Crossing Pointe: Blair’s Investment Takes Off

Shapiro also thinks that passion has, in turn, re-energized Blair’s associates. “From us, Blair is learning a different perspective on the business,” he notes. “So we’ve been able to add something to Blair’s learning curve in return.”

And when asked if he would have done anything differently, Shapiro says he would have started the catalog in 1997 rather than 1999, right before the economic downturn. “These last three years have been tough for everyone, no doubt about it,” he says. “But as far as building the housefile, merchandising and marketing strategies, there’s very little I would have changed.”