Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard. (Update)
This episode examines the troubled state of Macy's and the broader retail industry through conversations with Macy's CEO Tony Spring, retail veteran and academic Mark Cohen, and author-entrepreneur Jeff Kinney. Spring lays out his Bold New Chapter turnaround plan, including major store closures, real estate monetization, merchandise overhauls, and attempts to translate the marketing power of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade into better in-store experiences. Cohen sharply criticizes Macy's past strategies and questions the viability of the turnaround, while Kinney offers a contrasting example of place-based, community-focused retail through his unprofitable but culturally influential independent bookstore and downtown redevelopment project in Plainville, Massachusetts.
How a $200 Doorbell Became a $4B Business
The hosts interview Ring founder Jamie Sibanoff about building the smart doorbell company, navigating a near-fatal lawsuit with ADT during acquisition negotiations, and ultimately selling to Amazon for $1.15 billion. Jamie explains his problem-first invention philosophy, hiring and leadership approach, and why he sees Ring as a mission-driven company focused on making neighborhoods safer. He also describes his 'snowball' method for developing ideas, his obsession with solving the global bug problem, and his long-term project revitalizing the small town of LaBelle, Missouri.