Heather Inocencio is the founder and CEO of The Product Consult, a provider of top-tier product management contractors at all levels. She’s also a Women in Retail Leadership Circle consultant member! Her team embeds with clients to drive strategic initiatives, streamline execution, and create environments where teams and businesses can thrive. As an active leader in the evolution of product management, Heather has led teams at every stage — from startups to IPOs and acquisitions — specializing in building strong product cultures, developing leadership talent, and delivering exceptional results. In this member spotlight, we asked Heather a series of questions about her personal and professional life so that you can get to know her better.

Women in Retail Leadership Circle: Tell us about your background. Did you imagine you would start and run your own company one day?
Heather Inocencio: I didn’t always envision myself running my own company, but looking back, the path seems almost inevitable. Over the course of my 30-year career in product management, I’ve had the opportunity to work with both Fortune 500 companies and startups, helping scale businesses, launch impactful products, and lead teams through acquisitions and IPOs. While the work was fulfilling, it was also incredibly demanding. At one point, I found myself on blood pressure medication, overwhelmed and out of balance.

The turning point came when I stepped away to reflect on what I truly wanted. I realized that while I had been building systems to help companies succeed, those systems didn’t always support the people within them. I wanted to change that. I wanted to create an environment where product managers could thrive without sacrificing their well-being and where companies could achieve their goals with empowered, well-supported teams.

That’s what led me to start The Product Consult. It’s a place where success is redefined — not just in terms of business outcomes but also in how we treat the people driving those outcomes. Building this company has been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life.

WIRLC: What was the transition like for you from working directly in the retail industry at brands such as The RealReal and J.Hilburn to consultant work?
HI: The transition was both liberating and eye-opening. Leaving my last in-house role, I felt burned out after years of addressing foundational challenges — refining processes, building teams, and creating product strategies from the ground up. While I loved the work, I realized I wanted to approach these challenges in a way that allowed me to bring fresh energy and perspective to each organization I worked with.

Consulting has enabled me to do just that. It allows me to partner deeply with clients, focusing on their unique needs and helping them achieve long-term success. What surprised me most about this shift was how much clarity I gained about my values and leadership style. Consulting has given me the freedom to create meaningful impact by aligning my expertise with the goals of the organizations I serve.

WIRLC: What do you enjoy most about being in business for yourself? How would you describe your leadership style?
HI: What I enjoy most is the freedom to create something that truly reflects my values. When I started The Product Consult, my goal wasn’t just to build a company — it was to create a culture. One where product managers feel supported, respected and empowered to do meaningful work. Seeing this vision come to life and witnessing the impact it has on both our team and our clients has been incredibly rewarding.

I would describe my leadership style as empathetic and intentional. I strive to create trust and foster open communication while setting a clear vision. My approach combines coaching and collaboration, ensuring my team members feel both supported and challenged to reach their full potential. I also believe leadership requires humility and a willingness to listen. It’s not about having all the answers but creating an environment where the best ideas can flourish.

WIRLC: Can you share an example of a retail campaign you’ve worked on that you’re proud of?
HI: One project I’m particularly proud of is my work with HauteLook, a flash-sale e-commerce site acquired by Nordstrom. The challenge was to create a seamless, high-end shopping experience while managing the unique complexities of flash sales — limited inventory, short availability windows, and high customer expectations.

We tackled this by redesigning the site to improve navigation and conversion rates, while also launching mobile apps that quickly grew to account for nearly half of our weekend revenue. What I’m most proud of, though, is how we balanced speed and scale without compromising the quality of the customer experience. Seeing HauteLook grow to 4 million members and ultimately be acquired for $270 million was a testament to what can be achieved with a clear vision and strong teamwork.

WIRLC: What are some key challenges your retail clients are facing? How do your services help solve them?
HI: Retailers today face a rapidly evolving landscape, with challenges such as staying competitive in a digital-first world, meeting ever-changing customer expectations, and aligning their product strategies with their business goals. Many organizations want innovation but struggle with outdated processes or a lack of experienced leadership to guide them through transformation.

This is where The Product Consult excels. We provide seasoned product managers who integrate seamlessly into teams, bringing immediate value by refining road maps, improving cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring internal teams. Our goal is not just to meet today’s challenges but to ensure our clients are positioned to thrive long into the future.

WIRLC: What woman inspires you right now and why?
HI: Melanie Perkins, the co-founder and CEO of Canva, inspires me deeply. Her vision of making design accessible to everyone has revolutionized how people create and share visuals. Beyond her business success, what stands out is how she’s led with kindness and authenticity while building a global brand.

Melanie’s leadership is a reminder that you don’t have to fit into traditional molds to succeed. She’s shown that it’s possible to lead with empathy and purpose while maintaining fierce ambition — a balance I admire and strive to bring to my own work.

WIRLC: What is one industry trend you’re closely tracking and why?
HI: I’m closely following the integration of artificial intelligence in retail, especially its ability to enhance personalized customer experiences. From predictive analytics to tailored recommendations and inventory management, AI has the potential to transform how retailers connect with their customers.

What fascinates me most is the challenge of balancing automation with the human touch. Retail is fundamentally about relationships, and while AI can strengthen those connections, it can’t replace them. I’m passionate about helping organizations leverage AI thoughtfully to create deeper, more meaningful interactions with their customers.

WIRLC: What’s something about product leaders that is often misunderstood?
HI: One common misconception is that product leaders are there to deliver features. In reality, great product leaders focus on solving the right problems, which often involves challenging assumptions and saying no to ideas that don’t align with a company’s vision or customer needs.

The complexity of the role is often underestimated. Product leaders must act as strategists, diplomats and storytellers, bridging the gap between customers, business goals and technical teams. When empowered to lead effectively, their work has the potential to transform both the business and the customer experience.

Learn more about Women in Retail Leadership Circle consultant partnerships here.