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In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack one of retail’s most unexpected survivors: Build-A-Bear. Build-A-Bear is a mall-based stuffed animal retailer in an AI-driven world – and yet it’s a profitable public company with rising stock performance.

We cover:

• What the company really sells – and how customization drives pricing power
• What the financials reveal about profitability and scale
• The next move: U.S. focus, international expansion, or partnerships

A sharp look at retail economics, defensibility, and what it actually takes to survive.

Episode Links:

• Annual Report - SEC Form 10-K Filing for Fiscal Year 2024 (Build-A-Bear)

Executive Presentation Training:

Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted

Chapters:

00:00 – Should Build-A-Bear Be Dead?
01:45 – The “Pay Your Age” Hook
04:30 – Chipotle for Teddy Bears
06:40 – Public Company Surprise
09:00 – Breaking Down the Financials
12:30 – Retail vs AI Disruption
16:45 – Growth Levers That Matter
22:30 – U.S. Core vs Global Expansion
29:00 – What Would You Do Next?

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.

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Watch the top undergraduate and master’s teams in the 2026 Case Competition World Cup Finals go head-to-head in a live, high-pressure strategy showdown.

5 finalist teams take on The Waymo Challenge, presented by Grant Thornton Stax: build a 3–5 year growth strategy to scale Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing business – without sacrificing safety, strong unit economics, or public trust.

You’ll see:

• 5-minute pitches from undergrad/MS competitors
• Live Q&A and evaluation from Celebrity Judges at EY-Parthenon, Grant Thornton Stax, KPMG, L.E.K. Consulting, and Simon-Kucher
• How top employers assess structured thinking, judgment, and storytelling

Presented by Grant Thornton Stax, a strategy consulting firm specializing in analytics-driven growth strategy and commercial diligence.

Stax partnered to develop the case and is actively hiring talent interested in strategy, data, and real-world impact.

Helpful Stax Links:

• Careers site
• Life at Grant Thornton Stax
• Contact: recruiting@stax.com

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about running a case competition for your university or club (Career Services & Club Leaders only)
• Book a free 15-minute call with Katie to explore Management Consulted prep support options

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.

Send a text

Work–life balance is one of the most common concerns candidates have about consulting.

It’s also one of the fastest ways to quietly take yourself out of the running.

In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae explains why asking about work–life balance in an interview sends the wrong signal – and what firms are actually optimizing for instead.

Inside this episode:

• What firms really manage to (hint: it’s not balance)
• What interviewers hear when you ask about workload
• How to frame smarter end-of-interview questions that protect your candidacy

This is a mindset shift you need early – not after you’ve already missed your shot.

Additional Resources:

• Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
• Take the Consulting Fit Quiz (free self-assessment)
• Get full prep support with Black Belt

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.