meet vanessa

Master Mixologist, Mom & Merchandising Expert

The Credentials

Education

Bachelors of Science in Apparel Merchandising with minor in Business from Kelly School of Business from Indiana University

Experience

  • Launched my career at Macy’s West Merchandise Training Program. There I dabbled in many niche categories like Footwear, Fine Jewelry, and Plus Sizes in both stores and e-commerce businesses.

  • Pivoted to the vendor side, worked for Steve Madden, and transitioned back to Merchandising and Product Development for Big Box and Speciality Retailers ( Sears, Gap Inc).

  • My last W2 role was at Stitch Fix, where I launched the Plus Size business and scaled it to a multi-million dollar business.

I’m a Merchandising Expert with a deep understanding of the entire merchandise life cycle and retail industry, specializing in:

  • Strategic Planning & Execution

  • Project Management

  • Brand Framework (identifying what a brand is and the white space it can fill)

  • Team Building and Management

I love…

Niche businesses because you really have to focus on the unique customer expectations and want to deliver success.

And…

Technical businesses where fit reigns supreme, like Footwear, Pants + Denim, and Plus Sizes.

Off The Clock

  • I’m a mixologist. I love curating craft cocktails based on a theme or a person’s palette

  • I’m an ambivert (Social Introvert) - Love social situations but also need major downtime afterwards

  • I've fallen in love with cooking for my family. I love the whole process - from the meal planning to the consumption!

  • I feel the most free and calm in the water. I guess I can’t help it I’m a Pisces.

  • I’m obsessed with an organized and functional home. My goal in life is for people to not immediately know I have two young rambunctious boys living in my home