Connect
To Top

Meet Syama Meagher of Scaling Retail

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Syama Meagher.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I guess you could say retail was always a part of me. When I was 9 I wrote a paper on Macy’s and why everything kept going on sale, I even got the nickname of Macy’s for a little while! My love of the industry grew. While growing up in San Francisco, during the high school years, I would be scouring the job board at LVMH while developing a love of economics. When I moved to New York my mission was clear: get on the business side of fashion. I guess it would come as no surprise that I landed in the Business Development Program at Macy’s. Talk about a full circle moment!

From there I went on to Barneys New York E-commerce, growing the Gucci Outlet business from $50M to $100M in two years, and I eventually ended up as the Director of Merchandising at startup AHAlife before coming back to the West Coast and landing in Los Feliz. I founded Scaling Retail in NYC, but given that our clients are global, moving to Los Angeles was no biggie. I’ve been here now 5 years, and it’s been incredible to be a part of the NYC fashion migration.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I believe you have to have a lot of guts to start a business. Somehow I believe that I can do all of this, and I can. It’s an incredible feeling. There is no such thing as a work/life balance for me. I believe every day is life, and I’m lucky to do what I do.

Just last year I was nominated as one of WWD Top Women Leaders in Business, you don’t make that list unless you are hustling… So yeah, it has been tough at times, but totally worth it. The biggest challenge right now would be not delegating enough. I try so hard, but it’s hard to not be involved in all aspects of your business.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Scaling Retail story. Tell us more about the business.
I have a kick-ass global team of brand builders, storytellers, developers, designers, marketers, and merchandisers. Scaling Retail works with fashion retail companies to launch and scale up. Our client list includes United Nations (Nepal Pashmina Collective), Rhode Resort (based in Los Angeles), and Sugarhigh Lovestoned (LA/Hawaii), amongst a portfolio of ten.

We choose our clients and much as they choose us. I am a big believer in digital natives needing brick & mortar and vice versa, so we work with clients on 360* positioning from popups to PPC. Brands and retailers turn to us to consult on retail strategy across product, sales, and marketing. I am most proud of our involvement with the Downtown Women’s Center. I am on a committee for the DWC Social Enterprise, MADE by DWC, to impact retail strategy. I look forward to seeing how our deep expertise in fashion and retail can impact women and homelessness in Los Angeles.

How do you, personally, define success? What’s your criteria, the markers you’re looking out for, etc?
I go after what I want without being too attached. For most successful entrepreneurs your first business is usually not your last, and I don’t think I am any different. The constant learning, challenges, and wins all define success for me today, but it’s what they will do for me in the future that I am most excited about. Success is waking up knowing how I got here and knowing that I am cultivating a future me that is made up of a million present moments.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Phoebe Wong

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in