From The San Francisco Business Times

Media

Background: About 20 years in specialty retail; eight years at Smith & Hawken, where I grew up as a merchant. ... Then I had the opportunity to go to Restoration Hardware where I launched the catalog and online business.

First job: In high school, one of my best friends and I started a hair accessory business.

Education: B.A. in philosophy from Wesleyan University.

Residence: Mill Valley.

Business philosophy

Best way to keep competitive edge: In retail, it’s about product — product innovation and quality. Retail is theater. As much as people want you to stay the same, you also have to stay relevant. ... One thing I’m proud of is we’ve partnered with an independent curator to produce new gallery shows.

Guiding principle: I love to surround myself with talent and then get the hell out of the way. ... I’m also very respectful of relationships, whether with buyers, suppliers or vendors.

Yardstick of success: This is a very challenging environment (for retail) right now. We’re in an environment of declining sales, and usually retail success is growth and earnings. ... I also look to customer and employee satisfaction.

Goal yet to be achieved: Sustaining Gump’s in the future as a relevant and viable brand.

Judgment calls

Best business decision: Hiring my direct reports, my key people.

Worst business decision: In the sequencing of investment priorities, not investing in online quickly enough.

Toughest business decision: Having to lay off people. We recently had to cut our overhead by about 15 percent, and that meant some reorganizing, which affected a handful of people.

Biggest missed opportunity: A commitment to or investment in product development.

Mentor: Stephen Gordon, the founder of Restoration Hardware, and its current CEO, Gary Friedman.

Word that best describes you: Optimistic.

True confessions

Like best about job: Gump’s is a very creative platform from a merchandising and marketing perspective.

Like least about job: Being accountable for a 148-year-old brand in a really challenging environment.

Pet peeve: Living up to people’s expectations of the brand when the expectations are a bit mythical at this point.

Most important lesson learned: At (Restoration Hardware), I sometimes thought stores were a pain in the butt. ... I was more a catalog girl. My first real holiday here in 2007, I fell in love with the store ... and retail.

Most respected competitor: Neiman Marcus.

Three greatest passions: My family, the beauty of the Bay Area and creative collaboration with my team.

First choice for a new career: Chief marketing officer at a cool brand.

Predilections

Favorite quote: “There are two ways of spreading light: To be the candle or the mirror that reflects it,” Edith Wharton.

Most influential book: “West With the Night” by Beryl Markham.

Favorite cause: Education.

Favorite status symbol: That I get to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge every day.

Favorite movie: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Favorite restaurant: My husband’s cooking.

Favorite vacation spot: Healdsburg or skiing in Utah.

Favorite way to spend free time: Doing very little on my back terrace.

What do you drive: BMW wagon.