‘Bou HQ: Two Twin Cities voices making style more accessible — one coffee at a time
Welcome to ‘Bou HQ* – Caribou Coffee’s ongoing series of spotlight entrepreneurs whose best ideas started where community happens – over coffee. In this edition, we sat down with Ann Marshik, founder of Ann Marshik Style, and Anne Mezzenga, CEO of Retail Field Report. The two are co-hosts of the popular and growing style podcast: Fashion Field Report.
‘Bou HQ: How did you first start working together?
Anne: We met years ago at Target — Ann working as a wardrobe stylist, and I was in internal production — and we kept talking about the same thing. People want clothes that look great and appropriate for the way we all work now – but that don’t break the bank or feel disposable. It’s a gap that consumers and retailers feel alike. So, we got talking, over (what else) coffee and decided to start a podcast to really spotlight the brands and ideas that can help people find that comfortable middle ground.
Ann: So true. In my work, I’d been seeing people struggle to find quality pieces that fit their lives. We realized that by bringing our different perspectives together — styling and retail strategy — we could help people navigate options that are high-value and wearable.
‘Bou HQ: Fashion Field Report was originally Fashion’s Missing Middle – what did that mean?
Ann: It’s the retail segment between luxury and fast fashion — where well-made, stylish, and accessible pieces live. For a lot of working people, that’s where they want to be: polished but practical.
Anne: It’s also about value, not just price. Clothing doesn’t have to have a high price tag to be appropriate and valued.
‘Bou HQ: You both bring different backgrounds to the project. How does that work?
Anne: My focus has been retail strategy, experience design, and technology — I’ve worked on retail projects like Target’s Store of the Future, and another venture which looked at the future of retail. I also built Urban Rooster Shop, a marketplace for local Twin Cities businesses.
Ann: I come from styling and hands-on wardrobe experience. I help people think through how clothes function in real life, how they actually feel, and how trends translate to actual wardrobes. Combining these two perspectives makes the show’s content both relatable and practical.
‘Bou HQ: Why is Caribou on 66th & Penn part of your story?
Ann: It’s our usual meeting point — our middle ground, if you will. Convenient between where we each work and a perfect environment to connect, talk and exchange ideas about the show. We’re constantly in there planning episodes and thinking about what’s coming next.
Anne: Caribou is always familiar, cozy and approachable, and that vibe lines up with the way we want fashion to feel: not elite, but accessible every day.
‘Bou HQ: We have to ask. What’s your go-to order?
Ann: I’m all about the dark roast. The stronger the better.
Anne: And I’m a die-hard cappuccino girl. So good.
‘Bou HQ: It’s been a while now, but how did COVID change your perspective on fashion and the project?
Anne: The pandemic shifted how people dress — comfort became king, and many people lost touch with where to go for clothes that are both comfortable but also put-together. That change didn’t really go away. And it crystallized for us the idea of a “missing middle” and made it more urgent: how to help people and give them the guidance on where to shop for everyday style that still feels intentional.
Ann: We joke that in 2026 and beyond we’re still living in the elasticated-pants era that came out of those times, but the truth is, people want to look good but feel relaxed and comfortable when they’re working. Getting that balance right can make an enormous difference to personal work satisfaction and motivation.
‘Bou HQ: What retail trends are you seeing with Fashion Field Report that relate to your mission?
Anne: There’s a renewed appetite for in-store experiences among Gen Z — they do their research online and on TikTok but many want to touch and try products in the real world. To have an experience. It’s bringing back mall shopping slowly. And at retail, the brands that have the right items in inventory plus helpful in-store service are seeing returns. We’ve noticed retailers retooling to create more consumer-relevant in-store experiences.
Ann: There’s a duality in play. In malls, luxury spaces can act like galleries or museums that inspire shoppers and allow them to window-shop and dream. And at the same time resale and thrifting are bringing new shopping behaviors upstream. The way people evaluate value is shifting quickly. It’s not about the price or the prestige so much. It’s about the experience of the find and what that means to people.
‘Bou HQ: Where do you want Fashion Field Report to go next?
Anne: Well – we have a whole load of new content in the works which will air soon. We’re also incubating ideas: more short-format video, sponsorships, and ways to turn the podcast into a sustainable business that helps people and retailers connect.
Ann: It began as a passion project, and now we’re having conversations about partnerships and practical services — workshops, styling, and speaking — to bring our ideas to a broader audience.
‘Bou HQ: Any final lessons you’ve learned getting your business started?
Ann: Whether you’re looking for fashion advice or starting a business, the Twin Cities is an amazing place for connections, to seek the opinions and advice. We’ve met so many people on our travels, in coffee shops and in our jobs that inspire us to take the next step.
Anne: Buy local. Wherever you are, there are brands, retailers and resellers that can help you find your style and feel good wherever your work or the day takes you.
Final sip
At ‘Bou HQ, we celebrate innovators who turn coffeehouse conversations into companies and projects that connect people. If you have a story of a business idea or your next big thing that was sparked at a Caribou coffeehouse, we’d love to hear from you. Submit your story – and you could be featured in an upcoming edition.
*The opinions expressed in this story are those of the individual or organization featured, and do not necessarily reflect the view of Caribou Coffee. Caribou Coffee is not affiliated, does not endorse, or receive a benefit from any organization, business, or individual featured in ‘Bou HQ. All photos are used with permission and remain the property of their respective owners.