Who we are
We rose through the ranks of physical retail ourselves. We learned exactly what it takes to run a well-functioning store, inside and out. Add to that our history in the worlds of film and theater and you’ll see why we think of our role as “setting the stage” to tell your brand story.
The truth is: Without a well-concepted and executed stage, no one can connect to the story, no matter how well it’s told.
We cut our teeth at iconic brands like Apple and Chanel. As our careers progressed, we guided DTC brands like Warby Parker and Figs as they launched experiential spaces. We drove physical innovation for brands like Dossier. Over the years, we’ve continued supporting brands as they move into, or expand within, the physical retail space—and we’d love to do the same for you.
Learn more about what we do.
Rebekah drives the strategy behind rekon’s work.
Decades of experience at Apple, Starbucks, and Warby Parker helped develop Rebekah’s leadership skills and introduced her to the constantly-evolving nature of retail. She successfully led teams of up to 300 employees through periods of intense change, guiding expansion through employee development, planning physical retail strategy, and implementing systems and processes to ensure a consistent customer experience and profitable retail channel. She has overseen revenue channels in excess of $100 million, implemented large-scale product launches, and opened dozens of stores across the US for emerging and high-growth brands.
A natural problem-solver and former performer, Rebekah loves a complex challenge and particularly enjoys the theatrical element present in physical retail spaces.
Rebekah Kondrat | Managing Partner
Libby is rekon’s innovative force.
Working her way through every position at The Container Store gave Libby deep, firsthand knowledge into how the entire system works. Because she’s worked on every side of a retail business, she’s able to quickly spot details that others miss.
She has worked at unique concept stores, such as STORY, and been responsible for many brands’ “firsts” in retail. From Fig’s first pop-up to Sarah Flint’s first (of many) physical store rollout to Chanel’s first beauty concept shop—Libby knows how to lead a company as they move into uncharted territory.
Libby is energized by IRL interaction and the possibilities that physical retail spaces create for different exchanges. She aims to ensure that the systems put into place during the process always facilitate a smooth, enjoyable customer experience.
Libby Shani | Omnichannel Operations
Litoya Mikel | Talent Manager
For the past five years, Litoya has served as the Talent Manager with rekon Retail, providing emerging and established brands with strategic recruiting and people-support solutions. Her work has helped direct-to-consumer brands execute successful new store openings by building strong leadership teams, developing scalable hiring processes, and creating thoughtful candidate experiences.
Currently working towards full-time entrepreneurship, Litoya founded MGR Talent Solutions, an independent consulting practice offering fractional recruiting and talent advisory services to growing brands. Her approach is grounded in candidate experience, cross-functional partnership, inclusive recruiting, and measurable talent outcomes.
A SHRM Certified Professional, Litoya’s career spans talent acquisition, HR operations, and multi-unit retail leadership. This cross-functional experience gives her a practical understanding of how organizations attract, develop, and retain high-performing teams.
Payton brings a background in hospitality, design, and retail to her work in operations at rekon Retail. Her career has taken her from creating experiences for guests to working alongside designers and growing brands, giving her a practical understanding of how spaces need to look, feel, and function.
At rekon, she partners with brands, vendors, designers, and contractors to bring retail concepts to life, then helps brands refine operations, navigate early growth, and evolve what isn’t working. Outside of rekon, Payton is active in nonprofit and community initiatives focused on the arts, sustainability, and creative reuse. She is at her best when creative vision meets practical execution, bringing people, process, and problem-solving together.
Payton Swenson | Operations Manager
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We know physical retail. We believe Retail is Alive®
Efficiently scale your retail channel and set it up for long-term success.
