Sapna Shah Parikh has a very similar philosophy to her employer, Kendo Brands: It’s a philosophy that embraces risk-taking, dreams big, and doesn’t forget about the hustle.

Kendo — started in 2010 by former Sephora Americas CEO David Suliteanu — owns and manages six brands, including Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin (both founded by the singer Rihanna) and Lip Lab. It was originally part of Sephora, branching out into its own company and acquired by parent company LVMH in 2014.

In an interview at the Women in Retail Pavilion at Shoptalk with Kendra Bracken Ferguson, founder, CEO and general partner, BrainTrust, Parikh shared how taking risks, dreaming big, and hustling were the keys to her success as a digital retailer over the last 25 years.

“In ’98, the biggest question I was asked was, ‘What is e-commerce and what can it do for me?'” Parikh said. Back when e-commerce was in its nascent stage, she said retailers needed to really drive home the vision, the dream of what it could be three to five years down the line. “You needed them to think big and think future,” she said.

Parikh shared how in 2020, she wasn’t looking to switch jobs and go work for Kendo. But she spent about two months talking to the CEO, who convinced her it was the right move.

“The dream he shared with me, and the ability to take that risk, and the hustle that I knew he had — because he created Kendo — I was like, ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and who would pass up working for Rihanna?'”

Parikh also shares her biggest pivots, how she mentors others, and more in the wide-ranging interview with Ferguson, which is now available on-demand to Women in Retail members. Not a member? Apply today!