Brian Kaczanowski

Driven and passionate data-informed brand strategist with a proven track record of driving economic and business growth. Leads end-to-end commercial journey rooted in the science and art of hospitality to deliver highly personalized customer experience, achieve mission critical targets and optimize the brand across all commercial touchpoints.

General Manager at Municipal (2024-05 – Present)

Leadership role managing retail operations and team

• Recruit, hire, train, and coach staff members on customer service skills, product knowledge, sales, and health & safety standards.
• Opened the very first brick-and-mortar store for the brand from the ground up
• Consistently exceed monthly sales goals and have increased critical KPI's such and A$PT and UPT.

General Manager at James Perse Malibu (2023-09 – 2024-05)

Managed flagship apparel and home stores generating over $5M in sales

• Managed both flagship apparel and home stores generating over $5M in sales overseeing a team of 12
• Exceeded year-over-year monthly comps for volume and KPI's through client outreach and strategic planning
• Successfully redesigned existing inventory system, backstock and off-site storage resulting in a 15% improvement of shrink vs. prior year.

Director of Retail at The Optimist (2019-10 – 2023-08)

Provided leadership and strategic direction for menswear brand with 10 direct reports

• Provided leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for menswear brand with a total of 10 direct reports; drove development and execution of original commercial concepts encompassing brick & mortar and e-commerce sales channels
• Launched The Optimist brand to market by developing e-commerce, hiring and training the brick & mortar team, while partnering with Creative Director on store buy and allocation to beat sales projections consistently year after year.
• Refined customer experience model to ensure that the highest level of service was at the forefront of new and existing initiatives.
• Controlled budget and allocated resources accordingly for various aspects (payroll, marketing, brand activations) while minimizing overhead costs and driving sales.

General Manager at James Perse (2016-05 – 2019-10)

Oversaw multi-store consignment operations and full-line store

• Oversaw multi-store consignment stores inside of Bloomingdales for both men's and women's apparel
• Promoted to full line store in Hollywood, designing and implementing sales strategies to ensure quality and consistent shopping experiences while driving double digit sales volume increases.
• Grew store network through event planning, samples sales and community outreach

Store Manager at Helmut Lang (2014-12 – 2016-05)

Day-to-day operations management of retail location

• Accountable for the day-to-day operations of the Brentwood location, as well as, supporting the needs of the Melrose location.
• Built, coached and retained a high-performing team that met sales goals while providing exceptional customer service.
• Organized off site sales pop-ups to drive sales and brand awareness.

Department Manager at Nordstrom (2007-07 – 2014-12)

Led multi-department team generating $4.2M in annual sales

• Led a 20-member team that worked between multiple departments. Through servant leadership, cultivating a selling culture and people development the departments generated $4.2M in annual sales.
• Facilitate an energized pace and positive service environment that focused on reflecting the company's values
• Taught "Selling is Service" class for all new sales associates to elevate their sales techniques.

B.S. in Retailing – Michigan State University (2006)