Jack Mitchell — chairman emeritus of Mitchells Stores — was the second generation to run the company.
With his brother Bill, he helped make a literal mom-and-pop shop — Ed Mitchell’s — into a group of nationally recognized men’s and women’s specialty stores, in Connecticut, New York and on the West Coast.
In 2003, Jack launched a second career as a speaker and author. His “hugging” books — “Hug Your Customers” and “Hug Your People” — are filled with personal stories, and consistently top the business bestseller lists.
Jack has given hundreds of speeches, to audiences including Merrill Lynch, Nike, Starbucks and Harvard University.
The other day, Jack stopped by the Westport Library for a chat. He looked back on 85 years: his youth here in town, the early years and growth of Mitchells, and everything in between.
Click below for our wide-ranging, and very instructive, conversation.
