In Conversation with Carol Spieckerman

Can you share the journey of how you started in your career and the key milestones that defined your career path?

Retail was an accidental career choice for me, but it quickly became a passion. A friend told me about a sales position at a large fashion and apparel center in Dallas. At the time, it didn’t occur to me that this could be my future, but I decided to go for it and ended up landing the job.

I started out as a road warrior, traveling thousands of miles and selling a wide range of products. I went on to build multi-million-dollar businesses for brands and licensing companies that had never experienced that type of growth There really weren’t any templates to follow.. The industry was very male dominated back then, and I had to figure things out on my own, which helped me build a lot of confidence over time. I now strive to instill that same confidence in my clients as they stretch toward new opportunities. This experience taught me the importance of curiosity, flexibility and figuring things out as you go.

I have also witnessed the industry evolve and seen many trends come full circle over time. It’s gratifying to have people approach me and recall presentations I gave 10 years ago, highlighting points that left a lasting impression. This kind of validation is how you know you have provided value, and it is a gift to see it repeat over time.

?What is a specific project or initiative that you are particularly proud of in your career?

Before starting my own company, I took a promotion and relocated from Texas to Los Angeles. I had to work with some of the toughest merchants on the west coast and convince them that I was worthy of their business. I eventually won them over and we booked a lot of business together. Many of these individuals are still friends today. Securing millions of dollars of business with these retailers at a time when people were saying retail is “dying,” is one of my biggest accomplishments.

Since launching my own B2B consulting and speaking business in 2000, I have been excited when my customers experience that same thrill of booking larger deals than they ever thought they could. It never gets old seeing my clients get acquired for large sums of money or seeing them successfully branch out into new businesses. I take pride in providing them with a framework and tools for success and then watching them adapt the principles to their own culture.

?What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far? How did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge in my career was in the early days when I was breaking new ground without any established precedents or much feedback. I eventually realized that this wasn’t something to overcome but rather something to accept and embrace, especially as an entrepreneur. Being in uncharted territory is often where I need to be for my clients and I can’t wait for validation before taking action in my day-to-day business. On balance, it’s all worth it to have the freedom to create and build on my own terms.

?What do you wish you had known from the start?

I wish I had known sooner that I could always stretch and grow into new opportunities, and that I didn’t need to have every single qualification before jumping in. I’ve found that women sometimes focus too much on literal qualifications, while men are more likely to just raise their hand and assume they will figure it out later.

?What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I’ve received came from the CEO of a major retailer, who said, “Carol, someone is always buying, and they might as well be buying from you.” This taught me not to let others define my limits or the environment I’m operating in. I’ve condensed this into a mantra that I use with my clients and others? - "Why not you?".

?What is your advice to women and allies in our community?

One of my fundamental beliefs is that insecurity is the root of all evil. If you peel back the layers, you see that most problems stem from someone’s insecurity. So, it’s crucial to manage your own insecurities and to recognize them in others—whether in colleagues, employers, or in personal relationships.

I also often share with professional women that comfort is overrated. If something makes you slightly uncomfortable—whether it’s advocating for yourself, pursuing a promotion, negotiating for something, or making a bold move—that’s when you know that you’re hitting just the right note. Discomfort is usually a sign that you’re in the sweet spot where the magic happens.

?What does the intersection of retail and technology look like to you?

When I think about the intersection of retail and technology, I think about balancing high-tech solutions with high-touch experiences. This is a topic that's keeping a lot of retailers awake at night right now – striking that balance and optimizing the hand offs between people-powered processes and technology. The ideal scenario is for high-tech solutions to enable and enhance high-touch experiences, allowing both to work together synergistically. It’s not a zero-sum game.