In this conversation, Dave Rogers shares the journey of establishing and growing Dave's Guitar Shop, from its humble beginnings in a small space to becoming a significant player in the guitar retail market. He discusses the evolution of the business, the impact of the internet on sales, and the challenges faced over the years. Dave emphasizes the importance of company culture, the dynamics of his team, and the need for personal connections in retail. He reflects on the changing landscape of the guitar market and offers insights into the future of music retail.

This conversation explores the innovative approach to teaching high school students about band instrument repair, initiated by Aaron Moss in response to the retirement of a local music store. The discussion covers the development of a curriculum, student engagement, funding through CTE programs, and the importance of balancing educational initiatives with professional repair services. Moss emphasizes the need for in-house repair solutions in schools, the high interest from students, and the potential career paths available in the repair industry.

Link to NAfME Article

Link to Aaron's Slide Deck

Takeaways

In this conversation, Donovan Bankhead and Bill Matthews discuss the current state of the instrument repair industry, focusing on the growing demand for repair technicians, particularly among younger generations.

They explore the appeal of instrument repair as a career, the challenges faced by technicians, and the importance of fair compensation and a supportive work environment.

The discussion also highlights the value of networking through organizations like NAPBIRT and the need for store owners to recognize and invest in their repair teams.

In this conversation, Bill Mathews and Donovan Bankhead discuss the importance of networking and community within the repair industry, particularly through events like NAPBIRT conferences. They emphasize the need for proactive recruitment strategies to attract new technicians, the significance of growing talent from within, and the necessity of succession planning in repair shops.

The discussion also highlights educational pathways for aspiring technicians and the resources available through NAPBIRT to support ongoing professional development.

In this episode of the Music Retail Podcast, Donovan Bankhead interviews John Tarpley from Tarpley Music. They discuss the history and founding of Tarpley Music, which dates back to the 1920s. They also talk about the challenges and benefits of having multiple locations, as Tarpley Music has nine locations. They touch on the importance of culture by design and how it has helped shape their company. The conversation also explores the role of e-commerce in the music retail industry and the significance of the school music market. Tarpley Music is focused on building a strong company culture and maintaining a positive work environment. They use a culture method that emphasizes behaviors rather than platitudes or values. They have core fundamentals that they incorporate into their weekly emails and team meetings to reinforce their culture. Implementing this culture method has been a challenge, but they believe it is worth the effort. Tarpley Music also discussed their approach to e-commerce and the importance of having a functional website. They use the Shopify platform and have worked on improving their content and customer experience. They also discussed the challenges of keeping a family business going and the importance of having a clear plan for succession.

Summary

In this episode of the Music Retail Podcast, Donovan Bankhead interviews Jennifer and Linden Lantz, the owners of Bandwagon Music and Repair in Nashville, Tennessee. The Lantz's background is in music education, with Lyndon specializing in instrument repair. They started Bandwagon as a small repair shop and gradually expanded to include retail and rentals. They faced challenges along the way, including a failed acquisition and financial uncertainty, but their dedication and faith in their vision helped them overcome these obstacles. Jennifer's role in the business includes HR, marketing, and handling various tasks as needed. The conversation in this segment revolves around the daily routines and responsibilities of Linden and Jennifer Lantz in running their music store. They discuss how they manage their time between working in the shop, handling emails and communications, and empowering their employees. They also touch on the importance of financial management and the challenges they faced with accountants and software. The Lantz's share their experiences with starting their own rental program and the financing involved. They also talk about the pride and support they receive from their parents and their hopes for their children's future involvement in the business. Lastly, they discuss the challenges of brick-and-mortar retail in the music industry and the need to adapt to online platforms. In this final part of the conversation, Linden and Jennifer discuss the importance of education and staying relevant in the music industry. They highlight the value of attending conferences and events like NAMM, which provide excellent education and networking opportunities. They also emphasize the need for brick-and-mortar stores to create unique experiences that can't be replicated online. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the power of mentorship and building relationships within the industry.

Summary

Donovan Bankhead interviews Michael Santander, General Manager of Instrumental Music Center, about his journey in the music retail industry and the importance of hiring the right people. They discuss the shift in employee mindset from wanting to be part of a 'family' to valuing a team environment. They also emphasize the need for businesses to prioritize their employees and create a supportive culture. Michael shares how IMC focuses on supporting individuals with outside passions while still maintaining a dedicated work ethic. The conversation discusses the importance of hiring for personality attributes and creating a strong team culture. They emphasize the need for businesses, regardless of size, to be intentional about their culture. They also highlight the industry's acceptance of diversity and the desire to see more diversity in positions of power. The conversation then shifts to the challenges of e-commerce and the need for the music industry to catch up in terms of online presence. They discuss the importance of being active on social media and having a strong online presence to connect with customers. In this final part of the conversation, Michael and Donovan discuss the importance of marketing and finding the right person to handle it. They emphasize the need for someone who understands the company's culture, product, and vibe. They share their own experiences with hiring marketing professionals and the challenges they faced. They also talk about the changing landscape of marketing and the need to adapt to new trends and technologies. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of mentorship and the benefits of having a mentor in the music industry.

Hickey's Music is a 130+ year old business in Ithaca, NY. Dave has owned in since the 1990s, and shares the lessons he's learned along the way.