The Retail Pilot5 Aug 2025

Why Tattoo Parlors Should Be Nervous: Inside the Rise of Studs with Anna Harman

What happens when a former lawyer walks out of a high-end jewelry store and into a tattoo parlor—and realizes neither is the right fit? You get Studs—a game-changing brand that’s reinventing the ear piercing and jewelry experience for a new generation of consumers.

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, we sit down with Anna Harman, co-founder and CEO of Studs, to explore how she went from litigation and asset management to building one of the most profitable and experiential brick-and-mortar concepts in retail. With over 30 locations and sky-high four-wall profits, Studs is challenging legacy brands and tattoo shops alike with its safe, stylish, and millennial-friendly approach to ear piercing.

Anna shares insights on:

Her unlikely journey from law school to launching Studs
The “aha” moment that sparked the idea
What makes Studs profitable from day one
The real competitors (hint: it’s not who you think)
How she applies startup and retail incubator lessons to build a brand with soul
Why lab-grown diamonds and curated collabs are driving Gen Z and millennial loyalty
Her transparent, feedback-forward leadership style and how it shapes team culture

Whether you're a brand builder, founder, retail executive, or just love a good reinvention story, this episode is packed with tactical gems and inspiring takeaways.

Ready to reimagine what retail can look like when experience comes first? Follow, rate, and share this episode with a friend and if you’re curious about where to get pierced next, check out studs.com to explore their latest studio openings.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(113)

Shea Jensen, President of Urban Outfitters North America: Inside the Brand's Comeback

When Shea Jensen took over as President of Urban Outfitters North America in February 2024, the brand was posting double-digit comp declines. Eighteen months later, it's posting double-digit comp gain...

18 Aug 50min

Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData: Inside Retail's Winners, Losers & the Back Half of 2026

There's a common assumption in retail right now that the top of the market is the only thing growing. Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData Retail and one of the industry's most-followed anal...

4 Aug 1h 4min

Vuori Founder Joe Kudla: From Garage Startup to $5Billion+ Activewear Brand

When Joe Kudla launched Vuori out of a Southern California garage in 2013, he was betting against his own track record. He'd already tried the apparel business twice and failed both times. He had a co...

21 Jul 58min

James Reinhart, Co-Founder & CEO of Thredup: Building the Future of Resale

When James Reinhart walked into a Cambridge consignment store with a bag of business school clothes in 2008 – a J.Crew cashmere sweater, a Brooks Brothers coat – and was told they had no resale value,...

7 Jul 56min

Denise Incandela, EVP of Walmart Fashion: How Walmart Became a True Fashion Destination

Walmart just named Denise Incandela a Sam Walton Entrepreneur of the Year — one of the highest honors inside the company, and one rarely given to merchants. It's a fitting recognition for the EVP of F...

23 Jun 46min

Tanya Golesic, CEO of Mackage: From Canadian down to a Global Luxury Brand

When Tanya Golesic took the helm of Mackage in July 2021, she inherited a Canadian brand with extraordinary product and almost no story. "The minute you put the product on, you wouldn't want to take t...

2 Jun 55min

Pete Nordstrom: From public to private, Nordstrom’s gains momentum.

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, Ken sits down with Pete Nordstrom – Co-CEO of the 125-year-old fashion retailer – to unpack the eight-year journey to go private, the strategic partnership with Li...

19 Mai 45min

Retail Legend Mickey Drexler: From Building Gap & Old Navy to Running Alex Mill Like a Startup

Retail icon Mickey Drexler doesn't do retirement. At 80, the man who built Gap into a $14 billion empire, founded Old Navy, and revitalized J.Crew is running Alex Mill like a scrappy startup, and lovi...

6 Mai 1h 9min