Rooted in Retail

Connect with host Crystal Vilkaitis and join her newsletter at https://thisiscrystal.com.

Retailer? Visit https://indera.co for retail education, training, and community. Founded by Crystal Vilkaitis.

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 up about challenges I know many retailers face. If you’ve ever felt held back by those inner voices, even when your heart knows what’s right, this conversation is for you. 

We’re also joined by Ronda Renée, our resident retail therapist. She will share valuable tools to help Michelle—and all of us—overcome these mental hurdles. 

If you’ve ever felt a pull to move in a certain direction but fear has held you back, I hope this episode provides you with the tools to align with your purpose and show up as your true self. 

[04:09] Michelle’s challenge: confronting her inner critic

[07:52] How our doubts can get in the way of our vision

[09:59] When we align business with our purpose

[17:13] Internal sourcing vs. external sourcing

[24:22] The pros and cons of getting a diagnosis

[27:01] How we abandon ourselves 

[36:20] Prioritizing yourself while showing compassion

Catch up on all of the Retail Therapy Sessions:
Maybe Bigger Isn’t Always Better – Retail Therapy Session with Andy Havemeier of Wealthy Street Bakery

Overcoming Fears and Visualizing Success - Retail Therapy Session with Ana McConnell of Pilar Boutique

Align Your Soul with Your Business: A Retail Therapy Session with Crystal Vilkaitis

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Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers

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Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Connect with host Crystal Vilkaitis and join her newsletter at https://thisiscrystal.com.

Retailer? Visit https://indera.co for retail education, training, and community. Founded by Crystal Vilkaitis.

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, or communication platforms like Slack and Google Chat, having the right systems in place can make a world of difference.

Let’s unpack how implementing these tools can not only streamline your operations but also bring a sense of calm and clarity to your team.

[00:54] Two types of tools you need in your systems

[02:44] Why systems help create less stress in your store

[05:21] 5 things retailers can use Asana for

[09:25] We have limited capacity in business

Resources

Get access to all of the resources on our website

Learn more about how you can use Asana to streamline your retail operations

Register for NY Now

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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, she shares the challenges she faced while expanding her retail business, and there’s so much to learn from her experience.

We’ll talk about the importance of blending online and offline retail—something that can really benefit all retailers. We also dive into how she manages multiple social media accounts and is delegating more to her team. 

This conversation is packed with insights on how to grow through adaptability and use systems to streamline operations across multiple store locations.

[02:31] How Jenn expanded her store into multiple locations

[04:10] Merging your in-store experience with your online platform

[06:23] Why less is more for managing social media

[09:01] Episode Sponsor: Ads Management with Crystal Media Co.

[10:08] The systems Jenn uses to stay organized 

[12:02] How Jenn curates items that her customers love

[14:43] The impact of mentorship on Jenn's growth

[18:57] Why Jenn is advocating to reduce credit card fees

[23:06] Jenn's resilience round

Links:

Get all of the resources on our website!

Register for NY Now

Learn more about our Facebook & Instagram Done-For-You Ads Management Services

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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 through the steps for setting up these effective ads for yourself. And if you don’t want to do it yourself, my agency offers services for managing ad campaigns, backed by our team's experience in achieving high returns for clients. 

This episode encourages retailers to embrace advertising to drive sales, reach new customers, and grow their businesses.

[00:00] Why Running Ads Are Vital to Your Success as a Retailer

[01:09] The Power of Advertising for Retailers

[02:06] Ads Client Success Stories and Results

[05:31] Understanding the Two Key Meta Ad Types

[06:58] "The Most Recent" Ad Strategy

[13:47] Conversion Ads for E-commerce

[18:04] Budgeting and Managing Ad Campaigns

[20:07] Why Running Ads is a Who not How Decision - Let Crystal Media be the Who

Resources:

Facebook Ads Blueprint for Retailers, Conversion Edition 

Facebook Ad Blueprint for Retailers, the Engagement Edition 

Done-for-You Facebook Ad Services 

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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 building those important long-term relationships and loyalty.

Now that we’re officially stepping into Q4 and the holiday season is just around the corner, I’m thrilled to share 10 ideas to spark some holiday anticipation!

These strategies will not only enhance the customer experience but also help you connect with your customers on a deeper level while having fun with your store’s activities and offers. Plus, they’ll help drive traffic during this busy time!

[03:36] 10 ideas to create holiday anticipation

[03:51] The 12 days of gifting

[05:01] Mystery gift box pre-orders

[06:52] Holiday VIP shopping nights

[09:06] Gift it Forward campaign

[09:39] Virtual holiday styling sessions

[10:58] Interactive holiday window displays

[13:27] Christmas advent calendars

[15:12] Festive flash mobs or surprise carolers

[16:42] Gift guide with a twist

[17:40] Your store's favorite Spotify playlist

Get all of the details on our website

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers

Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! 

Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Connect with host Crystal Vilkaitis and join her newsletter at https://thisiscrystal.com.

Retailer? Visit https://indera.co for retail education, training, and community. Founded by Crystal Vilkaitis.

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 dropping in October 2024, it’s the perfect time to follow along with her exciting holiday reveals on Instagram!

This episode is all about sparking inspiration, so I encourage you to soak it all in and think about how you can bring some of this creativity into your own store. You’re going to love this conversation!

[07:42] How retailers can make events memorable

[11:00] What Ah Louis does to make holiday shopping feel extra special

[15:41] Episode Sponsor: Crystal Media Co. Ads Management

[16:48] How they celebrated a big milestone of 150 years

[18:44] What Emily believes drove people to the event

[20:14] Emily’s tips for retailers hoping to create buzz around their holiday events

[22:25] Emily's resilience round

Get all of the details in our show notes

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers

Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! 

Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Connect with host Crystal Vilkaitis and join her newsletter at https://thisiscrystal.com.

Retailer? Visit https://indera.co for retail education, training, and community. Founded by Crystal Vilkaitis.

Welcome to Retail Therapy, the segment where we give therapy to retailers! Today’s episode is perfect for anyone who’s ever felt stuck or confused about a decision in business or life.

My guest is Andy Havemeier, owner of Wealthy Street Bakery and Hall Street Bakery. Over the last five years, Andy’s life has undergone a complete 180, and now he’s facing a major decision that has him torn.

As business owners, we’ve all been there—struggling between what we want and what we think we should do. 

In this episode, Andy shares his journey and participates in a powerful exercise led by Rhonda that brings him clarity in just three minutes. Tune in to gain valuable tools and insights to help you when facing your own tough decisions!

[04:26] Andy's rocket ship ride over the last 5 years in business 

[06:36] The big decision: to expand or not expand?

[09:04] Why every opportunity isn't meant to be taken 

[16:53] The myth that discomfort is necessary for growth

[18:52] What changes when Andy swaps a word for an emotion

[21:51] A powerful 3-minute exercise for decision making

Get all of the details on our website at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/maybe-bigger-isnt-always-better/

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers

Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! 

Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Connect with host Crystal Vilkaitis and join her newsletter at https://thisiscrystal.com.

Retailer? Visit https://indera.co for retail education, training, and community. Founded by Crystal Vilkaitis.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at a simple but powerful idea from my conversation with Amy Loewenberg: "Sometimes, you’re in the weeds. And my friend says, ‘Stand up. Look beyond the weeds.’"

As small business owners, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially with the holiday season approaching and Q4 goals on the horizon. I know I’m there right now—between running my business, planning a wedding, and selling my house, I’ve got a lot on my plate. If you can relate, this episode is for you.

Today, I’m sharing practical tips that have helped me clear my plate and find some clarity, plus a little help from ChatGPT to give you even more strategies to get out of the weeds.

[01:22] Life updates and overwhelm 

[02:27] My favorite strategies to get out of the weeds

[07:00] Time-saving tools that work for me

[10:47] How to use AI for time management

[15:56] Why saying yes really means saying no 

Get all of the details on our website at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/getting-out-of-the-weed/

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers

Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! 

Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Connect with host Crystal Vilkaitis and join her newsletter at https://thisiscrystal.com.

Retailer? Visit https://indera.co for retail education, training, and community. Founded by Crystal Vilkaitis.

This week, we’re kicking off something special—a series of live episodes straight from NY NOW! I’m thrilled to welcome back Amy Loewenberg, Director of Buyer Relations at NY NOW. Our first conversation on the show was packed with great takeaways, and today we’re going even deeper into ways that retailers can level up.

In this episode, we’re going over key strategies that help indie retailers thrive in their local community. We’ll talk about using customer data to make smart decisions, host fun and engaging events, and build partnerships with other local businesses. 

Amy also shares her thoughts on the power of keeping a consistent brand presence and how to connect with your customers in fresh, exciting ways. Plus, we’ll cover tips on building strong customer loyalty and staying adaptable in today’s ever-changing retail world. 

[02:14] How to reach untapped audiences in your local market

[05:12] How retailers can stay ahead of changing technology

[10:30] Amy's advice for staying adaptable in retail

[16:08] How to tap into new demographics of consumers

[19:37] Recent trends Amy sees in retail buying behavior

[22:11] The incubator at NY NOW

[26:10] Unique and interesting products retailers should be excited about

Get all of the details in our show notes at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/master-your-retail-market-with-amy-loewenberg/

Register for NY Now: https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowNYN251?flow=attendee&MarketingCode=DARF2&utm_sou[…]eferral&utm_campaign=rootedinretail&utm_content=DARF2

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers

Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! 

Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Connect with host Crystal Vilkaitis and join her newsletter at https://thisiscrystal.com.

Retailer? Visit https://indera.co for retail education, training, and community. Founded by Crystal Vilkaitis.

In this special recast episode of Rooted in Retail, I speak with the legendary Santa Claus himself. 

Santa shares invaluable advice for retailers to navigate the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of planning, keeping staff morale high, and creating a magical in-store experience. 

Get ready to take notes on Santa's innovative ideas such as hosting holiday scavenger hunts, setting up AR experiences, and organizing surprise flash sales. With personalized service tips and a look into the future of retail, this episode is packed with insights to help independent retailers thrive.

Join me, as we revisit this enchanting conversation with Santa Claus!

[00:00] Santa Claus is Coming to Town

[01:44] Santa's Marketing Tips for Retailers

[05:24]Creating Magical In-Store Experiences

[10:29] Creating Unexpected Surprises for Customers

[13:51] Offering Personalized Touches in Retail

[15:49] How Retailers can Connect with their Communities

[16:52] Episode Sponsor: EVOLVE

[18:39] Resilience Round with Santa

[22:03] Santa's Christmas Wishes

Get all the details on our website at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/creating-magical-holiday-experiences-with-santa-claus/

We used Synthesia to Create Santa! 

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Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! 

Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt