# How I Built Resilience: Live with Jenn Hyman

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-06-04
- Length: 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-04-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-jenn-hyman

## Summary

Jenn Hyman, co-founder of Rent the Runway, discusses how the company navigated the pandemic by cutting non-personnel expenses, executing layoffs and furloughs, and keeping warehouses open to preserve operational knowledge. She explains the strategic pivot toward the circular economy, emphasizing sustainability and value, while restructuring leadership to empower employees with transparency and data. Hyman also addresses the criticism that fashion is frivolous during a crisis, arguing that clothing provides essential normalcy and joy, and reflects on how remote work may permanently reshape workforce dynamics and gender equity.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-04-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-jenn-hyman#t=0) Introduction: Jenn Hyman and Rent the Runway's Crisis
- [1:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-04-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-jenn-hyman#t=85) The Challenge of Shelter-at-Home and Revenue Drops
- [3:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-04-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-jenn-hyman#t=193) Financial Restructuring, Layoffs, and Furloughs
- [5:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-04-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-jenn-hyman#t=348) Pivoting to the Circular Economy and Sustainability
- [9:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-04-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-jenn-hyman#t=598) Leadership Through Transparency and Empathy
- [15:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-04-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-jenn-hyman#t=945) Defending Fashion Against Criticism of Frivolity
- [18:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-04-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-jenn-hyman#t=1083) Keeping Warehouses Open and Ensuring Employee Safety
- [20:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-06-04-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-jenn-hyman#t=1248) Reevalating Work-Life Balance and Remote Work

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Rent the Runway (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Visa (other)
- Facebook (company)
- NPR (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [44 - Philippe Erhart - leadership in a crisis and how sustainability and diversity connect](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2020-12-29-44-philippe-erhart-leadership-in-a-crisis-and-how-sustainability-and-diversity-c) (People of Packaging)
- [#331: 28 Days To Save The World: Lessons Learned from a Pandemic Month of Supply Chain Issues](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2023-08-10-331-28-days-to-save-the-world-lessons-learned-from-a-pandemic-month-of-supply-ch) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [How a Strong Company Culture Leads Through Crisis with Dan Stutterheim](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-06-09-how-a-strong-company-culture-leads-through-crisis-with-dan-stutterheim) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [EMS@C-LEVEL Season #1 Episode #2 with Creative Electron's Dr. Bill Cardoso](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2020-08-07-ems-c-level-season-1-episode-2-with-creative-electrons-dr-bill-cardoso) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [#88 Undaunted Leadership with Hint Founder Kara Goldin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-04-25-88-undaunted-leadership-with-hint-founder-kara-goldin) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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