Top Women in Retail 2018: Jenny Ming, CEO, Charlotte Russe

Jenny Ming, CEO, Charlotte Russe

To see the full list of this year's Top Women in Retail honorees, click here.

What do you enjoy most about working in the retail industry?
I love retail because it's ever changing; it never stands still. Trends can come from so many different places. I love that retail is about customers and product, balancing using data and using your gut. It really is a unique industry because you're constantly using your left and right brain.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge in retail is the environment today — transforming companies from traditional brick-and-mortar businesses to digital and omni businesses, changing talent, process and technology all at the same time. I haven’t solved this yet and am in the beginning of this transformation. I’m learning every day. What I do know is time is of the essence, as well as the value of being open-minded, bringing in expertise, new skills, perceptions and experiences you don’t have.

How would you describe your leadership style?
I've always believed that great leaders are reflections of their teams. In building a team, I think about the business challenges I’m solving and finding people who have expertise that I don’t have. That way I feel like I'm learning something from them as much as they might learn from me.

What's the best advice you ever received, and who gave you the advice?
The best advice I’ve ever received is to always be an avid learner and be curious. Never stop! I don’t remember who gave me this advice, but it's something I truly believe and live by.

What one new retail technology or trend do you believe will have the biggest impact in 2018, and why?
There are so many technological advances and/or trends in retail, but if I have to pick one, I would say customer data. The more you know about your customer, the more you can engage them. Understanding more about your customer via data analytics will be key to making better business decisions.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not working?
My favorite thing I enjoy doing is cooking or, to be precise, baking. To me, it’s a very creative process. It calms me and brings me a lot of joy. I feel an incredible accomplishment when I finish something that's beautiful and delicious. It’s also something people love when you give it to them — something from the heart.