Strategy
Description
Maxine Clark shares how her need for a dynamic and fun customer experience led her down the path of creating one of America's most enjoyable retail businesses. (Duration 4:58)
Biography
Maxine Clark is the Chairman and Chief Executive Bear for Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., an interactive, make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience.
From November 1992 until January 1996, Ms. Clark was the President of Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a leading footwear retailer. Prior to joining Payless, Ms. Clark spent more than 19 years in various divisions of The May Department Stores Company in areas including merchandise development, merchandise planning, merchandise research, marketing and product development.
In 1997 she founded Build-A-Bear Workshop and has served as its Chief Executive Bear from the beginning. She served as President from 1997 to 2004, and she became Chairman in April 2000.
Ms. Clark is a Director of The J.C. Penney Company, Inc. She also serves on the Board of the International Council of Shopping Centers and Washington University in St. Louis, and is a Director of BJC Healthcare, a nonprofit healthcare organization.
