Maxine Clark
Maxine Clark is the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop, the make-your-own stuffed animal retail chain she launched in 1997 after a 20-year retail career. She grew the concept into a global brand generating billions in sales.
Maxine Clark's Bio
Maxine Clark is the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop, the only global retailer of make-your-own stuffed animals.
Before founding Build-A-Bear, Clark spent over two decades in retail, becoming president of Payless ShoeSource in 1992. She left the corporate world in 1996 to launch Build-A-Bear, opening the first store in St. Louis in 1997.
The concept grew rapidly, reaching 100 stores within five years and eventually expanding to hundreds of locations worldwide. Build-A-Bear survived mall declines, the financial crisis, and copycat competitors to become a global brand generating over half a billion dollars in annual sales.
Clark served as CEO until June 2013 and remains on the board. She was inducted into the Global Business Hall of Fame in 2006 and named one of the Wonder Women of Toys. Her story is a landmark episode of How I Built This.
Career Timeline
1965 — Studied journalism at the University of Georgia
1992 — Became president of Payless ShoeSource at age 43
1996 — Left Payless to launch Build-A-Bear Workshop
1997 — Opened first Build-A-Bear store in St. Louis
2002 — Build-A-Bear reached 100 stores and went public
2006 — Inducted into the Global Business Hall of Fame
2013 — Stepped down as CEO; remains on the board
