Welcome to Retail Therapy, the segment where we give therapy to retailers! Today’s episode is perfect for anyone who’s ever felt stuck or confused about a decision in business or life. My guest is Andy Havemeier, owner of Wealthy Street Bakery and Hall Street Bakery. Over the last five years, Andy’s life has undergone a complete 180, and now he’s facing a major decision that has him torn. As business owners, we’ve all been there—struggling between what we want and what we think we should do. In ...
Oct 03, 2024•38 min•Ep. 114
Today, we’re taking a closer look at a simple but powerful idea from my conversation with Amy Loewenberg: "Sometimes, you’re in the weeds. And my friend says, ‘Stand up. Look beyond the weeds.’" As small business owners, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially with the holiday season approaching and Q4 goals on the horizon. I know I’m there right now—between running my business, planning a wedding, and selling my house, I’ve got a lot on my plate. If you can relate, this episode is for you. To...
Oct 01, 2024•20 min•Ep. 113
This week, we’re kicking off something special—a series of live episodes straight from NY NOW! I’m thrilled to welcome back Amy Loewenberg, Director of Buyer Relations at NY NOW. Our first conversation on the show was packed with great takeaways, and today we’re going even deeper into ways that retailers can level up. In this episode, we’re going over key strategies that help indie retailers thrive in their local community. We’ll talk about using customer data to make smart decisions, host fun a...
Sep 30, 2024•35 min•Ep. 112
In this special recast episode of Rooted in Retail, I speak with the legendary Santa Claus himself. Santa shares invaluable advice for retailers to navigate the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of planning, keeping staff morale high, and creating a magical in-store experience. Get ready to take notes on Santa's innovative ideas such as hosting holiday scavenger hunts, setting up AR experiences, and organizing surprise flash sales. With personalized service tips and a look into the futu...
Sep 26, 2024•25 min•Ep. 111
In this episode of After the Show, I’m reflecting on my latest interview with Hollei Anne Hayes. She’s a talented product designer whose work you might have seen at Target and Toys “R” Us. We had an incredible conversation about what it takes to make your products stand out and the impact of design on customer engagement. One key theme we explored was the importance of emotional connection in product design and branding. I’ll share some of my personal takeaways, but trust me, you don’t want to m...
Sep 24, 2024•8 min•Ep. 110
Today, we’re diving into all things product design. I’m joined by Hollei Anne Hayes, who owns a creative studio specializing in product design and branding for product-based businesses. Even if you’re not designing your own products, you’re going to love this episode. Hollei has over a decade of experience working with brands like Toys R Us and Skip Hop. As the owner of Hollei Anne Design Co., she’s designed for the homegoods, stationery, gift, and textile industries, with her work featured at T...
Sep 22, 2024•35 min•Ep. 109
Ana, the owner of Pilar Boutique, joins us along with business and life coach Ronda for a special 'Retail Therapy' segment. Ana opens up about her fears of business failure and the challenges of leading a retail team, despite being in the industry for 17 years. The discussion highlights the importance of visualizing success in order to push past negative thoughts when they start to interfere. Ronda offers insights on internal sourcing, maintaining a positive mindset, and how to handle business g...
Sep 19, 2024•38 min•Ep. 108
On this week’s episode of After the Show, I’m sharing my biggest takeaways from my recent conversation with Melodie van der Baan from Max Retail. We had an eye-opening discussion about something every retailer needs to know: how to implement systems to manage inventory, improve operations, and support growth. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, having the right systems can make or break your business. Melodie also inspired me to embrace innovation and take bold action on ideas ...
Sep 17, 2024•8 min•Ep. 107
If you’ve got inventory gathering dust and want to turn it back into cash, this episode is for you. Whether you dream of building a retail store that you can one day sell, pass down, or simply take pride in, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m joined by Melodie van der Baan, the co-founder of Max Retail , who’s here to deliver a masterclass on independent retail in less than an hour. Melodie, a seasoned retailer herself, created Max Retail to help you offload inventory you just can’t seem to s...
Sep 15, 2024•43 min•Ep. 106
In this bite-sized episode of After the Show, I reflect on my inspiring conversation with Ladianne and Sheri from WoolTribe. It touched on the supply chain, sustainable products, and the value of building meaningful relationships in the supply community. What really stuck with me was the idea of being a patient business. I realized I needed to hear that, and maybe you do too. In this episode, I’m getting honest about what this concept means to me and how I’m applying these lessons to my own busi...
Sep 10, 2024•15 min•Ep. 105
I’m so excited for you to hear today’s episode with Ladianne Henderson and Sheri L. Osborne of WoolTribe. Our conversation was truly inspiring as we dive into how they started their company and the mission that drives their work. We discuss the importance of building strong relationships with the people and companies you source from and why this is so meaningful. We also explore some great marketing angles and the role of blockchain technology in retail—what it is, why it might be useful for pro...
Sep 08, 2024•40 min•Ep. 104
Welcome to the first episode of Retail Therapy, a series of six episodes where we give therapy to retailers. In this episode, I introduce you to our therapist, Ronda Renee, who will provide guidance and support for retailers facing various challenges. Ronda shares insights from her extensive experience as a business and life coach, providing valuable advice on alignment, overcoming impostor syndrome, and the importance of internal motivation. And I get into the hot seat to get some therapy of my...
Sep 05, 2024•46 min•Ep. 103
We’re back with a brand new episode of After The Show! Today, I’m excited to explain why we took a summer break and the strategy behind bringing it back—and these are ideas you can use for your own store. In this episode, I’m thrilled to share some key takeaways from my recent chat with Willerett Flowers. We talked about the importance of embracing imperfections in business and how focusing on details can truly make a difference. So let’s dive into why After The Show is back, why testing and dat...
Sep 03, 2024•17 min•Ep. 102
Today, I’m thrilled to chat with Kat and Mary Grace, the incredible sisters behind Willrett Flower Company, a full-service flower and gift shop in DeKalb, IL. Their store is often described by customers as a "ray of sunshine," and they’ve worked hard to create a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming space in the heart of downtown. In this episode, we dive into their journey of building a thriving retail shop while navigating personal challenges. We cover everything from their approach to hospitality...
Sep 01, 2024•45 min•Ep. 101
Welcome to a milestone episode of Rooted in Retail—episode 100! I’m thrilled to have you here for this special celebration. In today’s episode, we’re doing things a bit differently. My COO, Pauline Blasetti, will be turning the tables on me as I take on the Resilience Round—the rapid-fire Q&A I usually ask my guests. You’ll get to hear my answers at the end of the episode. But I’ve also gathered some of my favorite responses from past guests to the question: What do you think the future of i...
Aug 25, 2024•39 min•Ep. 100
Holy guacamole! Today's episode is packed with so many actionable tips for social media and holiday marketing, you’ll need to listen twice. We’re diving deep into open house planning and Pinterest strategy, so grab your pen and paper! Today, I’m joined by the incredible Steph Bechard. While she’s no longer on the Crystal Media team, she remains a forever friend of ours. I’m so excited that we could come together for this special Episode 99 to answer three burning questions from retailers just li...
Aug 18, 2024•53 min•Ep. 99
If you're a retailer, you probably work with sales reps. But are you really making the most of those relationships? Today, we're going to dive into how you can use these partnerships to grow your business. Joining me is Kelly Bristol, Vice President of Business Development at Just Got 2 Have It. With nearly 25 years in the gift and home industry, Kelly is super rooted in retail. She's also a board member of Gift for Life and partner behind the Reps Are Local Too movement. In this episode, Kelly ...
Aug 11, 2024•38 min•Ep. 98
Want to learn how to maximize your profits and overcome cash flow challenges? You’re in the right place! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of money and numbers. I’m thrilled to have Charles Leikauf from Ecom Profit Group with us. He’s here to talk about all things profit: how to boost your revenue, smart budgeting, and strategies to tackle tough cash flow situations. Charles is a corporate finance professional turned fractional CFO. After restructuring a $2 billion business and servin...
Aug 04, 2024•45 min•Ep. 97
Imagine running a business so beloved it's been named the best in its county every year since 2000. Today, Barb Binkley from Cooper and Binkley Jewelers is here to tell us how she and her husband Mark made it happen. Cooper and Binkley Jewelers is renowned for its commitment to giving back to the local community. They’ve been named Livingston County's Best Jewelry Store every year since 2000 and have also been honored as the Best Jewelry Store in WDIV Detroit's "Vote for the Best" contest for 20...
Jul 28, 2024•50 min•Ep. 96
Who's ready to get some sales training, make more money, and excel in sales? On this episode of Rooted in Retail, we're diving into essential strategies every independent retailer needs to hear. Even if you're already doing great, there's always more to learn! Today, I’m joined by Jason Mausser, and we're talking all about sales. In his new book, Don't Shut the F$ck Up: Transforming Your Selling Mindset , he shares unique methods from his extensive experience to help you change your mindset, bui...
Jul 21, 2024•38 min•Ep. 95
Ever wondered what success could mean for your retail store? More importantly, have you considered the person you need to become to make it happen? Today, Jamie G Smith joins us to share the keys to breaking through our self-imposed limitations. Her strategies have already sparked new ideas for my business, and I know they'll do the same for you. Jamie is a business and lifestyle elevation strategist, speaker, and content creator. As the founder of LUXE Everyday, she empowers entrepreneurs to sh...
Jul 14, 2024•40 min•Ep. 94
What if your closet could be your secret weapon for success? Today on Rooted in Retail, I’m excited to explore why feeling confident in what you wear matters so much for entrepreneurs and retailers. I’m joined by Jessica Papineau, a seasoned stylist with over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry. As the founder of CSJ, a styling company dedicated to empowering high-performing women to look and feel their best, Jessica has transformed countless lives by helping break style barriers and ...
Jul 07, 2024•50 min•Ep. 93
If you're part of the Rooted in Retail community, you already know how much I love using AI to supercharge your business. The world of AI is evolving so quickly, and today, I’m thrilled to share an exclusive webinar replay hosted by Patrick Keiser! Patrick is from Heart on Main Street, an incredible nonprofit dedicated to helping independent retailers thrive in their local communities. Heart on Main Street hosts a monthly webinar series that brings together independent retailers and community or...
Jun 30, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 92
Get ready for an amazing conversation with my friend, Amy Lacey. This episode is a true gem—a masterclass in business evolution packed with advice, tips, and incredible stories from Amy's entrepreneurial journey. Amy Lacey is a powerhouse: a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and business mentor. She made waves in 2016 by founding the award-winning Cali’Flour Foods, introducing the first cauliflower pizza crust to the market. In 2023, she launched Soursop Nutrition, a grou...
Jun 23, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 91
Today, we're diving into a topic that's crucial for retailers but one we haven't explored much yet: hiring. If you want to find out how to attract and retain top talent, you're in the right place. In today's episode, I'm talking to Thad Price from Ready, Set, Hire. It’s a new product for small to medium-sized businesses, franchises, and recruiters seeking to hire frontline and essential workers. If you want help with the hiring process, streamline your efforts, find great talent, avoid being gho...
Jun 16, 2024•45 min•Ep. 90
Holy guacamole, Instagram has made some updates that retailers need to know about! Steph Bechard from Crystal Media is joining me today to break it all down for you. We are going to tell you what these updates are, why you need to know, and what it means for you as a retailer. And it's good news for you as a small business. So yay! If you are marketing on Instagram and you're looking for ways to connect with your customers, drive foot traffic, drive website traffic, increase your audience and yo...
Jun 09, 2024•39 min•Ep. 89
Today, I'm thrilled to share with you a live panel discussion from our EVOLVE conference in April 2024. The energy was incredible, and my panelists brought amazing insights. If you love hearing a mix of perspectives and stories from retail experts, you’re going to love this episode! We dive into the biggest challenges independent retailers are facing right now and practical strategies to overcome them. You’ll hear a success story from one of the panelists about a client who achieved great result...
Jun 02, 2024•54 min•Ep. 88
Welcome back to After the Show where we’re diving into the impact of adding more fun in your business. In our latest episode, I had a great conversation with Aimee Pelletier and Carly Stipe from Darn Knit Anyway, a store that’s redefining community connection and fun in retail. Aimee and Carly have really brought a playful energy to their store, and you can see the results everywhere. From Instagram reels that are getting millions of views to building real connections with customers right there ...
May 29, 2024•10 min•Ep. 87
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to cousins Aimee Pelletier and Carly Stipe, the team behind Darn Knit Anyway. Their yarn store offers everything from a thriving e-commerce platform to a makers' lounge, and various classes and events. This episode is all about community: how to build it, connect with it, and nurture it in meaningful ways. Aimee and Carly have a lot to share about their journey and the amazing community they've cultivated through their store. Their story is full of lessons on...
May 26, 2024•37 min•Ep. 86
We did it, we really did it! EVOLVE 2024 is now officially in the books, and what a ride it was. Today, I'm thrilled to take you behind the scenes of EVOLVE. In this episode, I'll be sharing some of the most memorable highlights that made this year's event truly special. EVOLVE isn't just an event—it's the result of months of planning and a commitment to providing high-value content and networking opportunities. Our goal is to empower independent retailers with the tools and strategies they need...
May 19, 2024•36 min•Ep. 85
