical outlook for many. Understanding industry phases, applying a Socratic mentoring style, and recognizing the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership can serve as guiding principles for readers navigating their professional paths.
