Steve Madden, Founder, Creative and Design Chief at Steve Madden, will be recognized at the NRF Foundation Honors as one of the dynamic leaders on The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2023. He shares an inside look at the development of his career, why he opened his first shop and what he sees for the future of retail.
Below are a few questions, along with Madden’s concise answers (watch the video above for all “20 Questions”):
What was your first job?
My first job was a caddy at the local golf course, and the bags were bigger than me.
Why is retail the industry you picked for your career?
Actually, it isn't. I actually started in wholesale and I was a little frustrated, I wanted to create my own assortment, and that's why I opened my first store.
What three skills are key to succeeding in retail?
Number one, having a good eye for what your people want to buy. Number two, managing your inventory is so important. And number three, creating a really fun environment where people want to shop. Those seem to be three important ones to me.
What experience helped you the most in retail?
I worked in a shoe store for two years before I went into the wholesale business. Working on the floor of a store was invaluable.
What does the future of retail look like?
It evolves so quickly, it has changed so much. I would say that stores are going to become more important.
The NRF Foundation connects people to an industry that’s a great place to start and a great place to grow. Since 2015, the NRF Foundation Honors has raised the funds to continue to provide programs and resources to help people build better lives and stronger communities. Join us in New York City and be a part of the story of how retail builds extraordinary careers.