In Conversation with Laura Zwanziger

Tell us about your background: 

Growing up in Boston, I could knit since before I could read, and decided to become a designer when I was 13. After attending design school, I moved to New York, where I worked for Oscar de la Renta for 4 years as a product developer for sweaters and knits. I left to pursue an MBA at MIT to focus on supply chain and operations to apply a quantitative approach to design. I recently graduated and am working on a fashion tech startup called Fit for Everybody.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

I wish I had been more fearless about asking questions early on in my career.

Best career advice you've ever received?

This sounds a bit negative, but I have found this helpful: For anything you are not good at, there will always be someone who is better, so get them on your team, and focus on what you are good at.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Honesty, trust, reliability, putting others' needs ahead of your own.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far? 

One of the biggest challenges for me was deciding to go back to school mid career. Ultimately, I'm glad I made this decision, and happy to chat about going back to school with a design background.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

Am I allowed to say my glasses? If not, an ultra wide leg pant.

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-zwanziger-32362327/

Website: www.fitforeverybody.com

Instagram: @laurazwanziger @_fit_for_everybody_