The future of e-commerce is connecting touchpoints, not channels.

The Retail Podcast

The Power of Resilience: Natalia Horvath's Journey from Corporate to Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship

In the fast-paced world of retail, adaptability and resilience are key to success. Natalia Horvath, award-winning marketer and founder of TEDx Coolhaven Women, embodies these qualities as she transitions from corporate leadership to purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Her story offers valuable insights for retail executives navigating today's complex business landscape.

From Corporate Fast Track to Purposeful Pause

With nearly 14 years of experience in global brand marketing, e-commerce, and omnichannel strategies, Horvath's career trajectory has been impressive. Starting at Unilever in Hungary, she quickly advanced to global roles in the Netherlands. Her most recent corporate position was head of customer marketing and omnichannel development for Diageo's luxury portfolio.

However, Horvath recently made a bold decision to pause her corporate career. "I decided to be a bit of a pause on my corporate career and focus more on my family and some personal roles which I had already on my bucket list," she explains. This shift came after winning the prestigious 40 under 40 award from Retail TouchPoints in 2023.

Bridging Experience: The Power of Connecting Dots

Reflecting on her success, Horvath credits her ability to connect seemingly disparate experiences. "I started to connect the dots between different functions I'd been doing before," she says. This cross-functional perspective allowed her to see opportunities others missed, particularly in omnichannel strategy.

Horvath advises aspiring leaders: "Challenge the status quo. Ask 'What about this?' when you see potential connections others might overlook."

Leading the Recovery: A New Chapter with Retrieve

Horvath's current role as CMO of Retrieve, a startup sports apparel brand, perfectly aligns with her values and expertise. Retrieve produces clothing made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, often sourced from local waterways.

"If I put my knowledge into really purposeful and meaningful work, this is something I must do," Horvath explains. Her focus now is on building an omnichannel strategy that connects ambassadors, local communities, and sustainability efforts.

The Future of E-commerce: Embracing Interconnectedness

Looking ahead, Horvath emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to e-commerce:

1. Omnichannel consumer journey: "The first thing we need to do is core omnichannel consumer journey mapping. Then we connect those touchpoints in a meaningful way."
2. Beyond retail media: While acknowledging the importance of retail partnerships, Horvath cautions against over-reliance on any single channel. "Focusing on one channel is really the past," she states.
3. Strategic partnerships: "Choose fewer [retail partners] than many, but do those few really, really well."

Empowering Women in Retail

Horvath's commitment to supporting female leaders shines through in her work organizing TEDx events. The upcoming TEDx Coolhaven Women event in Rotterdam, themed "Resilience and Renewal," aims to inspire local women facing uncertainty.

"Women are really resilient, and we can renew. These two come hand-in-hand," Horvath asserts. By sharing stories of resilience and adaptation, she hopes to empower the next generation of female retail leaders.

Key Takeaways for Retail Executives:

1. Embrace cross-functional thinking to identify unique opportunities.
2. Consider purposeful pauses to realign career goals with personal values.
3. Develop omnichannel strategies that truly integrate all touchpoints.
4. Invest in strategic partnerships rather than spreading resources too thin.
5. Prioritize resilience and adaptability in both personal and professional growth.

Natalia Horvath's journey from corporate success to purpose-driven entrepreneurship offers a compelling blueprint for retail leaders seeking to make a meaningful impact in today's ever-changing industry landscape.