Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- Are you giving your business the time it needs to grow? I’m reflecting on my recent conversation with the Subscription Box Queen. One recurring theme? Patience. We often want results fast, but building a thriving business takes time, clarity, and consistent effort. I’ll share why patience is a game-changer in business, and how taking small but intentional actions can set you up for long-term success. Plus, we’ll talk about why getting ...
Jan 07, 2025•16 min•Ep. 143
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- Want to know the secret to having 75% of your revenue guaranteed? Sarah Williams, the “subscription box” queen, is here to share how you can turn a simple idea into a thriving business that generates steady income. From building her own successful subscription box empire to coaching others to do the same, Sarah has cracked the code for turning passion into profit. In this episode, Sarah reveals the highs and lows of her journey as a po...
Jan 05, 2025•42 min•Ep. 142
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- Welcome to the final episode of Rooted in Retail for 2024! It’s just me, Crystal, flying solo today, and we’re closing out the year with a bit of reflection and a look ahead to 2025. This episode is all about recapping the highs and lows of a year that many of us, myself included, can only describe as weird. We’ll pull back the curtain on some major changes I’ve experienced both personally and professionally, dive into what’s next for ...
Dec 22, 2024•21 min•Ep. 141
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- Ever thought about why you believe what you believe? It’s time to question it. One takeaway that really stuck with me from my last episode with Ulla Hald was her advice to question your assumptions. In today’s episode, I’m diving deeper into what that means and how it applies to your business. We’ll explore how assumptions can stifle creativity and keep us from evolving. And I’ve got a simple, actionable exercise to help you challenge ...
Dec 17, 2024•17 min•Ep. 140
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- Technology isn’t just for big retailers. In this episode, Ulla Hald shares how small businesses can use innovative tools to streamline operations and build a stress-free, thriving store. Ulla created the FAVES app to empower boutiques, combining her experience at Apple with her love for tech that’s actually easy to use. Her mission is helping indie retailers like you succeed in today’s competitive world. In this episode, we’re talking ...
Dec 15, 2024•28 min•Ep. 139
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- We all hesitate to ask for help for different reasons. Today, I’m opening up about my own struggles with it in my business and why it’s time to change. Whether it's the fear of burdening others or the desire to do it all ourselves, asking for help can be tough. In this episode, I’ll explain why breaking that barrier is essential and why seeking support is crucial for growth. It’s about focusing on what we love and excel at while lettin...
Dec 10, 2024•11 min•Ep. 138
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- What if your business could be more than just a place to shop? In today’s episode, I'm sitting down with Terra Richards, the heart and soul behind The Haven, a multifaceted business that started as an eight-acre tree farm and garden center in Fort Worth, Texas. Terra is a true example of how passion and vision can transform a business. She takes us through her journey of growing The Haven from a tree farm into a community-driven space ...
Dec 08, 2024•20 min•Ep. 137
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- Let’s talk about aging inventory. Today, I’m diving into some creative ways to clear out aging inventory and make room for fresh products. Inspired by my conversation with Carrie Watson from Outside Looks, I’ll share a few practical ideas, plus an AI prompt to help you come up with even more strategies. If you’ve got old inventory taking up space, it’s time to get creative! I’ll cover strategies that will help you move those items quic...
Dec 03, 2024•16 min•Ep. 136
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- When inventory becomes overwhelming, it’s time to get creative. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Carrie Watson, founder of Outside Looks Retail Consultancy. We’re diving into all things inventory—how long to keep it, how to turn it, and ways to move it out. Carrie’s journey is inspiring—she went from being a corporate inventory planner at Fossil to lead buyer for a 10-door indie retailer, learning firsthand how challenging inventory m...
Dec 01, 2024•31 min•Ep. 135
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- Want to turn your store into a destination? Today, we’re diving into how sensory experiences can make it happen—and we’re getting a little creative with it! We’ll explore the five senses and how you can incorporate them into your store. I’ve got three structured examples to spark new ideas and elevate your customer experience. Oh, and yes—I’m even going to sing some songs for you! This episode is all about taking your store to the next...
Nov 26, 2024•18 min•Ep. 134
Join the Rooted in Retail Mastermind : Resilient Together -- The right music, a carefully chosen scent, and thoughtful textures—small details like these add up to something bigger than you might expect. In today’s episode, we explore how every sense plays a role in creating an unforgettable customer experience. You don’t need to be a luxury retailer to apply these insights. Small, intentional touches can make any store feel special. Today, Felix Johnson from The FELIX Experience joins me to show...
Nov 24, 2024•17 min•Ep. 133
If you’re a business owner, you’ve likely felt that guilt—the feeling that you should be doing more, juggling everything better. And for the parents out there, you know the added pressure of mom guilt or dad guilt. It’s the constant balancing act between responsibilities to your kids and your business. Today, in our Retail Therapy segment, we’re joined by Robyn Noel, co-owner of Cloud Nine Pajamas. Robyn opens up about running a business with her sisters, managing motherhood, and trying to do it...
Nov 21, 2024•40 min•Ep. 132
Today, we’re diving into a hot topic chosen by our listeners: how small businesses can borrow a few powerful moves from big box stores to stay competitive and grow. My guest, Mehru Anand from Doodling NYC, shared some great insights—and I’ll break it down so you can apply these big-business strategies to your own operation. Big players use data to drive decisions, but small businesses can get in on this too, even with a smaller budget. We’ll also talk about the power of strong employee training ...
Nov 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 131
When I sat down with today’s guest, Mehru Anand, founder of Doodling NYC, at NY NOW, I was immediately inspired by her journey. Mehru’s journey from corporate executive to retail entrepreneur is truly inspiring. In this episode, she shares the challenges she faced transitioning into her own business, working with freelancers, and navigating e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Etsy. Mehru’s brand, Doodling NYC, is all about embracing authenticity and the motto "being proudly imperfect." She’s b...
Nov 17, 2024•39 min•Ep. 130
Welcome to this special bonus episode. I wanted to film this because we had some really big news this week. We are now operating as Rooted in Retail, not Crystal Media. We have been undergoing this transformation for some months now behind the scenes and I wanted to take you though the decision process because I think there is a lot you can learn about branding and messaging in your business. I am also sharing with you the plans have have for the future and what you can expect! I'm really excite...
Nov 14, 2024•17 min
Imagine if you could have a dashboard that shows you exactly where your business is succeeding—and where it’s not. Today, I’m going to show you how! Dan Holman joined me in the last episode to share some powerful ideas on why key performance indicators (KPIs) are essential for growing a retail business. We talked about how analyzing these results weekly can show you what’s working in your business and help you leverage that data to boost profits. Today, I want to dive even deeper into this and e...
Nov 12, 2024•17 min•Ep. 129
If your POS system is more of a headache than a help, you need to hear this! Today, I’m joined by my friend and industry expert, Dan Holman, who’s here to show you how tracking the right data can drive your sales. This episode is action-packed. Dan brings over 40 years of retail experience to the table, and he’s ready to break down some of the most important metrics in retail—what you should be measuring, why it matters, and how to simplify the process so it feels less overwhelming. Dan is an aw...
Nov 10, 2024•51 min•Ep. 128
Do you have a mile-long to-do list and feel like you’re constantly working but barely moving the needle on sales? If that sounds like you, this episode’s for you. We’re back with another special Retail Therapy segment, and this time, Ronda and I are joined by the amazing mother-daughter duo Angie and Alyssa from Blue Dahlia Designs. In this episode, we dive deep to help them achieve more sales, find more balance, and gain clarity on the tools and systems that really drive growth. Together, we ta...
Nov 07, 2024•44 min•Ep. 127
Stacey Pecor's story of pivoting through challenging times had me rethinking my creative process. In this episode of After the Show, I’m sharing insights from my inspiring conversation with Stacey from Olive & Bette’s. During our chat, Stacey opened up about her commitment to continuous learning and adaptability. Two habits she shared are fantastic ways to spark fresh ideas in your business. Her insights on resilience and nurturing creativity are game changers. These lessons can empower you ...
Nov 05, 2024•17 min•Ep. 126
What if the key to thriving during tough times was simply reimagining your business? Join me as I chat with Stacey Pecor of Olive & Bette’s, a powerhouse retailer who did just that. One of the things I love most about Stacey is her superpower for innovation. She’s always thinking ahead, taking smart risks, and knowing exactly when to pivot. In this episode, she’s pulling back the curtain on her decision-making process, showing us the inspiration behind her bold moves to reinvent her business...
Nov 03, 2024•37 min•Ep. 125
It’s one thing to satisfy your customers, but what if you could turn their experience into something remarkable? I’m talking about the art of surprising and delighting your customers—and why it’s your new secret weapon. In our latest episode with Nick McHenry, one idea really stood out to me: the power of surprising and delighting. It’s something I’m obsessed with—constantly thinking of ways to exceed expectations and create those “wow” moments. Nick is an absolute goldmine of insights and he sh...
Oct 29, 2024•12 min•Ep. 124
Want to turn casual shoppers into loyal customers? Get ready for an action-packed episode filled with creative marketing ideas. I’m excited to welcome back Nick McHenry, who is one of my favorite people in the industry and a true friend and partner. Nick McHenry is the Founder and CEO of OneShop, an all-in-one digital marketing platform designed just for brick-and-mortar retailers. He started his journey on the retail floor in his late teens, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry fir...
Oct 27, 2024•35 min•Ep. 123
Welcome back to After the Show! Today, I’m diving into some big takeaways from my conversation with Ann Chikahisa, the founder of Chikahisa Studio. Ann does an incredible job of weaving her Japanese heritage into her jewelry designs. So often, businesses play it safe and end up sounding vanilla in their messaging. Ann’s approach is a perfect example of how infusing your personality into your brand sets you apart. I also want to highlight Ann’s VIP membership program. It’s a brilliant way to buil...
Oct 22, 2024•10 min•Ep. 122
What inspires someone to leave a successful corporate career and dive into the world of entrepreneurship? Today, I’m chatting with Ann Chikahisa, the founder of Chikahisa Studio, who did just that. After years in corporate sales, Ann took her creative passion and built a thriving jewelry business. With over 15 years of experience as a business owner, metalsmith, and designer, Ann creates pieces that connect with women and their inner power. In this episode, we cover so much about entrepreneurshi...
Oct 20, 2024•38 min•Ep. 121
Is self-doubt keeping you from showing up the way you want in your business? In this episode, we explore how to move past those mental roadblocks. Welcome to Retail Therapy, a special segment of Rooted in Retail! Today, I’m excited to have Michelle Smith from Piccolo Mondo Toys with us. I've been lucky to know Michelle for years. She not only creates a fun experience for kids but also inspires global awareness through her unique selection of toys and books. In this episode, Michelle is opening u...
Oct 17, 2024•44 min•Ep. 120
Welcome back to After the Show! Today, I’m excited to dive into my biggest takeaways from this week’s episode of Rooted in Retail. We had some amazing insights from Jenn Luna that really got me thinking. Today, I want to hone in on one key theme that stood out to me: the power of systems in your business. Jenn has successfully expanded to multiple retail stores, and she credits the right systems for helping her manage it all effectively. Whether it's project management tools like Trello or Asana...
Oct 15, 2024•15 min•Ep. 119
Today, I'm excited to chat with Jenn Luna, the owner of The Kindship, a family of boutique gift shops in the greater Tacoma area. You’re going to love hearing her story about how she grew from a single stationery store into a thriving brand that includes Paper Luxe, Little Luxe, and The Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop! Jenn is all about community engagement. Her dedication to helping customers celebrate their loved ones with unique gifts and greeting cards is truly inspiring. In this episode, s...
Oct 13, 2024•28 min•Ep. 118
In this bonus episode of Rooted in Retail, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing my agency’s secrets for running profitable ads for our clients. I've been working with my ad managers and hearing the amazing results we're generating for clients. And as the holidays approach we wanted to give all our listeners the opportunity to see the same incredible results. I’m sharing with you the two ad types that we run for almost all of our agency clients. And I’m sharing two guides that will walk you t...
Oct 10, 2024•23 min•Ep. 117
Today, I’m excited to share some holiday inspiration from my conversation with Emily Butler from Ah Louis Store. We really dug into how holidays and customer experience come together, and Emily had some amazing ideas on how they go all out during the holiday season to draw crowds into their store. I truly believe that if you’re not creating a fantastic experience for your customers, you risk losing them. They won’t come back, they won’t share their positive experiences, and you’ll miss out on bu...
Oct 08, 2024•20 min•Ep. 116
Get ready to be holiday-inspired in today’s episode! I’m so excited to introduce my guest, Emily Butler, co-owner of the historic Ah Louis Store. We had an amazing in-person chat at NY Now, where Emily shared her passion for crafting unforgettable customer experiences and how she thoughtfully analyzes every aspect of her store through her customers' eyes. As we dive into our conversation, you’ll discover all the incredible things she’s planning for the upcoming holidays. With this episode droppi...
Oct 06, 2024•28 min•Ep. 115
