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.

This week my goal was to help ease your mind when it comes to any worries you may have around the economy, the fact that it's an election year, and that the cost of goods has increased. Paul Erickson was a perfect guest because he has so much experience and has watched these cycles in retail. He offers so much valuable advice.

My biggest takeaway from the episode was “what we focus on expands.” So if we focus on the negativity in the world around us it is only going to appear to grow in our world. But if instead we take that energy and focus instead on our store, our goals, our teams or our customers - we then amplify all of the amazing things in our lives and we get to watch that grow. 

Join me in today’s after-the-show as we talk about:

[00:00] Welcome to Rooted in Retail After the Show

[00:03] This week's guest was Paul Erickson from Management One

[00:54] My biggest takeaway from this episode is "What we focus on expands" - what do I mean by that?

[03:12] I choose to focus on the things that are good so I can amplify the things that I can control. What happens when we put our focus on the things we can control?

[04:21] What happened in my business when I shifted my focus to things I could control?

[07:41] Try this journal prompt for focus

[09:34] Join us for Paul's webinar "The Psychology of Price"

[11:01] Coming up Next Week

Get all of the resources on our website at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/what-we-focus-on-expands-after-the-show/

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've got an episode that's perfect for anyone feeling the weight of economic uncertainty, the buzz of an election year, or the pinch of rising prices. If you've been wondering how to navigate these turbulent waters and ensure your store not only survives but thrives, then you’re going to love this conversation.

Joining us today is Paul Erickson, Director of Mentoring at Management One. With his extensive experience serving retail clients across the globe, Paul is here to break down the current landscape and offer actionable advice to help you steer your business in the right direction.

So, what does all this mean for your store? How should you prepare? Where should you be focusing your energy to ensure your store thrives? In this episode, Paul's going to dive into some key topics on every retailer's mind: economic ups and downs, how to price your goods, and managing your inventory.

Whether it's focusing on the numbers inside your business or building those all-important connections with your customers, Paul's advice could change how you run your store.

[00:00] Welcoming Paul Erickson
[04:36] Paul's advice for retailers who are worried about the economy
[07:51] What Paul would say to the independent retailer who is worried about the cost of goods increasing?
[09:58] Paul shares one tip for retailers who are considering increasing their prices
[13:15] What economic indicators should retailers watch and how can these guide owners through an uncertain economy?
[24:33] How many weeks or months of inventory should a store be carrying at one time?
[29:16] The most important factor we can control in our retail store
[36:26] What future trends should retailers prepare for to ensure long-term success?
[38:34] Paul's resilience round
[38:39] Best business book
[39:29] Best retail technology
[40:44] How do you keep up with the ever-changing retail landscape?
[41:34] What's a financial foundational best practice?
[42:36] If you were to start your career all over again, what's one thing you'd do differently?
[44:07] What do you think the future of independent retail looks like?

Get all of the resources mentioned in the episode on our website at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/growing-your-retail-store-in-economic-uncertainty-with-paul-erickson/

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 episode of 'After the Show,' I am going to dive into my key takeaways from my discussion with Kareen Walsh.

I first want to talk about what it might mean if you have an 'exit strategy' mindset even if not planning to exit. But what I really wanted to focus on is the unmatched advantage of creativity in independent retail against giants like Amazon. 

In this episode, I urge you to prioritize your creativity for the health of your business.

[00:00] Welcome to Rooted in Retail: After the Show

[01:12] Some thoughts about exiting your business

[03:12] As an independent retailer you have the advantage of creativity

[05:19] Can you make being creative in your store a priority?

[06:02] Ideas for being more creative with your physical space

[07:10] Final thoughts for this week

[08:39] Coming up Next Week

Catch the full interview here:

Build a Business and Life You Love with Kareen Walsh:  https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/build-a-business-and-life-you-love-with-kareen-walsh/

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.

Are you ready to learn how to craft a business and a life that you truly love? Well, today, we're diving deep into just that with the incredible Kareen Walsh. She’s a friend and mentor who has mastered the art of building a business while staying true to herself.

Kareen's evolution from a people-pleaser to seven-figure business builder is truly inspiring. Through her Evolve methodology, she empowers clients to transition from feeling lost to discovering alignment as they scale their businesses and step into their ultimate visions for their lives and careers.

In this episode, she shares her framework for building that store of your dreams. We'll discuss the power of community engagement, the benefits of partnerships with neighboring businesses, and the game-changing potential of retail technology like Shopify.

Now, get ready for an epic episode filled with actionable strategies for building the business and life you've always dreamed of. This conversation is all about harnessing your unique strengths, embracing continuous growth, and crafting a roadmap to success. 

[00:00] Welcoming Kareen Walsh

[03:20] How does identifying your unique zone of genius translate into tangible benefits?

[08:57] Kareen's advice for getting over the fear of handing off tasks when you hire support

[12:47] How can we identify the changes we need to make in ourselves to align our business goals?

[16:16] How independent retailers can apply Kareen's metholodogy to handle the challenges of running a retail business and cultivate a growth mindset

[21:51] Where you can learn more about Kareen's business intensives

[23:10] What are the first steps independent retailers can take to begin translating their vision into actionable steps that lead to growth?

[28:21] How Kareen nurtures her own growth while also uplifting others to expand their businesses

[31:47] Kareen's resilience round

Links:
Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation - https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail/

Get all of the resources mentioned in the episode on our website - https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/build-a-business-and-life-you-love-with-kareen-walsh/

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.

Are you doing anything with affiliate marketing?  Have you heard of affiliate marketing? Have you done any research thinking it could help drive traffic to your store? Or maybe you’ve done nothing at all, maybe you can’t see how affiliate marketing is going to help your brick-and-mortar store. Give me a chance to show you how it can work and why its important for you to consider as part of your marketing.

The thing is,  affiliate marketing is not new. It's been around for a long time. But we haven't really talked about it as it relates to retail. And I predict that affiliate marketing is going to be a much bigger conversation this year for retailers.

If you are brand new to affiliate marketing, then you probably felt really overwhelmed listening to this week’s episode with Wade Tonkins. You might've felt like this doesn't apply to me. This doesn't make sense. I don’t have time to invest in this. And you probably tuned out.

If you've heard of affiliate marketing as a way to drive traffic to your website without creating a ton of content, then you are hungry to know what's working now. And you probably loved this episode. 

In today's after-the-show, I want to share why I think you should be using affiliate marketing for your store, show you two ways it can work with and without an e-com store and share some tools to help you along the way. 

I think affiliate marketing for independent retailers is the super secret way for you to build your business. 

So lets dive in!

[00:00] Why you should use affiliate marketing in your store

[00:22] This week I spoke with Wade Tonkin of Fanatics, the top company to talk with about affiliate marketing

[01:43] Affiliate marketing, for independent retailers, is the secret way you can build your business

[03:34] One reason to do affiliate marketing is to extend the reach of your shop

[03:49] An example of how you can leverage affiliate marketing when your brick-and-mortar also has an e-commerce shop

[08:03] How affiliate marketing would work for a brick-and-mortar shop

[10:06] Tools to use to manage your affiliate marketing program

[13:00] Next week's episode

Links:
Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail

Get all of the resources mentioned in this episode on our website: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/why-you-should-use-affiliate-marketing-in-your-store-after-the-show/

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.

Affiliate marketing isn't just for the big players. It's a powerful tool that can help grow your e-commerce business and open doors to new revenue streams without the hassle of more inventory. But if you're new to the concept or unsure if it's right for you, don't worry. 

Today, I'm joined by Wade Tonkin, a seasoned expert with over 25 years in the affiliate marketing world. As the Director of Global Affiliate Marketing at Fanatics, he's been at the forefront of managing affiliate programs for some of the biggest brands in sports. 

His wealth of knowledge makes him the perfect guide for our journey into the world of affiliate marketing. Throughout this episode, we'll explore the fundamentals of affiliate marketing, its benefits for your business, and practical steps you can take to integrate it into your operations. 

From building relationships with content creators to navigating regulatory requirements, Wade guides us through this channel to make more money and expand your brand. I'm truly excited about this conversation because it opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for independent retailers like yourself.

[0:00]: Welcoming Wade Tonkin

[03:46] Wade's journey into affiliate marketing 26 years ago

[07:29] What affiliate marketing is and how it works for indie retailers

[07:54] How can independent retailers effectively tap into affiliate marketing to drive traffic and sales?

[16:18] What's the best way for retailers to get others to sell their products through an affiliate program?

[19:27] Why there is crossover in the influencer and affiliate spaces

[21:25] What are the core principles for a successful affiliate program that independent retailers can implement, even without the resources of larger corporations?

[27:15] How does Fanatics establish and nurture relationships with affiliates, and how can independent retailers replicate this strategy at a suitable scale for their business?

[37:45] How has affiliate marketing changed as online retail has evolved, and what trends should independent retailers get ready for?

[43:50] How a diverse affiliate marketing strategy can empower independent retailers to thrive in a market dominated by giants like Amazon

[46:14] Wade's resilience round

Links:

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to join the conversation - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1554376645049921

Get access to all the amazing resources mentioned in this episode in our show notes - https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/affiliate-marketing-secrets-for-independent-retailers-with-wade-tonkin/

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 diving deep into social media and how it can drive meaningful foot traffic to your store. I'm thrilled to be joined by our digital strategist at Crystal Media, Steph Bechard. 

With over six years of experience in building online communities and skyrocketing engagement for retailers, Steph brings a ton of knowledge to the table. As the driving force behind our insider membership program at Crystal Media and the go-to expert for social media audits, Steph is immersed in social media every day.

In this episode, we're tackling three key areas of social media. First, we'll explore what's currently working to deliver results in the ever-evolving world of social media. Next, we'll discuss actionable techniques for driving foot traffic into your brick-and-mortar store. Even if you primarily operate online, these strategies will still benefit you!

And finally, we'll uncover the secrets to creating engaging content that sparks genuine connections with your audience. Get ready for some valuable tips that are effective and incredibly easy to implement. Grab your notepad because you’re going to want to take notes!

[0:00]: Welcoming Steph Bechard 

[04:44] The number one strategy that is working right now on social media to see real results for your store

[06:12] One trending tool across social media platforms that can help retailers get more views

[07:44] What are engagement stickers and where can you find them on each social media platform?

[11:51] How independent retailers can use AI to create unique and interesting content

[16:04] What makes someone interested in following your store on social media?

[22:49] Steph's tips on how to use social media to drive foot traffic to your store

[28:55] How to use location stickers in your social media strategy to bring more customers into your store

[32:34] Why creating this type of content builds a connection unmatched by big box stores

[35:43] The fast-track method for bringing more foot traffic to your store with social media

[39:07] Steph's formula for crafting irresistibly engaging content that sparks conversations online

[49:50] What are the top-performing content types to get the most out of your time on social media?

Join us in the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail/

Get all of the notes and resources on the show page at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/social-media-strategies-to-drive-more-foot-traffic-with-steph-bechard/

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 episode of 'After the Show,' host Crystal Vilkaitis discusses key takeaways from a previous episode featuring guest Miranda Heslip, co-owner of Cloud Nine Pajamas. The conversation touches on the importance of social media, email marketing, and ways to earn money passively. Despite the interest in passive income strategies, Crystal shifts the focus to the power of determining 'Who, Not How' in business, emphasizing delegation, strategic outsourcing, and utilizing resources like the book by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy. She shares personal experiences and insights on how letting go of specific tasks can fuel business growth and personal satisfaction, citing examples of eCommerce management and social media planning. Crystal urges retailers to assess tasks that drain their energy and consider outsourcing or delegating these to focus on areas that matter most. The episode closes with a reminder to understand enough about outsourced tasks to ensure quality control.

00:00 Welcome to Rooted in Retail After the Show

00:29 About this week's episode with Miranda Heslip of Cloud Nine Pajamas

01:23 Finding the who (not how) to grow your business

11:46 You don't need to know it all you just need to know enough

15:31 My ask of you

16:11 Coming Up Next Week

Join us in the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail

Get all of the resources for this episode here: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/the-art-of-delegating-finding-the-who-not-how-to-grow-your-business-after-the-show/

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.

If you've ever dreamt of making money while you sleep, then you're in for a treat. In this episode, we're diving into the secrets of passive income with a special guest who knows a thing or two about it.

I'm thrilled to introduce Miranda Heslip, co-owner of Cloud Nine Pajamas. Miranda, along with her sisters, has mastered the art of bringing in revenue around the clock through their successful e-commerce venture. 

Today, Miranda pulls back the curtain and shares how Cloud Nine Pajamas leverages social media and email marketing to drive traffic and sales to their online store. She reveals the data-driven strategies they use to understand their inventory better and snyc it with their marketing campaigns for maximum impact.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, Miranda's advice could change the trajectory of your store. She offers helpful tips for hiring staff and building a reliable team to support your business growth. Get ready to be motivated and empowered!

[02:49] Introducing Miranda and her thriving Cloud Nine Pajamas brand 

[03:55] Which social media platforms are creating meaningful engagements and driving tangible results for Cloud Nine Pajamas today?

[06:24] Miranda's advice for indie retailers who are hesitant to show up on social media in photos and videos 

[08:44] How each social media platform brings its own special touch to building better customer relationships at Cloud Nine Pajamas

[12:26] What is the number one marketing strategy driving results at Cloud Nine Pajamas right now?

[17:07] How important is email marketing to your overall bottom line?

[19:16] How indie retailers can collect better data to personalize their email marketing efforts

[21:54] Where does Miranda think retailers are missing the mark when it comes to marketing?

[23:41] How Cloud Nine Pajamas is driving traffic and sales to their e-commerce website

[27:45] Miranda shares her best tips for finding the right talent to support your e-commerce store

[33:16 What emerging digital marketing trends could really shake things up for independent retailers?

[35:39] Miranda's resilience round

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail

Get all of the resources mentioned in the show on our website at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/the-secret-to-making-money-in-your-sleep-with-miranda-heslip/

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 Rooted in Retail: After the Show. This week I am diving into one of my biggest takeaways from my interview with Alex Back from Couch.com. It was hard to pick just one because I had so many takeaways so be sure to go back and catch that episode. 

Today I want to focus on the power of brand collaboration and partnership in retail. This episode is packed with tips for starting small with collaborations, aligning with brands that share similar values, and leveraging local opportunities to boost foot traffic and community engagement.

[00:00] Welcome to After the Show. 

[03:19] The biggest takeaway from my interview with Alex Back of Couch.com

[04:00] Idea #1: In-store Pop-ups

[06:4] Idea #2: Co-branded social media campaigns

[12:10] Idea #3: Cross promo deals

[13:28] Idea #4: Brand ambassadors

[15:13] Ideas #5: Exclusive product launches or custom products

[16:34] Idea #6:  Integrated loyalty programs

[18:30] Idea #7: Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Experiences

[21:09] Idea #8: Community Initiatives

[23:00] Final thoughts on brand collaboration.

[24:36] Extra: Quiz tool that will integrate with your Shopify Store

[25:10] Coming up Next Week

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail

Get all of the resources mentioned on our website at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/8-game-changing-brand-collaboration-ideas-for-retail/

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