Your big project at the moment is the DivINe mixed-use development on Delmar. But when we do things together, like the Scholarship Foundation—there are lots of scholarships available, but nobody knew how to find them. My parents didn’t go to college. Maxine Clark (née Kasselman, born March 6, 1949 in Coral Gables, Florida) is the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop, an American retailer that sells customizable teddy bears and other stuffed animals. I thought, why can’t we create a coworking space for not-for-profits? Clark founded Build-a-Bear in 1997, a year after resigning as president of Topeka-based Payless ShoeSource. Do strangers recognize you at airports? Sure, you can call something fake news if you don’t agree with it. Clark eventually made it to the top -- as president of Payless ShoeSource. Build-A-Bear Workshop was founded by Maxine Clark in 1997, with its first store in the Saint Louis Galleria. )NAIC: 451120 Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores Source for information on Build-A-Bear … We put two outlet malls half a mile from each other, right near another mall! For today’s generation, Maxine Clark is that person and Build-A-Bear Workshop is that idea. She wanted a Beanie Baby, and they were sold out. Build A Bear is a Consumer Services company located in 7401 Market St, Youngstown, Ohio, United States. (LEBANON, Ill., March 4, 2020) — Retail industry innovator Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop®, will discuss her entrepreneurial success on Monday evening, March 23 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, Ill. Build-A-Bear's Founder Shares Her Story. If we can make Delmar a bustling metropolis from end to end and start to improve the neglected neighborhoods to the north—over time, without gentrifying so that only rich people can live there—I think we can erase that dividing line. It’s in the center. His relatives came over on the Mayflower; my grandparents came over from Eastern Europe. It changed dramatically with Elvis Presley’s “I want to be your teddy bear.” He made it a love object. In 1997, she founded Build-A-Bear Workshop, a teddy bear-themed retail-entertainment experience. And we were the next big revolution: We made bears possible for boys and girls, kids and adults. There are all kinds of excuses if you want a bear. Neither of you has exactly fallen idle in retirement. She came to St. Louis as head of merchandise research for the May Company, became president of Payless ShoeSource, and then broke away to start the now-global Build-A-Bear Workshop. My mother was Eleanor’s private traveling secretary. Maxine Clark talks about what compelled her to leave a well-paid job … Maxine Clark is one of the true innovators in the retail industry. Q&A With Build-A-Bear Workshop Founder, Maxine Clark Customization has become the norm in retail, but when Ellevate Network member Maxine Clark created the Build-A-Bear Workshop in 1997, it was an innovative idea -- and one that customers responded to! She was also a former executive of the old Venture Stores and the May Co.'s Famous-Barr stores. Now they’ve created this pop-up store idea, so you don’t have to be there 365 days. I drove home that night and told my husband, “I think it’s time for me to retire.” He said, “What?” I said, “I’m not sure I’ve found my sun.”. We’re there to sell and make a lot of money and reward the people who work there, but in the end, it’s about making kids smile. September 17, 2007, 11:56 AM PDT. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball ® mascot in-stadium locations, and Build … Copyright 2020 SLM Media Group. In 1997, she founded Build-A-Bear Workshop, a teddy bear-themed retail-entertainment experience. SLM contributor Jeannette Cooperman is intrigued by people's lives, ideas, relationships, and struggles. It’s much easier and sometimes even cheaper to scroll through your computer at home. And we call it DivINe: Div for the Delmar dividing line, IN for investment and innovation; E for engagement and experience. We have to feel like we have some power. Maxine Clark – Founder Build-A-Bear Workshop®. Twenty-five years of experience in retail management prepared founder Maxine Clark for the creation and successful implementation of the Build-a-Bear Workshop concept. Maxine Clark is one of the true innovators in the retail industry. We had a store before Apple did, before American Girl did. With more than 20 years of making special memories one furry friend at a time, we’re grateful to the millions of Guests around the world who will always be part of our family, with special stories of their own. In the mid-1990s, Maxine Clark resigned as president of Payless ShoeSourceand started a string of retail stores with interactive experiences similar to her childhood of various events held at department stores. Clark will discuss her perspective on the retail industry today. Operating Status of Organization e.g. Currently, this wiki has 345 articles, and also has 3,468 edits, made by many users on this wiki. Clark withdrew money from her retirement account, opened a line of credit using her home as collateral, and nine months after the experience with Katie opened the first Build-A-Bear … And in 2012, another 10-year-old girl said, “Ms. In 2006, the company acquired The Bear Factory from Hamleysand began operating in its flagship store in London. Build-A-Bear has released an online exclusive pram for their Baby Yoda plush, which can also be paired with a Mandalorian bear and other accessories. My teachers made such a difference. The following is a summary of … And with the start of the internet, I knew that if we didn’t make retailing better, we were going to lose out. As of April 2019, the company's president/CEO is Sharon Price John. Welcome to the Build-a-Bear Workshop Wiki Welcome to the Build-a-Bear Workshop Wiki! "All those reasons they’d say a woman couldn’t do something—children, not enough experience, not enough money—none of them were true for me.". We cannot have a million agencies doing the same thing and getting nowhere. Date the Organization was founded. Yeah, they’ll say, “How do I know you?” and I say, “Well, it’s obvious I’m not a movie star!” But there’s something that comes with me that I love that people recognize. I’d hear my mother fundraising, and to me it sounded like begging. Please keep in mind that we hold no affiliation with Build-a-Bear Workshop. Those children are going to apply that to everything else. The CEO of St. Louis-based Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. is retiring, 16 years after she founded the kid-friendly chain that now has more than 400 outlets worldwide.Sixty-three-year-old … 1 You’re big on summer camps, too. And in our local community, we do. Visit Build-A-Bear online to track your order, view status details, learn about shipping information and more. And a child can’t shop online. Financiers weren’t terribly interested in custom plush until they met Maxine Clark. History. Monday, 01/11/21 3:30 pm EST You don’t have children, but you owe your business concept to one. Guests go through an in-store process in which they choose clothing, accessories, sounds, and even scents for their furry friend. Maxine envisioned an interactive retail destination where kids could make personalized “furry friends.”. Maxine Clark – Founder Build-A-Bear Workshop®. 314-918-3000. You rose to company president. He spends a lot of time on criminal justice reform and immigration reform. In 2006, she published her first book “The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart”. Does it make you sad that Build-A-Bear has ditched the cute titles? Because it’s about your soul. If there’s one left on a shelf, I’ll buy it, because it shouldn’t be alone. Founded in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop may be the only franchise where you’re encouraged to tell employees to stuff it. RSS. Perhaps once in a generation an impassioned individual crafts an idea so impactful that it transforms not one but two industries, while touching the hearts of millions around the world. And have apartments with affordable rent for the young professionals who are making about $35K working for not-for-profits, but want to live like adults, in a small, cool space? I’m getting a little frustrated with the time it’s taking! But we have to build on good stories. We have to make a bigger deal out of local businesses. The company's slogan was "Where Best Friends Are Made" from 1997-2013 when it was changed to "The Most Fun You'll Ever Make." This wiki is all about the popular store, Build-a-Bear Workshop! When I was 40, my father apologized. She said, “It’d be so easy to make one.” She meant a craft project, but I saw Build-A-Bear. She came to St. Louis as head of merchandise research for the May Company, became president of Payless ShoeSource, and then broke away to start the now-global Build-A-Bear Workshop. We are always telling bad stories. When I left Build-a-Bear and I was going a lot to Cortex and working with women entrepreneurs, I saw how diverse these coworking spaces were, and how much people want to work together. The legal name of the organization. Today there are more than 500 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide and nearly 190 million stuffed animals have been sold. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball ® … 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. All those reasons they’d say a woman couldn’t do something—children, not enough experience, not enough money—none of them were true for me. That’s how chief executive Maxine Clark described Build-A-Bear Workshop, the children’s toy company she started in 1997. The idea of the hunt has changed. I guess the one thing is that I’ll always be the Chief Executive Bear; the title retired with me. 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. Today there are more than 500 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide and nearly 190 million stuffed animals have been sold. Her career began in 1972 when May Department Stores hired her as an executive trainee. When I went to interview Build-A-Bear Founder Maxine Clark, she opened her arms to give me a hug instead of a handshake. Build-A-Bear Background of the company/Case Summary Maxine Clark, the CEO and founder of Build-A-Bear, is an entrepreneur who enjoyed having fun at work. Founded by Maxine Clark in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop gives children the opportunity to create their own personalized stuffed animals. So I got a lot of exposure to senior management, traveling, making decisions for a big company, and I loved it. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has more than 400 stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and South America. St. Louis, MO 63119
And you can’t inspire people with bad stories. But their opinions are what drive sales and Clark has the good sense to recognize this. By 2007, the store had sold over 50 million bears and had over 400 stores in operation worldwide in Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and United Kingdom. We bought the old St. Luke’s Hospital on Delmar—if this were New York, it would have been scooped up in five minutes. Always. Clark, do you believe that all children’s dreams come true?” I said, “Yes, I do, Tia. There’s a warmth. And now we have raised a generation of children who don’t buy a teddy bear off a shelf anymore. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1971[2] with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. People brought their dogs to work. And the schools can’t do it all anymore. It’s a $100 million project to redo this whole big space, and you have to do it all at once, so it’s a big undertaking, and I’ve been doing this for three years already! FORTUNE -- Maxine Clark, the 63-year-old founder of Build-a-Bear, was always a shopper, even as a kid. Everybody’s protective; there are a lot of silos. Why start your own? When did the business instinct develop? I don’t know if “sad” is the right word. The kids who are successful, even in the most impoverished schools, are the kids with outside activities, enrichment. 4/30/2008 - It’s a company with a heart, founded on fun. I went to the Unique Boutique [at John Burroughs School], and I spent a couple thousand dollars easily. Build-A-Bear founder Maxine Clark, er, bears her soul "All those reasons they’d say a woman couldn’t do something—children, not enough experience, not enough money—none of them were true for me." Build-A-Bear Founder On The Secret To Success: Big Dreams And An Even Bigger Heart Carmine Gallo Senior Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Build-A-Bear Workshop is the largest chain that operates in this style. Louis, Missouri 63114U.S.A.Telephone: (314) 423-8000Toll Free: (888) 789-2327Fax: (314) 423-8188Web site: https://www.buildabear.com Private Company Incorporated: 1997Employees: 1,800Sales: 170 million (2002 est. Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. 1954 Innerbelt Business Center DriveSt. Prior to founding Build-A-Bear Workshop, Ms. Clark was the President of Payless ShoeSource, Inc. (“Payless”) from 1992 until 1996. Now it’s so popular, a family foundation in Colorado is licensing it from us. How does the bear-building work? Build-A-Bear is a one-of-a-kind global brand that kids love and parents trust. Build-a-Bear founder Maxine Clark: Build-a-Bear rings in at the New York Stock Exchange: Adults were skeptical of the Build-a-Bear concept, but children got it … The build-a-bear concept was selected from the three, as the children were excited about it, and the stuffed animals offered a high-profit margin. How’s Build-a-Bear coping with the new retail landscape? When I went to interview Build-A-Bear Founder Maxine Clark, she opened her arms to give me a hug instead of a handshake. You make a good team. Q&A With Build-A-Bear Workshop Founder, Maxine Clark Customization has become the norm in retail, but when Ellevate Network member Maxine Clark created the Build-A-Bear Workshop in 1997, it was an innovative idea -- and one that customers responded to! March 15, 2018. Bob [Fox] is more detail-oriented; I’m more big-picture. More >> Upcoming Events Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc at ICR Conference 2021 . Here, you turn over the rock of education and there’s 8,000 spiders underneath. Before establishing her own company, she worked for larger companies. 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 her case, she takes her cues from pint-size customers who are far too young to either drive to one of her stores or to plop down a credit card at the cash register. But the job wasn't enough -- the spark was gone, she said -- and she left in 1996. BOX 191606
Why? So it made sense that she would wind up in retail. Then you can give it a bath, brush it, pick out clothes, name it. What you’re for, get out there and be for it. I remember going out with her to register voters. Track your order now to see when your furry friend will arrive! Without my teachers, I would be nowhere and nobody. So it made sense that she would wind up in … When one rather stiff, formal banker propped his feet up on his desk, it took her a minute to register: He’d worn his Ralph Lauren teddy bear socks for her. Because we always need something to hug. Because of the way news is now, you can be overwhelmed by it. She went to toy factories and children's retail stores looking for ideas. Founded by Maxine Clark in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop gives children the opportunity to create their own personalized stuffed animals. "All those reasons they’d say a woman couldn’t do something—children, not enough experience, not enough money—none of them were true for me." Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop, knows all about the power of listening. We were not, at first, the perfect match! Have you always loved stuffed animals? The challenge is that moms don’t come to the malls as much as they used to. It’s more affordable—you can even make them out of containers. Clark eventually made it to the top -- as president of Payless ShoeSource.