Michele M. Barnes
President & Founder, KRCrossing Consulting
When you think of retail construction leadership, few people have shaped as many successful projects as Michele.
With over three decades of experience and more than 1,000 store projects under her belt, Michele has transformed retail construction from a cost center into a strategic advantage for global brands.
I've had the privilege of working closely with Michele, and well, also grew up in her house as her oldest son.😉
So I'm excited to share her insights and journey with our growing community of brand and construction leaders.

From Store Operations to Construction Maven
Michele's path wasn't the typical construction industry route. Starting at Godiva Chocolatier, she quickly rose through retail operations roles at Laura Ashley and Loehmann's before becoming Vice President of Operations at Cole Haan. Her unique perspective – understanding both the operational and construction sides of retail – has become her secret weapon in delivering successful projects.

Risk Management: The Barnes Method
When I asked Michele about her approach to spotting and preventing risks, her response was characteristically practical: "Get in front of it." She emphasized the importance of following standard processes, even when gut instinct suggests otherwise.
"There's no replacing experience," Michele notes, "but even more important is leveraging your network. I lean heavily on people who've worked in specific markets, buildings, or with particular GCs. Those relationships you built 30 years ago? They might save your project today."

Learning from the Unexpected
One of Michele's most memorable lessons came from an unlikely source. "I had this big Marine contractor – someone you'd think was rock solid. Then he broke down crying and left the job at the eleventh hour," she recalls. "Meanwhile, someone else I initially doubted turned out to be incredibly reliable."
This experience reinforced her philosophy: "Don't judge a book by its cover, and never burn bridges. You never know when you'll need to call someone from your past for help."

The People Factor
Michele's success isn't just about technical expertise – it's about understanding people. "You can have someone who communicates perfectly but can't execute, or someone who's terrible at communication but runs an immaculate job site," she explains.
Her secret to managing difficult projects? Sometimes it's as simple as recognition. "Even when things aren't perfect, focusing on what's working rather than what isn't can motivate people to get across the finish line."

Words of Wisdom
Looking back on her journey from working at 16 to leading major retail construction projects, Michele offers this advice: "Love what you do. Don't be afraid to take chances. When I moved from building small stores to 40,000-square-foot projects, I was terrified – but you take what you know, be confident, and don't let them see you sweat."
Looking Forward
As our industry continues to evolve, Michele's approach to leadership – blending operational knowledge with construction expertise, building strong relationships, and understanding the human element – becomes increasingly valuable.
"Most people tell me I'm a rock-solid boss," she says with a smile, "but what really matters is delivering results while building lasting relationships."

Want to connect with Michele or suggest our next spotlight feature? Drop us a line on LinkedIn or reach out directly. Our community grows stronger with every story shared.
Until next time,
Rich
KRCrossing Consulting
Next issue: Michael Rollins dives deep into store closures. Learn why brands spend thousands of dollars to shut down a single store - and why it’s often times a strategic win.