Innovation and Sustainability: A Conversation with Allbirds Co-founder & CEO, Joey Zwillinger

What does it take to lead an iconic luxury brand into the future while navigating industry disruption, shifting consumer expectations, and bold strategic moves? For Marc Metrick, CEO of Saks Global, it is about scale, innovation, and putting the customer at the center of every decision. From steering Saks through its $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group to launching “The Art of You,” Marc is redefining what luxury retail looks like in a digital-first world.In this episode of The Retail Pilot, we explore how Saks is transforming its business model, leveraging data and partnerships with Salesforce. ARG and Amazon, and building a new vision of personalization that resonates with today’s luxury consumer. Marc and I had a brief discussion around Saks product being available on Amazon. He is incredibly excited about their Amazon business (only partial catalog available). Saks Global is delivering new customers with high value. Due to certain statistics that we discussed, we had to eliminate the segment. In this conversation, Marc shares:• The strategic logic behind combining Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman into one powerhouse• How “The Art of You” is taking personalization beyond buzzwords to create truly individualized shopping experiences• The role of technology, AI, and data in modernizing operations and elevating the customer journey• What partnerships with Amazon and Salesforce have unlocked in terms of scale, efficiency, and innovation• How Saks is rebuilding trust with vendors and strengthening relationships with brand partners• Why the US is poised to be the fastest growing luxury market in the world• His optimism about a new generation of digitally native, experience driven luxury consumersWhether you are a retail executive, brand strategist, or simply fascinated by the future of luxury, this episode offers a rare inside look at how one of the industry’s most influential leaders is reshaping the way we think about scale, personalization, and the customer experience.If you enjoyed this conversation, follow and rate the show and share this episode with someone who is curious about the future of luxury retail. The next big insight could be one listen away.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

2 Sep 37min

What does it take to stay relevant in the fast-moving world of Gen Z and Gen Alpha? For Brieane Olson, CEO of PacSun, it’s all about purpose, co-creation, and bold innovation. From signing the Jenner sisters before they became household names to bringing PacSun into Roblox and TikTok Shop, Breanne has made youth culture the company’s North Star.In this episode of The Retail Pilot, co-hosted by Melissa Gonzalez, we dive deep into how PacSun evolved from a legacy mall brand to a billion-dollar leader in digital-first, Gen Z–centric fashion and what other retailers can learn from their fearless approach.In this conversation, Brieane shares:Her start in retail at age 15 and journey to the CEO seatHow co-creation with micro-creators is driving viral sales and brand affinityThe power of music, festivals, and physical retail in the digital ageHow PacSun uses AI across its stores, associate experience, and creative strategyThe evolving role of Gen Alpha and why brands must meet them where they areWhy social commerce is no longer optional and how to build it authenticallyHer leadership philosophy rooted in purpose, curiosity, and constant evolutionWhether you're a retail executive, marketer, founder, or just obsessed with youth culture trends, this episode is full of actionable insights on what it takes to lead with relevance, empathy, and a fearless willingness to evolve.If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to follow and rate the show, and share this episode with someone who’s building the next big thing in retail. Your next favorite strategy might just be one listen away.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

19 Aug 48min

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 StudsThe “aha” moment that sparked the ideaWhat makes Studs profitable from day oneThe real competitors (hint: it’s not who you think)How she applies startup and retail incubator lessons to build a brand with soulWhy lab-grown diamonds and curated collabs are driving Gen Z and millennial loyaltyHer transparent, feedback-forward leadership style and how it shapes team cultureWhether 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 by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

5 Aug 39min

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot sits down with the visionary team behind RetailClub: Anil D. Aggarwal, CEO & Co-Founder, Simran Rekhi Aggarwal, President & Krystina Gustafson, Chief Content Officer & Co-Founder. Known for creating transformative events like Shop Talk and Grocery Shop, this team is once again leading retail into its next great evolution, this time with AI at the center. Together, they discuss the why behind RetailClub, a new kind of gathering designed to bring together AI-curious, AI-championing, and AI-implementing professionals from across the retail industry. Unlike traditional conferences, RetailClub is a dynamic community and immersive experience complete with beachfront workshops, open-air keynotes, and the kind of deep, meaningful dialogue that can only happen face-to-face.You’ll hear how this initiative is less about flashy tech demos and more about building real, practical fluency in AI across functions from merchandising to marketing to customer service and preparing leaders to navigate exponential change. Whether you're just starting to explore AI or already leading its charge, this conversation will show you why RetailClub is the place to be.Key Themes:The story behind RetailClub and its founding visionWhy retail needs a new kind of AI-native communityHow AI is transforming roles, business models, and entire org chartsWhat makes RetailClub different from every other event on the calendarA glimpse into the AI Deep Dive retreat in Huntington BeachWant in?RetailClub’s first retreat takes place September 14–17 in Huntington Beach, CA. This is more than a conference it’s a curated movement to shape retail’s AI-powered future. Don’t miss it. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

22 Juli 34min

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, we sit down with Molly Howard, cofounder and CEO of La Ligne, the beloved fashion brand known for its effortless aesthetic, powerful storytelling, and slow burn sustainable success. Molly shares her fascinating path from private equity and investment banking at Credit Suisse to working at Rag & Bone and ultimately launching La Ligne with former Vogue editors Meredith Melling and Valerie Macaulay.You’ll hear how her finance background uniquely shaped the brand’s business model, why La Ligne prioritized profitability over hype, and how her cofounder chemistry laid the foundation for trust and longevity. Molly also opens up about navigating tariffs, scaling e-commerce thoughtfully, and the turning point that made her realize they needed to “drop product like a magazine” to keep customers returning weekly.Whether you're a founder, fashion lover, or just obsessed with good retail strategy, this is a must-listen conversation filled with lessons in leadership, resilience, and intuition.Show Notes:• Molly’s unexpected journey from Credit Suisse to the fashion industry• The early days at Rag & Bone and the deal that flipped her role from banker to brand-side strategist• How a boat ride in Hawaii turned into a cofounder pitch• The vision behind La Ligne’s name and how they built a brand rooted in non-fussy French minimalism• Why La Ligne raised under $4 million and how they’ve remained profitable ever since• The benefit of launching without institutional investors• Dividing responsibilities among three cofounders and why “three is easier than two”• Building a direct-to-consumer first model with mindful wholesale partnerships like Net-a-Porter and Shopbop• The challenges and creativity that came from growing without an early e-commerce hire• Influencer marketing, ShopMy, and keeping authenticity at the center• The La Drop strategy and why weekly product releases became key to customer loyalty• Facing down supply chain shocks and rising tariffs while keeping the brand nimble• The joy of physical retail and Molly’s passion for designing store spaces• Denim, menswear, and collaborations as La Ligne’s next frontiers• Rapid fire: Molly’s favorite brands, best advice received, go-to pieces, and the Tupac class that shaped her thinkingLike what you hear?Follow The Retail Pilot and leave us a review. Share this episode with a friend who loves fashion or dreams of launching their own brand. You can also tag us on Instagram with your takeaways—we’d love to hear what inspired you.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

8 Juli 57min

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, we’re joined by Scott Friend, a longtime leader in the retail and venture capital world. A partner at Bain Capital Ventures and the co-founder of ProfitLogic, Scott shares his journey from operator to investor, his unique lens on early-stage startups, and what separates great founders from the rest. We unpack the evolution of BCV over the past 20 years, the power of founder-market fit, and why customer success is non-negotiable in today’s startup landscape.Scott offers candid insights on investing in companies like Rent the Runway, Jet.com, Attentive, Miracle, and Archive, plus his take on AI's growing influence in commerce. From the one that got away (Peloton) to his thoughts on grit, momentum, and the founder’s mindset, this conversation is packed with value for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone passionate about the future of commerce.Key Topics Covered:Scott’s journey from building ProfitLogic to investing at Bain Capital VenturesWhat makes a founder stand out (and why most are first-timers)How BCV approaches early-stage vs. growth-stage investingCommon characteristics of breakout founders like Jen Hyman and Marc LoreThe importance of customer success and analytic rigorAI’s disruptive role in commerce platformsWhy focus and momentum matter more than perfectionPersonal stories behind high-stakes risk and reward (including Jet.com)The investment that got away and the companies he’d double down onRapid fire: Favorite show, CEO admiration, and meeting the Dalai LamaIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with your network. For more insights on the future of commerce and investing, follow The Retail Pilot wherever you get your podcasts.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

24 Juni 41min

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.Enjoy the episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s building something bold. Your support helps us bring more candid stories from retail’s top voices to your feed.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

10 Juni 1h 6min

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, host Ken Pilot welcomes Emily Gittins, Co-founder and CEO of Archive — a technology company transforming fashion's relationship with resale. With a deep background in mathematics, environmental science, and business, Emily takes us through her journey from Cambridge to BCG to Google X, and eventually to co-founding Archive with a bold vision: enable brands to profit from resale and reduce fashion waste at scale.Emily unpacks how Archive partners with top brands like The North Face, Oscar de la Renta, and New Balance to integrate branded resale into their business models — creating new revenue streams while advancing sustainability. Discover how her team is changing industry perceptions, scaling globally, and pioneering circular solutions in new verticals like home goods and electronics.Whether you're a fashion exec, sustainability advocate, or retail tech enthusiast, this episode offers a masterclass in turning purpose into profit.Show Notes:🔹 Guest BackgroundEmily’s education: BA in Mathematics (Cambridge), MBA & MS in Environmental Science (Stanford)Past experience: BCG, Google X, international development work on gender equity and mobile tech🔹 Key Topics CoveredWhy fashion is responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissionsThe myth of resale cannibalizing full-price salesArchive’s unique tech platform for peer-to-peer resale, in-store trade-ins, and consignmentPartnerships with brands like Lululemon, Doc Martens, and M.M.LaFleurThe data-driven approach to pricing, SKU matching, and profit optimization in resaleScaling Archive internationally and expanding into new categoriesRaising $60M+ in funding and what’s next for the circular economy🔹 Powerful Stats & Takeaways100 billion clothing items are produced annually — enough to clothe the next 6 generationsResale customers have 2–3x higher lifetime value than new-only customersM.M.LaFleur saw a 3% revenue boost in year one from resale aloneResale is expected to become a $350B market🎙️ Listen Now:Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your favorite streaming platforms.Learn More About Archive:https://www.archiveresale.comSponsored by FireworkHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

27 Maj 35min