Leading with Respect (From the Backroom to the Boardroom)

Infused with inspiring lessons and advice from a groundbreaking entrepreneur, this is a compelling look at leadership from the perspective of Marcy Syms, who helped guide her family’s business through decades of success built on a foundation of respect.

For 35 years, Marcy Syms appeared in TV and radio commercials for her family’s company, voicing its famous slogan, “An educated consumer is our best customer.” Syms was the first truly off-price retailer, offering name brands at cut-rate prices. At its peak, the chain had dozens of stores in 13 states. It was more than just advertising that set it apart. For Syms, the key to success was respect —for the consumers, for the employees, and for the designer brands they sold.

Working closely with her father, Sy Syms, the business’s founder, Marcy helped transform Syms from a family concern to a retailing powerhouse. When Syms went public, Marcy became the youngest female president of an NYSE-listed company.

Leading with Respect recounts the fascinating journey of a woman who pioneered female entrepreneurship. It’s also an insider’s look at a business that foreshadowed much of today’s market. The Syms model spurred the growth of outlet malls and paved the way for online retail giants. Marcy explores Syms’s innovative practices—training salespeople as “educators” and including detailed, color-coded price tags—and the pitfalls of running a business, especially a family one.

Full of personal recollections and relatable insights, Leading with Respect shares a seasoned business leader’s proven lessons for work and for life.

This book title, Leading with Respect (From the Backroom to the Boardroom), ISBN: 9780806544816, by Marcy Syms, published by Kensington (August 26, 2025) is available in hardcover. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.

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