From Family, Fully Formed

Ken Mandelbaum
Chairman, Big M
Totowa, N.J.

Ken Mandelbaum was born to a family of merchants. After World War II, his grandmother Sonia, father Bernie and uncles Max and Leon, with no prior experience in the apparel business, opened a small cotton goods store stocking housedresses, aprons and blouses.

After graduating from the University of Miami in 1975, Mandelbaum and his cousins joined the family business. Together, they created Annie Sez, now a chain of 40 off-price stores selling designer goods in Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Another concept, Mandee, emerged offering popularly priced, fashion-forward apparel that targets a younger, trendy customer. Today, Mandee has 117 stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Mandelbaum, chairman of parent company Big M, believes in giving back at a local level. The company works with New Jersey SEEDS (Scholars, Educators, Excellence, Dedication, Success) to provide educational opportunities for motivated, high-achieving students of modest means. In 2004, Mandelbaum was honored as New York University’s Entrepreneur of the Year.

Do you have trouble shifting into customer mode when visiting stores other than your own?
Well, I can’t help but pick up clothing that’s fallen on the floor, and I always notice when [sales] people are great with me and when they are not. I notice everything and frankly, I love the whole experience because when I shop, I learn.

I love everything to do with retail — buying, shopping, selling, being a customer and enjoying how others shop. I love store design, fashion, fixturing and how someone puts together an outfit.

Who has most influenced your life or career?
My family, starting with my grandmother. Sixty years ago, she raised five children alone during the Depression. She had the courage and business acumen to open a women’s clothing store with my father and uncles. None of them had any experience in the clothing business, having run a small store selling candy, sodas and newspapers.

You continue to work with many family members.
Being in a family-owned business is one of the great joys I have in my life, and we’re highly focused on running a successful business along with supporting one another and learning from one another while doing so. Getting to see my father and sharing business with him — with my uncles who trained me early on, with my cousins and now our children — gives me a great sense of fulfillment.

Your LinkedIn profile interests include “coaching” and “transformation.” What about those activities?
These are two areas of my life that most interest me. We all learn best about ourselves when someone can help us see something that — on our own — we couldn’t see before. This [transformation] opens up new possibilities for freedom, power and success.

When you can see something different from another point of view that was hidden from you before, new thoughts and opportunities begin to occur. That is very difficult to do on your own, and being coached and coaching others is one of the most powerful ways to live.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Keep learning.

You studied psychology in college. Do you use that training today?
Are you kidding? Business is all about people. Listening to people, inspiring people, developing people. There’s not a single day that I’m not grateful for my ongoing study of psychology.

Describe a treasured possession.
A 7-ft. tall, 600-lb. bronze sculpture in my garden made by the last Prince of Romania. I love its majestic lines and shape. Looking out onto this piece each morning brings me pleasure.

A guilty pleasure?
I love everything about food. My fiancé tells me I could have a future on The Food Network.

A perfect day?
Enjoying a good meal with family, friends and the people I love.