Laura Aldrich, Scott Brothers Global

Helping Families Through Home And Furnishings

Laura Aldrich has known she wanted to be a retail buyer since she was in high school. That might seem like a strange career aspiration for your average teenager, but she learned about marketing from her mother, who helped show her the career possibilities.

With that focus she headed to Bentley College and then into the home and furnishings industry upon graduation. Over the years she’s gained experience in every aspect of the home industry, both on the retail and wholesale side of consumer goods. Then, in 2018, she was approached by Scott Brothers Global to come help them grow their newly launching licensing business. From that time, Laura has helped the business grow tremendously and was just named as the President of Consumer Products as well as President of Brand Journey  in January this year. 

We sat down with Laura to learn more about her career and the work she does. Keep reading for the full conversation!   

Q&A

How did you find yourself in the home and furnishings industry? 

I went to college and majored in marketing with the goal of becoming a retail buyer. I actually knew that’s what I wanted to do back in high school. My mom was the first one to tell me about marketing. I hadn’t even heard of it since my school didn’t offer any classes, but she explained that there are people who choose products, set prices, and create promotions. That fascinated me. Before college, I started working in retail on the sales floor for a fashion company and moved into management pretty quickly. 

I loved retail, but I wanted to understand more about the merchandising side. In college, I took every marketing and consumer behavior class I could. Right after graduation, I landed a job in a buying office. I’d hoped it would be in fashion, but the opening was in the home division, and I’ve never looked back. I started with kitchen gadgets and over time have worked across almost every part of home furnishings. What I love most about home is how personal it is—how it connects with families and helps them find products that make life easier, better, more enjoyable. Whether it’s a simple peeler that works beautifully or the perfect sectional for a busy family, it’s the same process. We are finding solutions that truly fit into people’s lives and make them better.

What drew you to the Scott Brothers Global Business?

I spent the first 14 years of my career in retail buying before moving over to the wholesale side. There, I took on a wide range of roles including product development, supply chain management, financial planning and analysis, and sales, eventually becoming EVP of consumer products at a tableware company. When the Scott Brothers reached out, it felt like the perfect opportunity to dive into licensing and branding, an area I had always been curious about. I’ve long been fascinated by how consumer behavior can be shaped by the right product, in the right place, with the right brand.

Drew and Jonathan, better known as the Property Brothers, had already built incredible trust with consumers through their TV shows, and they had started licensing a couple of years prior with the goal of bringing great products to market. They were in a great position for growth. Since I joined in 2018, we’ve grown the business significantly, launching more than 12,000 products across 11,000 store locations, which has generated over $3 billion in retail sales. None of that would be possible without the most incredible, hard-working team that truly makes magic happen every day, and of course, two brothers who empower us to create.

In January, we took the next step and transformed our Consumer Products Division into a brand management company called BrandJourney. Now, in addition to Drew and Jonathan, we represent other talent and brands, helping them develop into home brands that consumers truly love. We’re a small, nimble team, and it’s been so exciting to watch us grow and expand what’s possible.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Most days are centered around Zoom meetings. We’re a fully remote company, and during Covid we put processes into place and built culture, and afterwards made the strategic plan to remain remote, which turned out to be a huge advantage for us. It’s allowed us to hire amazing talent from across the country and let people work where they do their best work. For anyone who wants in-person time, we keep a resource office available, but the heartbeat of our day is on remote meetings.

My mornings usually begin with quick check-ins, making sure we’re aligned on projects and staying connected as people. From there, the pace picks up fast. One moment I might be brainstorming new product concepts, the next pitching to a potential client, then shifting into a call with a retailer to finalize a program. Later in the day, it could be pulling together budgets, reviewing financial recaps, or jumping back into contract negotiations. No two days are exactly the same, and that’s what keeps it exciting. We find significant advantages and efficiencies because we have to be intentional about our conversations. On top of the day-to-day, I’m also on the road often, attending about 15 trade shows and conferences a year. It’s a chance to stay close to the industry, connect face-to-face with partners, and bring fresh ideas back to the team.

What is it about the home and furnishings industry that’s kept you interested and passionate about the work you do?

The home industry is a really close-knit community, with family-run businesses at its core. Each category has its own rhythm: textiles work differently than furniture, and furniture runs differently than housewares. At the end of the day, it all comes back to the same thing: helping families live their best lives.

How did you first learn about WithIt? 

I was speaking on a panel at a Furniture Today event in 2019 when I met Lorri Kelley and Amy Van Dorp. That led me to start attending WithIt events, and it quickly became inspiring. The more events I attended, the more people I met, and those connections grew into real relationships, friendships and invaluable sounding boards. I’ve always loved the content WithIt provides, and when I was invited to join the Executive Advisory Council in 2022, it gave me a deeper appreciation for all the incredible work happening behind the scenes.

Why do you think an organization like WithIt is still important today? 

I believe it’s essential to create focused educational opportunities, especially for women. Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how different motivations and unique challenges can shape the journey, and how valuable it is to learn from others who’ve walked that path. What I love about WithIt is that it offers both the education and the community that make real growth possible. I’ve been fortunate to experience both sides of the mentoring that happens here. Both learning from incredible women while also having the chance to give back, and I’ve seen how that cycle of support and inspiration helps women truly thrive in this industry.

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