What happens when one of commerce’s sharpest minds decides to call BS on outdated retail models and build something entirely new?

In this episode of SHeCOMMERCE, Cristina and Jacqui sit down with Rachel Tipograph — founder and CEO of MikMak (now part of Spins) — for an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, retail media, and motherhood.

Rachel shares the real story behind leaving Gap to launch MikMak before “retail media” was even an industry buzzword. From pitching skeptical investors as a solo female founder to building one of the most influential commerce enablement platforms in the market, Rachel breaks down the grit, conviction, and calculated risks it took to scale a business that changed how brands connect media to measurable sales.

But this conversation goes beyond commerce.

Rachel opens up about becoming a mother while navigating a major acquisition, why she has zero tolerance for corporate inefficiency, and how motherhood completely reshaped her perspective on time, leadership, and what actually matters.

Cristina, Jacqui, and Rachel also dive into:
• Why “no-bullshit leadership” matters more than ever
• The future of omnichannel commerce and retail media
• Building high-performance cultures that actually value people
• Why equity and employee ownership change company culture
• The myth of “having it all” for women leaders
• The evolution of DTC brands, Amazon, TikTok Shop, and shopper behavior
• How MikMak was essentially “TikTok shopping before TikTok”

This episode is equal parts founder masterclass, leadership therapy session, and commerce future-casting.

Because at SHeCOMMERCE, it’s never just business — it’s personal.

Bold Brands. Fierce Women. One Sisterhood.

SHeCOMMERCE: 

Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/
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