In this episode, we want to thank all who have supported our organization this year. Listeners like you make it possible for our organization to help retailers in need. This week, we traveled to Chimney Rock, NC, to donate to Bubba O'Leary's General Store. The funds for this donation came from individuals, other retail owners, and small business enthusiasts from across the US (and even one international donation). We are thankful of your support and that you trust Heart on Main Street to help affected retailers. 

On December 3rd, Giving Tuesday, we will be making three more donations to retailers affected by the recent hurricanes. This is also money that has been donated by individuals from around the country. We will also raise money for three more retailers affected by natural disasters this year. Donations on Giving Tuesday will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to a certain amount by the following companies: Bridgewater Candle Company, Fresh Scents by Willowbrook, Ganz, Greenleaf Gifts, Just Got 2 Have It, Notes Candles, Primitives by Kathy, Raz Imports, tag, and Votivo.  

To donate to our Giving Tuesday fundraising: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/giving-tuesday

Ashley Alderson, founder of the Boutique Hub, joins the Main Street Matters by Heart on Main Street podcast to talk about the Boutique Hub and its resources, how retailers can use "Community over Competition" to grow their business, and the information that she is hearing from her network of retailers around the nation.

Do you want to sell more during the holiday season? Do you want to clear out your inventory and put more cash in your pocket? Kathy Cruz, the Savvy Shopkeeper, joins Main Street Matters to talk about how to leverage Facebook Live to create more sales, maximize your cash flow, sell more products, and ultimately be happier at the end of the year. 

In this episode, Kathy discusses why you should use Facebook Live for sales, how to set yourself up for success, tools, and tactics to optimize your Facebook selling experience, and store event ideas for the fourth quarter. 

https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
https://savvyshopkeeper.com/

Patrick talks about Hurricane Milton's effects on the communities and businesses of Florida. Heart on Main Street is raising money to donate to retailers affected by the recent hurricanes in the southeastern part of the United States. If you would like to donate, go to https://givebutter.com/hurricane-relief-fund

This episode also features an interview with Samantha Conner of the Boutique Hub, in which Samantha discusses the upcoming event, Pink Friday! You can sign up to participate in Pink Friday by clicking here: https://go.theboutiquehub.com/pinkfriday.

Many areas of the southeast US are hurting in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power and cutoff from resources. Additionally, countless retailers have lost their businesses and don't know what to do next. 

In this episode, Patrick sat down with retail owner Anita Cereceda, who lost her stores to Hurricane Ian in 2022, to talk about what she did in the wake of its destruction and what advice she has for retailers today. 

Donate to Disaster Relief Efforts: https://givebutter.com/hurricane-relief-fund

Savvy Shopkeeper's Retail Email Bootcamp: https://savvyshopkeeper.thrivecart.com/2024-retail-email-bootcamp/?utm_source=Heart%2Bon%2BMain%2BStreet&utm_campaign=38bea6637f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_10_01_10_45&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-38bea6637f-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

Patrick discusses his trip to Oklahoma in July, during which he visited the towns of Sulphur and Ada. He talks about the beauty of the state and the impact that the Chickasaw Nation has on the area. While both towns were visited on Mondays, they were for very different reasons.

In April, a tornado devastated the historic downtown of Sulphur, leaving a scar across the community. Patrick met with Christy Morris, the owner of the Mix Mercantile, about the loss of her store. While there, he made a donation to the Mix Mercantile to help them rebuild the store and remain a part of the community. Christy is solely focused on rebuilding in Sulphur to help bring hope back to the area. 

Patrick also discusses three different retailers in Ada, OK, whom he met with for Main Street Monday. The town of Ada has experienced remarkable growth and revitalization in the last several years, making it a great shopping destination. He talks about the stores M Street Decor, EVER Boutique, and Serendipity on Main and some of the things they are doing to create their own success. 

https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/

To help other retailers in need visit:  https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/donate

As the summer comes to a close this weekend, Patrick reflects on the Summer Sourcing Series webinars that Heart on Main Street conducted this summer. Through the webinar series, they explored how retailers can find products for their stores by attending trade shows, working with a local sales rep, and using an online marketplace like Faire.com. All have pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages based on your unique situation. 

Register for upcoming webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinars 

Heart on Main Street's Summer Sourcing Series concludes with a discussion with Faire.com. Learn more about Faire Wholesale - a marketplace focused on helping independent retailers simplify the way they find, finance, and manage unique inventory from around the world.  

Hear about their mission, learn more about their marketplace and financial benefits, and discover some great brands, too

In this episode, we go out on the road to explore a fun and vibrant arts community within Dallas, the Bishop Arts District. I saw artwork that made this area unique and worth exploring. I met with great retailers whose stores fit so well with the community and culture of the neighborhood. And I ate some pretty good food. While in Dallas, I also had the opportunity to interview Deavon Moore, the owner of DLM Supply, and David Spence, the owner of Good Space, a company transforming Bishop Arts District and making it the wonderful community it is today.

https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
https://www.dlmsupplyco.com/
https://goodspace.com/

Our Shop Talk series continues with a little twist. Patrick travels to Ely, MN, to meet in person with Kara Polyner, the owner of the Ely Mercantile! We discuss how she fared through the latter half of Ely's busy season with their Blueberry Arts Festival and the All-Class Reunion to celebrate the local high school's 100th anniversary. These events brought tens of thousands of people (and potential shoppers) to the town of Ely.