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.

Meet Alex Back, an e-commerce entrepreneur who is shaking up the furniture industry. He’s the founder of Couch.com, a new startup focused on solving one of the biggest issues for consumers in the furniture industry: where the heck to buy a couch? 

Before launching Couch.com, Alex co-founded and ran Apt2B, a popular online furniture brand that he led to a successful exit and transition just last year. In this episode, he shares his favorite tips and tools to help retailers market, evolve, and think outside of the box. 

Alex also explores how to balance your online and in-store sales, especially for big-ticket items. Plus, we dive into how AI is shaping the future of retail, why personalized customer experiences matter, and how technology can help small retailers thrive.

With years of experience in retail, Alex brings a wealth of insights to the table. So whether you're a seasoned retailer or just starting, this episode is filled with actionable wisdom to help you succeed in the ever-changing world of retail.

[00:00] A special offer for EVOLVE attendees and Rooted in Retail Listeners

[02:12] Alex's journey in furniture retail from selling his first company to starting a new one

[04:35] How Alex is helping solve the biggest issue that faces furniture customers and retailers

[06:54] The unique challenges of retailing big ticket items compared to smaller ticket purchases

[10:09] How should indie retailers adapt their marketing strategies to stay competitive and relevant in today's fast-paced environment?

[16:19] Alex's advice for retailers who want to start exploring brand partnerships

[21:15] How Couch.com is addressing the gap between brick and mortar and online search for furniture commerce

[25:36] The strategy Alex recommends retailers use AI to personalize the customer shopping experience online

[29:42] What future trends does Alex foresee in retail as AI evolves for big-ticket items?

[34:03] How Alex believes retailers can adapt to fast-paced technology shifts to maintain or increase their market share

[36:09] Alex's resilience round

Join us in the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation with other retailers just like you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail

Get all of the resources mentioned in today's episode on the website at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/using-technology-to-redefine-the-customer-experience-with-alex-back/

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.

We’re back this week with round two from the Dallas Market Center! Today's episode is a special one because I had the chance to sit down in person with Teddie Garrigan, the co-founder of Coco & Dash.

Teddie, alongside her daughter Courtney, is the force behind Coco & Dash, an award-winning home decor retail shop that's all about creative furnishings, lighting, art, and accessories.

In this episode, Teddie shares her strategies for building a strong retail brand presence on Instagram. From debunking the myth of low engagement to emphasizing the transformative power of truly understanding your audience, we dive deep into the social media landscape.

Teddie also tackles issues facing independent retailers today, like coping with the pressures of rising retail space costs and real estate development. Plus, we get real about the highs and lows of working with family. Teddie is a dynamic business woman and I loved our conversation. Let’s dive in!

[0:00] Welcoming Teddie live from the Dallas Market Center

[03:04] What Teddie would tell retailers who hold themselves back from using social media

[04:33] How one Instagram post led to an out-of-state sale worth tens of thousands of dollars in revenue without the customer ever visiting the store

[13:21] The special post Teddie always shares on Instagram when she notices a jump in followers

[15:00] How Teddie and her daughter Courtney balance the family and business dynamic

[17:24] Teddie’s advice for retailers who are considering going into business with a family member

[19:19] How Teddie sees real estate development impacting small retailers today

[23:48] What's one tactic that Teddie is seeing generate sales in her store right now?

[28:41] Teddie's resilience round

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

Get all of the resources mentioned in the episode on our website at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/building-a-retail-family-business-that-lasts-with-teddie-garrigan/

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 January, I had the pleasure of sitting down with not one, but two remarkable guests at the Dallas Market Center. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce Brianna Cannon, the creative force behind BriannaCannon.com and a seasoned retail veteran with over two decades of experience. Trust me, this episode is nothing short of a retail masterclass.

Brianna's fashion and lifestyle brand is bold, flashy, and beautiful. In this episode, we dive into the secrets behind her social media success, both organic and through paid ads. From building a powerful brand identity to navigating the nuances of Instagram growth, we explore how to find your voice in a crowded marketplace.

Her journey shows the power of customer connection, product authenticity, and using Instagram to grow your e-commerce brand. Plus, she shares insights into the art of product photography and strategies to drive traffic to your website and boost online sales.

Whether you're a wholesaler, retailer, or both, Brianna's insights are a goldmine for growth. She has amazing tips for our independent retailers in this episode, and I know you're going to love her. Let’s dive in!

[03:31] Welcoming Brianna Cannon live from the Dallas Market Center

[05:03] How Brianna developed a bold personal brand for her retail store

[07:07] How Brianna created a strong e-commerce presence and grew her online sales

[10:26] Brianna's practical advice for getting amazing photos without needing to do professional shoots

[13:04] What strategies are working the best right now to generate foot traffic into the store?

[14:37] What strategies are working to drive online traffic to Brianna's e-commerce store?

[15:59] Why Brianna's brand ambassador program generates more conversions than influencer marketing

[17:44] What advice Brianna would give independent retailers about creating their own wholesale line

[19:56] Brianna's resilience round

Join us in 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/growing-your-retail-sales-with-a-bold-brand-identity-with-brianna-cannon/

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, I talked to Susan Negen from Whizbang Training, and I hope you had the opportunity to listen to that episode because it was packed with so much actionable advice.

She is so rooted in retail and gives some great tips that can save you so much time and make you a way more efficient retailer. We also talked about the power of learning and online education and investing in ourselves. 

But today I wanted to share with you my biggest takeaways and why I think these are so important to you as a retailer. 

[00:00] Welcome to After the Show - Upcoming Announcements

[05:18] Are you leveraging the power of open/close checklists? Can you use them to remind your staff to create social media content? Use our training to help! 

[07:53] Are you prioritizing free time as a business owner? Here is why taking 24-hour breaks from your business is so important. 

[13:37] Does everyone on your team provide the same experience to your customers? 

[15:22] WWMCW - What Would My Customer Want - How often are you checking in?

[17:37] Take this advice from Susan: Don't worry if it's perfect, just get going!

Join us in 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 at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/creating-retail-efficiencies-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.

How do indie retailers juggle the daily demands of their stores and keep things running smoothly without feeling overwhelmed? It all starts with having efficient operations in place.

I’m excited to be sitting down with Susan Negen today. Not only is she a dear friend, but she’s also the co-founder of Whizbang! Training, with over 20 years of experience helping independent retailers build better, more fulfilling businesses.

We’re diving into retail operations and how you can leverage them to save time, reduce stress, and increase employee happiness. In this episode, she shares practical frameworks you can start implementing to keep your store running like clockwork.

Susan is also giving us a sneak peek into their brand new platform: Brilliance. Trust me, this tool is a game-changer for your store and our industry. Tune in as Susan walks us through what retailers need to know today and which trends are on the horizon. I know you’re going to learn so much from her today!

[02:12] Susan's journey from major department stores to indie retailers

[04:46] What two systems would Susan recommend to retailers who want less stress and more time?

[10:54] The "Four F's" system for retailers who don't have enough time to build their systems

[19:21] When should indie retailers factor in time for learning and ongoing education?

[27:49] Susan's insider tips on a proven strategy that works wonders for her indie retailers

[31:10] What major industry changes should retailers adapt to today?

[34:59] Which upcoming retail trends should independent retailers prepare for to stay competitive?

[37:19] Susan's resilience round

Join us inside the Rooted in Retail Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail

Get all of the resources mentioned on our website at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/optimizing-your-retail-operations-for-success-with-susan-negen/

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 are celebrating the first anniversary of the 'Rooted in Retail' podcast, which officially launched on March 6th, 2023. I can’t help but reflect on the podcast's achievements over the past year, including reaching 25,000 downloads and nearly 1,000 members in the Facebook group. 

This week's episode took on a different format as we did a call-in-style show. During After the Show I shared some of the topics that were covered, but the one thing I want to encourage you to do is to become (more) involved in the Facebook Group. In there, we discuss topics that will help you and your store. 

[00:00] Welcome to After the Show and some housekeeping items

[02:25] Are you taking notes during the episodes? Share your top takeaways in the Facebook Group so we can learn from each other. 

[03:34] Are you doing pop-ups in your shop? Get some ideas and join the conversation!

[07:53] What is driving foot traffic to your store?

[12:01] What is your favorite episode or guest? Share with us in the Group!

[13:27] Share Your Notes! Let's build our community and support each other!

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

Get all of the resources mentioned in the episode on our website at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/community-connection-learning-from-each-other/

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 a very special episode of Rooted In Retail! 

Can you believe it? It's our first birthday, and I’m so thrilled about the incredible journey we’ve had together over the past year. From inspiring guests to your heartwarming reviews and the community we’ve built together, it's been nothing short of amazing.

I love hosting this show, and I've got a treat for you in today's episode to mark this special milestone! In celebration of our one-year anniversary, I invited our Facebook group members to submit questions, turning today's show into our very own call-in episode.

We've got six fantastic questions lined up, covering everything from marketing strategies in rural towns to customer research, essential marketing assets, collaborating with local businesses, tapping into user-generated content, and more.

I even opened up about my stance against a popular marketing tactic. So, without further ado, let's dive into this birthday episode and explore the answers to your questions. Your feedback means everything, so if you enjoy this episode or love the concept of our call-in show, I want to hear from you!

[0:00] Happy Birthday to Rooted in Retail

[02:12] How retailers can market in their town outside of the local newspaper

[03:28] Two easy ways to conduct customer research on Facebook without running ads

[04:41] The marketing asset every independent retailer needs to retain more customers

[07:17] Effective ways to collaborate with local businesses to promote and market your store

[10:15] Crystal's quick tips for using ChatGPT to create marketing campaigns in minutes

[13:19] How to drive foot traffic to retail stores in a rural town of less than 5,000 people

[16:55] One unforgettable marketing strategy that can transform your brand in a local legend

[22:18] When you should include the price points of your products on social media

[24:39] Is user-generated content helpful for retailers on social media?

[30:54] What every online store needs to effortlessly collect social proof and automate the entire process

[36:59] What's the best advice to consider when you're deciding to sell or close your business?

[39:45] One key strategy that can help retailers get more money when they decide to sell their business

[42:56] How do we balance our in-store and online experience for different customer avatars?

[51:25] Crystal's advice on how to uncover your customers' pain points and what they really want from you

[52:24] Why Crystal takes a stance against this popular marketing tactic for local retailers

Join us inside the Rooted in Retail Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail

Get all of the resources mentioned in today's episode at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/happy-birthday-rooted-in-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

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 various topics related to retail growth and challenges, focusing on insights drawn from a conversation with Andrew and Claire Bowen, authors of the bestselling book 'The Daily Grind'. Through exploring the importance of being famous for something in your retail business, tips on checking profits weekly, and strategies for driving foot traffic, the episode offers actionable advice for retail store owners. Also covered are ideas for adding a coffee element or a popup shop to enhance customer experience and foot traffic, hiring for both culture and skill, and leveraging customer reviews for improvement. 

Let’s Dive In!

00:00 Welcome to After the Show

00:53 Some reminders and announcements

01:57 When can you join us live?

02:38 Are you known for something?

04:32 How often are you checking your numbers?

06:03 Marketing to manage your foot traffic (Consider using email)

10:28 Could you have a coffee cart or popup shop in your store? What kind of experience would that be for your customers?

13:43 Get on the waitlist for the next Oasis of Opportunity Retreat

14:16 Should you hire for culture or for skill?

19:00 Little changes can make a big difference - how do you find new ideas for improvements/changes in your store? Staff feedback and reviews might be the answer.

25:48 Celebrate our one-year anniversary of Rooted in Retail next week!

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

Get all of the resources mentioned in today's episode at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/what-retailers-can-learn-from-coffee-shops-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're shaking things up and venturing beyond traditional retail to dive into the world of coffee shops. What lessons can we learn from the cozy corners of your favorite neighborhood cafes?

I had a lovely conversation with Andrew and Claire Bowen, the authors of the award-winning coffee book The Daily Grind. While their book was originally meant to be an extension of their business, it unexpectedly took off and turned them into industry coaches. 

Now, Andrew and Claire are here to share their journey and how you can turn your passion into a profitable business. Get ready to dive deep into money management, finances, and budgeting, as they serve up some practical tips and mindsets to help you keep your business on track and your budget in check.

Plus, they'll be breaking down what exactly makes for a healthy net percentage and how you can maximize your cafe's earnings. We’ll also uncover how the retail world and coffee shops go hand in hand, including the importance of community involvement and what you should really be looking for in a new hire. Let’s dive in!

[0:00] Welcoming Claire and Andrew

[04:24] The winning strategies that helped transition Andrew and Claire's love for coffee into a profitable and scalable business model

[07:34] Debunking financial planning myths for independent retailers to ensure longevity and growth

[12:29] How Andrew's 25 years of retail experience shaped his entry into the coffee industry

[14:49] The key exercises that can help retailers predict startup costs and sales potential for a coffee business

[19:05] What is the average profit margin for coffee shops?

[21:21] What lessons can we learn from the journey of this independent cafe overcoming challenges?

[25:43] What Claire and Andrew are most proud of in their business

[28:47] Andrew and Claire's resilience round

Be sure to join us in the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group for After the Show Live! https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootedinretail

Connect with today's guest and get all of the resources on our website at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/turning-your-passion-to-profit-with-andrew-and-claire-bowen/

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', we are live from Palm Springs after our first Oasis of Opportunity Retreat. I want to discuss additional strategies for retailers to focus on in 2024. I am joined by special guests Majda Rensberger from OneCoast and Steph Bechard from Crystal Media. 

We are talking about the significance of adapting business strategies to effectively engage customers, the need for talent acquisition and delegation to scale up businesses, and the importance of storytelling in marketing and branding. The discussion also covers the critical role of email marketing and the need for retailers to surround themselves with growth-oriented peers to brainstorm and learn from each other.

Let’s dive in!

[00:00] Welcome from Palm Springs!

[00:57] Lesson One: If there is something that you really want to do, find a way to do it!

[04:16] Lesson Two: Invest in talent to scale your business

[06:36] Lesson Three: Make your brand more human

[08:51] Lesson Four: Focus on Storytelling!

[14:11] Lesson Five: Embrace Email Marketing

[15:18] Lesson Six: Find a Mastermind. Surround yourself with people who will push you to see things differently

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

Get all of the resources on our website at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/6-tips-for-retail-success-in-2024-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