Let me be real with you. If I woke up tomorrow and had to build a $1M+ store all over again, I know exactly what I’d do differently. I’ve made the mistakes, I’ve sweated through the scary moments (literally!), and I’ve seen firsthand what actually works for retailers who want to scale their business. Listen to the full episode here: … Read More
How CEOs Balance Time Management and Customer Connection
I can’t tell you how many times I looked at my to-do list and thought… How on earth am I supposed to balance all this AND still see my customers? I know you’ve felt that too. One minute you’re knee-deep in emails and vendor calls, and the next a customer walks in and you just want to drop everything to … Read More
Retail Momentum the CEO Guide: Localism and Team Power
Oh my gosh, September really does feel like hitting a reset button, doesn’t it? Summer’s winding down, the back-to-school buzz is here, and in Chicago I even got to wear a sweater the other day. That shift in the air? It’s the same kind of energy your store can tap into. This is the season to build retail momentum. Now, … Read More
How Retailers Beat Online Competition with Story & Experience
Retailers, I know how frustrating it feels when a customer comes in, falls in love with something in your store, and then says, “Oh… I saw this online for less.” Ouch. I used to think that meant brick-and-mortar retailers like us didn’t stand a chance against the giants of online retail competition. But here’s the truth: we’re not in a … Read More
Media That Moves Merch: PR Tactics for Store Owners
Small Business PR Tactics That Actually Work (Even Without a Big Budget) I’ll be honest with you, for years, I thought PR tactics were only for the “big guys” with massive marketing budgets. You know, the brands splashed across glossy magazines or featured on morning shows. I figured small retailers like us couldn’t pitch local media, build relationships with journalists, … Read More