Jenny Ming

The Retail Vet Driving Rothy’s Reinvention

When it launched in 2016, sustainable footwear brand Rothy’s became a darling among millennial women thanks to the brand’s focus on stylish comfort, recyclable materials, and a direct-to-consumer model that wowed investors during its early days. But it struggled to grow as an online-only business. Enter Jenny Ming. One of the co-founders of Old Navy and former CEO of Charlotte Russe, Ming took the helm in January of 2024 and quickly focused on innovating products, diversifying sales channels, and creating a collaborative team environment. The brand partnered with more wholesale partners, including Anthopologie, Bloomingdale’s, Amazon, and Nordstrom. It also opened more brick-and-mortar storefronts, with plans to add 10 more physical locations this year. Ming helms an executive team that’s composed entirely of women, and her strategy is paying off: Rothy’s outperformed the footwear market in 2024, with company sales shooting up 17% to $211 million, its best volume year yet.

By Audrey Goodson Kingo