The Retail Pilot
The Retail Pilot is a series of interviews conducted by Ken Pilot with “Leaders and Legends” of the Retail industry. Ken will focus the conversation on his guests’ career journeys and their greatest career accomplishments and disappointments; gather insight into their leadership styles; learn who inspired them as they progressed through their careers; identify brands they admire; discover challenges they have faced; and talk about where they think Retail is headed and how they are leveraging technology to get there. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Episodes
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, we sit down with Amanda Baldwin, the newly appointed CEO of Olaplex and former CEO of Supergoop, for an in-depth conversation about her remarkable career journey—from Wall Street to the heart of the beauty industry. Amanda shares how her early curiosity about brands evolved into a passion for consumer-driven storytelling, innovation, and leadership in some of the world’s most iconic beauty compa...
A few weeks ago, I wrote an open letter to President Trump urging him to reverse the extreme tariffs and embargoes imposed on China. These policies have had a significant impact on the apparel, footwear, and toy industries—industries that have long operated offshore due to cost efficiencies and global supply chains. The response was overwhelming: over 800 reactions, 70,000 views, and 50+ reposts on LinkedIn, reflecting broad concer...
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot sits down with Daniella Vitale, CEO of Ferragamo and one of the most influential leaders in luxury retail. From wrapping gifts at a small shop in New Jersey to leading some of the biggest names in fashion — including Armani, Gucci, Barneys New York, Tiffany & Co., and now Ferragamo — Daniella shares her remarkable career journey, pivotal leadership lessons, and deep passion fo...
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot welcomes PJ Oleksak, the dynamic CEO of Nuts.com and the first woman and non-family member to lead the 94-year-old business.
With a rich background that includes leadership roles at FreshDirect and Slice, PJ shares how she combines a deep understanding of finance with a passion for food to lead transformative change in legacy brands. She walks us through her journey from p...
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot dives into the future of branding and retail innovation with Emily Heyward & JB Osborne, Co-Founders of Red Antler and a pre-flight discussion with retail futurist Jan Kniffen.
From the transformative role of AI in customer experience to the secret sauce behind some of today’s most iconic brands, this conversation explores how emotional resonance, creativity, and techn...
In this inspiring episode of The Retail Pilot: Leaders & Legends, host Ken Pilot sits down with EGOT-winning artist and entrepreneur John Legend, alongside brand builder Ari Bloom, co-founder and CEO of A-Frame Brands. Together, they unpack the story behind their inclusive skincare line Loved01—a brand created with intention, affordability, and care for melanin-rich and sensitive skin.
John shares how his dual passion for mu...
On this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot welcomes the visionary designer and founder, Jonathan Adler. Known for his signature blend of chic sophistication and playful wit, Jonathan shares his incredible journey from an aspiring potter to building a global design empire. From his early days spinning clay at summer camp to landing his first collection at Barney’s and expanding into furniture, lighting, and decor—this episo...
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot kicks off with a PreFlight segment featuring retail expert Jan Kniffen. They dive into the ever-changing sneaker market, discussing Nike’s comeback, the rise of On Running and Hoka, and how brands like Skechers and New Balance are shaking up the industry.
Following PreFlight, Ken welcomes special guest Sarah LaFleur, Founder and CEO of M.M.LaFleur, for an insightful conversatio...
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot interviews Dana Telsey, CEO and Chief Research Officer of Telsey Advisory Group. They explore key trends shaping the future of retail, including AI-driven personalization, shifting consumer behaviors, and the evolution of store formats. Dana shares insights on top-performing brands like Birkenstock, Warby Parker, and Abercrombie & Fitch, along with the challenges facing luxury...
Ken Pilot interviews Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, Co-Founders of fashion brand, The Great, on this Flight of The Retail Pilot Podcast. Plus, he has a short "Pre-Flight" conversation with Jan Kniffen, former retail executive and current CNBC retail expert, to discuss what 2025 looks like for the retail industry.
Pre-Flight with Jan Kniffen
Jan Kniffen shares his outlook for retail in 2025:
Retailers are optimistic aft...
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot sits down with Alex and Mike Faherty, co-founders of Faherty Brand, to discuss their business journey, recent successes, and future plans.
Key Topics Discussed:
Faherty's performance during Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024
The brand's growth trajectory and end-of-year projections
Expansion of retail stores and focus on in-store experiences
Product development and bestsellin...
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, Ken Pilot welcomes back Stephen Yalof, President and CEO of Tanger, Inc.
With over 25 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, Stephen shares insights into Tanger's growth strategies, the evolution of retail spaces, and how the company is adapting to changing consumer behaviors. From expanding into full-price lifestyle centers to enhancing customer experiences through digi...
Rent the Runway 2.0 - Redefining the Future of Fashion with Jennifer Hyman
Jennifer Hyman, co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, joins Ken Pilot to discuss the company's journey over the past 15 years.
Jennifer Hyman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, a company that is disrupting the trillion-dollar fashion industry with the world’s first and largest shared designer closet. She has led the company for 15 years th...
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot sits down first in a Pre-Flight conversation with Simeon Siegel, Senior Retail Analyst for BMO Capital Markets, to discuss the state of the Retail market both post-election and leading into the holiday season.
For the main Flight, Ken speaks with Rachelle Hruska MacPherson, founder of the fashion brand Lingua Franca. Rachelle shares the unexpected journey that led her to create a...
In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot welcomes Jan Rogers Kniffen, CEO of J Rogers Kniffen Worldwide and retail industry expert, to discuss the current state and future of retail. Key Topics Discussed: Post-Election Retail Bounce
- Jan predicts a post-election retail bounce, as seen in previous presidential election years
- Discretionary retail is currently running at zero inflation, making it attractive to consumers
On this episode of The Retail Pilot podcast, Ken speaks with Nick Green, Co-Founder & CEO of Thrive Market, a membership-based online platform that makes healthy and sustainable living easy and affordable to all. Nick launched Thrive 10 years ago shortly after graduating from Harvard.
The business has also been recognized as a leader in regenerative agriculture, carbon-neutral shipping, and Zero Waste operations, and in 2020 bec...
Ken Pilot interviews Oliver Chen for this flight of The Retail Pilot podcast.
Oliver Chen is a Managing Director and senior equity research analyst covering retail and luxury goods at TD Cowen. His deep understanding of the consumer and his ability to forecast the latest trends and technological changes that will impact the retail space have set him apart from peers.
Prior to joining TD Cowen in 2014, he spent seven years at Citigr...
Ken Pilot interviews Shai Eisenman, CEO and Founder of Bubble, on this episode of The Retail Pilot Podcast. Bubble Skincare is the first modern, affordable, science-backed skincare line formulated to clean, balance and hydrate young skin all for under $20. Today, the Bubble line consists of 20+ products that work together to create a complete routine from face cleansers to face masks. Bubble products are available on hellobubble.co...
In this episode of the Retail Pilot Podcast, Ken Pilot engages with retail legend Mickey Drexler, discussing the current state of retail, pricing trends, and the importance of customer experience. Drexler shares insights from his journey at Alex Mill, emphasizing the significance of quality, team dynamics, and the evolving landscape of retail. The conversation also features Ali Dillon, the President of Alex Mill, Alex Drexler, Foun...
Ken Pilot interviews Simeon Siegel, MD and Senior Analyst, Retail & eCommerce for BMO Capital Markets, for this Flight of The Retail Pilot Podcast
Overview: In this episode, leading retail analyst Simeon Siegel returns to discuss the current state of the retail sector, emphasizing the importance of execution in a challenging economic environment.
- Key Topics: Simeon's Role: Simeon explains his work as a retail analyst, helpi...
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