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.

A great product isn’t enough—your online presence matters just as much!  

In this After the Show segment, we’re diving into how retailers can use LinkedIn to stand out. From positioning yourself as a thought leader to generating leads, we’ll break down how to make the most of this powerful platform. If you want to elevate your brand and connect with the right audience, this episode is for you! 

[1:19] Focusing on what you can control  

[2:54] Viewing retail through a tech company lens  

[4:21] The untapped potential of LinkedIn for retailers  

[6:17] Establishing yourself as an industry expert  

[13:14] How to build leads and drive business growth  

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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.

Is your retail business equipped to stand out in today’s competitive market? In this episode, Warren Shoulberg shares expert insights on how independent retailers can adapt, stay relevant, and grow. Learn how to identify key retail trends, simplify e-commerce, and take inspiration from big-box stores—without losing your unique identity and customer experience.  

If you’re looking for actionable strategies to future-proof your retail business, this episode is for you!  

[1:12] About Warren Shoulberg

[3:55] How independent retailers can stay competitive  

[7:03] Why visiting other stores is crucial for growth  

[8:50] Key retail trends and challenges to watch  

[15:00] A simple and profitable approach to e-commerce  

[19:56] Lessons from big-box stores that work for independent retailers  

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.

Running a business isn’t just about making sales—it’s about making smart financial decisions and setting yourself up for long-term success. In this episode, retailer Kayla Albrecht and therapist Kareen dive into the emotional and financial aspects of entrepreneurship, from compensating yourself properly to setting boundaries between work and home life.  

Kayla shares her experience as both a business owner and operator, breaking down the challenges of paying yourself while growing your business. Kareen provides insights on avoiding burnout, the importance of valuing your own work, and how people-pleasing can drain you—financially and emotionally.  

We’ll also explore how to create a compensation strategy that supports both your business and personal well-being, and why finding the right industry associations can help you grow.  

[6:17] How to compensate yourself as an owner vs. an operator  

[9:07] The challenges of playing an operating role in your business  

[15:00] Why paying yourself and others is crucial for business success  

[23:50] The cost of people-pleasing in business  

[25:02] Setting clear boundaries between work and home life  

[39:59] How industry associations can support your business growth 

Get all of the resources in the show notes on our website: 

https://rootedinretail.com/episodes/paying-yourself-paying-others-and-finding-balance-with-kayla-albrecht/

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.

A great product isn’t enough—your store experience needs to be just as exciting!  

In this After the Show segment, we’re exploring how to inject fun into retail spaces. From interactive games to small moments of surprise, we’ll share creative ways to engage customers and make shopping unforgettable. If you want to turn your store into a destination, this episode is for you.  

[2:14] Stepping into a new environment to spark fresh ideas  

[6:01] Understanding what fun looks like for your customers  

[8:30] How to create memorable moments in-store  

[8:45] Rolling the dice at checkout—turning transactions into games  

[11:20] Retail Bingo: A fun way to boost engagement  

[14:03] Gamifying the shopping experience for repeat visits

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.

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Running a retail store is more than just transactions—it’s about creating experiences that keep both customers and employees engaged. In this episode of Rooted in Retail  we are joined by Bryan Gaus and Anthony DiAmbrosio of American Dream as we explore how to balance business operations with a fun, vibrant culture that makes your store a place people love to be.  

 [9:26] How to embed fun into daily operations  

 [11:11] Keeping things fresh with surprise elements  

 [12:03] Leveraging tools to enhance the retail experience  

 [13:00] How business experiences shape memorable customer interactions  

 [16:52] A wow moment at American Dream  

 [20:43] Encouraging team members to take ownership in transactions  

 [22:01] Measuring ROI in creating a better retail experience  

 [27:05] Exciting trends and shifts in consumer behavior  

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Get all of the resources in our show notes - https://rootedinretail.com/episodes/balancing-your-store-while-having-fun-creating-an-incredible-retail-culture/

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.

Success isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable when you align with the right mindset and actions.  

In this episode, we’re breaking down why your brain can’t fully grasp the level of success you’re capable of and how to step into that reality. From making tough decisions as a business owner to understanding the power of pruning for growth, this conversation will help you trust the process and recognize the clues guiding you forward.  

[1:53] Your brain can’t imagine the type of success waiting for you  

[5:28] Why your success is inevitable  

[6:00] The tough decisions business owners must make  

[12:45] The rosebush analogy explained  

[13:01] Why pruning your business leads to stronger growth  

[13:31] Recognizing and following the clues to alignment  

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.

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In this episode of Rooted in Retail, we dive into what it takes to build a million-dollar store. Our returning guest Heidi Hardman shares how being obsessed with your products and truly understanding your customers can set you apart. Learn how to overcome challenges, become “15-mile famous,” and create a thriving retail business that keeps customers coming back. 

[2:25] The journey to building a million-dollar store  

[6:47] Why obsession with products and customer needs is key  

[7:54] How to push through challenges when scaling to seven figures  

[15:18] Strategies to become 15-mile famous  

[20:23] The importance of truly understanding your customers  

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Get all of the resources in our show notes - https://rootedinretail.com/episodes/the-secret-to-building-a-million-dollar-retail-business-with-heidi-hardman/

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.

Running a dance studio takes more than just a love for movement—it requires strategy, discipline, and smart decision-making. In this episode, Rose Kishner, owner of SF Dance Gear, shares how she applies structured planning and business mastery to keep her store thriving.  

Rose opens up about the behind-the-scenes challenges of managing a dance business, from handling operations to making strategic financial decisions. She explains how the *Rapid Planning Method* has helped her stay focused, why mastering one part of the business at a time leads to long-term success, and how the shadowing process has sharpened her leadership skills. She also dives into why business owners should see themselves as their company’s most valuable asset—and how reverse engineering goals can set you up for success.

Whether you’re a business owner, a creative entrepreneur, or someone looking to bring more structure into your work, this episode is packed with insights to help you refine your approach and build a business that lasts.  

[3:56] The challenges of running a dance store behind the scenes  

[8:10] How the Rapid Planning Method keeps business goals on track  

[11:50] The power of mastering one part of your business at a time  

[17:50] Why shadowing others can make you a better leader  

[20:38] How to be intentional about where you put your focus  

[22:20] Why the business owner should be the most valuable (and expensive) team member  

[29:10] Setting targets and reverse-engineering success  

[36:39] The importance of asking for help and building a support system  

Get all of the resources in the show notes on our website: https://rootedinretail.com/episodes/building-a-business-with-precision-and-passion-with-rose-kishner/

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.

Loving your product isn’t enough—your customer needs to love it too.  

In this After the Show segment, we’re diving into what it takes to truly connect with your audience. From the three-second rule to spotting emotional touchpoints, we’ll cover practical ways to see your business through your customer’s eyes. If you want to create a frictionless experience and build deeper relationships with your customers, this episode is for you.  

[1:11] Why your passion doesn’t guarantee customer love  

[1:46] The three-second rule: capturing attention fast  

[6:21] Walking in your customer’s shoes  

[7:50] Identifying and eliminating friction points  

[8:56] Finding emotional touchpoints in the customer journey  

[12:23] The question every business owner should ask: What keeps your customers up at night?

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.

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It’s a special episode as Rooted in Retail celebrates its 2nd anniversary! 

Joining us is Ginny Carosso from Port Gamble General Store, a seasoned retail expert with a degree in Retail Business and extensive experience in curating product assortments. Ginny shares her insights on understanding customers, gathering data, and creating a brand experience that feels like home. 

Plus, we dive into the balance between physical and online stores in today’s tech-driven world. Be sure to check out! 

[3:36] Ginny’s journey in retail

[6:32] Why knowing your customers is critical for success

[10:12] Simple, effective ways to gather insights

[11:11] Using customer insights to curate space & atmosphere

[17:55] Building brands that feel like friends

[20:45] Balancing a physical and online store

[32:48] Don’t forget about your customer’s experience

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Get all of the resources in our show notes - https://rootedinretail.com/episodes/mastering-retail-curation-customer-insights-with-ginny-carosso/

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