Ernesta Expands Manhattan Footprint and Adds Executive Talent

The company’s new office spans the entire second floor of the building, providing a collaborative environment for more than 90 employees. Ben Shapiro, Vice Chairman at Newmark, noted that securing such a high-profile location positions the firm advantageously within a competitive real estate market. This expansion follows a successful $20 million Series B funding round and a period of significant year-over-year growth for the custom rug retailer.

To manage this scale, Ernesta has bolstered its leadership ranks with industry veterans. Rohit Bagalkot, formerly of Prenuvo and Peloton, takes the helm of marketing to oversee brand growth and the company's expanding showroom footprint. Concurrently, Kelly Shah joins from Ring Concierge to lead inventory and demand planning. Her mandate focuses on maintaining the brand's rapid delivery promise as order volumes rise, leveraging experience gained at firms including David Yurman and Macy's. President Alan Smith emphasized that these strategic additions are intended to provide the operational rigor necessary to scale the business effectively.