The Retail Strategy Visionary
The Retail Strategy Visionary
USA
Innovator, entrepreneur, experiential designer and retail expert guiding companies through changing consumer trends and the future of retail.
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Continually pushing the boundaries of experiential retail, Melissa Gonzalez is a Principal at MG2, a global design and architecture firm, and leads the firm’s Advisory Group and AI Proof of Concepts Team. Drawing on her success as a Wall Street executive, as well as a seasoned entrepreneur who has worked side by side with some of the fastest growing direct to consumer companies as well as established global brands, she advises on how to leverage forward thinking consumer trends with innovative strategy from concept through implementation. She leads creative teams and delivers authentic design solutions, helping clients achieve their ultimate vision.
Attendees of Melissa’s keynotes leave enlightened, energized and ready to put her industry insights into practice. Also, the host of the Retail Refined Podcast, she has received prestigious recognitions including: one of The Top 10 Executives in New York City to Watch by New York Business Journal, WWD’s “25 Most Influential Women Leaders of 2022”, and is consistently recognized as one of the leading ‘Women In Design’ and ‘Top Retail Design Influencers of the Year’. When she’s not dreaming up innovative retail spaces, Melissa can be found seeking in unexpected places (like skydiving 10,000 feet above ground).
When you book Melissa Gonzalez for your event, you’re harnessing the brilliance of an industry luminary. Melissa’s remarkable achievements speak volumes: from being honored with the CLIO Image Award for her exceptional work in experiential engagement to her recognition as one of Design: Retail’s “40 under 40.” Her expertise transcends the ordinary, making her the ideal choice for organizations seeking to make their mark.
See keynotes with Melissa GonzalezLearn how a customer centric approach to brick-and-mortar retail helps brands unlock “super consumers” by seamlessly bridging their online business to the physical world.
Via a dive into best-in-class examples of multi-channel retailers strategically meshing e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail, your audience will learn:
How digitization and Artificial Intelligence will push the human mind to reimagine the possibilities of store design and consumer experiences through helping ideate breathtaking design and drive “always learning environments.
In this keynote, we will explore:
Technology is ever changing, and your business must change with it. In this informative talk, Melissa will share how your business can evolve along with the future of your organization’s market.
You will learn:
From a trading desk to leading the industry’s retail shifts, learn how a former Wall Street executive leveraged her skill set in business and finance and her innate gut intuitions to pursue an award winning creative career, including M&A and evolution. Through twists and turns hear how her experiences along the way constantly informed her decisions and path to success.
You will learn:
"I have been researching, reporting on and creating content for the retail industry for more than 12 years and have interacted with my fair share of experts and thought leaders. The ones that provide the most value for our executive community are the ones that provide thought-provoking opinions, pointed advice and real-life examples that allow them to fully comprehend trends and how they impact their business. Melissa consistently checks all of these boxes--and more! She is a top voice on the future of retail and specifically, the power of digital-physical synergy in store environments. She has contributed to dialogue on a multitude of topics, from digitally native brands venturing to brick-and-mortar, to what retailers can learn from experiential spaces and activations. She also has participated in numerous of our content opportunities, including webinars, virtual events, podcasts, videos and in-person events, and is always a hit with our audience. Not to mention, she is a transparent and friendly collaborator and always leads with positive intentions. I would recommend her to any content creator or curator looking to empower the retail community!"
VP of Content - Alicia Esposito
"With her background working with brands across various sectors and her love of storytelling, Melissa Gonzalez brings deep retail expertise and a unique perspective to her speaking engagements — both on stage and on-screen. Drawing from her wealth of retail knowledge from working with some of the industry’s most innovative brands, Melissa shares actionable takeaways that inspire, educate and reinvigorate audience members to level up their retail games. Her warm personality and candid approach make her both an ideal panelist and solo presenter, allowing her to engage and connect quickly with fellow attendees. Her presentations draw audiences in through an immersive narrative and are easy to digest while being packed with valuable intel. She is easily the “go-to” retail expert every conference/event organizer should have on their shortlist."
Editorial Director - Jessie Dowd
Recently we have had the pleasure of having a conversation with our exclusive speaker Melissa Gonzalez, here are some nuggets that she shared with us.
Why do clients typically hire you to speak?
Thought leadership in retail, especially in the physical world. There is a titanic shift happening in the way in which consumers interact with brands and retailers and I sit at the intersection of how that shift is changing brick-and-mortar retail. We help brands and retailers rethink what’s possible, how to reposition the purpose of physical real estate assets.
What are your 3 habits for success? How do you implement these habits into your everyday or weekly routine?
I make lists, prioritize and focus. We are constantly pulled in so many directions that it’s hard to keep track without lists. I am also sure to prioritize the items on my list, and then I carve out blocks of time on my calendar to ensure I allocate the space in my day to dedicate focus to key deliverables. I also interweave open windows of 30 min blocks to allow for space for things like lunch or spontaneous calls or conversations.
What keeps you inspired?
On a daily basis my daughter’s fluid creativity keeps me inspired. In retail, I carve out time to read design magazines, blogs and visit stores weekly. I love seeing what’s happening in the world on an international level and across sectors and industries. We can learn a lot from the hospitality world when it comes to retail for example; as with the entertainment world and retail.
What is the most unique experience you’ve had as a result of your job?
A couple of years ago I was invited to the White House to ideate around how initiatives can be implemented to help small businesses and entrepreneurs in this country. It was two power packed days of meetings with senior executives in business and government with individuals like Shari Redstone, Kal Penn, Senator McCain, founders of Dannijo and others. It was a unique opportunity to sit with leaders, innovators and decision makers to help affect change on a national level.
What are your tips to individuals who are struggling with creativity?
Leave your desk and go for a walk. Allow yourself to engage in real life, in your 3D world, and allow it to inspire you. There are a lot of great online tools like Instagram and Pinterest to provide inspiration but daily interactions, nature and life can be the best way to fuel creativity.
If you were to start your own retail business, what would it be and what would be the 5 key components that you believe would be fundamental for that business’s success?
As a recognized expert in creating immersive retail experiences, what do you believe sets apart a truly memorable brand experience from the rest? I always say, can a guest walk out and describe what they experienced in one sentence? If the answer is yes, then you’ve made a successful impact. A memorable experience is sensorial […]
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