From Wall Street wizard to handbag heroine, Melissa Gonzalez, the mastermind behind The Lionesque Group, graces our podcast with a tale proving passion and business acumen can coalesce into something extraordinary. Her story is one of transformation, trading the stability of finance for the thrill of independent design, without losing the analytical edge that once defined her career. Listen closely as Melissa imparts the lessons learned from her roots with The Lionesque Media through the evolution of The Lionesque Group, illustrating that a compelling narrative is as crucial as the numbers in your spreadsheet. Venture into the bustling world of pop-up retail, a realm where Melissa has left an indelible mark through her innovative approach to space and consumer engagement. Discover the secret sauce that Melissa was involved with more than just entertainment—they were the catalytic forces behind her leap into media production and the transformation of street-level retail into immersive, pop-up experiences. As we navigate the complexities of these pop-up ventures, from payment models to PR imperatives, we gain insight into the new post-pandemic retail landscape, ripe with opportunities for those ready to feed the consumer's hunger for the novel. Finally, absorb the wisdom gained from the trenches of entrepreneurship—where customer service reigns supreme, and owning one's errors can forge a brand of steel. In the spirit of strategic focus, we unravel the story behind the 'Lionesque' name and the agile pivots it took to stay true to brand identity. Melissa doesn't shy away from discussing the rollercoaster ride of investor relations, the emotional weight of business pivots, and the triumvirate of timing, team, and ideas that constitute success. As we close, Melissa offers a sneak peek into her role at MG2 and her podcast 'Retail Refined,' a treasure trove of industry insights waiting for those eager to refine their understanding of the retail universe. Follow Melissa: https://lionesquegroup.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagonzalezlionesque/  https://mg2.com Shop Handbag Designer 101 Merch: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/category/all-products Register for the Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/challenge-page/Masterclass Book a handbag session with Emily: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/ Hire Emily to be a guest speaker at your event: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/speaking Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HandbagDesigner101-IHDA Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handbagdesigner/ Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@handbagdesigner Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/handbagdesigner