Interview: Louise Lally, CEO of a training company like no other
We had the pleasure of speaking with Louise Lally, the founder and CEO of a ground breaking training academy that’s redefining the industry. Her journey, passion, and vision for the future are truly inspiring. Here’s what she had to say.
What inspired you to establish the Training Academy, and how has your vision evolved since its inception?
Yeah, so, and what inspired it, I suppose, is my own personal story which I shared openly on my Ted Talk, and a lot of that was around how retail, I think, for many years, was always seen as a stopgap job.
I fell into retail. My own confidence was very low for a long time. I became a single mum at 19, and in the environment, I was in, that wasn’t seen as a positive thing. I was told many times, “Why don’t you just be with the dad?” I always wanted the perfect family, you know, mum and dad, a proper home. But life had other plans.
Subscribe to TRBGoing through those challenges, I developed a lot of empathy. When I went into retail, I didn’t think I had a place in the world. I doubted my worth, my value. I left school early, at 16, feeling different, not fitting in. I felt lost. I didn’t fit the norm, didn’t understand why.
I started working in a store just to get out of the house, but making people smile on the shop floor made me see I could do something meaningful. That feeling gave me confidence. It was then I realised I wanted to help others find that same belief in themselves.
One person who believed in me was Patricia, a manager at Next. She told me I could be a good people manager, despite my lack of formal education. That belief ignited a fire in me. It made me want more, to aim higher and to help others do the same. If I can give even a little of that belief back, just as Patricia did, I feel I’ve lived a life with purpose. That’s why I do what I do.
The passion for supporting, believing in people, came from that shop floor. I remember many years ago, when I was on the shop floor, someone would come in, maybe shy, or it’s their first role, or they don’t really know what they want to do. You give them that belief, tell them, “Oh, my God, you’re phenomenal. I know you can do it.” You champion them. That belief, without realising it at the time, was leaving little breadcrumbs. Looking back, I saw that this was the path I was destined for – to create magic in store teams and within individuals.
The academy was built on the premise that if we believe in others when they don’t believe in themselves, we can create magic – energy, potential, and confidence they may not even know they have. I’ve seen this happen with countless people leaving school, switching careers, or just needing that boost.
Today, I go into brands and champion belief, focusing on culture and values. In a world of AI and new tech, human connection remains vital. Covid helped us realise that even more.
Can you share a story of a particularly rewarding success you’ve witnessed through your training programmes?
One story that really stays with me was when I was brought into a very male-dominated organisation.
During a session, I noticed one of the men looked sad and hadn’t had much to say. After we broke for tea, he approached me and said he was having a tough time at home. We talked about mindset, how our thoughts impact our feelings and behaviours, often subconsciously.
He opened up that day, and I could tell he felt safe. We discussed how worries and fears can affect us, and how bringing our whole selves to work, including past is important. I encouraged the management team to check in regularly and create a culture of open, honest conversations.
A couple of months later, I received a call from the business owner. He told me there was a huge change in that employee, he was easier to work with, the negative impact he was making on the team had dissipated. The company had seen a real shift in his attitude and behaviours.
This story isn’t about KPIs or profits. It’s about people – connection, empathy, and creating a culture where people feel valued and supported. That’s what truly matters.
What are your ambitions for the next five years?
I’ve just signed with a publisher and am currently writing my book, which will be released next year. It’s about borrowed belief, based on my retail journey, with stories from different teams I’ve worked with and people I’ve met.
In addition, we are expanding the Training Academy globally. There will be opportunities for our customers in Dubai and New York, and I will continue sharing stories and championing the industry I love. I believe the industry brings together incredible, diverse people, and I want to create spaces where they can share their stories, learn from each other, and be inspired.
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
‘Get out of your own way’! I’d tell myself to stop overthinking and just take action. Don’t be afraid of imperfect steps. Lean into others, you don’t need to know it all. Bring people around you who know more than you, and don’t feel you have to do everything alone.
Having the best intentions is enough. You don’t need all the answers to make a difference. That’s a real gift.
Who has been your most influential mentor or inspiration outside of your immediate career?
My grandmother, Mamo (Irish for grandmother) She embodied love and kindness. She would leave her door open all night for anyone without a bed. She made rosary beads for missionaries, taught me to knit, and instilled in me the importance of giving to others.
Her selflessness was like no other person I have ever met. She always said, “There’s always a roof over your head, and food in the pot.” Even strangers knew her as someone who opened her home and her heart. Growing up next to her, I learned that love, compassion, and gratitude are life’s greatest gifts. Even now, I feel her watching over me. If I can share even a fraction of that love and kindness with others, I believe her legacy lives on through me.
Final thoughts?
I believe that by living with love, kindness, and belief in others, we can make a real difference. My purpose is to help others find their confidence and support them on their journey. That’s what drives me every day in retail.
For more about Louise Lally and her work, visit her website at louiselallytrainacademy.com or connect with her on LinkedIn. Insert Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lallytraining/
Brands that the training academy works with include:
- Uniphar plc
- Dairygold
- Portwest
- Petstop
- Retail Ireland Skillnet
- ISME Ireland
