How CEOs Balance Time Management and Customer Connection

delegation, business growth, customer connection, retail leadership, CEO role, sustainable business, time management, brand culture, team training, retail success

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

How Retailers Beat Online Competition with Story & Experience

brick and mortar, retail competition, customer experience, storytelling, community engagement, inventory management, sales strategies, retail marketing, customer relationships

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

pr strategies, Organic, SEO, gift guides, affiliate marketing, small business, growth, seasonal, digital marketing tools, content creation, pr, public relation

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

Your Products Have a Story, Share It and Make Sure the World Knows

positive affirmations, Notes to Self, storytelling, giving back, sock, words, self-compassion, business, transformation, customer connection, connection, retail business, transforming

Have you ever wondered how something as simple as a sock could transform your business and someone’s life? Because products have a story and that story can make all the difference. At first glance, it sounds almost too simple, right? But stick with me, because that’s exactly what happened when I met Laura Schmidt, founder of Notes to Self. Her … Read More

Retailers Who Ask Questions Make More Sales

retail, independent retailers, customer experience, experiential retail, leadership, growth mindset, AI, technology, media influence, data insights, navigating, landscape, Questions, sales

You don’t have to know it all. You just need to know who to ask and to have more sales. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a spreadsheet or stuck in the weeds of retail decisions thinking, “I have no idea what I’m doing,” you’re not alone. And guess what? That’s not a weakness. That’s actually the beginning of … Read More