Retail Relates

What happens when a chef becomes a changemaker? For Robert Irvine, transformation starts with discipline, purpose, and service.

From the Royal Navy to Restaurant: Impossible, Robert has built a career helping others overcome the impossible—whether turning around struggling restaurants or creating mission-driven brands like FitCrunch, Robert Irvine Foods, and Irvine’s Spirits.

In this episode, he shares lessons on leadership, technolo...

What makes a place unforgettable? For Kevin Kelley, it’s not about style or awards—it’s about how spaces shape human behavior and bring people together.

Kevin Ervin Kelley, AIA, is a behavioral design architect, co-founder of Shook Kelley, and author of Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together. For more than three decades, he has worked with brands like Harley-Davidson, Whole Foods, Kraft, and USA...

What does it take to turn a flip flop into a lifestyle brand? For Jeremy and Lila Stewart, it meant grit, resilience, and a belief that comfort, color, and community could reshape an industry.

Inspired by their time in Indonesia and frustrated by stagnant footwear options, the Stewarts launched Hari Mari in 2012. What started with crayon drawings and focus groups quickly ran into real-world challenges: supply chain failures, defecti...

How do you build PR platforms that move culture? For Erin Hawker, it meant starting with grit, finding the white spaces in fashion, and turning visibility into value.

As the founder of Agentry PR, Erin has shaped campaigns across fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment since 2010. She’s also the creator of New York Men’s Day, a showcase built to spotlight emerging designers and bring new energy to the menswear calendar. Her work combi...

What happens when sports, music, and food collide? For Alan Miller, it’s where culture transforms into connection.

As founder of COLLiDE Agency, co-owner of the Portland Pickles, and CEO of Official League, Alan has built his career at the intersection of passion and possibility. From campaigns for Converse and Dr. Martens to collaborations with bands like Fall Out Boy, Alan shows how premium, story-driven products turn casual fans ...

What does it take to revive an American icon? For Stephanie Stuckey, it meant reacquiring her family’s struggling roadside brand, embracing grit, and turning nostalgia into momentum.

Founded in 1937 by her grandfather, Stuckey’s became synonymous with pecan log rolls and quirky highway charm. At its peak, the company had over 350 stores, but decades of decline left it nearly forgotten. In 2019, Stephanie brought it back into family ...

What does it take to evolve from Marine Corps infantry officer to CMO and board leader? In this episode of Retail Relates, Tony Wells shares the lessons that carried him from the Marine Corps to the C-suite.

Tony’s career spans senior roles at Nissan, Visa, Schneider Electric, ADT, 24 Hour Fitness, USAA, and Verizon, where he most recently served as Chief Media Officer. Today, he’s a Venture Partner at AZ-VC and serves on the boards...

What happens behind the scenes to get that package to your doorstep? Guy Courtin pulls back the curtain on the hidden world of retail logistics in this eye-opening conversation about supply chain innovation, technology adoption, and what consumers never see.

As a veteran supply chain expert with 25 years of industry experience, Guy brings refreshing clarity to complex topics. He explains how the digital revolution has comp...

Where does true retail innovation happen today? According to Liz Allison, CEO of luxury salon and spa brand Tricoci, it's happening at the intersection of experience and commerce.

Liz's remarkable journey from JCPenney retail trainee to scaling a billion-dollar Sephora business to transforming Neiman Marcus offers a masterclass in retail evolution. Throughout our conversation, she shares candid insights about piv...

In this captivating episode, we sit down with Roger Lee, the visionary CEO of TAL Manufacturing. With decades of experience in the garment industry, Roger provides a unique insight into how TAL Manufacturing integrates sustainability into its core practices. He shares the company’s impressive journey towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and its pioneering efforts in made-to-measure clothing, which not only reduces waste but enhances c...

What if the future of retail isn't just about selling products but about building deep, meaningful connections? Join us as we welcome Dominick Miserandino, CEO of RetailWire, who opens up about his unique journey through digital media and modern retail. His career, shaped by pivotal experiences from Wall Street to the mentorship roles he embraced during the pandemic, is a testament to the power of treating people as individual...

Discover how Sheryl Adkins-Green, a seasoned business executive, turned her diverse career experiences into a leadership and brand strategy masterclass. From her early retail days to her transformative roles at Kraft Foods, Citigroup, and eventually, at Mary Kay, Sheryl shares pivotal career moments and the unique challenges she faced. This episode promises valuable insights into maintaining healthy professional relationships, less...

Discover how a childhood surrounded by intellectual conversations and the influence of a trailblazing mother in finance shaped the charismatic Deborah Weinswig, founder and CEO of Coresight Research. Her aspirations, from being a doctor to discovering accounting and then eventually analytics, coupled with a love for technology, paint a vivid picture of unexpected career pivots. Deborah's story unfolds with personal anecdotes a...

Join us for an inspiring journey with Theo Killion, a remarkable leader who transformed his life from a coal mining town in West Virginia to the pinnacle of retail success as a public company CEO. Theo’s story is a testament to resilience and adaptability, shaped by the profound influence of his grandparents and his early challenges at a prestigious New York private school. You'll uncover his rise through the ranks at Macy&apo...

Jamie Crummie, the dynamic co-founder of Too Good To Go, joins us to share his transformative journey from a legal career to pioneering a global movement against food waste. Brace yourself for an enlightening conversation that promises to reveal how Jamie's personal values and upbringing—rooted deeply in justice and sustainability—led him to create the world's largest marketplace for surplus food. Discover how his venture...

Stacy Igel, the visionary behind the brand Boy Meets Girl, takes us on an exhilarating journey through her impressive career in fashion. Discover how Stacey's entrepreneurial spirit was kindled at a young age, from helping her mother at trade shows to achieving top seller status at the Gap while still in school. With resilience and a mission-driven approach, she discusses how the events of 9/11 influenced her decision to champ...

Prepare to be inspired by Sherif Mityas, the innovative mind who transformed TGI Fridays with AI before it was even a buzzword. Discover how Sherif's journey from aerospace engineering to becoming the CEO of Brix Holdings, which includes beloved brands like Friendly's and Clean Juice, has shaped his unique leadership approach. From his early days at Sears and his pivotal roles at Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video, Sherif ...

Curious about what it takes to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of retail and technology? Andrew Laudato, COO of Vitamin Shoppe, joins us to uncover the secrets behind his transformative career journey, from pivotal college decisions to navigating dynamic roles at major retailers like Bath & Body Works and Pier 1 Imports. Tune in to hear how Andrew's passion for people-oriented work and his strategic moves across industr...

Discover the compelling journey of Deirdre Fitzgerald, President of International for Knitwell Group, as she takes you through her inspiring career in retail. From her initial days at Bloomingdale's through her transformative experiences at New Balance, Deirdre's path is marked by pivotal moments that shaped her into the leader she is today. Tune in to hear how a passion for retail blossomed from her background in English...