FIRESIDE CHAT WITH MAXINE CLARK

DAY 2 | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Maxine Clark’s journey through the world of retail, entrepreneurship, and social impact is nothing short of inspiring. During her fireside chat on day two of the conference, Maxine shared how an undying sense of curiosity lead her to develop and grow Build-A-Bear Workshop into an international company delivering unique moments for children and families.

SPEAKER

Maxine Clark is one of the true innovators in the retail industry. During her career, her ability to spot emerging retail and merchandising trends and her insight into the desires of the American consumer have generated growth for retail leaders, including department store, discount and specialty stores. In 1997, she founded Build-A-Bear Workshop®, a teddy-bear themed retail-entertainment experience. Today there are more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide. Cumulative sales have exceeded $5 billion and over 140 million stuffed animals have been sold world-wide. In June 2013, Maxine stepped down from her Chief Executive Bear role to apply her entrepreneurial skills to her passion for improving K-12 public education and encouraging and investing in women and minority entrepreneurs such as Goldie Blox, myEDmatch.com, Wondermento and St. Frank. Maxine is also a Managing Partner of Prosper Women’s Capital, a St. Louis based fund created to invest in women owned businesses in the St. Louis area and a member of the Board of Advisers of Lewis & Clark Ventures, a St. Louis based private equity firm.