Today, Sammi delivers the most requested episode topic yet: the lore of Restoration Hardware and its CEO, Gary Friedman. Gary Friedman is part visionary, part provocateur and part illusionist. He is the CEO who took a nearly bankrupt furniture company and convinced Wall Street that it was building the LVMH of America. And for a while everyone believed him.

In this first installment of her two-part deep dive, Sammi covers the brand's quirky beginnings in 1979, Gary's journey from folding jeans at The Gap to turning around Restoration Hardware, to his ambitious plans of positioning Restoration Hardware as a luxury powerhouse. What followed was an internal relationship at the company, a resignation, an IPO, and more.

In the second episode, coming next week, Sammi pulls back the curtain on how the view from “Luxury Mountain” may not be what it seems.

Follow Sammi on Instagram

Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter

00:00 Introduction to Restoration Hardware Lore

00:51 Disclaimer

02:35 The Origins of Restoration Hardware

03:46 Gary Friedman's Rise in Retail

05:54 Transforming Restoration Hardware

06:27 The True Crime Interlude

07:28 Rebranding and Supply Chain Innovations

10:22 The Gallery Store Concept

16:44 Operational Challenges and Solutions

20:43 Expanding Beyond Furniture

22:26 Financial Moves and Future Plans

25:04 What’s Next

The following content is based on publicly available information and includes personal opinions and analysis. It should not be interpreted as fact beyond what has been publicly reported, and it does not constitute investment advice. This podcast is not affiliated with or sponsored by any company mentioned. While all information is accurate to the best of the show’s knowledge at the time of recording, details may change after publication. Restoration Hardware was not contacted for this piece.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weirdhouse Cinema: Alice (1988)