Guest– Marcy Syms

Aug 27

Ep. 111: Marcy Syms on Her New Book and “Not Letting the Bad Guys Win”

Marcy Syms has led a remarkable life, full of triumphs and tragedies. Through a discussion of her new book,Leading WithRespect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer host Bill Burke and Marcy cover subjects ranging from Marcy’s upbringing, to overcoming bigotry and bullying in high school, to running her father’s company and keeping it on track through the loss of two of her siblings.

Resources:

Website
X
YouTube
LinkedIn

Check out Marcy’s book on the Blue Sky Bookshelf

Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Leading with Respect
Bill Burke introduces Marcy Syms, CEO of The Syms Corporation, and her upcoming book “Leading with Respect.” Marcy discusses her father’s motto “Don’t let the bad guys win” and how it relates to being prepared and ensuring both sides of an encounter feel respected.

04:18 Customer Respect & Grandmother’s Influence
Marcy explains how her father’s tagline “an educated consumer is our best customer” was foundational to their company’s success and built on respect for the customer. She also shares the significant influence of her Romanian immigrant grandmother, who instilled in her the importance of financial independence for young women.

09:12 Overcoming Antisemitism
Marcy recounts the overt antisemitism her family faced after moving to Westchester County, detailing the anxiety and fear it caused. She explains how she decided to ‘tough it out’ like a job, overcompensating for the prejudice and becoming a rebel to challenge stereotypes.

13:47 Trailblazing & Joining the Family Business
Marcy discusses how she, as a 12-year-old, trailblazed by pushing for a Bat Mitzvah in her Conservative synagogue, which didn’t traditionally hold them. She also explains her path to joining her father’s business after being fired from her broadcasting job, finding excitement and fulfillment in the entrepreneurial world.

19:05 Business Innovation & Personal Resilience
Marcy describes the unique “automatic markdown price tag” marketing strategy that differentiated Syms stores, despite not being a profit center. She then discusses the immense personal resilience required to lead the company as CEO while simultaneously dealing with the tragic loss of her brother and sister within a year.

27:43 Courage, Values, and Philanthropy
Marcy emphasizes the importance of courage, even in small acts, and how it’s linked to personal values. She reveals her strong aversion to bullies, a trait honed by her past experiences, and how her father’s philanthropic vision led to the establishment of the SySyms Foundation.

33:25 Impactful Philanthropic Initiatives
Marcy details the foundation’s unique philanthropic approach, supporting organizations like PEN America, the American Heart Association’s“Go Red”campaign for women’s heart health, and the Tannenbaum Foundation’s anti-bullying initiatives. She also highlights their commitment to investigative journalism through NPR and scientific research at institutions like the Weissman Institute.

41:34 LifelongLearning & Hot Water Strength
Marcy reflects on the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, “A woman is like a tea bag; you don’t know her strength until she gets into hot water,” acknowledging her own life’s challenges. She passionately advocates for lifelong learning as a key to longevity and a fulfilling life, drawing parallels to Jewish cultural inquisitiveness and the entrepreneurial spirit.