Merchants have more data, more technology, and more tools at their fingertips than ever before. But great merchandising still requires something that can't be found in a report: instinct.

In Part 1 of this Behind the Thread conversation, Anna Kenney, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Thread Advisory Group, sits down with Dani Bentley of Ulta Beauty to discuss the art and science of merchandising, the evolution of the merchant's role, and why human judgment still matters in an increasingly data-driven industry.

Dani's merchandising career has taken her across department stores, apparel, activewear, and beauty, with experience at Bon-Ton, Kohl's, and now Ulta Beauty. Along the way, she's learned that while product categories and customer behaviors may change, the fundamentals of great merchandising remain remarkably consistent: knowing your customer, understanding your product, building relationships, and recognizing opportunity.

But with more information available than ever before, how do merchants know when to trust the data—and when to trust themselves?

As Dani puts it, "The data gives you the confidence to make a decision, and the instinct gives you the courage to do it."

Anna and Dani discuss how merchants develop that instinct through experience, why taking calculated risks remains essential, and how AI could reshape the profession by giving merchants more time to focus on strategy, relationships, and understanding what customers want next.

Dani also shares a real-world example of a merchandising bet that paid off, even when the data alone wouldn't have pointed toward success.

And because this is a conversation between two longtime friends, there's plenty of laughter along the way—including a fun round of beauty-themed "This or That."

In This Episode

• Dani's unexpected path into retail merchandising and her career across apparel, activewear, and beauty
• What great merchandising has in common across different retail categories
• The balance between data, experience, and merchant instinct
• Why more data doesn't always make decisions easier
• How taking calculated risks can uncover opportunities the numbers don't reveal
• A real-world example of a successful merchandising bet
• How AI could free merchants to spend more time on strategy and customer relationships
• Why spending time in stores remains essential to understanding the business
• The importance of curiosity in anticipating what customers want next
• A fun beauty-themed "This or That" with Dani

The Bigger Merchandising Lesson

Technology is changing how merchants work, but it doesn't replace what makes them great.

Data can help identify patterns, validate decisions, and reduce uncertainty. AI may eventually take on more of the analytical work that consumes so much of a merchant's time. But understanding the customer, recognizing opportunities that aren't obvious in the numbers, and having the courage to make a bet still require human judgment.

As Anna and Dani's conversation reinforces, great merchandising isn't about choosing between art and science. It's about knowing how to bring them together.

Carrie Habel, host of Behind the Thread, is a dynamic leader operating at the intersection of retail, leadership, and wellness. As the owner of multiple ventures—including Thread Advisory Group and the Scottsdale chapter of Collective Women’s Leadership—she brings deep expertise in operational transformation, change management, and business growth. With a career that started on the frontlines of retail and expanded into consulting for major brands like Estée Lauder, Nordstrom, and T-Mobile, Carrie is known for helping organizations bridge the gap between strategy and execution.

DISCLAIMER:
The information shared on this podcast is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Behind the Thread, Thread Advisory Group, or Collective Women’s Leadership. This podcast is not a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening does not establish any professional, client, or advisory relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding any questions you may have related to your health, wellness, business, or other specialized matters.

What happens when you finally realize your voice belongs in the room?

Sandra Scibelli has built an impressive career leading teams and retail organizations for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Gap, Ann Taylor, Williams Sonoma, Bath & Body Works, Athleta, Under Armour, and Untuckit.

But her biggest career lesson may have nothing to do with the brands on her résumé.

On this episode of Behind the Thread, host Carrie Habel sits down with Sandra for a candid conversation about leadership, career pivots, mentorship, personal growth, and the moment she realized that sharing her perspective was essential to becoming the leader she wanted to be.

From Art History to Retail Leadership

Sandra graduated with a liberal arts degree focused on art history and visual arts. With a love of fashion, creativity, sports, and leading teams, she found an unexpected starting point by answering an ad in the Boston Globe.

That first opportunity at Gap launched a career that would take her through some of retail's most recognizable brands and into senior leadership.

From managing stores to leading regional teams and eventually becoming Head of US Retail at Untuckit, Sandra has continually expanded her skills and perspective.

The Career Lesson That Changed Everything

One of the most revealing moments in the conversation comes when Sandra shares a time she held back her opinion during a business meeting.

She knew why a product wasn't selling, but her previous experience had taught her to focus on execution rather than challenge the thinking behind the product.

A conversation with her boss changed that.

Her takeaway?

If you can't share your opinion and perspective, it may not be the right place for you.

That realization became a major turning point in her leadership journey.

What You'll Discover

• How Sandra went from a liberal arts degree to a career in retail leadership
• The leadership lessons she learned from iconic brands
• Why mentorship can completely change a career
• What Bath & Body Works taught her about discipline, accountability, and execution
• How being part of smaller companies expanded her entrepreneurial thinking
• The importance of speaking up and sharing your perspective
• How career setbacks can create space for something better
• Why great leaders never stop learning
• The unexpected connection between leadership and BMX style curiosity, creativity, and teamwork

Question for you: Have you ever held back your opinion at work because you thought you were supposed to simply execute?

Watch the episode and tell us in the comments.

Because sometimes the biggest career breakthrough starts with one simple decision:

Speak up.

About Behind the Thread

Behind the Thread, hosted by Carrie Habel, explores the people, leadership lessons, careers, and stories behind the brands and businesses shaping today's world.

Subscribe to Behind the Thread for more conversations with leaders who are building, influencing, and changing the way we work.

Carrie Habel, host of Behind the Thread, is a dynamic leader operating at the intersection of retail, leadership, and wellness. As the owner of multiple ventures—including Thread Advisory Group and the Scottsdale chapter of Collective Women’s Leadership—she brings deep expertise in operational transformation, change management, and business growth. With a career that started on the frontlines of retail and expanded into consulting for major brands like Estée Lauder, Nordstrom, and T-Mobile, Carrie is known for helping organizations bridge the gap between strategy and execution.

DISCLAIMER:
The information shared on this podcast is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Behind the Thread, Thread Advisory Group, or Collective Women’s Leadership. This podcast is not a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening does not establish any professional, client, or advisory relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding any questions you may have related to your health, wellness, business, or other specialized matters.

What if the biggest opportunity for speed isn’t finding faster factories—but changing how brands and manufacturers work together?

A few weeks ago, Thread Co-Founder & Managing Partner Anna Kenney delivered a keynote at the VESTEX Strategic Sourcing Forum in Guatemala on what she learned about brand-manufacturer partnerships while helping build a speed-to-market model at Victoria’s Secret PINK that could take product from idea to stores in just nine days.

Now, she’s bringing that conversation to you.

Join us live on Wednesday, September 9 at 11:00 AM ET for a free webinar exploring what it really takes for brands and manufacturers to create speed together.

REGISTER HERE: Speed to Market: Rethinking Brand-Manufacturer Partnerships | Join meeting in Teams | Microsoft Teams

Feel free to share the webinar with your team, manufacturing partners, or anyone in your network thinking about speed and how we can work differently to create it.

Carrie Habel, host of Behind the Thread, is a dynamic leader operating at the intersection of retail, leadership, and wellness. As the owner of multiple ventures—including Thread Advisory Group and the Scottsdale chapter of Collective Women’s Leadership—she brings deep expertise in operational transformation, change management, and business growth. With a career that started on the frontlines of retail and expanded into consulting for major brands like Estée Lauder, Nordstrom, and T-Mobile, Carrie is known for helping organizations bridge the gap between strategy and execution.

DISCLAIMER:
The information shared on this podcast is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Behind the Thread, Thread Advisory Group, or Collective Women’s Leadership. This podcast is not a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening does not establish any professional, client, or advisory relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding any questions you may have related to your health, wellness, business, or other specialized matters.

In this episode of Behind the Thread, host Carrie Habel sits down with Denise Carman to uncover the real reason many businesses struggle—and it’s not what most leaders think.

With a background in luxury spa and wellness leadership, Denise shares how her experience on the frontlines led her to become a trusted advisor helping high-performing leaders solve complex people and culture challenges. From employee retention to client experience and overall business performance, this conversation reveals what’s really happening behind the scenes when things start to break down.

Together, Carrie and Denise dive into the hidden issues that often go unnoticed—culture drift, communication breakdowns, and leadership inconsistency—and why they are so difficult for leaders to identify early on. Denise explains the subtle warning signs to watch for and how small misalignments can quickly impact team performance and business growth.

They also challenge the common belief that business struggles are rooted in strategy or services, highlighting instead the critical role of people systems. Denise shares what an A+ culture actually looks like in practice and how leaders can create clarity, accountability, and alignment within their teams.

If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader looking to improve team performance, strengthen company culture, and scale with intention, this episode delivers practical insights and real-world perspective you can apply immediately.

About the Guest:

Denise Carman Founder, Carman Consulting | Leadership & Culture Consultant for
Luxury Spas, Med Spas & Wellness Brands Denise Carman of Carman Consulting is a luxury spa consultant and leadership
strategist dedicated to redefining how modern teams operate. With a background in high-level spa leadership and proven revenue impact, she helps organizations move beyond outdated, top-down management into cultures rooted in clarity, accountability, and servant leadership.
At the core of her work is a singular focus: closing the leadership gap that leads to
disengaged teams, operational inefficiencies, and lost revenue. Denise partners with spa owners and executives to build aligned, high-performing teams designed for today’s more complex and dynamic workforce.

Carrie Habel, host of Behind the Thread, is a dynamic leader operating at the intersection of retail, leadership, and wellness. As the owner of multiple ventures—including Thread Advisory Group and the Scottsdale chapter of Collective Women’s Leadership—she brings deep expertise in operational transformation, change management, and business growth. With a career that started on the frontlines of retail and expanded into consulting for major brands like Estée Lauder, Nordstrom, and T-Mobile, Carrie is known for helping organizations bridge the gap between strategy and execution.

DISCLAIMER:
The information shared on this podcast is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Behind the Thread, Thread Advisory Group, or Collective Women’s Leadership. This podcast is not a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening does not establish any professional, client, or advisory relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding any questions you may have related to your health, wellness, business, or other specialized matters.

Welcome back to Behind the Thread, where leadership gets real, a little unfiltered, and apparently… accessorized with purple eye masks. Yes, really.

In this playful and insightful Part 2 episode, host Carrie Habel sits down again with Scott Kerby to talk all things leadership, retail, and what it actually takes to build strong teams (hint: it is not just coffee and good vibes… but those help too ).

Right from the start, you know this episode is going to be different. With a little humor and a lot of honesty, they remind us that leadership does not have to be stiff or serious all the time it can be human, fun, and yes… occasionally involve a “beauty nap” moment.

Underneath the laughs is a powerful conversation about what makes great leaders stand out.

Scott shares his decades long journey through retail from early days in department stores to leading major brands and how one thing has stayed consistent:

Together, they explore:

• Why hiring the right people changes everything
• How great leaders naturally attract other great leaders
• The evolution of retail (hello technology)
• Why leadership is more like hosting a dinner party than managing a team
• The importance of coaching, growth, and developing future leaders

A Moment That Just Hits

At one point, leadership is compared to hosting a great dinner party bringing together the right mix of people to create something memorable.

And honestly… isn’t that what we all want?
To build teams that feel less like “work” and more like a place we belong?

Awwww… yeah, we felt that too.

Get ready for:

• Smart and a little silly
• Insightful without being overwhelming
• Real, honest, and refreshingly human

It is the kind of episode that makes you laugh… and then rethink how you lead.

leadership podcast, retail leadership, team building strategies, business leadership tips, high performance teams, leadership coaching, retail management, leadership development, Behind the Thread podcast, Scott Kirby leadership, Carrie Habel podcast, building strong teams, leadership mindset, business growth strategies

Carrie Habel, host of Behind the Thread, is a dynamic leader operating at the intersection of retail, leadership, and wellness. As the owner of multiple ventures—including Thread Advisory Group and the Scottsdale chapter of Collective Women’s Leadership—she brings deep expertise in operational transformation, change management, and business growth. With a career that started on the frontlines of retail and expanded into consulting for major brands like Estée Lauder, Nordstrom, and T-Mobile, Carrie is known for helping organizations bridge the gap between strategy and execution.

DISCLAIMER:
The information shared on this podcast is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Behind the Thread, Thread Advisory Group, or Collective Women’s Leadership. This podcast is not a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening does not establish any professional, client, or advisory relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding any questions you may have related to your health, wellness, business, or other specialized matters.

Ever had a moment so awkward it turned into something amazing? Carrie Hable kicks off this episode of Behind the Thread with a story you won’t forget a literal face plant that somehow sparked a 20+ year career connection with retail leader Scott Kerby. And trust us… it only gets better from there.

In this Part 1 conversation, Carrie and Scott rewind the clock on a relationship that’s been everything: boss, mentor, client, and friend. Their chemistry is effortless, their stories are real, and their insights? Gold. From their unforgettable first meeting to building a relationship rooted in trust, growth, and a little humor, this episode pulls you in from the very first minute.

Scott takes us behind the scenes of his incredible retail journey—from powerhouse brands like Old Navy, Sephora Canada, Bath & Body Works, and American Eagle to his current role at Purple. But this isn’t just a resume rundown—it’s a masterclass in what makes retail actually work today.

Scott breaks down how today’s most successful stores aren’t just places to buy… they’re places to feel something. From scent and sound to product interaction and storytelling, the brands winning right now are creating moments customers can’t get online.

And at Purple? It’s all about turning curiosity into connection. Most customers walk in not knowing what to expect but within minutes, they’re learning, laughing, and yes… laying on beds. That “try it to believe it” moment? That’s where the magic (and the conversion) happens.

• A rare, authentic look at mentorship that actually shapes careers
• Real talk on why traditional retail models are fading fast
• How experiential retail drives traffic, engagement, and sales
• The secret sauce behind brands that customers want to visit
• Why great talent not just great product is the ultimate differentiator

It’s smart without being stuffy. Insightful without being overwhelming. And filled with those “oh wow, that makes so much sense” moments that stick with you long after the episode ends.

Whether you’re a retail leader, brand builder, entrepreneur, or just someone obsessed with great customer experiences this episode will change the way you think about stores forever.

#experiential #retail, #leadership, Scott Kerby Purple, customer experience strategy, retail trends 2026, in-store experience, retail innovation, brand storytelling, retail careers, store design strategy, Behind the Thread podcast

Carrie Habel, host of Behind the Thread, is a dynamic leader operating at the intersection of retail, leadership, and wellness. As the owner of multiple ventures—including Thread Advisory Group and the Scottsdale chapter of Collective Women’s Leadership—she brings deep expertise in operational transformation, change management, and business growth. With a career that started on the frontlines of retail and expanded into consulting for major brands like Estée Lauder, Nordstrom, and T-Mobile, Carrie is known for helping organizations bridge the gap between strategy and execution.

DISCLAIMER:
The information shared on this podcast is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Behind the Thread, Thread Advisory Group, or Collective Women’s Leadership. This podcast is not a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening does not establish any professional, client, or advisory relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding any questions you may have related to your health, wellness, business, or other specialized matters.

Behind the Thread Podcast starts out strong with host Carrie Habel joined by her close friend Jessica Wiehle for a powerful conversation rooted in purpose, passion, and personal inspiration.

Jessica shares how her mother played a big role in shaping the path that led to her business, AromaWell, and her mission to become a true change-maker in the wellness space. What started as a personal connection evolved into a deeper calling to help others live healthier, more aligned lives.

More About Jessica:
Jessica Wiehle is the Chapter Vice President of Collective Women’s Leadership Scottsdale, Founder and CEO of AromaWell, and the visionary behind CellSpark, a cutting-edge longevity and cellular wellness platform. A nationally recognized clinical aromatherapist and wellness strategist, she blends science, sensory intelligence, and human connection to help individuals and organizations thrive. With a diverse background across healthcare, senior living, and entrepreneurship, Jessica is passionate about empowering women to lead with clarity, purpose, and holistic well-being—creating lasting impact in every space they enter.

DISCLAIMER:
The information shared on this podcast is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thread Advisory Group or Collective Women’s Leadership®.

This podcast is not a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening does not establish any professional, client, or advisory relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding any questions you may have related to your health, wellness, business, or other specialized matters.

Any references to specific products, treatments, services, ingredients, or regulatory topics (including those related to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) are provided for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsements or guarantees of safety or effectiveness. Statements made in this podcast have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Carrie Habel, host of Behind the Thread, is a dynamic leader operating at the intersection of retail, leadership, and wellness. As the owner of multiple ventures—including Thread Advisory Group and the Scottsdale chapter of Collective Women’s Leadership—she brings deep expertise in operational transformation, change management, and business growth. With a career that started on the frontlines of retail and expanded into consulting for major brands like Estée Lauder, Nordstrom, and T-Mobile, Carrie is known for helping organizations bridge the gap between strategy and execution.

DISCLAIMER:
The information shared on this podcast is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Behind the Thread, Thread Advisory Group, or Collective Women’s Leadership. This podcast is not a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening does not establish any professional, client, or advisory relationship. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding any questions you may have related to your health, wellness, business, or other specialized matters.