We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shana Regenhardt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
Covid was an issue no one was prepared for. To have entire Industries shut down for months at a time, had never occured before. like we all experienced in 2020.
My showroom had just parted ways with vendors I had been representing for years, due to changes in buying patterns. I decided to go in a new direction with a fresh curated package of products. Covid hit within months of negotiating a new package of lines, that I was launching the end of 2019 into spring of 2020. To go into a pandemic wihtout a built business on new lines, and then be shut down for 6 months, was devastating. I wasn’t sure how I would stay in business, keep my team of employees or have stores left standing, to sell to. It was one of the most trying times I have been through in career.
Shana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am the Ceo for The Landa Showroom INC. We have locations in Los angeles and Dallas. I have been in the fashion industry for 38 years. I started my career in retail and moved to the wholesale side 34 years ago. We curate and pioneer unknown contemporary vendors to the US market and beyond. We offer an expertise in merchandising, selling, customer service and PR. We help our clients understand how to be successful with our products , At the Landa Showroom we are hands on in helping them through the process of ordering to receiving goods. We help unknown vendors pioneer their products across the country to become a successful brand. We are full service organization and have great relationships with our retailers and vendors alike.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
I take the saying “team work makes the dream work” to heart. I lead by example and do my best to always let my team know they are appreciated, I do my best to reward hard work. I believe by allowing my employees to feel more like a partner in my business, they want to succeed. It motivates them to treat my business like it is their own. Making tough sacrifices, when necessary, so my team doesn’t need to, It isn’t easy, but it builds morale and respect.
I think it is very important to give credit when due, and ensure your employees know they are important to your success. We have fun while working hard and that helps build loyalty.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The Fashion Industry is constantly changing. I have had to reinvent myself numerous times to stay relevant. I started my career in SF. As the dynamics for buying patterns changed, I chose to expand and move to Los angeles. AS mor eopprotunities presneted themselves, I ran with expanding to the entire US to grow properly. Opening in dallas and traveling to Chicago, Atlanta, Ny, Florida all helped in our growth.
Online selling has changed how most consumers shop. I needed to learn how to help our retailers to adapt and compete. We are there to help them navigate through all the twists and turns to be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thelandashowroom.com
- Instagram: the_landa_showroom
- Facebook: the Landa showroom
- Linkedin: Shana Landa Regenhardt