I find so much value in stories from retailers of growth and change. Matt Harris brings to today’s episode decades of retail experience, going all the way back to age 16 as a self proclaimed ‘mall rat’.

Matt's love for retail began as a teenager and his innate skill and passion helped him grow his career from selling ladies shoes to selling high-end art. His journey through retail takes many twists and turns as he left the space for a career in software, returning just several years ago with the fire for retail still inside.

During an opportunity to teach an MBA class Matt discovered his flare for pearl jewelry design. A “practice business” led him to creating designs for Debra Messing, Britney Spears, and Harry Connick jr. So when he returned to the retail world, he absolutely rooted himself in jewelry and pearls.

Matt helped transform and grow one Austin, TX jewelry store leaps in bounds with some critical changes to their sales routines.

Retailers are you focusing on…
-Training sales people
-Approaching every customer
-Consistent, realistic, fair pricing,
-Adding on sales for the complete customer experience

Those are just some of the really great tips inside today’s episode. Matt talks about tips for increasing store traffic when you’re facing construction outside your brick and mortar, tips for branding, and a little peek into the wholesale world.

You are not going to want to miss the infinite knowledge and really interesting stories from Matt!

I’m rooting for your success!

What’s Inside:

• Retail stories backed by decades of experience.
• Real tips for retailers to increase sales and revenue.
• An interesting tip to increase foot traffic.
• How to create an impactful customer experience AND boost sales.
• Building up your small retail shop.
• Matt Harris Designs; Pearl Jewelry.

Mentioned In This Episode:
The Greatest Salesman in the World: Mandino, Og
Airtable
Matt Harris - YouTube
Matt Harris Designs
Matt Harris Pearls (@mattharrisdesigns) on Instagram
Chat OpenAI
Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube
Payroc

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Okay, you’re not alone if you started your business so you could design your schedule and live the life you want. But what do you want? Are you getting it yet?

Pete Mohr is a small town retailer, podcaster, and the retail coach behind Simplifying Entrepreneurship. He is sharing what it takes to get what you want by aligning and assigning accountability.

Are you looking for remote access? Or just less hands on in the day to day so you can make that hokey game or spend more time with your family? Everyone's needs and drives to access more freedom and flexibility are different, but if you’re a retailer and you're feeling overworked, there is work that can be done to get you there.

Pete, during our conversation, brought up a powerful question. Is it the process you don’t trust? Or is the person? Really get clarity on that because you either need to change and create a process you CAN trust or really consider why you have an employee working for you that you can’t trust.

As a retailer, Pete has the experience and the relatability to know what other retailers have gone through and are going through in their businesses. As a coach, he has the tools, like his 5 P Framework, to get you processes designed to access the freedom and flexibility you are searching for as a business owner.

Alongside his business wisdom and his favorite resources, Pete also champions the endless uses for Chat GPT. If you are a retailer and you are not using this tool to save time, you are missing out.

Don’t be shy; let me know what freedoms you’re going after! I want to know because I am rooting for your success!


What’s Inside:

• The value in a clear promise from your business.
• Are you afraid to trust the process or the person?
• How to align and assign accountability.
• Pete Mohr’s 5 P Framework.
• Chat GPT for Retailers.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Speak to Pete
Business Owner Breakthrough Podcast Pete Mohr
Crystal Uncorked: Finding Freedom For Entrepreneurs with Pete Mohr
Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want from Your Business
Buy Back Your Time: Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, and Build Your Empire
Chat OpenAI
Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube

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Imagine being in high school when the pandemic hit; suddenly, school is on your phone, and you’re left with infinite free time. Edgars Cers and his brother took this and ran, as they created Comfy Living Chicago.

Comfy Living Chicago is a local Chicago business that sells high quality, affordable pre-owned furniture. What started as a side hustle turned into so much more as they learned the need on both sides of the business.

From garages to warehouses to even a storefront in just a few years, Comfy Living Chicago has seen great success. Edgars and his brother use a variety of tools on social media for marketing to their local community, especially video! He even shares how they leveraged a local influencer!

As they move forward in business, Edgars focuses on the economy, community needs, and how they can be a one stop shop offering affordable home furnishing solutions to renters and owners.

As a young entrepreneur, Edgars is focused on learning as much as he can, like this advice from Tony Robbins; The growth of the business is dependent on the owner's mindset.

Retailers, I’m rooting for your success!

What’s Inside:

• From side hustle to business.
• A solution for high quality, affordable furniture.
• Marketing strategies for local business.
• Should you use influencers for marketing?
• Solid business advice for any entrepreneur. 

Mentioned In This Episode:
Comfy Living Chicago
Comfy Living Chicago on Facebook
Comfy Living Chicago on Instagram
Crystal Media
Payroc
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube

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How are you making your Yelp account work for you?

Everyone’s heard of Yelp, and it’s not just for home services or restaurants; retail stores make up a large percentage of businesses on the website!

Emily Washcovick is Yelp’s small business expert, and she is breaking down the “science” behind their review recommendation software and important features for business owners.

Don’t be afraid of negative reviews, and don’t solicit for positive ones either! Emily says naturally inspired reviews are the best for your page, and 87% of customers are willing to look past negative reviews if the business owner is engaging with reviews and responding to concerns.

You don’t want to miss these awesome tips to leverage Yelp and grow your visibility.

Today’s Action Items:
Visit your business page on Yelp - complete and verify your profile information for optimization.
Create a check-in offer - this is a serious must-do - to drive traffic and incentivize natural reviews.

Go now! Check out your Yelp page! I’m rooting for your success!

What’s Inside:

• Behind the scenes of Yelp software.
• How to take advantage of metrics in the Yelp Platform.
• Leveraging your yelp account for more visibility.
• How to ask for reviews on Yelp.
• Yelp action items to get started with TODAY!

Mentioned In This Episode:
Emily Washcovick on Instagram
Yelp for Business
Yelp for Business (@yelpforbusiness) on Instagram
Behind the Review on Apple Podcasts
[email protected]
[email protected]
Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change, Adapting Fast, and Future-Proofing Your Career
Register for EVOLVE 2023
Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube

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The future is bright for small retailers! You’re going to LOVE this conversation I had with my very first retailer! Ana McConnell is the owner of Pilar Boutique in downtown Loveland, Colorado.

Ana first started out working in her mom’s boutique, Cloz to Home. After navigating working with her mom, she branched out on her own and is currently thriving with two locations and a photo studio.

It’s no secret that being a retailer is HARD WORK. Even Ana called her first two years ‘Absolute Hell’ but in year three of opening Pilar, it all came together, and you can hear the passion she has for her business!

If you’re struggling as a retailer, you have to know there is no one thing, no “quick fix”. But Ana shares an abundance of resources and tips that will get you to where you need to be. Whether it’s accounting, inventory, networking, or team management, she has a really great foundation and wise words for all!

Be open, pivot, know your F*&#@%! numbers, and take a break when you need it.

I’m rooting for your success!

What’s Inside:

• Advice for retailers from a retailer
• How to manage your team and give trust.
• Resources for retail needs.
• Navigating working with family in a retail environment.
• Making it past the first years, from hell to thriving.

Mentioned In This Episode:
PILAR BOUTIQUE (@shop_pilar) on Instagram
Cloz to Home Boutique (@cloztohome) on Instagram
Ana McConnell (@ana_pilar_m) on Instagram
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.: B. Brown
Profit First by mike Michalowicz
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self: LePera, Dr. Nicole
Hatch Inventory Management | Shopify App Store
Management One
Asana Project Management
Register for EVOLVE 2023 and use code podcast to save $400  
Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Love Rooted in Retail? Join IndERA—just $25/month, or go Pro and save $503 with code FM503 by 5/31.

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Everything you need to get everything you want is available! That is just one piece of incredible knowledge from Retail Vet and Co-Founder of WhizBang! Retail Training, Bob Negen.

Becoming an independent retailer is nothing short of brave, and Bob shares some wise words when it comes to breaking away from fear as a retail owner.

As Bob joins me from a podcasting suite at the Las Vegas Home and Gift Show in this Bonus Episode, we cover the economy, putting yourself out there, and his ultimate secret on how to get things done.

Worried about your business in the state of today's economy? More billionaires were created in the Great Depression than any other time in American history

Being a retail owner is a long game. You might make mistakes. You might get derailed. Just...Begin Again.

Moving forward and working toward success is a choice, and you can do it! I’m rooting for your success.


What’s Inside:

• How to break past the fear of the economy as a retailer.
• Why you shouldn’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
• Tips for achieving momentum in your retail business. 
• Bob’s secret for getting stuff done.
• Two top focuses for retailers for the business year.

Mentioned In This Episode:
WhizBang! Retail Training
WhizBang! Retailers | Facebook
The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success
Register for EVOLVE 2023 and use code podcast to save $400
Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Love Rooted in Retail? Join IndERA—just $25/month, or go Pro and save $503 with code FM503 by 5/31.

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

Patrick Keiser was in his barber’s chair when he had a powerful conversation that may just change the retail world. Patrick is the founder and executive director of Heart on Main Street.

The presence of small retailers is down 20% in the last 20 years, Heart on Main Street is a business designed to change that by helping and supporting these local fixtures.

Whether it's money and investments, information and education, resources, or a network; Patrick’s passion is to revive Main Street and help more than the current 1 in 3 retailers make it past the 2-year mark.

With Friends on Main Street, Patrick is creating a community of like-minded retailers and businesses relative to the retailer community to give business owners the help and support they actually need.

You have to hear Patrick's passion to push the narrative back to shopping locally. He has such great advice to retailers including something I am a huge advocate for; Find a mentor.

During our conversation one thing is abundantly clear, we are rooting for your success!

What’s Inside:

• How one conversation led to a vision that could change the world.
• A resource for new retailers or existing retailers ready for growth.
• A business founded on helping independent retailers evolve and thrive in their community.
• A network of experienced retailers and businesses.
• The value of learning from other experiences.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Heart on Main Street
Heart on Main Street on LinkedIn
Register for EVOLVE 2023 and use code podcast to save $400
Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Love Rooted in Retail? Join IndERA—just $25/month, or go Pro and save $503 with code FM503 by 5/31.

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Okay Retailers, Here’s a big question to consider: How are you getting customers in your door? And how are you converting that traffic into sales?

Maybe you’ve got it going on over on social…but you’re missing MAJOR opportunities via email and text.

Nick McHenry is the founder of OneShop Retail, a service that streamlines content creation and customer engagement for brick-and-mortar retail stores like you!

There can be some serious stigma around emailing and texting your customers, but we are here to help you get it right. From how many emails to send out each week to crafting the perfect content, or even how to get your customer's phone number, we’ve got something for you to use.

And listen, you don’t have to take all this information and run with it. Just commit to ONE thing and see how it transforms your business.

You can do it! I’m rooting for your success!

What’s Inside:

• How to streamline your customer service and experience.
• How many emails SHOULD you be sending?
• What’s the right way to integrate text marketing?
• Metrics that matter: Are you focusing too much on your open rate?
• How to craft the perfect message for your text or email list. 
• How personal is too personal? Respecting your customer's inbox.

Mentioned In This Episode:
OneShop Retail
Nick McHenry (@nickmchenry) on Instagram
Nick McHenry (@nickmchenry) on TikTok
Introducing ChatGPT - OpenAI
Hug Your Customers by Jack Mitchell
Register for EVOLVE 2023 and use code podcast to save $400
Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Love Rooted in Retail? Join IndERA—just $25/month, or go Pro and save $503 with code FM503 by 5/31.

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

When it comes to visual merchandising Michelle Sherrier of MC Design Collaboration and host of The Retail Whore Podcast is the go-to! In this episode, she shares her impressive wisdom, insight, and eye for creating the best visual outcome in your retail stores.

Don’t let your store and inventory get stale, give often and intentional resets to your store space. With MC Design Collaboration, Michelle works with her clients for quarterly, whole space resets but she recommends smaller refreshes with an injection of new inventory to happen monthly. She helps retailers create stories and merchandising moments by building the inventory around the client and feature products.

Benefit from more merchandising tips like:
Instantly increase sales with intentional add-ons that build on your higher ticket gifts.
Be intentional with your impulse section and don’t let your cash wrap turn into a ‘garage sale”.
Add natural, real-world textures and scents to bring out elements of packaged goods.

And is the future of independent retail a co-op collaborative experience? Michelle shares about a client with an exciting retail vision in Joshua Tree, CA.

For all this and more, tune into the full episode! Retailers, I’m rooting for your success.

What’s Inside:

• Common mistakes retailers are making.
• Tips that can INSTANTLY increase sales.
• Ideas for leveling up the visual displays in your stores.
• What’s the difference between Add Ons and Impulse Buys?
• Managing your inventory and creating a story with your products.
• Tracking trends in retail.
• An interesting take on the future of independent retail.

Mentioned In This Episode:
MC Design Collaboration
The Retail Whore Podcast
Michelle Sherrier (@theretailwhorepodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
Michelle Sherrier (@mcdesigncollaboration) • Instagram photos and videos
Open To Buy
Register for EVOLVE 2023 and use code podcast to save $400
Crystal Media Payroc
Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Love Rooted in Retail? Join IndERA—just $25/month, or go Pro and save $503 with code FM503 by 5/31.

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

Small businesses this is YOUR time!

You don’t want to miss this conversation with Mark Schaefer, social media marketing expert, author of 10 incredible business and marketing books, and Keynote Speaker at my conference, EVOLVE this spring.

Mark brings his decades of experience and lens for the future of marketing to talk about his newest book, Belonging to the Brand.

The old ways of marketing are out and if you don’t adapt and evolve…you will be left behind. Now more than ever people are craving community and connection. And your company can be that community.

Mark shares the story of mega-brand, Sephora, whose revenue comes in at 80% from their online community. When you create a community within your customers, you are helping transform your customer into a company advocate. That’s right, your customers can sell your products better than you can.

In today’s world there is so much demand for your time and distraction for our attention, retailers have to stay up to date in the marketing trends to cut through the clutter. Mark gives a sneak peek at his keynote speech for EVOLVE, The Most Human Company Wins.

With so much tech in our way, we have to utilize it in a way that makes human, personal connections. That is the only way you’re going to make it and Mark says the future is bright for independent retailers. Big box stores that have owned the media over the last decade have less power when it comes to actually connecting and building their community.

In 2 years, Mark says, marketing will be unrecognizable. So keep listening, come to my conference, and gain the tools you need to keep up. I’m rooting for your success!

What’s Inside:

• The future of marketing.
• How to stay human in a high-tech world.
• Why is community so important for a company?
• How to cut through the clutter and reach your customer.
• Changing how you view your customer; from customer to advocate.
• Sneak Peak Alert: Keynote Speech, The Most Human Company Wins!

Mentioned In This Episode:
Mark Schaefer
Belonging to the Brand Book - Schaefer Marketing Solutions: We Help Businesses {grow}
Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Drucker, Peter F.
Register for EVOLVE 2023 and use code podcast to save $400
Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal Media on Instagram
Crystal Media Co - YouTube

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Love Rooted in Retail? Join IndERA—just $25/month, or go Pro and save $503 with code FM503 by 5/31.

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