IPO, Setbacks, and the Power of Resilience: Jennifer Hyman on Rebuilding Rent the Runway

What started as a disruptive idea — renting clothes others had worn — has transformed into a force shaping the mainstream fashion economy. Jennifer Hyman, CEO and co-founder of Rent the Runway, reflects on 15 years of innovation, resilience, and redefining how we think about fashion. Hyman shares how the company weathered pandemic-induced setbacks, restructured its debt, and reignited growth by doubling down on what matters most: the customer. Her realization? "We’re a fashion company." By prioritizing inventory — the backbone of brand loyalty — over tech bells and whistles, Rent the Runway unlocked new use cases for subscribers and brought its entrepreneurial spirit back to life. For Hyman, simple principles like listening to customers, focusing on core strengths, and staying connected to both strategy and operations drive success. Subscribe to the This is Working newsletter for more great insights: linkedin.com/thisisworking