The Safari is a guided tour around the retail, brand and consumer landscape. We interview the brightest and most innovative industry leaders who share how they are shaping and evolving the industry in the years to come. Guests come from all corners of the industry from retail, beauty, fashion, CPG, academia, agencies, real estate, investing and more. At Traub we have the privilege of working broadly across these numerous fields and collaborating with these talented leaders.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Federico Balestra is the CEO of Sabatino Truffles, a leading global Truffle company based in Connecticut and Umbria, Italy. With over 20 years of experience in the truffle industry, Federico has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and success. He joined Sabatino in 1996 as the Sales Manager and was appointed CEO in 2005.
Under Federico's leadership, Sabatino has expanded its product portfolio to include a wide range of new products like Truffle Salt, Truffle Zest, Truffle crisps, just to name few, catering to the growing demand for truffle globally. His passion for promoting Truffles has driven Sabatino to become a world leader in the space.
Federico holds a degree in Business Administration from a great school in Rome, Italy and actively participates in industry conferences and events. He is committed to making a positive impact on the food industry by providing nutritious and environmentally friendly food choices to consumers.
Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Dr. Samuel West’s work and research is driven by curiosity and a playful experimental approach. As a licensed clinical psychologist, Samuel specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy and treated depression, anxieties, relationship problems, etc. He later became obsessed with the psychology of happiness, in particular happiness related to work and the complex relationship between happiness and affluence. During a mid-career break from consulting, he spent 5 years at Lund University, doing research and teaching positive psychology, creativity, organizational science, and various clinical courses. His PhD in organizational psychology focused on how workplace playfulness boosts innovation. He is American-Icelandic, and after many years in Sweden, is now based in Spain.
Since founding the Museum of Failure, Samuel has become the leading expert on helping teams and organizations understand the role of failure for innovation and progress, improve the acceptance of failure, and appreciate the benefits of psychological safety. He educates and inspires with the fascinating stories of the artifacts at the Museum of Failure.
Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.
Thursday May 11, 2023
Thursday May 11, 2023
In 1996, Neely Woodson Powell met a cobbler who made fashionable yet comfortable shoes in the small Mexican village of San Miguel de Allende. Impressed with the style and versatility, Neely started selling the hand-sewn shoes alongside her mother’s furniture markets and met her first of many loyal customers. After enrolling in a design program at SCAD and with the production support of the founding family of cobblers, Neely launched Charleston Shoe Co., known for machine washable, hand-crafted, and comfortable shoes. Beginning with her first store in 2010, she effortlessly pivoted from selling shoes from the trunk of her car to having 18 locations and over 300 wholesale accounts around the US today.
In addition to being the owner and founder of Charleston Shoe Co., Neely is a mother, an avid traveler, and very active in the Charleston community. It is her charisma and charm that people are drawn to, and why Charleston Shoes have been embraced by women all over the country.
Interviewed by Kate Doerge.
Thursday Mar 30, 2023
Thursday Mar 30, 2023
As EY Global Retail Leader, Thomas Harms is responsible for defining and implementing the EY strategy for the retail industry. He helps ensure that EY retail clients are well served across geographies, leading over 20,000 EY professionals worldwide.
After more than 20 years advising national and international companies, Thomas is just as curious about new developments as he was at the beginning of his career.
Early on, he specialized in consumer goods and retail culminating in Thomas creating and leading the Consumer industry practice across Germany, Switzerland and Austria for 18 years. He knows the industry like no other and has supported retailers as they face complex and strategic challenges driven by empowered consumers.
Thomas’ long-term industry relationships and strong, cross-industry network are the cornerstone of successful collaborations and creative solutions.
Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
As CEO of OUAI, the Los Angeles based hair care and lifestyle brand, Colin Walsh has demonstrated his inspiring leadership qualities and dedication to the growing beauty industry over the past 16 years. His mission to remain curious about life and continue to work and play every day with people who inspire him to be his best, has given him an unparalleled perspective across Sales, Marketing, Product Development and Distribution, allowing him an understanding of the business from all viewpoints and cementing him as a leader in the space.
Prior to joining OUAI, Canadian-born Walsh, was the CEO of DevaCurl and VP/GM of MATRIX USA within the Professional Products Division of L’Oréal. He also co-authored, “ON: A Brilliant Way to Live and Work” with motivational psychologist Dr. Lew Loscony; a book designed to provide practical tips and powerful insights on creating greater passion and purpose in work and everyday life.
Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Lyndon Cormack along with his brother Jamie founded Herschel Supply in 2009 after identifying a gap in the market for stylish, functional and design-driven bags. Lyndon’s commitment to consistency and unwavering ability to establish long-term brand direction has led to Herschel Supply’s international success and recognition as a leader in the global accessories market.
His love for design spills into his everyday life, with interior design, architecture and fashion design being some of his most passionate hobbies—that is, when he’s not surfing or backcountry snowboarding.
Before founding Herschel Supply, Lyndon spent ten years with Vans, working on developing the company’s Canadian business. He is the proud father of two daughters and resides between his homes in Deep Cove, North Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia.
Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.
Thursday Sep 08, 2022
Thursday Sep 08, 2022
Rachel is the founder of Gladiator Lacrosse, a high-quality sports training equipment line with an affordable price point. Since its inception, the company has maintained profitability without ever compromising the brand’s fundamental intent or consumer promise. Rachel has been featured in many publications, including The New York Times, USA Today, Entrepreneur Magazine, Fortune, Forbes, Inc., and TIME Magazine, being named one of the 30 most influential teens of 2016.
Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Lori Coulter is the Co-Founder and CEO of Summersalt, a generation-defining lifestyle brand known for its data-backed fit and designer quality products without the designer price tag.
Lori and her Co-founder, Reshma Chattaram Chamberlin, launched Summersalt to change the conversation around swimwear and address a true market gap by creating designer swimwear without the designer price tag. Summersalt’s product is data-backed with 1.5 million measurements taken from 10,000 women’s body scans.
Since launch, Summersalt has expanded to include adventure-friendly essentials that help make every aspect of a woman's wardrobe more joyful and comfortable—from sleepwear to intimates to activewear. Named one of the Top 100 Upstarts in the world by CNBC and The Lead’s Breakout Company of the Year, the brand has seen exceptional growth and consumer adoption, garnering praise from leading outlets including Vogue, Elle, CNN and Forbes.
Lori is passionate about empowering women entrepreneurs and students, and champions inclusive economic development and entrepreneurship!
Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
Kara Goldin is the Founder of Hint, Inc., best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water. She has received numerous accolades, including being named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Northern California, one of InStyle’s 2019 Badass 50, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, WWD Beauty Inc.’s Feel Good Force and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.
Kara’s first book, Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters,was released October 2020 and is now a WSJ and Amazon Best Seller.
Interviewed by Mortimer Singer
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
Nicole Eckels began her career as a makeup artist and eventually moved into corporate sales. After a stint in San Francisco, Eckels decided she needed a more challenging outlet. In 2006, she flew to Australia where she found her “true calling.” Shopping for bath and body products in a Sydney department store, Eckels was frustrated that she couldn’t find what she was looking for and quickly realized there was a huge gap in the market. A spirited entrepreneur at heart, Glasshouse Fragrances was launched with a spark of imagination and the firm belief in the power of fragrance to transform the everyday.
Today, Glasshouse Fragrances is a leading brand in the Australian fragrance market and has expanded its product offerings to include eau de parfum, body lotion, shower gel, bar soap, fragrance diffusers and more. Eager to bring her premium brand of electrifying scents to the U.S., Nicole is back in the States and launched Glasshouse Fragrances North America in the summer of 2021. In less than a year, the brand is being showcased in major retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Bloomingdale’s - as well as influential online platforms and independent doors across the country.
Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.