Marcy Syms Among Honorees at Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Awards
By Dr. Pola Rosen
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, headed by President Nancy Ploeger, held its annual distinguished Business Awards Breakfast celebrating excellent entrepreneurs. Among the high profile New Yorkers to receive accolades from the sold-out breakfast were composer Stephen Sondheim, restauranteur Jean-Georges Vongerichten, radio personality Joan Hamburg and Marcy Syms, CEO of the Syms discount stores, whose mantra has reverberated since her father founded the stores in 1959: “An educated consumer is our best customer.”
Marcy Syms is a stylish, attractive brunette who took the time to sit with me after the awards ceremony despite her busy schedule shepherding 50 stores, which now include Filene’s Basement.
A graduate of Finch College and Boston College, Marcy keeps up with changes in clothing brands, customers’ needs, and even changes in health care by reading 15 newspapers daily. Currently, she is combining distribution centers for greater economy in operations since taking over the bankrupt Filene’s in 2009.
The “educated consumer” slogan was first televised in 1974 and has been a hit ever since. Marcy’s advice to young women is to give serious sacrifice to your job, have a work ethic that includes working seven days a week, set goals, have a passion for what you do, and have a five-year plan.
Marcy Syms is a true New York success story! #
