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The Nordy Pod — Business
The Nordy Pod

Hi, I’m Pete Nordstrom, and I’m the host of The Nordy Pod, a new podcast coming to you from the 6th floor of Nordstrom corporate headquarters in Seattle, Washington. In addition to hosting this podcast, I also happen to be the president of Nordstrom. And along with my brother Erik, CEO, and my cousin Jamie, President of Stores, we’re the fourth-generation stewards of this business started by my great grandfather in 1901.

My Nordstrom journey began when I was 12 years old with my first job working in the stockroom. And along the way, I’ve met so many incredible people, from iconic artists and CEOs to cultural and community leaders and fashion entrepreneurs—as well as many of our thousands of employees and millions of customers.

One thing I’ve found helpful in running a company and hosting a podcast is the importance of having a strong sense of curiosity. Over the years, I’ve found myself in some very interesting conversations with people I greatly admire. These cumulative experiences have really enriched my life, and with The Nordy Pod, I’m excited to have the opportunity to share both professional and personal experiences with you.

So join me on a journey as I take you deep into a business that also happens to be a public company. You’ll go behind the scenes with me and hear firsthand exactly what I do in my day job, warts and all, in the hopes of making a human connection with every episode.

Copyright: © 2022

Latest Episodes:

Ep 11. Brothers & Partners: Pete, Erik & Blake Nordstrom Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

Back in Episode 2, I sat down with my brother Erik and our cousin Jamie, and we talked more broadly about the company and the Nordstrom name. This time it's just me and Erik, and we're diving deeper into some of the more intimate details of growing up and working together in the family business. I really enjoyed this opportunity to sit and chat with Erik as we reminisced about our shared journey and about our older brother Blake while he was still with us. For those of you who don't know, Blake passed away unexpectedly in 2019. It was a jarring situation for us personally, but also for the company. We're pretty close in age and we followed a pretty similar path growing up through the business, but Blake really deserves the lion's share of the credit for holding us together as a unit and making sure we were aligned in our presentation to the company and to the public. He's very missed, both by the family and by our colleagues, so it was fun for Erik and I to sit and talk about Blake in this way. It's a difficult subject for us, but there's a lot to celebrate about the legacy that he's left and the impression he's made on so many people. After that we have something special that we'd like to share called the John W. Nordstrom Award. We give this award annually to a manager who has displayed exceptional service over a long period of time. We don't typically broadcast these types of things outside our four walls, but we thought, "Hey, we've got a podcast now! Why not honor this person's efforts on a larger stage?" Thanks for tuning in to episode 11. We hope you enjoy it! Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

Ep 10. Andy Dunn, Cofounding CEO of Bonobos Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

As one of the earliest pioneers in the now flourishing world of e-commerce, Andy Dunn paved the way with his exclusively online apparel brand Bonobos. At a time when most people thought it was impossible to sell clothes through a computer, Andy and cofounder Brian Spaly built an internet-driven direct-to-consumer business model that set the stage for countless brands to follow. However, Andy would eventually discover that in order to continue growing, they could no longer ignore the benefits of showing up in a physical space, which led to Bonobos partnering with Nordstrom to sell their line in our stores. And though the self-described delusions of creating something that had never been done before may seem like a prerequisite for any entrepreneur, for Andy it was the perfect hiding place for something much more serious. In his book "Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind," Andy details his closeted struggles with a mental illness that threatened to destroy his life. Andy has worked hard to find balance and with the help of family, friends, doctors and understanding business partners, he is grateful to be in a place where he can share his story with those who are battling alongside him. After my conversation with Andy, we’re going to stop by our Merrick Park store in Florida to chat with Nikky Oliva, who works in the lingerie department. Nikky really goes beyond the transactional nature of her job and makes some incredible connections with the women that she interacts with in one of Nordstrom’s lesser-known programs. Thanks for tuning in! We hope you enjoy episode 10. Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

Ep 9. Doug Mack, CEO of Fanatics Commerce May 23, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we've got a special treat for you. We're highlighting a woman who's made a massive impact on our company. I had a lot of fun sitting down to chat and learn more about her background and path to Nordstrom. You may even already know her name or follow her on Instagram, but if not, I think you’re going to love getting to know our Vice President of Creative Projects, Olivia Kim. But before that, listen in on my conversation with another incredible business leader, CEO of Commerce at Fanatics, Doug Mack. If right now, you happen to be wearing a piece of clothing with a sports team logo on it, odds are you got it through Fanatics. Even if you remember buying it at a stadium or in a university store, it's highly likely that it came to you by way of Doug Mack himself. Brought on board as CEO in 2014, Doug has leveraged his extensive background in business and technology to transform the rising sports apparel brand into the global platform it is today, producing and distributing licensed gear for every major sports league and association you can think of. Now, take a second and try to wrap your brain around just how many sports there are, and how many teams and individual players are being bought and traded, retiring, then un-retiring. You can start to see how complicated this business really is. But Doug doesn't want you to think about any of that. He just wants you to get your gear as quickly as possible so you can get out there and start waving your team flag. Doug says he is obsessed with the fan experience, and being able to marry his innovative business practices with his love for sports has made him and Fanatics very successful. Thanks for tuning in! We hope you enjoy episode 9. Did you know that you can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send us an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

Ep 8. Joey Zwillinger, Allbirds Cofounder May 09, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with bioengineer and cofounder of Allbirds Joey Zwillinger. Joey Zwillinger really does walk the talk. In today's culture, where more and more consumers are searching for products that don't destroy the earth, Joey and partner Tim Brown stand at the forefront of the environmental sustainability movement with a company that's reimagining the entire manufacturing process. Allbirds, the fashion-forward, eco-friendly footwear brand, is breaking new ground through innovative technology, materials never before used and a system of accountability that challenges industry competitors to follow suit. But it's not enough to just have strong moral ethics. The shoes have to look and feel great too! Joey will explain it all, but I just want to say how grateful we are to have had the opportunity to work with them in the past and we're super excited about what the future holds for Allbirds. After my conversation with Joey, we're headed over to New York to chat with one of our personal stylists by the name of Laurie Klinow, whose kindness truly exemplifies what we hope to cultivate through every customer interaction. Thanks for tuning in to Episode 8. We hope you enjoy! Did you know that you can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send us an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

Ep 7. Jessica Alba, Actor and Founder of The Honest Company Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

This week’s episode features someone who was fascinating to talk to. First off, I've never interviewed an actual movie star on The Nordy Pod, but she’s also the founder of The Honest Company, a mission-driven brand focused on leading the clean lifestyle movement. We’ve been honored to partner with her brand here at Nordstrom, and I’m super excited now to share with you my conversation with Jessica Alba. Jessica’s story is largely an entrepreneur’s story, a theme we feature regularly on this show. From a modest upbringing and no connections or training in the film industry, Jessica outshined thousands of hopeful applicants in a talent search contest at the age of 11, launching a massively successful career in Hollywood, providing her a foundation of financial stability she never knew growing up. Then in her twenties, while pregnant with her first child, Jessica experienced an allergic reaction to a laundry detergent marketed to mothers, prompting her to question industry standards, and like a true entrepreneur, founded The Honest Company to fill a void that she found as a consumer. I’ve met Jessica on a few different occasions, and have also had the pleasure of spending some time with her in Seattle as she visited Nordstrom to work with our merchandising team to create plans to grow our business together, but I really enjoyed interviewing her, as I learned a lot more about her motivation, her business acumen, and her determination. Her story is inspiring and I know you’re going to love learning more about Jessica and The Honest Company. After my conversation with Jessica, you’ll hear from Ashley Christian, one of Nordstrom’s top salespeople out of our store at Barton Creek in Austin Texas. I was pleased to learn about how bringing her authentic self to the job every day gives her purpose and creates lasting relationships with customers. It’s really a textbook example of what creates satisfaction for customers, elevates our service reputation, and gives meaning and successful outcomes to someone who serves customers for a living. Thanks for tuning in to episode 7. We hope you enjoy! Did you know that YOU can actually be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn’t just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through YOUR eyes! Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: (206) 594-0526, or send us an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

Ep 6. Sam Jones, Film Director Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back for Episode 6 of The Nordy Pod! In this episode we’re headed to Austin Texas to our Barton Creek store for one of our “State of the Company” meetings, where you’ll get a glimpse into some of the issues we’re facing in 2022, and steps we’re taking to improve for the future. While in Austin, I also sat down with my good friend, Director Sam Jones, after getting the unique opportunity to view a premiere showing of his latest film “Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off”. Sam and I have been close friends for quite some time now, but we’re often pleasantly reminded of just how different our lives really are. While I’m sitting in business meetings, Sam’s out shooting movies and bumping shoulders with the likes of Bono and George Clooney. I might be just a little bit jealous. Starting as a freelance photographer for The Associated Press, Sam gradually leveraged his work up the entertainment ladder. Conning A-List actors into helping him expand his portfolio and hustling his way into the offices of big name magazines. His impressive body of work has been featured in the likes of Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, GQ, and movie posters plastered on billboards across the world. He’s produced and directed multiple feature length documentary films and even created his own TV show, called 'Off Camera with Sam Jones' which ran 12 seasons on DirecTV. Sam stands apart from a majority of industry filmmakers for his willingness to invest in his projects from his own bank account, rather than waiting for a studio to give him a shot, resulting in more freedom to create extremely personal stories and make more money in the process. If you haven’t run into his work yet, I’m certain after this conversation you’re going to go on a Sam Jones binge. Did you know that YOU can actually be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn’t just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes! Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: (206) 594-0526, or send us an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

Ep 5. Jennifer Cohen, University of Washington Athletic Director Mar 28, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back for episode 5 of The Nordy Pod! In this episode, I chat with one of the most powerful, influential and outstanding women in sports—Athletic Director at the University of Washington, Jen Cohen. Jen is an outstanding individual, regardless of her involvement in sports. Not only because of her achievements, but for her character. Jen believes that sports provide some of the only environments for learning crucial life skills and disciplines, and places great value on the long-term success of the young adults that come through her sports program. I myself have had the pleasure of getting to know Jen personally, and benefit greatly from witnessing her incredible business acumen and thoughtful leadership. Though Jen didn’t always feel as confident in her own ability to succeed. She describes her younger self as average at best. Never the first pick; always trying to prove herself. But now, being one of only a handful of women Athletic Directors at an NCAA Power Conference School, she has certainly exceeded everyone’s expectations. After my conversation with Jen, we’re going to hop in the car and take a ride down to our Southcenter store to talk with an employee who’s been working with us since 1974. Her name is Eula Sauerwine. She’s a wonderful woman, a remarkably productive and talented salesperson, and has contributed mightily to Nordstrom through her sales volume and service to customers over decades of the ever-changing retail landscape. I actually worked with her back in the 80s and have always been impressed and inspired by her work ethic. Thanks for tuning in. We hope you enjoy it!

Ep 4. Joe Kudla, Vuori Clothing Founder Mar 14, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back for Episode 4 of The Nordy Pod! I’m Pete Nordstrom, president of Nordstrom and your host for this podcast, in which I take you up to the 6th floor of the Nordstrom corporate headquarters for an in-depth look into our company that has endured since 1901. In this episode, I talk with founder and CEO of Vuori Clothing, Joe Kudla. Joe’s journey is a prime example of what it takes to chase down your passion, especially when everyone around you is telling you that you’re crazy. Joe left his high-level position at a small but successful business to go start a new one in an extremely competitive and unpredictable industry. Against the advice of his close friends and family, Joe felt that he needed to do this for himself. Growing up as an athlete, he never felt the opportunity to express his wildly creative spirit lying beneath the surface. But when he dipped his toe into the fashion world, he knew it was where he belonged. Joe shares some great insight about endurance and hard work that I think we could all apply to our own lives. After my conversation with Joe, you’re going to hear one of the most fabled stories of Nordstrom history. My cousin Jamie and I, accompanied by an amazing audio recording of Jamie’s late father Jim Nordstrom, recount the famous “Monkey Story”, from a time when a handful of Nordstrom stores actually had live monkeys on display in the children’s shoe department. What could go wrong? Thanks for tuning in! We hope you enjoy it! Did you know that you can actually be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send us an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

Ep 3. Megan Jasper, CEO of Sub Pop Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

This episode was particularly fun for me, because I got to sit down with a few good friends, talk about music and one of them even brought cookies! My ﬁrst guest is a longtime friend, a fellow music enthusiast and author of the lexicon of grunge, Megan Jasper. As the receptionist at an emerging and struggling young Sub Pop Records, Megan got a front-row seat as Nirvana changed the world of music forever. Now as the CEO, she has helped hundreds of new artists ﬁnd their place in the industry. What you’re about to hear is not your typical CEO journey. Megan grew up dreading her assumed future of becoming either a stay-at-home mom, a schoolteacher or a nun, which didn’t exactly ﬁt well with her free-spirited, punk rock lifestyle. By age 14, she was already on the radio pumping out anti-authoritarian tunes and donning a shaved head and wardrobe that made her teachers concerned for their safety. It wasn’t long before Megan started hitching rides with touring bands, doing whatever odd job they had available. But no matter how deeply she embedded herself into the music scene, she always felt a haunting inevitability to settle for a "normal job". Megan’s story is inspiring, chaotic and ﬁlled with some of the greatest artists on the planet, but more than that, it gives hope to all the misunderstood oddballs out there waiting for their dreams to be validated. After my conversation with Megan, I sit down with Robin Wehl Martin, founder of Hello Robin Cookies, as she shares some incredible stories about her two sons and their relationship with one of our best stylists, Keaton Taitingfong. I’m super proud of Keaton and the example he’s setting. It’s exactly the type of atmosphere we hope to achieve here at Nordstrom. Thanks for joining us for episode 3. We hope you enjoy it! Did you know that you can actually be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn’t just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: (206) 594-0526, or send us an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

Ep 2. Meet the Family Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back for Episode 2 of The Nordy Pod! In this episode, we’re going to take a look inward as I introduce you to all of the acting members of the Nordstrom family still working at the company. I invite my brother Erik, CEO, and cousin Jamie, president of stores, to come sit down in my office and have a little chat about what it feels like having a name that everybody knows. We also discuss some of the social and political challenges of running a business in today’s culture, lessons passed down through the generations and reminisce about our teenage years throwing shoes at each other in the stockroom. I also take a walk across the street to our Rack store with my niece Alex Nordstrom, the lone fifth-generation Nordstrom still working here, where we lend a hand “unstacking the Rack,” which is a fancy way of saying we process incoming merchandise. And to top it all off, you’ll hear from a long-time employee who recounts one of our favorite customer stories. Thanks for joining us for Episode 2. We’re glad you’re here! Did you know that you can actually be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn’t just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: (206) 594-0526, or send us an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

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