Career Lessons from HSN’s CEO Mindy Grossman

Always trust your gut says Mindy Grossman

Mindy Grossman doesn’t shy away from bold decisions. She made headlines when in 2008 she left mega brand Nike for her current position as CEO of HSN. At the time the company’s order-by-phone business model was lagging behind in a in a digital world of online and smart-phone shopping.

Since taking the reins Grossman “revamped its business model, attracted new customer demographics, and boosted sales by embracing pop culture and hiring celebrity hosts such as Emeril and Jessica Simpson” according to an article by Moira Forbes on FORBESWOMAN.

When she sat down with Forbes, Grossman shared seven business and management lessons she’s learned from mentors like Ralph Lauren, Phil Knight and Tommy Hilfiger. Here are the top two.

1. Trust Your Gut

Despite being engaged to marry and having plans to enroll in law school in the fall, Grossman changed her mind. Instead she decided move to New York and see where that took her. Grossman credits this bold move with cementing a reputation “as somebody who’s willing to take risk and really focus on the power of believing in what you want to do’” which has served her well over the course of her career.

2. Measure Your Opportunities

When exploring any kind of life change Grossman recommends asking yourself three questions.” One: Are you passionate about it? Two: Is it purposeful? Is it going to take you, a business, your family, somewhere? And three: Is it going have impact?” While the answers will be different for everyone they can help you decide what is right for you. She used these questions to evaluate her own decision to move from Nike to HSN.

To read 7 Career Lessons From HSN’s Mindy Grossman by Moira Forbes visit FORBESWOMAN.