Make It Happen: Jenny Ming on Leadership, Legacy, and the Power of Starting Smart

In this inspiring episode of The Retail Pilot, retail legend Jenny Ming shares her remarkable journey—from launching Old Navy at Gap Inc. to leading transformative growth at Rothy’s. Jenny reveals how she navigated career pivots, built billion-dollar brands, embraced fast fashion logistics, and stayed true to her values through every leadership chapter. This is a masterclass in visionary retail, thoughtful decision-making, and building businesses with purpose.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, retail exec, or brand builder, Jenny’s insights on creating iconic customer experiences, staying nimble, and leading through complexity will leave you inspired and energized.

Show Notes:

• Jenny shares the pivotal moment she was offered the opportunity to launch a new retail brand while planning a move to Hong Kong.

• How Old Navy went from “Gap Warehouse” to a standalone brand—and why other potential names like “Monorail” and “Forklift” thankfully didn’t make the cut.

• Her approach to launching with 50 stores from the start, and why thinking like an investor helped shape early decisions.

• The reality of working with a lean, scrappy team and the lessons she learned in intrapreneurship at Gap Inc.

• Why Old Navy's lighthearted brand tone and accessible price points resonated with families—and made fashion fun again.

• Transitioning into CEO roles after Gap, including a decade at Charlotte Russe and her bold comeback at Rothy’s.

• The importance of sustainability, style, and washability in Rothy’s brand DNA—and how Jenny helped the company return to profitability in months.

• How she’s expanded Rothy’s into Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Anthropologie, and international markets while maintaining brand integrity.

• Her take on tariffs, supply chain diversification, and how early planning helped Rothy’s navigate disruption.

• Why testing, listening, and growing with your team are pillars of her leadership style.

• Jenny’s thoughts on the power of strategic collaborations, the future of retail tech, and what keeps her inspired as a mentor and coach.

• Plus: her leadership must-do’s, favorite cities, favorite brands, and what she looks for when hiring.
  
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