Perry Ellis Chairman Speaks at Huizenga Business School

George Feldenkreis, chairman and chief executive officer of Perry Ellis International, recently spoke at the Huizenga Business School as a Distinguished Lecture Series guest speaker. More than 100 guests attended the lecture in the Huizenga Sales Institute’s Executive Conference Center.

Born to Russian Jewish immigrants, Feldenkreis left Cuba in 1961 with $700 in his pocket. In 1967, he and his brother founded Supreme International and began importing children’s school uniforms. As they expanded their business, they became known as the “Guayabera Kings.” They explored many businesses, including selling Japanese automobile and motorcycle parts. Their company went public in 1993, and in 1999 they purchased the rights to the Perry Ellis trademark. The company name was changed and a brand acquisition strategy was launched. Today the company is one of the largest men’s wear manufacturers in the world with offices overseas, including four offices in China, one in Taipei and an operation in the United Kingdom that generates $50 million in annual business. Employing more than 1400 associates, the company will continue growing all brands and investing in ecommerce, “A big area of growth,” noted Feldenkreis.

The title of Feldenkreis’s lecture was “Retail’s Changing Landscape,” but he took every opportunity to provide insight from his extensive knowledge and experience. He stressed the importance of technology and discussed business dynamics from demographics to leadership skills stating, “A leader is no longer someone at the top looking down but someone who is in the circle, at the center of a team.” Feldenkreis shared a long list of traits that helped him succeed in business, including learning something new every day and not being afraid to make mistakes.