My Story

Retail runs in my blood. Growing up in a family with over 60 years of collective retail experience, I naturally gravitated toward the industry early in my career after college. I started in the trenches of store operations, managing the toy department during a chaotic Christmas season—a role that taught me the importance of organization, quick problem-solving, and resilience. Those early lessons carried me into the corporate office, where I held a variety of roles, including supply chain, merchandise planning, and even a brief stint as a project manager liaison between IT and merchandising.

One pivotal moment came when a manager denied me a promotion. Instead of discouraging me, his honest and constructive feedback motivated me to push harder and grow. To this day, he remains one of my favorite mentors. Later, as a planner, I was one of the first brought into the apparel merchandising division, where I honed my skills in budgeting, forecasting, and inventory management. Despite having no prior experience in apparel categories, I leaned on the expertise of those around me to succeed and set the foundation for my analytical mindset. As a buyer, I expanded my global perspective by traveling to China for product sourcing trips. Touring factories and renegotiating costs through creative forecasting and off-season production strategies reinforced my belief in the power of collaborative problem-solving and innovation.

This adaptability became a hallmark of my career. As I transitioned to another national retailer, I once again found myself managing unfamiliar categories, such as marine supplies. By listening, learning, and collaborating with my team, I was able to make informed decisions and deliver results. Afterwards, I made the uncomfortable yet extremely freeing leap to independent contracting, where I helped suppliers and manufacturers manage their retail accounts, develop licensing and sourcing strategies, and streamline processes. These diverse experiences not only deepened my understanding of retail but also proved my ability to adapt and thrive across industries and challenges.