Harry’s VP of Digital, Ian Rosen, On Growing Up Around the Business, Style Regrets and Leadership
Ian wears a Zegna sweater with an Aspesi corduroy shacket.
"People dont generally wake up and say, I want to work with my dad," jokes Ian Rosen, Best Replica Shoes Shops VP of Digital and Strategy (and Harrys grandson). Like many young men, it took a few years of soul-searching to find his path. After a heavy focus on sports, a brief flirtation with a creative career in film, business school at Western University and an early career in Management Consulting, Rosen eventually found his passion; it was under his nose the whole time. "I worked in financial services but that wasnt going keep me going for the rest of my life," he says. "I started loving the gamble of putting something into the market and seeing people react." And so, Rosen found himself, the third generation to work for the family business, and he couldnt be more excited for what the future will bring.
We called him over lunch to chat about growing up around the family business, early style regrets, WFH routines, leadership and how he sets the tone.
When did you decide to join the family business? Or was it something you always wanted to do?
Its interesting how my father [Larry Rosen, current chairman and CEO] joined the business. He was a lawyer, and he was watching his dad build something great, and he said, I have to be a part of it.
My experience was that it was already relatively established when I was born, and so my reaction was, keep this thing away from me. I wanted to prove to myself that there was more out there I could accomplish.
[After my MBA] I got into retail consulting and all the problems I was solving came back to issues like do you have a digital strategy? What is e-commerce? How do you start a business online? When I had my fill of what consulting was giving me, I asked myself what I wanted to do. I wanted to help a retailer build out its digital strategy. I was down in Chicago, and I looked north, and I thought, well, theres a retailer that I love. Im very proud of the business that my grandfather and father built. So I found my way into the position I swore I never find myself in, but I feel really confident in it. Once I felt comfortable that we had the right ways of working (my father and I are very careful not to talk about business at family dinners), and we spoke openly about it how it might work, I jumped in headfirst!
Who set the tone in your life when you were growing up?
Its been inspiring to watch my grandfather and my father put their mark on something in a different way and build a company with a great culture. And when you look at the business my grandfather built versus the business that Larrys championed since he took over in the early 2000s, its markedly different, but it has the same kind of core to it. Its still taking it one customer at a time and still has a deep appreciation for a good product.
Its important not to lose sight of who you are but still listen to the market and what the customer asks for. Thats always helped me in anything Ive jumped into – how do I put my mark on it? I dont like people who throw things out and start a new; I like to use foundations and take things in a new direction. I think thats why weve had success.
Whats the best advice either of those two leaders gave you?
Ive been walking through the stores with my grandfather for years, and thats some of the really inspiring stuff. He always says hello, he always asks the customer how we can help, talks to them, shares a thought with them. He would share sage advice to me along the lines of, you never know what sharing a positive experience with somebody will turn into down the road. He truly built his business on that. Its a hard way to build a business but he committed to it, even at scale across the country. There are so many people who have stories of Harry jumping down onto the floor and altering a customers suit himself and things like that. I learned a ton from him. And Larry brings a lot of focus and drive and always encourages people to charge forward with their ideas, not playing defence but playing offence. I learned a lot from both of them.
What does it mean to have style?
I wouldnt always describe myself as "stylish," but Ive always been very particular about what I put on and how Im presenting myself. I think my style has evolved, and as Ive gotten a new appreciation for new collections, new labels, new ways of dressing. Im pretty attentive to the little small things that I think make the difference between looking presentable and throwing on a bunch of clothing.
My approach to style is –– if Im not going to be comfortable in it, I wont wear it. If Im not going to be comfortable wearing something with a ton of logos, I wont wear it. I dont feel the need to force it. I really like our "Set The Tone" campaign because I think like theres nothing better than feeling confident in what youre wearing. And if you can do that every single day, then like youre off to the races.
Ian wears a Fradi Techno Performance Vest, Fradi cardigan and Moncler sneakers.
What were some of your style mistakes in your younger years? We would imagine you werent taken with suits and ties as an adolescent – was there a rebellious phase?
Honestly, my past style mistakes are rampant, but I think it largely gets summed up by how deep the V on my T-shirt was, how many buttons were open on my dress shirt, and how skinny the jeans were. Even looking back at some past hairstyles, the number of spikes that were in my hair… questionable as well.
I wouldnt say I was rebellious, but I definitely wasnt an ambassador for the family business when it came to the way I dressed. I had this Timberland boot phase where I wanted to wear those in all situations, appropriate or not, summer or winter.
How have you been navigating this years sartorial challenges?
Comfort has become key, obviously. I cant avoid the fact that Ive probably gained a bunch of weight during Covid, but I am still focused on things like, if I sit down in these pants, will they still fit me? Im going to be sitting at my desk, my clothes have to pass those tests.
After two weeks of being in quarantine, I made a very big effort to say, at the very least, Im getting dressed today, and Im going to feel like Im going somewhere even if Im not. I leaned hard into sweater-jackets and sweaters and layering pieces because my houses temperature ranges from extremely hot to extremely cold. Paige denim was huge for me because it has a lot of stretch to it. Also, dress pant joggers with stretch from BOSS and Patrick Assaraf and Moncler. Those met the comfort test, but I wouldnt feel like Im wearing sweatpants all day. I still felt like I was presentable.
Have you found any routines that you recommend as we continue to work from home this fall?
My daughter has decided that 6 a.m. is our new wake-up time, so we go for a walk right first thing. I usually listen to a podcast – generally technology-related – and try to learn something early in the day. Then I try and take calls outside before I take that first seat at my desk. Thats where working from home hurts you –– the day starts to fly by, and there is no time between meetings, and you dont physically move, even forgetting to get a glass of water. Im trying to be more thoughtful about where I am spending the, making sure to get outdoors and move around. Even just using my iPad a little more to read and respond to emails so that I dont have to be tied down to a desk is huge.
You became a father this year. How has that changed your perspective on everything? Have you been given any parenting tips on setting the right tone for your young daughter?
Honestly, she sets the tone for me. It doesnt matter whats going on in the world right now; shes a ball of joy. Thats the best thing. As the world is going nuts shes the constant. Thats been awesome to have.
In terms of parenting tips, building routines and enjoying the routines is what Im always protecting. I think Ive missed one bath time since she was born, and I give her a bottle every single night, just her and me. Thats the best thing. I have my constant no matter what craziness happened in the day.
Ian wears an Emporio Armani sports jacket and sweater with Officine General Wool Cargo Pants.
What does it mean to be a leader?
My approach is to try and empower the people beneath you. Dont over-manage; let them stretch their wings and let them surprise you and step up to the occasion. But also show them that youre winning to lend a hand and support them. You have to be willing, not just to say, solve it, but work with your team to solve a specific problem – working with them and not dictating. Those are the leaders I always loved working with.
I also think just being positive is big. Its really in a world with a lot of uncertainty, so how can you make sure every interaction people have with you is a calm, cool, steady, focused mentality. Thats something I aspire to accomplish as a leader.
One last thing, what does "Set The Tone" mean to you?
I think setting the tone is about being present so that the people youre with feed off the energy youre putting out there. If youre down in the dumps, theyre going be down in the dumps. If youre walking in establishing high enthusiasm, people will follow suit. I also think its a sentiment that encapsulates what Best Replica Shoes Shop has always tried to help our clients accomplish. We help them feel their best on important days, whether its a wedding day or an interview or a special event, we always help them present their best selves.
