How to Build a Team That Helps You Scale to 25+ Stores: Lessons from VIP Wear

Growing an apparel retail business from a single store to 25+ locations is no small feat. For Mo Hadi, owner of VIP Wear, success didn’t come from luck—it came from having a strong mindset, an unparalleled work ethic and building a strong, dedicated team. 

That last point is particularly impressive, as Mo built his team from the ground up without relying on franchises or corporate backing. His approach to hiring, training and developing employees has been key to scaling his business.

Here’s how he did it and what other business owners can learn from his experience.

1. Hire with growth in mind

Mo’s hiring philosophy centers around building a team that can grow with the business. Consider the following:

• Start internally: When opening a new store, he begins by promoting and relocating existing team members who have proven their reliability and leadership potential
• Use referrals: Hiring through employee referrals ensures a level of trust and reliability. “Whenever we open a new location, I always ask my current team, ‘Hey, do you know anybody looking for a job?’. This helps us source employees and get the stores up and running.”

Mo gives employees room to grow, and staff members who prove themselves over time are given leadership opportunities as the business expands. 

“When growing our locations, I always look at the strong performers in our existing shops, and then offer them managerial positions when the new stores open up,” he explains. 

It’s an excellent approach to developing a retail team. Employees know that hard work and dedication lead to advancement, which then increases retention while reducing turnover.

2. Treat employees like a team—not just workers

A strong business isn’t just about systems and products—it’s about people. Mo prioritizes treating his employees with respect, understanding their challenges and offering support when needed.

One important tip? Be flexible and understanding. At VIP Wear, for example, Mo takes the time to check in with employees rather than penalizing them for issues beyond their control. “If an employee has a personal issue, I don’t just write them up—I talk to them,” Mo shares.

He also strives to support employees beyond work. In some cases, Mo has helped employees buy cars, allowing them to get to work reliably and improve their financial situation.

And don’t underestimate the power of bonuses and incentives. Every year, VIP Wear employees receive store credit on special occasions like Christmas and Mother’s Day as a token of appreciation.

3. Build strong communication systems

Managing a business with multiple locations requires seamless communication. Mo ensures his entire team stays connected and informed by setting up the right communication tools and touchpoints. 

• Use group messaging apps: Mo created WhatsApp groups for each store to streamline communication between employees and managers.
• Conduct regular check-ins: District managers visit stores frequently to oversee operations and provide support.
• Strengthen operational communication:A dedicated security room allows for proactive assistance and policy guidance, so stores can operate smoothly.

4. Give your team the right tools

Working efficiently will be an uphill battle for your team if they’re bogged down by manual processes and old school tools. Take a look at your existing systems and upgrade your tech when needed.

Prior to Lightspeed, VIP Wear was using an on-premises POS (point of sale) software that didn’t connect to the cloud.

Because of this, critical business data—like sales and inventory—was stuck in one place, limiting visibility and slowing decision-making. Mo could only check the numbers when he was physically at the licensed computer in his office.

“The data wasn’t easily accessible. I would have to come to my office just to pull reports,” Mo recalls.

VIP Wear’s old system also made inventory management more tedious. The company’s 25 stores weren’t connected in real time, so they had to manually exchange files multiple times a day just to keep inventory records updated.

VIP Wear switched to Lightspeed’s POS system and the business saw immediate benefits. Rather than having to be in his office all the time, Mo could access real-time sales and inventory data from anywhere, anytime.

“Even when I’m at a tradeshow or event, I can pull my reports on my phone and see how much we have in sales, inventory and stock turn. It’s just easy, Lightspeed makes life easier.”

All this meant that employees could spend less time on administrative tasks and more time assisting customers, keeping operations smooth and efficient.

5. Trust your team and step back

One of the biggest challenges for growing business owners is letting go of control. Mo has learned to trust his team so he can focus on the bigger picture.

• Delegate responsibilities: Store managers and district managers handle day-to-day operations so Mo doesn’t have to be in every store.
• Use technology to stay informed: With Lightspeed’s cloud-based system, Mo can check sales, inventory and store performance from anywhere.
• Find balance: “I don’t want to be tied to my office. I like to be free,” Mo says. By trusting his team and using the right tools, he can step back while ensuring his business runs smoothly.

Scaling starts with people

Mo’s success with VIP Wear is proof that scaling isn’t just about expanding locations—it’s about building a strong, reliable team. By hiring the right people, developing them into leaders and maintaining clear communication, he has been able to scale his business without losing quality or control.

For any business owner looking to grow, the lesson is clear: invest in your employees and they’ll help you scale.

And if you and your team are looking for tools to take your business further, Lightspeed Retail can help. Talk to an expert and discover how Lightspeed helps you make work flow and maximize success.