In Conversation with Katie Byrd
Tell us about your background:
I am a strategic women’s fashion buyer and merchandising leader with over 10 years of experience growing multi-million-dollar businesses, developing high-impact brand partnerships, maximizing profitability, and leading teams across luxury, contemporary, and e-commerce retail.
I have managed substantial portfolios—up to 75+ brands and ~$100M in annual sales—while consistently driving growth and profitability. I have also demonstrated a strong track record of launching and scaling brands, including high-profile partnerships with Levi’s, La Ligne, Jenni Kayne, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Eterne.
At Shopbop, I progressed from Assistant Buyer to Senior Buyer, ultimately owning the Women’s Casual Collections business and managing a two-person team. I was successful in building profitable, fast-growing categories, with your business achieving the highest apparel margin companywide and becoming the company’s fastest-growing category.
Currently as Senior Buyer at Tuckernuck, I manage 50 brands with a focus on Denim and Dresses, delivering 10% sales growth and a 5% margin improvement, while expanding the brand portfolio and contributing to cross-functional marketing initiatives.
Earlier in my career at Hampden, I developed a strong foundation in luxury and contemporary buying, working directly with the owner across 100+ brands and gaining hands-on experience in market appointments, assortment selection, inventory management, and vendor relationships.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
Your career doesn't have to follow a straight line. Each role teaches you something different. The goal isn't necessarily to move up as quickly as possible, but to build a toolkit that makes you a stronger and more versatile leader.
Best career advice you've ever received?
Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. Early in your career, it can feel like doing great work should speak for itself. It doesn't always. Make sure people understand the impact you're having and the businesses you've helped build.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
Lead by example. You value being hands-on, accountable, and willing to jump in alongside your team rather than simply delegating.
Empower people. Having managed and developed junior buyers, you seem to value giving people ownership while providing the guidance and context they need to succeed.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
I think the biggest challenge in my career was making the decision to leave a much larger role and take on a position that felt like it could be a step backward. I had spent years building my career in New York, taking on increasingly bigger responsibilities and businesses, so walking away from that was honestly difficult. There was a part of me that worried about what it would look like professionally and whether I was giving up momentum that had taken me years to build.
How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?
I think my definition of success has evolved quite a bit throughout my career. Earlier on, success was very tied to progression—taking on bigger businesses, earning the next title, working with exciting brands, and proving myself in a very fast-paced environment like New York. I was very focused on building my career and seeing how far I could take it.
As I've gotten more senior, moved out of New York, and become a mom, I've realized that success is less about a title or constantly moving to the next thing and much more about the impact I'm having. I want to be challenged and continue growing, but I also want to be intentional about where I put my time and energy.
How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?
Networking has played a really meaningful role in my career. In fact, it directly led to both my opportunities at Shopbop and, ultimately, Tuckernuck. That experience taught me early on that in fashion, relationships are incredibly valuable—not just for finding your next job, but for building a reputation and a community within the industry.
I've always tried to approach networking as more than simply meeting people when I'm looking for something. It's about staying connected, being genuinely interested in other people's careers, helping each other, and maintaining relationships over time. Some of the people I've worked with or met earlier in my career have continued to be part of my professional journey in unexpected ways.
What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
One of the biggest networking lessons I've learned is that there is something valuable to learn from every person you encounter in this business, at every level. Some of the most meaningful relationships in my career haven't necessarily been with the most senior people in the room. Everyone brings a different perspective, experience, and point of view, and you never know who might teach you something or become an important part of your journey.
I've learned to approach networking with genuine curiosity rather than thinking about what someone can do for me. Take the time to listen, ask questions, and build real relationships. The fashion industry is a small world, and the connections you make along the way often come back around in ways you never expect.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-byrd-49260780/
Instagram: @katiewbyrd
