# Rent The Runway's Jenn Hyman At The HIBT Summit

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2018-11-15
- Length: 15m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-11-15-rent-the-runways-jenn-hyman-at-the-hibt-summit

## Summary

Jenn Hyman, co-founder of Rent the Runway, explains her phased launch strategy, starting with special occasion dresses to validate the concept before expanding into a subscription model for everyday wear. She details how she navigated industry resistance by targeting major retailers like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, discovering that 'rental' was already a common behavior among high-end shoppers. Hyman emphasizes the importance of humility and continuous leadership growth as the company scaled from a small team to over 1,500 employees, aiming to democratize access to designer fashion.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-11-15-rent-the-runways-jenn-hyman-at-the-hibt-summit#t=0) Introduction: Jenn Hyman and Rent the Runway's Origin
- [2:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-11-15-rent-the-runways-jenn-hyman-at-the-hibt-summit#t=133) Phased Launch: From Special Occasion Dresses to Subscriptions
- [5:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-11-15-rent-the-runways-jenn-hyman-at-the-hibt-summit#t=342) Customer Feedback and the Shift to Workwear
- [8:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-11-15-rent-the-runways-jenn-hyman-at-the-hibt-summit#t=508) Navigating Industry Resistance and Retailer Relationships
- [11:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-11-15-rent-the-runways-jenn-hyman-at-the-hibt-summit#t=665) Entrepreneurial Mindset and Leadership Growth
- [14:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-11-15-rent-the-runways-jenn-hyman-at-the-hibt-summit#t=871) Vision for a $100 Billion Company and Democratizing Fashion

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Rent the Runway (company)
- Diane von Furstenberg (other)
- Neiman Marcus (company)
- Nordstrom (company)
- Macy's (company)
- Uber (company)
- Airbnb (company)
- U.S. Bank (other)

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- [Founder + Funder: Fundraising, Retail Growth, and Building a Modern Hydration Brand with Alex Michaelsen of Leisure Hydration and Ryan Springer of Midnight](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-06-27-founder-funder-fundraising-retail-growth-and-building-a-modern-hydration-brand-w) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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- [Founder Feature: Max Luthy of Plink!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-04-18-founder-feature-max-luthy-of-plink) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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