Monday Morning Radio

Marcy Syms became the youngest female president of a publicly traded New York Stock Exchange company when she was named to the position with her family’s business in 1983. At its peak, the Syms chain of off-price, brand-name fashion stores operated 46 outlets across 16 states, generating annual sales approaching $350 million. The chain’s slogan — coined by founder Sy Syms, Marcy’s father — was iconic: “An educated consumer is our best customer.” While Syms was not the very first off-price fashion retailer when it opened its original store in 1959, Sy and Marcy Syms went on to define the sector and dominate it until — faced with increased competition and a soft economy — Syms filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors in 2011 after more than 50 years. Marcy shares her compelling story and the story of Syms Corporation in a new book, set for release on August 26th. The book is titled Leading with Respect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer. “Respect,” as she explains on this week’s podcast, is the key t