Jenn Hyman

Jenn Hyman got the idea for Rent the Runway in 2008, after she watched her sister overspend on a new dress rather than wear an old one to a party. Jenn and her business partner built a web site where women could rent designer dresses for a fraction of the retail price. As the company grew, they dealt with problems that many female entrepreneurs face, including patronizing investors and sexual harassment. Despite these challenges, Rent The Runway now rents dresses to nearly six million women and has a reported annual revenue of $100 million. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," we check back with Monica Mizrachi and her son Solomon who built EzPacking, a business that sells sets of clear squishy plastic packing cubes. (Original broadcast date: August 7, 2017.) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jenn Hyman, co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, shares her entrepreneurial wisdom while advising early-stage business owners. She tackles the importance of valuing artisan craftsmanship for local apparel, and emphasizes how letting go of ego can enhance leadership effectiveness. Conversations include strategies for raising capital in sustainable fashion and achieving significant revenue for beauty brands. Hyman offers insights on the evolution of fashion rentals and the emotional resilience needed in entrepreneurship, inspiring listeners on their journeys.

Jenn Hyman, Co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, shares her journey of revolutionizing the fashion rental market. She discusses how social media spurred rental demand and highlights the challenges of taking a consumer startup public as a woman. Jenn reflects on the emotional IPO moment alongside her daughters and the tough realities of a plummeting stock price. She also critiques competitors like Nuuly and recounts the scandal surrounding CaaStle. With insights on building resilient teams and adapting to market shifts, Jenn offers a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship in the fashion-tech world.

Jenn Hyman, co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, shares her journey through the pandemic's challenges and the surprising rebound of her fashion rental service. She reveals how consumer habits shifted toward sustainability, making a 'closet in the cloud' not just relevant but essential. The conversation highlights innovations in operational strategies and the evolving retail landscape, focusing on convenience and the rise of secondhand shopping. Hyman emphasizes the importance of resilience, both financially and emotionally, for businesses in a post-pandemic world.

Jenn Hyman, co-founder of Rent the Runway, shares insights on the often-overlooked operations that drive success in business. She discusses how Rent the Runway's unicorn status was built on a massive dry-cleaning operation and data insights that are transforming fashion. Jenn emphasizes the importance of relationships, trust, and innovative employee benefits, like the 'Lobatical' initiative, in enhancing customer experiences. Discover how operational excellence underpins their glamorous public image.