EP52 Melanie Smallwood: My C-Suite Journey Navigating E-commerce & Sustainable Fashion Leadership

The Trailblazers Experience Podcast

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EP52 My next guest features Melanie Smallwood, the inspiring Group Chief Commercial and Brand Partnerships Officer at the Global Fashion Group
Ever wondered how resilience and determination can shape a stellar career in the fashion industry?
From her humble beginnings on the shop floor at Harrods to her strategic move to Harvey Nichols in Saudi Arabia, Melanie shares the remarkable journey that propelled her to the forefront of the e-commerce world with eBay. Gain insights into her unique career path, her innovative transition into the digital space, and the invaluable lessons she learned about balancing professional growth with family life.
Chapters
00:00 Career Journey of Melanie Smallwood
11:57 Building High-Energy, Productive Teams
22:23 Empowering Women in Leadership
33:30 Adapting Fashion Industry to Sustainability
43:11 Balancing Career and Family Priorities
56:56 Trailblazer Takeaway Tips for Success
Melanie also dives into the art of building high-energy, productive teams. She discusses the blend of academic intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit required to drive commercial excellence, emphasizing that traditional educational backgrounds are not the only path to success. With personal anecdotes, she highlights the importance of resilience, inclusivity, and leadership adaptability to cater to diverse cultural and individual needs. Discover her strategies for fostering an innovative environment where team members are encouraged to take risks and learn from failures.
Finally, explore the evolving landscape of the fashion industry with a focus on sustainability and ethical consumption. Melanie shares how the Global Fashion Group stays ahead with agile and customer-centric approaches, pioneering sustainable practices, and managing the delicate balance between a demanding career and personal life. Listen to her heartfelt reflections on setting boundaries and investing in family well-being. Melanie’s trailblazer takeaway tips for success – kindness, humility, and persistence – offer a treasure trove of wisdom for aspiring leaders and anyone looking to achieve fulfilment in both their professional and personal lives.
Find Melanie
Linkedin uk.linkedin.com/in/melaniesmallwood
Instagram melaniesmallwood.co.uk

Listen : to the audio version Apple Spotify .Amazon Music Google Podcasts
Watch and subscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Thetrailblazersexperience
Follow Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/thetrailblazersexperience/

Chapter

1. Career Journey of Melanie Smallwood (00:00:00)

2. Building High-Energy, Productive Teams (00:11:57)

3. Empowering Women in Leadership (00:22:23)

4. Adapting Fashion Industry to Sustainability (00:33:30)

5. Balancing Career and Family Priorities (00:43:11)

6. Trailblazer Takeaway Tips for Success (00:56:56)