20 Questions With Erin Herrera, Senior Global Director of Wholesale Sales, SCOUT Bags

Erin Herrera is the senior global director of wholesale sales at SCOUT Bags, where she leads the company’s wholesale strategy across key accounts, specialty retail, and new verticals, including promotional products and corporate gifting. She’s also a Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) member! In this member spotlight, we asked her a series of questions about both her professional role and personal life, including the woman that inspires her, her leadership style, her advice for the next generation of female leaders, and much more.

1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
   “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. I loved the clarity around how small, consistent actions create powerful long-term impact — personally and professionally. I’m also a sucker for an easy James Patterson read on holiday. I cannot get enough of the Alex Cross series. Pure escapism, a total guilty pleasure, and I’m here for it. More recently, I’ve been digging into “The Husbands” by Chandler Baker (a Reese’s Book Club pick). It’s smart, sharp, and asks big questions about gender roles and domestic labor — wrapped in a suspenseful, totally bingeable plot.
2. What’s a tip you have for productively leading a remote or hybrid team?
   Stay connected. Text, Slack, Zoom — it doesn’t matter how, as long as the human connection is there. Everything else builds from that foundation. Make expectations radically clear and over-communicate; clarity is kindness. And don’t underestimate the power of casual connection. When you remove “water cooler” moments, you have to make space for real conversations — whether it’s lunch over Zoom, quick check-ins, or sharing highs and lows in team meetings. When people feel seen, know where they’re going, and understand how their work moves the needle, they stay engaged — whether they’re in a cubicle or on a couch.
3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?
   Oh man. How much space do I have? The biggest would be not speaking up sooner. I had the ideas, the instincts, and a solid sense of strategy, but I held back. I was waiting for permission, waiting to be asked instead of trusting that I had earned my seat at the table. Looking back, I realize that playing small didn’t serve anyone — not my team, not the business, and definitely not me. Now I lead with well-informed confidence and make sure others feel empowered to do the same. Silence doesn’t build great brands, strong voices do.
4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
   Making the hard calls, especially when they impact people. Whether it’s restructuring a team, shifting priorities, or walking away from a partnership that no longer serves the business, those decisions weigh heavy. But clarity is kindness, and strong leadership requires courage, not just consensus. You can lead with heart and still make tough choices. The key is being transparent, fair, and deeply rooted in the why behind every move. That’s how you build trust — even when the answer isn’t easy.
5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
   Celebrate progress, not just wins. When people feel seen, momentum builds and so does loyalty. It’s about recognizing the effort behind the outcome, not just the scoreboard. I also believe in giving people ownership. When team members feel trusted to make decisions and drive their part of the business, they show up differently — more engaged, more invested, and more inspired to deliver. Autonomy and appreciation go a long way.
6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
   My daughter. Watching her navigate school, cheer and softball with grit and grace reminds me that resilience is learned — and women start practicing young. This summer, she’s off to Cambridge for two weeks to study in a high school scholars program in a country she’s only visited a few times, on a campus she toured for an hour, and in a program filled with peers from around the world she’s never met. Her curiosity and bravery blow me away and they remind me that no matter how far we get in life or how far removed we are from childhood, we should never lose that hunger to explore, to learn, and to lead with openhearted courage.
7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry over the next year?
   I’m excited to see retail getting back to its roots: community. After years of chasing clicks and scale, brands are showing up with more personality, purpose and heart. The ones winning now are creating real experiences, not just transactions. I’m also hopeful about the growing focus on sustainability — not as a buzzword, but as a business imperative. From better sourcing to smarter packaging and more intentional product design, we’re starting to see real progress. It’s not perfect, but it feels more honest and impactful than ever before. And most of all, I’d love to see more women lifting each other up — celebrating wins, sharing opportunities, and reaching across the aisle. That’s one of the things I love most about SCOUT: we’ve built a business by women, for women, where careers can thrive and the product actually serves her life. When women support women, everyone wins.
8. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
   Curiosity and hunger are the two big ones. Curiosity shows up in the ability to ask smart questions, seek out white space, and solve problems that don’t have obvious answers. It’s about thinking beyond the task list and looking for opportunities to elevate the work. Hunger is that inner drive — the hustle, the ownership mentality, the “nothing will get in my way” mindset. We don’t want warm bodies; we want people who raise the bar and make us better simply by being part of the team.
9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
   That I’m happiest when I’m building — teams, strategies, partnerships, ideas. I thrive in growth mode, especially when I’m helping others grow alongside me. Whether it’s launching something new, reworking something old, or spotting white space and turning it into opportunity, that forward motion is what keeps me energized and inspired.
10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    I’ve got a solid rotation. SmartLess is my go-to for laughs — Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett are ridiculous in the best way, and somehow the conversations still manage to be smart and heartwarming. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway is my dose of real talk. He’s blunt, brilliant, and says what everyone else is thinking, especially when it comes to leadership, brand building, and the business of life. And when I’m feeling inspired, How I Built This always hits. I love hearing how founders navigated the chaos and built something meaningful. It’s a great reminder that the path is never as perfect as it looks from the outside.
11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Transparency, hustle, accountability, and empathy with a side of scrappiness. I believe in being clear, not cryptic. Everyone deserves to know where they stand, what’s expected, and how we’re measuring success. I also lead with the belief that people want to do great work, and it’s my job to clear the path, challenge them when needed, and celebrate them often, but to get out of the way. I’m not afraid to get in the weeds, but I also know when to zoom out and let people run. And yes, I appreciate a little scrappy energy. It keeps us nimble, creative and just scrappy enough to surprise ourselves.
12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I’m one of those rare people who is genuinely obsessed with what they do. I’ve touched nearly every corner of this wild industry we call wholesale — from showrooms to sales decks, road work to retailer negotiations, order forms to forecast models — and that range gives me a unique perspective. I love a great strategy session, and trade shows? They’re my high holiday. Nothing lights me up more than crafting smart, scalable plans and then rolling up my sleeves to bring them to life. But just as much as I love the hustle, I’m deeply grounded in my role as a mom and partner. I come from a big, loud, loving family and spend most of my time surrounded by them — or by the friends who have become family along the way. That’s the greatest gift I can give my daughter: showing her that you can chase big things, build something powerful, be fully present in your life, and lead with heart. Also — just for the record — the Dodgers are the best team in baseball. Don’t even try to convince me otherwise.
13. What practices or boundaries have you implemented in your personal life to create more work/life balance?
    Blocking out family time in my calendar like it’s a board meeting — because it’s just as important. If it’s not scheduled, it’s too easy to let it slip. I also try to protect at least one evening a week with no work, no screens, and no agenda — just time to reset, connect and be fully present. Those little boundaries help me show up better in every part of my life.
14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
    A California-born hustler with a heart — equal parts sales strategist, people builder, and unapologetic cheerleader for women chasing big things — who believes in clear plans, kind candor, and never missing your kid’s big moments.
15. What’s your favorite app?
    I know it’s not flashy, but honestly? The Messages app. It keeps me connected to every part of my life in real time without the formality of a phone call. That said, I’m also a total puzzle nerd. I love anything that lets my brain take a five-minute break during the day and actually shut down. Wordle is my daily dose of joy. And yes, I absolutely track my streak (97 percent win – 47 percent three or less guesses).
16. What do you do to recharge?
    Spend time with my people. I come from a big, loud family, and being with them — even in the chaos — completely re-centers me. Quiet nights with my daughter and partner, solo time with just the two of us, or weekends where we’re all together doing nothing and everything — it’s the good stuff. I also try to take advantage of where I live — getting outside, exploring the kind of nature only California can offer. And when I need a real reset, a massage is my go-to. No talking, no tech, just a full hour of not being in charge of anything.
17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    Building a career and a reputation rooted in trust, resilience and integrity while staying true to who I am. I’ve worked hard, led with passion, taken the tough feedback, and bet on the bold ideas (even when they weren’t the safest bets). I’ve grown every step of the way and I’ve helped a lot of people grow alongside me, which might be the part I’m most proud of. And I’ve done all of that while being a fully present mom. I’ve juggled travel, time zones, and trade shows, and still made it to softball games, cheer competitions, and homework help. That balance isn’t always perfect, but showing my daughter that you can build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process? That’s the real win.
18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Own your voice. Don’t wait to be “ready.” If you were invited to the table, you belong there. And don’t be afraid to ask. Whether it’s for help, advice or simply a connection, reach, lean, and let people show up for you. No one builds anything great alone.
19. What gets you up in the morning?
    OK, don’t judge me — but first: Dr Pepper. I also love being in California working East Coast hours. I open all the windows, let the crisp air in, and enjoy a few quiet hours before my local world wakes up. It’s my version of calm before the chaos. But really, what drives me is being able to set an example for my daughter — building a life I’m proud of, doing work I genuinely love, and showing her that success and joy don’t have to be mutually exclusive. And I’m lucky; I get to do all that while building something great with a brand I believe in.
20. What do you like most about being a member of Women in Retail Leadership Circle?
    It’s the community … hands down. It’s a space where women genuinely share, support and celebrate one another. The usual barriers and competitiveness just don’t exist here; it feels safe, real and refreshingly collaborative. I’ve learned so much from fellow WIRLC members, and I’m constantly inspired by the way everyone brings value in their own unique way. It’s a rare kind of network and I’m grateful to be part of it.