We’re back for another After The Show to dive deep into the exciting world of pop-ups and pop-ins. In our latest episode, I was thrilled to host Allison Yee from Popping Up Next, where we explored all the nuances, logistics, and success stories surrounding these experiential retail strategies. Today, I'm excited to share with you my top takeaways and key insights from that discussion. From creating FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) to partnering with the right vendors, we'll explore how pop-ups can be ...
May 15, 2024•12 min•Ep. 84
Have you ever considered the power of a pop-up shop to breathe new life into your retail store? Well, you're in for a treat because today we're joined by Allison Yee, the founder of UpNext. We're talking all about the untapped potential of pop-up shops and pop-in shops. Let’s explore how these temporary setups can be game-changers for testing new markets, products, and ideas. As the CEO of UpNext, Allison wants to create a world where entrepreneurs can make big waves without taking huge risks. W...
May 12, 2024•35 min•Ep. 83
This week I’m talking about episode 81 with Lori Foster where we talk all about using Facebook Lives to market her shop. She has such incredible results and the biggest secret to her success is that she has found a way to make it FUN for her. For Lori that means leveraging spontaneous creativity to create her daily live show. This idea might be inspiring and freeing for you - to not have to worry about having a strict plan that you have to follow every single day. For others that might stress yo...
May 08, 2024•14 min•Ep. 82
Lori Foster has mastered the art of engaging with customers through Facebook Live. Lori shares her journey into live streaming during the pandemic, emphasizing its significant impact on sales and customer connection. She offers insights on how she plans content, engages viewers, and converts live sessions into sales without relying on e-commerce platforms. Lori's strategy of maintaining consistency, being authentic, and offering valuable content has not only allowed her to sell products daily bu...
May 05, 2024•43 min•Ep. 81
This week my goal was to help ease your mind when it comes to any worries you may have around the economy, the fact that it's an election year, and that the cost of goods has increased. Paul Erickson was a perfect guest because he has so much experience and has watched these cycles in retail. He offers so much valuable advice. My biggest takeaway from the episode was “what we focus on expands.” So if we focus on the negativity in the world around us it is only going to appear to grow in our worl...
May 01, 2024•12 min•Ep. 80
Today, we've got an episode that's perfect for anyone feeling the weight of economic uncertainty, the buzz of an election year, or the pinch of rising prices. If you've been wondering how to navigate these turbulent waters and ensure your store not only survives but thrives, then you’re going to love this conversation. Joining us today is Paul Erickson, Director of Mentoring at Management One. With his extensive experience serving retail clients across the globe, Paul is here to break down the c...
Apr 28, 2024•47 min•Ep. 79
In this episode of 'After the Show,' I am going to dive into my key takeaways from my discussion with Kareen Walsh. I first want to talk about what it might mean if you have an 'exit strategy' mindset even if not planning to exit. But what I really wanted to focus on is the unmatched advantage of creativity in independent retail against giants like Amazon. In this episode, I urge you to prioritize your creativity for the health of your business. [00:00] Welcome to Rooted in Retail: After the Sho...
Apr 24, 2024•10 min•Ep. 78
Are you ready to learn how to craft a business and a life that you truly love? Well, today, we're diving deep into just that with the incredible Kareen Walsh. She’s a friend and mentor who has mastered the art of building a business while staying true to herself. Kareen's evolution from a people-pleaser to seven-figure business builder is truly inspiring. Through her Evolve methodology, she empowers clients to transition from feeling lost to discovering alignment as they scale their businesses a...
Apr 21, 2024•40 min•Ep. 77
Are you doing anything with affiliate marketing? Have you heard of affiliate marketing? Have you done any research thinking it could help drive traffic to your store? Or maybe you’ve done nothing at all, maybe you can’t see how affiliate marketing is going to help your brick-and-mortar store. Give me a chance to show you how it can work and why its important for you to consider as part of your marketing. The thing is, affiliate marketing is not new. It's been around for a long time. But we haven...
Apr 17, 2024•14 min•Ep. 76
Affiliate marketing isn't just for the big players. It's a powerful tool that can help grow your e-commerce business and open doors to new revenue streams without the hassle of more inventory. But if you're new to the concept or unsure if it's right for you, don't worry. Today, I'm joined by Wade Tonkin, a seasoned expert with over 25 years in the affiliate marketing world. As the Director of Global Affiliate Marketing at Fanatics, he's been at the forefront of managing affiliate programs for so...
Apr 14, 2024•53 min•Ep. 75
Today, we're diving deep into social media and how it can drive meaningful foot traffic to your store. I'm thrilled to be joined by our digital strategist at Crystal Media, Steph Bechard. With over six years of experience in building online communities and skyrocketing engagement for retailers, Steph brings a ton of knowledge to the table. As the driving force behind our insider membership program at Crystal Media and the go-to expert for social media audits, Steph is immersed in social media ev...
Apr 07, 2024•55 min•Ep. 74
In this episode of 'After the Show,' host Crystal Vilkaitis discusses key takeaways from a previous episode featuring guest Miranda Heslip, co-owner of Cloud Nine Pajamas. The conversation touches on the importance of social media, email marketing, and ways to earn money passively. Despite the interest in passive income strategies, Crystal shifts the focus to the power of determining 'Who, Not How' in business, emphasizing delegation, strategic outsourcing, and utilizing resources like the book ...
Apr 03, 2024•17 min•Ep. 73
If you've ever dreamt of making money while you sleep, then you're in for a treat. In this episode, we're diving into the secrets of passive income with a special guest who knows a thing or two about it. I'm thrilled to introduce Miranda Heslip, co-owner of Cloud Nine Pajamas. Miranda, along with her sisters, has mastered the art of bringing in revenue around the clock through their successful e-commerce venture. Today, Miranda pulls back the curtain and shares how Cloud Nine Pajamas leverages s...
Mar 31, 2024•40 min•Ep. 72
Welcome to Rooted in Retail: After the Show. This week I am diving into one of my biggest takeaways from my interview with Alex Back from Couch.com. It was hard to pick just one because I had so many takeaways so be sure to go back and catch that episode. Today I want to focus on the power of brand collaboration and partnership in retail. This episode is packed with tips for starting small with collaborations, aligning with brands that share similar values, and leveraging local opportunities to ...
Mar 28, 2024•26 min•Ep. 71
Meet Alex Back, an e-commerce entrepreneur who is shaking up the furniture industry. He’s the founder of Couch.com, a new startup focused on solving one of the biggest issues for consumers in the furniture industry: where the heck to buy a couch? Before launching Couch.com, Alex co-founded and ran Apt2B, a popular online furniture brand that he led to a successful exit and transition just last year. In this episode, he shares his favorite tips and tools to help retailers market, evolve, and thin...
Mar 24, 2024•45 min•Ep. 70
We’re back this week with round two from the Dallas Market Center! Today's episode is a special one because I had the chance to sit down in person with Teddie Garrigan, the co-founder of Coco & Dash. Teddie, alongside her daughter Courtney, is the force behind Coco & Dash, an award-winning home decor retail shop that's all about creative furnishings, lighting, art, and accessories. In this episode, Teddie shares her strategies for building a strong retail brand presence on Instagram. Fro...
Mar 20, 2024•34 min•Ep. 69
In January, I had the pleasure of sitting down with not one, but two remarkable guests at the Dallas Market Center. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce Brianna Cannon, the creative force behind BriannaCannon.com and a seasoned retail veteran with over two decades of experience. Trust me, this episode is nothing short of a retail masterclass. Brianna's fashion and lifestyle brand is bold, flashy, and beautiful. In this episode, we dive into the secrets behind her social media success, both organic a...
Mar 17, 2024•24 min•Ep. 68
This week, I talked to Susan Negen from Whizbang Training, and I hope you had the opportunity to listen to that episode because it was packed with so much actionable advice. She is so rooted in retail and gives some great tips that can save you so much time and make you a way more efficient retailer. We also talked about the power of learning and online education and investing in ourselves. But today I wanted to share with you my biggest takeaways and why I think these are so important to you as...
Mar 15, 2024•20 min•Ep. 67
How do indie retailers juggle the daily demands of their stores and keep things running smoothly without feeling overwhelmed? It all starts with having efficient operations in place. I’m excited to be sitting down with Susan Negen today. Not only is she a dear friend, but she’s also the co-founder of Whizbang! Training, with over 20 years of experience helping independent retailers build better, more fulfilling businesses. We’re diving into retail operations and how you can leverage them to save...
Mar 10, 2024•44 min•Ep. 66
Today we are celebrating the first anniversary of the 'Rooted in Retail' podcast, which officially launched on March 6th, 2023. I can’t help but reflect on the podcast's achievements over the past year, including reaching 25,000 downloads and nearly 1,000 members in the Facebook group. This week's episode took on a different format as we did a call-in-style show. During After the Show I shared some of the topics that were covered, but the one thing I want to encourage you to do is to become (mor...
Mar 08, 2024•18 min•Ep. 65
Welcome to a very special episode of Rooted In Retail! Can you believe it? It's our first birthday, and I’m so thrilled about the incredible journey we’ve had together over the past year. From inspiring guests to your heartwarming reviews and the community we’ve built together, it's been nothing short of amazing. I love hosting this show, and I've got a treat for you in today's episode to mark this special milestone! In celebration of our one-year anniversary, I invited our Facebook group member...
Mar 03, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 64
In this episode of 'After the Show', host Crystal Vilkaitis discusses various topics related to retail growth and challenges, focusing on insights drawn from a conversation with Andrew and Claire Bowen, authors of the bestselling book 'The Daily Grind'. Through exploring the importance of being famous for something in your retail business, tips on checking profits weekly, and strategies for driving foot traffic, the episode offers actionable advice for retail store owners. Also covered are ideas...
Feb 29, 2024•27 min•Ep. 63
Today, we're shaking things up and venturing beyond traditional retail to dive into the world of coffee shops. What lessons can we learn from the cozy corners of your favorite neighborhood cafes? I had a lovely conversation with Andrew and Claire Bowen, the authors of the award-winning coffee book The Daily Grind. While their book was originally meant to be an extension of their business, it unexpectedly took off and turned them into industry coaches. Now, Andrew and Claire are here to share the...
Feb 25, 2024•40 min•Ep. 62
In this episode of 'After the Show', we are live from Palm Springs after our first Oasis of Opportunity Retreat. I want to discuss additional strategies for retailers to focus on in 2024. I am joined by special guests Majda Rensberger from OneCoast and Steph Bechard from Crystal Media. We are talking about the significance of adapting business strategies to effectively engage customers, the need for talent acquisition and delegation to scale up businesses, and the importance of storytelling in m...
Feb 22, 2024•19 min•Ep. 61
In this episode of Rooted in Retail, we are diving into 7 marketing trends that retailers need to know. In a world of fast-paced technological changes retailers need to adapt or risk being left behind. Use this as your guide to find the right focus for your shop. I will discuss the significance of AI in the retail industry, it has the potential to assist in tasks like brainstorming, content generation, and marketing strategy. Retailers should learn to embrace emerging platforms like TikTok becau...
Feb 18, 2024•34 min•Ep. 60
In this episode of 'After The Show', we are talking about topics that were discussed in my conversation with retailer Heidi Hardman (Episode 58). I talk about the importance of making marketing a priority for retailers. And I shared some insights about facing fears, self-sabotage, the danger of not having clear priorities, and the benefits of challenging yourself, using some of my own experiences. I also mentioned two resources that will help you with your social media. The first is our social m...
Feb 15, 2024•22 min•Ep. 59
In Florida, Polka Dotz isn't just a gift shop – it's a community hub. Today, I’m excited to talk with Heidi Hardman about the remarkable journey that elevated Polka Dotz to local fame in less than a year. If you've ever wondered how to make your store the talk of the town, you're in for a treat with this episode. Heidi generously shares her tips on how to show up everywhere with an omnichannel presence. She also offers practical advice for retailers looking to collaborate with a marketing team. ...
Feb 11, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 58
We've got a treat for you today! I’m excited to welcome Jonathan Schulman, president of ceXperencia, back on the podcast for part two of our conversation about the world of customer experience. If you haven’t listened to part one, go check out that episode first and come back for part two. Throughout both episodes, a key theme emerged: the power of the basics. Jonathan drives home the importance of being brilliant at the fundamentals, going back to your roots, and, most importantly, connecting w...
Feb 07, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Today, I'm joined by Jonathan Schulman, president of CeXperentia—a customer experience devotee and former chairman of the International Home Furnishings Rep Association. He has a provocative and unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in retail, which you’ll see firsthand during this episode. We've got so much to cover that Jonathan and I are extending this conversation into part two. He emphasizes the importance of connecting the dots in the customer experience journey to put you on trac...
Feb 04, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Is your store memorable? There is so much noise in the world today and consumers have so many choices, if your store doesn’t stand out it might be forgotten. This was a theme that came up in my conversation with Jacqueline from The Product Boss and I wanted to spend some time talking about ways you can make your store more memorable. Some ideas you can try are: building a unique brand, telling your story, exceptional customer service, having a specific niche, collaborations, gathering good custo...
Feb 01, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 55
