Maxine Clark
Maxine Clark is one of the true innovators in the retail industry. In 1997, she founded Build-A- Bear Workshop, a teddy-bear themed retail entertainment experience. Today, there are more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide along with its award winning online virtual world. Under Maxine's leadership, Build-A-Bear Workshop was named to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the third year in a row in 2011.
During her 30+-year career, Maxine's ability to spot emerging retail and merchandising trends and her insight into the desires of the American consumer have generated growth for retail leaders, including department store, discount and specialty stores. Maxine's extra curricular passion is public education and she serves on many boards that are dedicated to improving the education of children.
Topic Categories
- Leadership, Management
- Entrepreneurs, Networking
- Business - Retail
Accomplishments
- Maxine Clark is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Bear Build-A-Bear Workshop
- She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and holds an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from St. Louis University
- She is author of "The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart," published in 2006.
- In 2008, Maxine was named one of The 25 Most Influential People in Retailing by Chain Store Age.
- Maxine was inducted into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Maxine was named a Customer-Centered Leader in the 2005 Customer First Awards by Fast Company.
- In 2011, Build-A-Bear Workshop was named to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the third year in a row.
- Build-A-Bear Workshop won Portfolio Company of the Year in 2005 by the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies
In Her Words
Note: Maxine donates her speaking fee to charities.
Key Notes
Fee Range: 5,000 to 10,000 USD Lives In: St. Louis, Missouri
Presentation Titles
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