My firstminute with Jenny Fleiss (Rent the Runway, Jetblack)

My firstminute is a series of informal talks with global leaders sharing stories about the earliest days of their career, how they overcame some of their toughest challenges, and how they now enjoy supporting the next generation. On Thursday 28th May 2020, Tommy Stadlen, Venture Partner at firstminute capital, interviewed Jennifer Fleiss, an entrepreneur who has founded and scaled two digitally native businesses from scratch: Rent the Runway and Jetblack. Together, they explored the earliest days of Jenny's career, starting out in the financial services, the subsequent journey which resulted in co-founding her businesses as well as her time spent with Torch Capital, a brand-focused venture fund, where she advises early stage companies. Jenny Fleiss' bio: Jenny Fleiss is an entrepreneur who has founding and scaled two digitally native businesses from scratch: Rent the Runway and Jetblack. Jetblack is the first portfolio company within Walmart’s technology incubator, disrupting traditional ecommerce with a personal shopping service over text message and voice. Previously, Jenny co-founded Rent the Runway, a business that has transformed the retail industry by making designer clothing rentals a convenient and accessible luxury experience for millions of women. During her time at Rent the Runway, Jenny wore many different hats, serving as President, Head of Logistics, and Head of Business Development. Jenny remains a Rent the Runway board member and adviser, a board member of Shutterfly and Jetblack, and an adviser to and investor in various businesses, many with female founders. She is Co-founder of the RTR Foundation, and guest lecturer at various universities and professional forums. Jenny has been honoured with numerous recognition's including Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30”; Fortune Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and “Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs”; and Fast Company’s “Most Influential Women in Technology.” She earned her MBA from Harvard Business School and graduated Cum Laude from Yale University.