Maxine Clark has been in the retail business for over 40 years and has acquired a unique ability to spot emerging retail and merchandising trends gain early insights into the desires of the American consumer. This has allowed her to generate growth for retail leaders, including department stores, discount and specialty stores and now DTC companies. In 1997, Maxine founded Build-A-Bear Workshop®, a teddy-bear themed retail-entertainment experience and in 2004 took it public. She now works with entrepreneurs in the for and nonprofit space, young activists and political candidates working for a better community and country.