What happens when the keen eye of a museologist meets the ancient craft of rug-making? The answer lies in the remarkable journey of Shailen Smith, CEO of Raj Group, a heritage brand with roots stretching back to 1939 in the historic city of Panipat, India.

"When an archaeologist's job is over, the museologist's job begins," explains Smith, whose unique background brought fresh perspective to a centuries-old craft. Initially arriving to document weaving as an artistic practice, Smith discovered a company at a crossroads – torn between preserving handcrafted traditions and embracing modern technology. Rather than choosing sides, she pioneered a third path: using technology to enhance craftsmanship without replacing it.

This delicate balance between heritage and innovation forms the cornerstone of Raj's identity today. "If we are to stay unique, there must be that perfect balance where handcrafted is aided by technology," Smith reflects. This philosophy extends beyond production to encompass everything from sustainability practices to leadership style. The company demonstrated its commitment to its artisans during COVID by maintaining its entire workforce despite production slowdowns – recognizing that their people aren't just employees but guardians of cultural heritage.

As one of few female CEOs in a deeply patriarchal region, Smith brings a distinctive leadership approach that blends strength with empathy. Raised by her father "as a neutral gender" with focus on inherent strengths rather than societal expectations, she navigates traditional business structures while championing greater opportunities for women throughout the organization.

Smith's observations about today's consumers resonate deeply: we're experiencing a revolution in home goods similar to what happened in beauty – questioning artificial standards and returning to authenticity. "We've been feeding consumers something unnatural," she notes, as more people seek products with meaningful stories, sustainable materials, and ethical production.

Discover how this heritage brand stays rooted in tradition while confidently embracing the future. As Smith puts it, "If you know what your roots are, you will move forward without doubt, and you will thrive and survive."

Join Casey Roberts, Founder of STAT Recovery Services, as he uncovers how suppliers lose revenue through deductions, chargebacks, and other opportunity areas within the retail supply chain.

Casey breaks down real-world insights on thinking like a retailer, preventing profit erosion, and optimizing the supplier-retailer relationship. From root cause analysis to strategic recovery tactics, you'll gain the tools to spot issues early, fix them permanently, and boost long-term profitability.

If you're doing business with major retailers, this podcast might reveal what you didn’t know you were missing—and what it’s really costing you.

What if there was a "third place" in retail media that went beyond product pages and high-level brand communications? Brad Godwin, SVP of CPG Partnerships at Breaktime Media, reveals how brands can create meaningful connections with shoppers through personalized digital experiences.

The retail landscape is evolving rapidly, with value now encompassing far more than just price. Today's consumers seek experiences, trust, and relationships with brands. Breaktime Media addresses this by building what Godwin calls "experiences you want to put on your fridge" – digital brand pages that combine personalization, storytelling, and seamless commerce.

For CPG brands facing complex product assortments, Breaktime's approach offers a compelling solution. Rather than overwhelming shoppers with options, their interactive quizzes and personalized recommendations help consumers quickly find the right products for their needs. This personalization drives tangible results, with an average $2.87 incremental return on advertising spend.

What makes Breaktime's model particularly attractive is its performance-based structure. They build brand experiences at no upfront cost, charging only for actual customer engagements. This "cost per human engagement" approach ensures brands pay for results, not just impressions.

Through a new partnership with Walmart Connect, Breaktime is also reimagining retail events by extending physical demonstrations into the digital realm. This allows brands to maintain deep customer connections while dramatically increasing reach and improving measurement.

At its core, Breaktimes philosophy centers on human connection. As Godwin thoughtfully notes in the episode, "We're all trying to do the same thing – we want connection with each other, we want to be known, we want to be seen and loved." In an increasingly digital retail world, perhaps that human element matters most of all.

Ready to transform how customers experience your brand online? Discover how personalized digital experiences can drive meaningful engagement and conversion for your products.