Podcast
The co-lab career stories
Hosted by the co-lab · EN
Welcome to the co-lab career stories podcast, a collective of professionals dedicated to sharing their experiences working in the fashion, beauty, wellness, retail and consumer luxury industries. Hear from CEOs, early career professionals and everything in between as the co-lab members interview each other, sharing their career stories, big pivots, worst jobs, best career advice, and remind us no two career paths are the same. Visit jointhecolab.com to learn more, become a member, tell your story, and follow us @jointhecolab. We can’t wait to network with you. X Kristy, co-lab founder.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Rachel Swanson - Founder, Method + Mode
3w ago00:19:47Tap to summarizeRachel Swanson is the founder of Method + Mode, a consultancy delivering primary research for product innovation, audience development, and brand building across beauty, fashion, wellness, tech, CPG, and media. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with early-stage startups and global brands, previously holding senior strategy and insights roles at Condé Nast (Glamour, W, Corporate) and agency-side at Digitas and POSSIBLE (WPP).In this episode, Lexie Bettina sits down with Rachel to explore her path from sociology research to founding Method & Mode. Rachel opens up about her early roles at Digitas and Condé Nast, the leap into independent consulting, and how she's using AI to scale research and help partners build AI-native insights functions.
Transcribe →Lexie Bettina - Creative Project Manager
Jun 3000:12:32Tap to summarizeLexie is a creative project manager and producer with twelve years of experience, over 500 completed shoots, and published content that has reached more than 16 billion people worldwide.She has overseen tens of millions in annual production budgets and led high-visibility 360 campaigns, including years in-house at CHANEL for the US Market, with work spanning VOGUE, NIKE, and some of the most iconic brands in the world. She is also the co-founder of STILETTO, a post-production company based in New York City, where she continues to take on freelance creative projects of distinction.In this episode, Rachel Swanson sits down with Lexie to trace her career from fashion marketing at SCAD to leading campaigns for Versace and Chanel. Lexie opens up about the power of side projects, building a business around trusted collaborators, and why she sees AI as an operational asset rather than a creative threat.
Transcribe →Lindsay Denninger - Brand Voice Expert
May 1200:19:30Tap to summarizeLindsay Denninger is an award-winning writer, editorial director, celebrity interviewer, two-time Jeopardy! contestant, and storyteller who magically turned a love for nostalgic pop culture into a job. She's worked with brands like Kate Spade New York, Ann Taylor, UNIQLO, and Amazon, and she's currently the Copy Director at SPANX. She lives on Long Island with her family.In this episode, Suzy West chats with Lindsay about navigating a winding career between freelance and full-time roles. Lindsay shares how she builds brand voice, the story behind her Gossip Girl book, and advice on taking creative risks while trusting your own taste.
Transcribe →Suzi West - The Retail Sherpa
May 500:24:13Tap to summarizeSuzi West has built her career at the intersection of commerce and creativity — translating brand identity into physical space, and experiences that drive sales. From the halls of L Brands and Knitwell Group to founding her own boutique, Collier West, she has lived every side of the industry. A former director with a rare combination of corporate leadership, entrepreneurial experience, and boutique instincts, she consults under the name The Retail Sherpa. She’s the reason your credit card jumps out of your pocket.In this episode, Lindsay Denninger chats with Suzi, a marketing and retail veteran who went from "retail grad school" at L Brands to launching her own luxury boutique, and learned hard lessons about identity, reinvention, and knowing when to walk away.
Transcribe →Jelena Beliard - Founder, BELLE CHASSE
Mar 300:19:47Tap to summarizeJelena Beliard is the founder of BELLE CHASSE, a brand transformation consultancy based in New York and Paris. She has one core obsession: clarity. After 25 years working with fashion and retail's most iconic brands — Victoria's Secret PINK, Vanessa Bruno, Maurices — she has learned that most brand problems are not creative problems, they are clarity problems. She finds what's off, what's misaligned, and what nobody is saying out loud. Then she fixes it. Jelena lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.In this episode, Tanya Windman talks with Jelena about trading corporate fashion for independence, what drove the decision, how she helps brands spot where their customer experience falls apart, and what it actually takes for leaders to hear hard feedback. Plus, why having the right community around you makes all the difference when you're out on your own.
Transcribe →Tanya Windman - Founder, joi
Feb 2400:15:12Tap to summarizeTanya believes women should be able to enjoy the journey of building and that the right environment makes all the difference. She is the founder of joi, a membership community for women in NYC actively bringing their vision to life, and a 1:1 advisor supporting women through pivotal moments. Through her consultancy Windy&Co., she brings that same human-centered lens to membership clubs, hospitality brands, and lifestyle companies seeking engagement and retention strategies that actually work. With a background in sociology, marketing and mindfulness facilitation, she's spent the past decade where community building meets commercial results.In this episode, Jelena Beliard sits down with Tanya to trace her journey from sociology and ad agencies to wellness and eventually building a consultancy for women founders. Tanya shares how authenticity and trusting the process have guided her biggest life and career transitions.
Transcribe →Laura Konitzer - Co-Founder of Lighthouse Labs
Feb 1700:09:57Tap to summarizeLaura Konitzer is a founder building AI-powered decision tools for fashion and retail teams. She also works with brands on AI strategy and practical adoption. Previously, she spent nearly a decade at BCG advising global fashion and consumer brands.In this episode, Svenja Hofe interviews Laura, who brings nearly a decade of experience advising fashion and luxury brands. Laura shares her transition from consulting into fashion tech and AI, and they discuss how AI is reshaping the industry and the challenges around data readiness.
Transcribe →Jessica Mayfield - Stylist
Feb 1000:17:53Tap to summarizeJessica Mayfield is a stylist and creative director working at the intersection of story and aesthetics. With a background in writing, her work is grounded in narrative and intention. Over the past sixteen years, she has collaborated with clients including Adidas, the OKC Thunder, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and STATE, with projects recognized by Marriott’s Design Hotels collection and Oklahoma’s first Michelin Key in 2024.In this episode, Reut Ringel sits down with Jessica to discuss her non-linear creative career and how her recent autism and ADHD diagnosis has shaped her approach to styling and storytelling. Jessica shares insights on building genuine relationships, staying adaptable, and creating success on her own terms from Oklahoma City.
Transcribe →Reut Ringel - Founder & Creative Director, Reut New York
Feb 300:14:56Tap to summarizeReut Ringel is the founder and creative director of Reut New York, a fine jewelry house based in New York City that blends art, innovation, and sustainability into every piece. A graduate of Parsons The New School of Design, she is known for pioneering the world’s first permanent Black Gold through a patent-pending process that reimagines traditional luxury. Reut’s sculptural designs, inspired by organic forms and crafted with a commitment to zero-waste practices, challenge conventions in fine jewelry while honoring craftsmanship and conscious design.In today's episode, Jessica sat down with Reut Ringel to discuss her journey from music student to jewelry designer. Reut shares how she created her signature black gold pieces and her vision for expanding the brand into lifestyle products.
Transcribe →Lindy Fox - Founder, Lindy Fox
Jan 2700:20:46Tap to summarizeLindy Fox is the founder of LindyFox.com a California-based clothing line of matching family sets for photoshoots. The brand calls upon the expertise of artisans to create truly unique pieces. Observing a sustainable, process-focused practice, the brand operates in a Made-On-Demand model. Each piece is created only after the customer purchases it, then lovingly made in the Dominican Republic, ensuring fair labor practices every step of the way. Lindy was raised on a California farm where playing in cotton fields is one of her earliest memories!In this episode, Anna Kimelman sits down with Lindy to discuss the power of made-on-demand manufacturing in creating truly sustainable fashion. Lindy reveals how her unique approach challenges traditional industry practices and what it takes to build a clothing brand with purpose.Resonance: resonancecompanies.comLindy's Website: LindyFox.com
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