Mere MERCHANTS

In this episode of Mere MERCHANTS, Tom Ott connects with longtime colleague and friend Dave Canfield, now leading Strategy, Operations, and Sales at the retail tech startup Zellig. Together, they reflect on their time revitalizing the culture and performance at Saks Off 5th and Gilt, where they tackled organizational chaos, sparked innovation, and reenergized the junior merchant team with initiatives like “Saks Off 5th University,” the Culture Club, and digital-first merchandising strategies.

In this insightful episode of Mere MERCHANTS, Chief Merchant Tom Ott sits down with longtime friend and legendary fashion finance expert Mike Stanley, who many consider the godfather of factoring. With decades of experience helping brands navigate the ever-changing retail landscape, Mike shares the behind-the-scenes reality of financing fashion—from managing receivables and mitigating risk to building trust and surviving disruption.

They explore how the role of factoring has evolved, how smart partnerships can make or break a brand, and what emerging merchants should look for in a financial partner. Mike also offers advice for young professionals entering the industry and gives a candid outlook on what’s ahead for retail in 2025 and beyond.

In this special episode of Mere MERCHANTS, Manyell brings together three dynamic fashion entrepreneurs Tiffany Davis (The Humped Zebra), Shawn Pean (June79), and Love Collins (Love Collins, Dope and Bohemian, Community Apparel)—to talk candidly about what it really takes to build a brand in today’s fashion landscape.

From launching grassroots movements to full-scale collections, each guest has taken a different path to bring their vision to life. We dig into the decisions that shaped their journeys, the growing pains, the mindset shifts, and the harsh realities of entrepreneurship—especially as Black designers navigating the industry.

Whether you're building from your basement, sketching your first capsule, or mapping out your runway debut, this episode is full of practical advice, unfiltered truths, and plenty of inspiration for fashion founders at every level.

In this episode of Mere MERCHANTS, we’re joined by Kathleen Ruiz, Founder & CEO of KRW Consulting NYC, a powerhouse lifestyle marketing agency specializing in luxury brand partnerships, experiential marketing, and strategic communications. With over 30 years of experience—including senior roles at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus—Kathleen shares insights on how luxury brands can create meaningful, lasting connections in an increasingly competitive and fast-changing marketplace.

We talk about the role of storytelling, the evolution of experiential retail, and how her team is helping global brands find success in the U.S. through high-impact events and strategic retail introductions

In this special episode of Mere MERCHANTS, we take a break from our usual programming to bring you a must-listen conversation for anyone navigating the job market. Our guest, Cecilia Haynes, recently landed four offers from top remote companies in just 45 days—and she’s here to share exactly how she did it.

From crafting a video resume to hacking LinkedIn’s hiring process, Cecilia walks us through her step-by-step strategy that got her multiple interviews and job offers.

Cecilia's LinkedIn Original LinkedIn Post

Ali Orlando Wert's Post Cecilia References

In this special reunion episode of Mere MERCHANTS, host Manyell Akinfe-Reed welcomes two seasoned retail leaders, Shawn Howell and Elizabeth Michel, to dive into the invaluable synergy between buying and planning. With decades of experience across major brands, they share how having expertise in both disciplines has strengthened their careers, sharpened their decision-making, and helped them navigate challenges in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

In this episode of Mere Merchants, we step into the world of footwear with legendary shoe executive Javier Suarez. From his early days in a high-end shoe boutique to leading product direction for global brands like Bally and Ferragamo, Javier takes us on a journey through decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and industry evolution. We discuss the shift from traditional shoemaking to fashion branding, the impact of sneakers on luxury markets, and the challenges facing today’s footwear business.

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In this episode of Mere Merchants, host Manyell Akinfe-Reed takes over while Chief Merchant Tom Ott gets a well-deserved break. She sits down with Kaitlyn Tarpey-Berea, VP of People at ShopMy, for a deep dive into today’s competitive job market. Kaitlyn shares invaluable insights into recruitment trends, how candidates can stand out in a sea of applications, and the realities of hiring in a fast-changing work environment.

In this insightful episode ofMere MERCHANTS, we welcome leadership and HR expertEd Slusser to explore the art of building world-class teams in today’s evolving job market. Drawing from his extensive career in retail, HR, and corporate leadership, Ed shares key strategies for identifying top talent, developing future leaders, and fostering a thriving company culture.

In this episode, the Mere MERCHANTS team welcomes Ryan Giese, founder of Tehillah Co., a brand redefining men’s shirting with bold designs, uncompromising quality, and a modern approach to fit. Ryan shares his journey from fashion enthusiast to entrepreneur, his commitment to craftsmanship, and why he refuses to sacrifice integrity for the sake of mass production.