Events

Inside the Buyer’s Mind: Building for Retail Success with Nordstrom’s Denise Junell Johnson

​Join us for a live interview with Denise Junell Johnson, Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager for Handbags, Jewelry & Watches at Nordstrom, as she shares insider insights from two decades shaping some of the most coveted categories in retail.

Date

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1:30 PM EST

RSVP HERE*REQUIRED TO ATTEND​

For founders in fashion, accessories, and jewelry, breaking into premium retail is about more than having a great product design. It’s about understanding how the industry moves, what buyers prioritize, and how to position your brand for long-term success.

​Join us for a live interview with Denise Junell Johnson, Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager for Handbags, Jewelry & Watches at Nordstrom, as she shares insider insights from two decades shaping some of the most coveted categories in retail.

​We’ll dive into:

  • ​How to approach category leadership in a shifting retail landscape
  • ​What makes a brand stand out to major retailers like Nordstrom
  • ​How to navigate the complexities of wholesale, retail stores, and omnichannel strategies
  • ​What founders should prioritize when entering premium retail markets, from positioning and assortment to partnership readiness
​Denise’s career spans 20+ years at Nordstrom, where she’s led across the Designer, Accessories, and Women’s Shoes divisions, driving strategy and merchandising for iconic global brands. Her perspective offers an invaluable look at how emerging brands can collaborate effectively with retail partners and grow strategically in a changing consumer environment.

​This conversation is a must-attend for fashion, accessories, jewelry, and handbag founders, and anyone looking to understand what it really takes to succeed in today’s retail ecosystem.

MORE ABOUT DENISE:
Denise Junell Johnson is the Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager for Handbags, Jewelry & Watches at Nordstrom. Denise's journey with Nordstrom began in 2004 in the Bellevue Store. She progressed through roles such from Designer Handbags Manager to Buyer within Shoe and Designer divisions, leading her to be become Retail Director for Women’s Designer.
From 2016, Denise made significant impacts in the Accessories Division through various DMM assignments. She also served as VP, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Women's Shoes from September 2022 to March 2024, before returning to lead the Handbags, Jewelry & Watches division. A proud Washington State University (WSU) alumna, Denise serves on the Apparel Merchandising Industry Advisory Board. Denise's dedication to her alma mater and Nordstrom exemplifies her commitment to both personal and professional excellence.

Events

Upcoming Events

From summits, to courses, to workshops, to meet-ups and ask-me-anythings - there is something for everyone here. Listen in, attend in person or virtually, ask questions, or simply add to your when-you-can checklist of everything you need to know.

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Jan

9

City Sessions

{NEW YORK, NY} Member Mingle

Friday, January 9, 2026, 4:00 PM EST

​Grounded Success: Founder’s End-of-Year Reset 
Hosted by Kayli Mylius of The Intentional Muse & Barbara Estanol of The Lola Studio at ASIA Yoga

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Jan

14

City Sessions

{GREENWICH, CT} Member Mingle

Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 10:00 AM EST

FFC is utilizing HAYVN Greenwich's amazing space as a coworking day for members coordinated with a POWERUp day. 

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Jan

14

Community Conversation

Brand Resilience: How to Stay Relevant in a Changing World

Members only!

Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Join us for a riveting conversation with Robyn to learn all about brand resilience!

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Jan

15

Workshop/Panel

Financing Growth Without Dilution: A Founder’s Guide to Smarter Capital with Cassie Rosenthal

Members only!

Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1:15 PM EST

​FFC is joined by Cassie Rosenthal, Chief Marketing Officer and third-generation stakeholder of Rosenthal Capital Group, the nation’s largest privately held commercial finance firm. Cassie oversees a lending portfolio that supports today’s leading consumer brands, offering founders deep insight into how lenders evaluate emerging companies and what financial readiness truly looks like.

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Jan

16

10th House HUddles

Fashion and Accessories Huddle

Members only!

Friday, January 16, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Are you a building a Fashion or Accessory business? Come join this 10th House Huddle to meet and network with fellow founders!

Register now

Jan

20

Workshop/Panel

Inside the Buyer’s Mind: Building for Retail Success with Nordstrom’s Denise Junell Johnson

Members only!

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1:30 PM EST

​Join us for a live interview with Denise Junell Johnson, Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager for Handbags, Jewelry & Watches at Nordstrom, as she shares insider insights from two decades shaping some of the most coveted categories in retail.

Register now

Jan

21

10th House HUddles

Community Builders Huddle

Members only!

Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Come join this 10th House Huddle for all things community! This is an amazing opportunity to meet and network with fellow founders!

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Jan

21

Community Conversation

Just Be: A Grounding Circle with Wendy

Members only!

Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 2:00 PM EST

Come join Wendy for a safe space to just "be".

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Jan

23

Community Conversation

Get Your Assets Together: A Modern Entrepreneur's Guide to Monetization, Growth & Acquisition

Members only!

Friday, January 23, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

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Jan

28

10th House HUddles

Fashion and Accessories Huddle

Members only!

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Are you a building a Fashion or Accessory business? Come join this 10th House Huddle to meet and network with fellow founders!

Register now

Jan

28

City Sessions

New Year Refresh: FFC x BELONG Happy Hour

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 6:00 PM EST

Ring in the new year with an evening hosted by the Female Founder Collective and BELONG.

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Jan

30

Community Conversation

The Legal Aspects of Early Stage Fundraising

Members only!

Friday, January 30, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Are you preparing to raise capital but feeling overwhelmed by the legal complexities of fundraising? Join us for an informative and practical session designed to demystify the legal aspects of the fundraising process!

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