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Mary Wiegand is founder and CEO of Boon LLC, a merchandising and inventory planning and management company that’s worked with brands like Briogeo, Ouai, and R.e.m. Beauty.
How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? I’m at the helm of a team of talented retail merchandise planners as it charts new territory providing demand planning services for retail businesses of all kinds. We have a two-fold mission: empower our team to work and be multi-passionate while providing top-notch sales and inventory forecasting for retail businesses of all kinds.
One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? Working with business coaches and consultants from other areas of expertise is a huge part of why Boon has experienced this degree of success. I walk my talk. I think product-based businesses need the expert support of Boon and I know I need the support of other experts to develop as a leader and to run this business.
What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? My favorite project is absolutely anytime we can help a dedicated founder who has taken the risk to bring a new product to the market but doesn’t have the retail background to accurately report on the inventory needs of the business. An example: We supported the female founders of a fast-growing product that solves a major need for new nursing (or pumping!) moms. Their product is fabulous and so, of course, the sales were rolling in but the team was consistently struggling to stay on top of inventory and avoid out-of-stocks in core items. Boon put our functional expertise to work to build a full demand plan, by item, by channel for the next 12 months. We then partnered with the founders to align on the results and what inventory would be needed to support this growth.
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Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about this year, and why? Sustainability! In order to keep all of us happy and healthy on this planet, focus on the environment is crucial. I’m so excited that sustainable products and real estate are a trend focus for the industry.
What’s your go-to coffee order? Venti skinny vanilla latte. I keep it to one but there are many days I crave two!
Worst piece of advice you’ve received? Create your own work-life balance. To me, that implies some kind of even split. I’ve never been able to create a balance, and it leads to greater feelings of disappointment in myself when I can’t. Instead, I’ve found creating a blend between work and life is the way to go. Work or life are never going to be 50/50. Finding a fluid mixture of work and life helps me feel empowered and present.
What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? At age 15, anything from Delia’s. The day the catalog arrived in the mail brought pure teenage joy. And now, the Good & Gather Organic Popcorn and my Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.