Maxine Clark:
CLASS OF 1967
Coral Gables High SchoolClass of 1967
Coral gables, FL
University of Georgia - JournalismClass of 1971
Athens, GA
Maxine's Story
Life
After a wonderful 20+ year career as a retail executive at The May Department Stores, most recently as President of Payless Shoe Source, I left in 1996 to start my own chain of retail stores. The first Build-A-Bear Workshop opened in St. Louis, MO in Fall, 1997. Build-A-Bear Workshop is an interactive entertainment retail store where kids from 3-103 can make their own stuffed animals. In 2004 we were featured on The Oprah Show--a very exciting event!
On October 28, 2004 (our 7th birthday as a company) we had a successful IPO and are now a public company trading on the NYSE as BBW. There are 400+ company owned and operated stores around the world including our 20,000 sq. ft. flagship store in NYC at 5th Avenue and 46th Street. We have franchised stores in the Japan, Denmark, Sweden, Singapore, Germany,Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
We have also opened our newest concept Build-A-Bear Workshop At the Zoo in St. Louis and opened our Build-A-Dino-- Where Best Friendosaurs Are Made brand at the new TREX Cafe in Kansas City, DisneyWorld and at the St. Louis Science Center.
In May 2006, my first book "The Bear Necessities o...Expand for more
f Business--Building a Company with Heart" was published by Wiley. The book is avialable at books stores and online at amazon.com and b&n.com.
I am on the Board of Directors of Footlocker, Inc, the International Council of Shopping Centers, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Teach For America, the Board of Trustees of Washington University and a former member of the Board of Trustees of my alma mater, The University of Georgia. I am also the chair of KIPP St. Louis and on the Board of the Nine Network and Beyond Housing. In May 2006, I was named the U.S. Business Hall of Fame. In 2008 I received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from St. Louis University. My husband (and my knight in shining armor), Bob Fox and I live in St. Louis and have been married for 30 years.
In October 2006 at our opening in The Falls in Miami I was reacquainted with many CGHS freinds including one of my favorite teachers, Marlene Adams. It was a magical moment!
In summer, 2013 I hired a new CEO for Build-A-Bear Workshop and have started a new business investing in women and minority entrepreneurs as well as to improve urban public education.In my spare time I speak nationally on entrepreneurship.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!
Photos
Register for Free to view all photos!