"See challenges as the fuel that ignites the flames of progress and innovation."
Tali Shladov has been at the helm of CherryField as its CEO and owner since 2022, steering the company through the dynamic and demanding realms of the global fashion industry. Her journey with CherryField began in 1995, during which she has held diverse roles across Marketing, Finance, and HR.
Under her leadership, the company works with apparel brands to conceptualize, create, source, manufacture, and deliver outfits to over 40 million people annually. This achievement is a reflection of Tali’s unique blend of business insights and her management style that promotes a culture of warmth, directness, and resilience, emphasizing human connections and adaptability. CherryField’s success is driven by its flexible approach to the fast-paced fashion industry, with capabilities across key global markets, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Kenya, and design and marketing offices in London and New York. CherryField recently announced an expansion in Kenya and opened a denim factory (CherryField Apparel EPZ). Tali’s commitment to collaboration, thoughtful decision-making, and continuous innovation ensures CherryField leads in industry standards and provides clients with tailored efficient solutions.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Tali Shladov: Guiding CherryField with the warmth and inclusivity of a tight-knit family, I am deeply passionate about fostering connections and valuing the collective power of teamwork.
My diverse expertise, which spans from a solid foundation in accounting and marketing to an expressive flair in pottery, interior design, and integrating spiritual practices into daily life, enriches my leadership approach.
Having been a part of CherryField for over three decades, I have developed an intimate understanding of the company and the industry in which it thrives. My journey at CherryField is shared with my two extraordinary sons, who are both my closest confidants and competent deputies, embodying the spirit of dedication and talent.
I am privileged to work alongside an unparalleled team whose exceptional skills, vast experience, and unified vision drive us to achieve remarkable feats. Together, we craft magic, continually setting new standards of excellence in our field.
CherryField stands as a beacon of generational excellence, a third-generation family-owned enterprise deeply rooted in a commitment to the well-being of its employees and delivering personal, yet highly professional, services to our clients.
As a distinguished apparel provider, we offer comprehensive end-to-end solutions that span the entire supply chain. This includes material procurement, trend analysis, design, sample creation, manufacturing, quality assurance, and logistics. Our dedication to providing exceptional value to our clients is unwavering.
CherryFields’ global footprint extends across ten countries, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Turkey, Kenya, and Bangladesh, with strategic design and marketing offices in London and New York.
In the past year, what is the greatest business achievement you’d like to celebrate with your team? Please share the details of that success.
Tali Shladov: The establishment of CherryField Apparels EPZ Ltd., a garment manufacturing operation in Nairobi, Kenya, specializing in denim products, stands out as our most significant business achievement in the past year, marking a pivotal expansion of CherryField’s global footprint and product range in Africa.
This strategic move enhances our competitive edge worldwide by bringing substantial commercial advantages such as eliminating Anti-Dumping Duties (ADD) on imports, competitive pricing, and the commitment to reliable, customer-centric services. Integrating this facility into CherryField’s portfolio amplifies our offerings, especially in the denim segment for the US market.
We are now equipped with advanced technologies such as premium water recycling system and laser equipment, enabling our clients to achieve superior quality and sustainability competitiveness.
This recent move embodies CherryField’s core values and commitment to employee well-being and environmental sustainability. It strengthens our position as a leading denim manufacturer in the USA.
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Tali Shladov: Reflecting on the early days of my business journey, one piece of advice I wish I had received is the importance of embracing challenges with a positive attitude as an integral part of success. Understanding that every setback is an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine strategies encourages a more resilient mindset from the outset.
It’s this ethos of resilience and continuous learning that I now strive to instill in every member of the CherryField team, fostering an environment where creativity and innovation are nurtured.
Looking ahead to the next quarter, my focus on improvements revolves around enhancing sustainability practices, increasing supply chain transparency, leveraging technology for efficiency and innovation, and, as always, enhancing our commitment to employee well-being.
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Tali Shladov: The book that has had the most profound impact on me is “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach. This narrative isn’t just a story about a seagull seeking to fly higher and faster; it’s a metaphor for personal transcendence, ambition, and the quest for a deeper understanding of life’s true purpose.
One of the pivotal life lessons it imparted to me is the importance of pursuing one’s passions and dreams, irrespective of societal expectations and norms. It taught me that true freedom and fulfillment come from breaking free from the limitations we impose on ourselves or accept from others.
Jonathan’s journey reflects the courage to be different, to explore the unknown, and to persist in the face of adversity, which resonates deeply with my personal and professional life.
Another invaluable lesson from the book is the significance of sharing knowledge and lifting others as we ascend.
Jonathan’s return to teach other seagulls who were outcasts like himself underscores the idea that success is not just about personal achievement but also about enabling others to realize their potential. This philosophy has influenced how I lead, mentor, and interact with others in my community and workplace.
As for the book I’ve gifted the most, lately it’s ‘The Leadership Challenge’ by James Kouzes and Barry Posner. It stems from my belief in the transformative power of effective leadership. ‘The Leadership Challenge’ offers a compelling and practical framework for becoming an exemplary leader.
It delves into the practices and principles that inspire trust, instigate change, and motivate others to achieve their highest potential. I frequently gift this book because of its universal applicability, regardless of an individual’s role or career stage.
By sharing this book, I aim to empower others with the tools and mindset necessary to confidently take on leadership challenges and make a positive impact in their organizations and communities.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Tali Shladov: For CherryField, an apparel provider that manages all aspects of the supply chain, THE real challenge right now is achieving a sustainable and ethical supply chain in the face of global economic pressures and rapidly changing consumer expectations.
The apparel industry is notoriously complex, with challenges ranging from labor practices and environmental impact to managing a global network of suppliers and adapting to fast-changing fashion trends.
Firstly, ethical sourcing and sustainability have moved from optional to necessary. Consumers are increasingly aware of and concerned about the environmental impact and labor conditions associated with their purchases.
Apparel companies must navigate these concerns by ensuring that their materials are sourced responsibly, their products are manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner, and workers throughout their supply chain are treated ethically and paid fairly.
Secondly, the rapid pace of fashion cycles demands agility in trend analysis, design, production, and distribution.
The traditional seasonal fashion calendar is being challenged by the rise of fast fashion and the expectation for constant newness, putting pressure on supply chains to be more flexible and efficient.
Thirdly, digital transformation presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Implementing technology across the supply chain for better transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness is crucial. This includes everything from employing data analytics for trend forecasting to using sustainable technologies in production processes.
Lastly, navigating the global economic uncertainties, including trade tensions, tariffs, and the aftermath of global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, requires strategic foresight and resilience. Apparel providers must adapt to these changes quickly, finding new markets, diversifying supply chains, and innovating in product offerings to stay ahead.
In summary, the real challenge of our business is building a supply chain that is not only efficient and responsive to market demands but also ethically sound and sustainable, all while navigating the complexities of a fast-evolving global market.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Tali Shladov: In my experience, the most underestimated part of running a company is the profound impact of corporate culture on every aspect of the business. Many leaders overlook how a strong, positive culture not only drives employee satisfaction and retention but also significantly influences clients’ experiences and the company’s overall success.
For example, at CherryField, when we integrated our acquisition in Kenya, we focused intensely on aligning cultures, ensuring that our core values of support, innovation, and community were embraced across the board.
This effort smoothed the transition and resulted in enhanced collaboration and productivity, illustrating how investing in a cohesive and empowering corporate culture can yield substantial dividends in terms of performance and growth.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Tali Shladov: If I could choose any business superpower, it would undoubtedly be the ability to instantly understand and adapt to every market nuance across the globe, essentially becoming a master of localization.
This superpower would enable CherryField to seamlessly integrate into any cultural or economic environment, tailoring our strategies, products, and communications to resonate perfectly with local tastes and preferences.
I would put this into practice by ensuring our global expansions and product developments are flawlessly executed, making CherryField not just a brand that operates worldwide but one that truly belongs to every community it serves, thereby fostering deeper connections and driving unparalleled growth.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Tali Shladov for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Tali Shladov or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
