Sorry, It's Discontinued: Retail Therapy for the Retail Community

In this episode of Sorry, It's Discontinued , Hilary explores the fascinating history of Le Bon Marché in Paris and how it revolutionized not only shopping, but employment and associate benefits in retail. Under Aristide and Marguerite Boucicaut, workers were offered benefits that were almost unheard of in the nineteenth century, including housing, meals, education, and retirement support. Fr...

Over a year ago, on June 5th, 2025, I hit publish on the very first episode of Sorry, It's Discontinued . At the time, I had no idea where this journey would lead. I wasn't sure if anyone would listen, but I knew there were stories that deserved to be told—the stories of the people behind the counter, the communities built inside stores, and the lessons we carry with us long after we lea...

What starts as a first retail job can lead to a career you never expected—and friendships you'll cherish forever. In this episode of Sorry, It's Discontinued , Hilary sits down with longtime friend Yani Nufio to talk about her journey from a teenager who fell in love with makeup to building a successful career in retail, finance, and mortgage lending. Yani shares how watching her mom put...

We spend more time with our coworkers than almost anyone else in our lives—so why is it often easier to talk about people than talk to them? This week, Hilary explores workplace drama, gossip, assumptions, and the stories we create about one another. Through honest reflection, she shares why curiosity may be the most powerful tool we have for improving communication and creating healthier workplac...

This week, I'm joined by Mega of KingMega Fitness. We met by chance at Macy's while talking about our shared experiences in retail, and I quickly realized he had a story worth sharing. Growing up in a military family, Mega learned the value of hard work early. From working retail while attending Southern University in Baton Rouge to serving seven years in the Army, earning both bachelor&...

This week, I’m sharing a conversation I recently had with my friend, Alaysha Durall , about beauty, faith, family, and following your dreams . Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana , Alaysha fell in love with beauty while watching her mother apply Fashion Fair makeup and wear her favorite fragrance. That passion eventually led her to Houston , where she built a successful career behind some of the ci...

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary sits down with Savannah Mayfield to talk about her journey from growing up in Abilene, Texas to working in luxury beauty at Saks Fifth Avenue Houston during the launch of the Tom Ford fragrances counter. Savannah shares how her love for beauty started at a young age, inspired by her mother and grandmother, and how that passion eventually led her...

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , Hilary explores the physical and emotional reality of standing all day in retail and service industry jobs. From sore feet, back pain, and retail exhaustion to the strange “retail sway” workers develop during long shifts, this episode dives into how years on the sales floor change your body, mindset, patience, and identity. Hilary shares personal stori...

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the hidden pressure behind modern luxury retail and what customers may not always see behind the counter. From sales goals, loyalty metrics, staffing shortages, and emotional burnout to the changing reality of online shopping and performance-driven retail culture, this episode takes an honest look at how dramatically the industry has cha...

This week on Sorry, It’s Discontinued , I recently sat down with Jyoti Lohman, founder of The Beauty Way — a luxury body care brand rooted in intention, self-care, mindfulness, and reconnecting with yourself. From her early inspiration growing up with a mother who taught her the importance of nurturing yourself, to studying at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco an...

What started as a simple thank-you became one of the most powerful sales strategies in beauty. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , Hilary explores the history of the Gift-With-Purchase—popularized by Estée Lauder—and how it evolved from a relationship-driven experience into a value-driven transaction. From threshold shopping and constant promotions to competing with online deals, Hilary...

Beauty is evolving—and mergers and acquisitions are a big part of why.  In this episode, we’re going behind the scenes of what really happens when brands are bought, merged, or absorbed into larger portfolios. From growth and global expansion to formula changes, disappearing products, and shifting priorities, we’re talking about how these decisions affect the brands you love—and the people who bri...

If you’ve worked in retail, you know…  the uniform isn’t just something you wear—it’s something you feel. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , Hilary takes you behind the counter to talk about the reality of retail uniforms—past and present. From heavy, uncomfortable jackets and strict expectations…  to the rare moments when a uniform made you feel confident, powerful, and like you truly...

What happens when loyalty… isn’t enough? In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , Hilary explores the reality of retail in 2026—where years of dedication, consistency, and care can be overlooked in a moment. Retail isn’t just about sales. It’s early mornings, late nights, restocking, cleaning, building relationships, and showing up for people day after day. For many, it’s a career built over...

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , Hilary explores the evolution of fragrance—from the rich, layered scents of the early 1900s to today’s fast-moving, trend-driven launches. From Guerlain and Coty to the creation of Chanel No. 5 and the rise of aldehydes, this episode looks at how perfume became more than scent—it became identity. Today, fragrance is more accessible than ever. From depa...

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , I sit down with my friend Suqura Shannon to talk about her journey through the beauty industry — and how it all started long before the counter. From watching her mom get ready in the mornings to secretly wearing makeup through middle and high school, her love for beauty was rooted in confidence, transformation, and self-expression. We take it back to...

There are moments that remind us why shopping in person still matters—and this is one of them. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , Hilary shares her experience at the Krigler boutique inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Houston, where luxury felt less about price and more about storytelling, craftsmanship, and human connection. Founded in 1904, Krigler is a historic niche fragrance house kn...

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , Hilary sits down with Texas-based makeup artist Martin Vain to talk about how he first got into the beauty industry and the career path that followed. From early inspiration watching his mom get ready to discovering artistry through drag makeup and beauty videos, Martin’s passion for makeup started young. That passion eventually led him into the retail...

Luxury used to feel like an experience — the storytelling, the ritual, the moment behind the counter. But today, luxury is more accessible than ever, and the experience has changed. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , Hilary reflects on what luxury once meant to associates and clients alike, how storytelling created value behind the counter, and how accessibility, global growth, and mode...

Welcome to our first Retail Therapy Check-In — With Phaedra & Tiffany . In this episode, I’m joined by two incredible women for an honest conversation about the realities of freelancing in retail — navigating workplace culture, setting boundaries, and addressing “mean girl” dynamics in the beauty industry. We talk about retail leadership, emotional labor behind the counter, and what it takes t...

What does authentic leadership in retail really look like? In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany Lopez to talk about her retail journey — from veterinary technician to beauty roles at Sephora, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue. We discuss how she grew into leadership, the pressure of working behind the counter, and what it means to lead with heart in today’s retail industry. This is a conversati...

Two leaders walked into the store on the same day.  One introduced herself, learned names, and thanked associates.  The other walked straight past them. It made me wonder — is kindness expected from women in leadership, but optional for men? Does it depend on the leader and not gender? In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued , we talk about the invisible emotional labor of retail, the pressure...

The Houston Galleria wasn’t just where we shopped — it’s where many of us got our first jobs, first paychecks, and first taste of retail life. From its Italian-inspired design and iconic ice rink to the beauty counters and department stores that defined luxury shopping, this episode celebrates the people behind the counter who created memories for generations of Houstonians. Because stores aren’t...

Saks Global’s bankruptcy restructuring isn’t just a business headline — it’s something retail associates are living through every day. Fewer hours. Smaller teams. More pressure. And still showing up with a smile. In this episode, Hilary talks about what it really feels like to devote your career to a store that suddenly feels uncertain — and why retail doesn’t run on strategies or spreadsheets, bu...

Saks Global’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy didn’t happen overnight. For years, department stores have been pulled in every direction — rising costs, e-commerce pressure, real estate strategy, and shifting customer expectations — all while trying to preserve the luxury experience they were built on. In this episode, Hilary breaks down what Chapter 11 actually means, how retail slowly fell out of sync, and...