Today, I’m thrilled to sit down with Ryan Ross—former President of Neiman Marcus and a brand builder who’s brought purpose, meaning, and magic to some of the world’s most iconic retailers, from Harrods, Williams and Sonoma and Neimans. In an age of frictionless commerce, Ryan helped redefine what a modern luxury experience looks like—anchored not just in exclusivity, but in values, relationships, and relevance. This is the evolution of the digital velvet rope. Does the velvet rope of luxury retail guard the exclusive—or offer a hidden unexpected moment that matters. Let’s go find out. A few key aways from our conversation.1. Luxury at Scale Still Has to Feel Personal Ryan reminds us: in the digital age, exclusivity isn’t about access behind a velvet rope, it’s about intimacy. Great brands create emotional, high-touch experiences no matter the channel. 2. Great Brands Don’t Chase Relevance - They Create It Through Storytelling Legacy brands don’t stay relevant by reacting—they lead with stories that resonate. For Ryan, brand storytelling isn’t marketing, it’s meaning, delivered with purpose. 3. Leadership Means Creating Moments, Not Just Metrics One of Ryan’s most lasting impacts is his belief that moments, whether online or in-store, build trust and loyalty far beyond transactions. Because in the end, people remember how you made them feel, not just what you sold.Thanks for listening to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you are listening to it. We would appreciate subscribing to our podcast so you can hear the newest one and leave us a positive review – we do love that.
