In this episode, Scott Aleali and Jeff Maier sharea conversation with Tom Ripley, CEO of Lids and co-founder of private equity firm Ames Watson. From special ops in the Marines to scaling one of the world’s largest sports retailers, Tom shares how discipline, directness and diving into the action have defined his leadership journey. He discusses Lids’ transformation from a mall-based hat shop into a global brand presence for teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and PSG, and the unique partnership structure he built with Fanatics. Tom also opens up about his leadership philosophy, his father’s legendary Marine legacy and how Lids attracts and inspires the next generation of retail talent.