In this Flight of The Retail Pilot - Leaders & Legends, Ken speaks with Sharon Leite, CEO of Ideal Image, former CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe and Retail Leader at companies such as Gap, Bath and Body Works and Pier 1.

Key Takeaways of the Episode:

* Passion and Connection to Mission: Sharon emphasizes that passion for the business, brand, product, and mission is more important than monetary compensation. Connecting personally with your work is crucial for long-term success.

* Career Stages and Growth: Sharon's career evolved through three distinct stages: learning the business and consumer experience, turning around businesses, and applying her knowledge to legacy brands. Each stage contributed to her growth and success.

* Due Diligence and Understanding: Sharon learned the importance of thorough due diligence when considering new opportunities. Understanding the company, industry, and board's vision is essential for a successful and fulfilling career.

* Surrounding Yourself with the Right Team: Building a team that shares the vision and understands what excellence looks like is crucial, especially in situations requiring rapid change or turnaround. Having the right people in the right roles accelerates progress.

* Transforming a Business: Sharon's experience at the Vitamin Shoppe highlights the significance of rebranding, understanding the customer, telling compelling stories, and aligning with industry experts. This transformation ultimately led to success despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.

* Adaptation during COVID-19: The Vitamin Shoppe faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. She had to fight to reopen their stores, and what allowed her to do so was a focus on selling essential items like food, functional foods, and water.

* Preparation paid off: Before the pandemic, the company had made strategic investments in e-commerce, technology, and loyalty programs. This preparation proved crucial, as they didn't have to scramble to implement services like online pickup, curbside pickup, etc., when COVID-19 hit. This readiness accelerated their growth during the pandemic.

* Leadership through presence and celebration: Sharon emphasized the importance of showing up, especially during tough times. She visited distribution centers, stores, and events, creating a celebratory environment within the company. This approach helped foster a sense of appreciation and connectedness among the team.

* Transition from public to private company: Sharon’s company transitioned from being a public to a private company. This move allowed her to focus on long-term business improvements without being beholden to short-term investor expectations.

* Reimagining Ideal Image: Recently, Sharon transitioned to a new company, Ideal Image, with the goal of building a comprehensive women's lifestyle brand in beauty, health, and wellness. She plans to reimagine various aspects of the business, including services, culture, products, and market leadership. She also hinted at a potential move into health and wellness.

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