Marcus Lemonis Blue Jean's Bar

In this episode of the profit, Marcus Lemonis visits Blue Jeans Bar. Blue Jeans Bar is a high-end clothing and accessories retailer owned by Lady Catherine Reiss-Fuller. Lady was born and raised in New Orleans. She fulfilled her passion for the fashion industry in 2004 and opened a network of boutiques she called “The Blue Jeans Bar.” She combined her inspiration from her parents’ legacies and her MBA in fashion to build a business with a soul. Lady’s mom was a model and her dad was a business.

With some issues like lack of inventory and fast expansion, the Blue Jeans Bar struggled to stay in the business and managed the high debts. Marcus Lemonis was asked to help the company regain its composure and manage the business issues. Marcus went

• Too aggressive business expansion.

• Stagnant stocks.

• Lady Fuller and her people are inexperienced when it comes to the retail business.

• The stores have limited sizes available.

• The profit margin is horrible.

• The business does not have enough inventories.

• The merchandise is all over the place. The deal

Because of the lack of proper management, the Blue Jeans Bar was on the verge of extrication and the business in dire need of Marcus’ help. Marcus initially offered Lady $800,000 for 50% ownership. The money will be paid to the vendors and some amount will be spent as working capital. Lady countered by asking for $1,000,000 for 40% ownership.

Marcus said he recognizes the fashion ideas and artistic skills that Lady has and finally offered her on $900,000 for 50% of the business with Marcus fully in control of the spendings. Lady and Marcus settled with that amount and arrangement.

The Solutions

• Bring the inventory in.

• Take care of the vendors and supplies.

• Make a significant change in the store’s appearance.

• Pick and sell new products.

• Flatten the management/organizational chart.

• Introducing new inventory system.

• Clearing out the basement and made great

Steps taken

After Marcus announced the deal to the employees, so many things happened. Because he lived in Chicago, he decided to visit the Blue Jeans Bar Chicago. He was disappointed to discover the lack of leadership and inventory. He called the attention of Lady, Tasha, and Amy. He described the store as underloved, dirty, unsupervised and underresourced.

Marcus initiated to identify the demographics the customers, clear the racks and basement. They made a big sale and bring some of the stocks to the other store. The Chicago store was closed and re-modelled and become the model-store. It was hard for Lady to let go of the “bar” concept and hesitated to have the bar removed. Marcus insisted to get rid of it to make more floor space.

Marcus brought Lady and Amy to Aviation Nation to look for new products to introduce and sell. They picked new products that will suit the 25 to 40 demographics. When Marcus unveiled the new Chicago store as “Denim & Soul,” Lady was blown away. The customers are happy to find their sizes and style.