How do you explain your profession to people outside of the industry? What do you find most exciting and/or rewarding about this work?
What are the core requirements of your job and how do you measure success?
As the CEO of a fast-growing retail tech company, my job in a nutshell is:
– Vision Crafting: Steering the ship and ensuring everyone’s got the map.
– Team Empowerment: Hiring the best people then stepping back to let them shine.
– Adapting on the Fly: Keeping us agile in this ever-shifting tech landscape.
How I measure success? Beyond revenue, it’s in our team’s excitement, our customer’s feedback, and creating experiences that shoppers crave.
– Vision Crafting: Steering the ship and ensuring everyone’s got the map.
– Team Empowerment: Hiring the best people then stepping back to let them shine.
– Adapting on the Fly: Keeping us agile in this ever-shifting tech landscape.
How I measure success? Beyond revenue, it’s in our team’s excitement, our customer’s feedback, and creating experiences that shoppers crave.
What is one notable professional achievement you've made over the past year that you are most proud of?
Looking back on the past year, one accomplishment looms large: Our record-setting deployment of RFID technology across 1,600 fitting rooms for one of our customers. Beyond the sheer size of this initiative, it was the dedication and partnership between our teams that made it special. In a retail landscape where fitting room tech can truly revolutionize the shopping experience, we’re proud to stand at the forefront, showcasing both scale and understanding in our approach.
What professional challenge or failure has stuck with you, and how did you embrace it?
One professional misstep that has stayed with me transpired during my car-selling days. Over a recorded call, I attempted to wing an answer to a customer’s question, spiraling into a deeper mess with every subsequent query. The real gut punch? My GM replayed that call during a one-on-one, asking what on earth I was thinking. It was more than just a blunder; it was a wake-up call. From that day, I’ve recognized that authenticity, vulnerability and the eagerness to learn outweigh the facade of having all the answers. The sting of that playback reminded me that it’s far better to admit ignorance and seek clarity than to fabricate knowledge.
What trend or technology do you believe will have the most profound impact on your work (and the work of your peers) over the next year?
While AI is capturing attention everywhere, and for good reasons, I’ve got my eye on another critical aspect, especially as our company navigates the remote scene right now: striking the perfect balance between remote and in-office work. My hope is that remote work offers our team the chance to travel more, spend more time with family, indulge in hobbies and achieve a life-work harmony. On the flip side, time in the office is indispensable for sparking innovation and fueling productivity through direct interactions. Neither is a silver bullet. Nailing this balance is not just about us; it’s a challenge that many companies will grapple with, seeking to harness the best of both worlds in the years ahead.
If you could say one thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Your gut feeling? Listen to it.
