The Retail Whisperer

This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.

Jazmin Montalvo is the passionate owner of Frida Bae Co., a vibrant brick-and-mortar boutique where creativity and culture intertwine.

In part two of this conversation, Michelle and Jazmin dive into all things social media, especially TikTok. Jazmin shares how she transitioned her TikTok account from personal to business. Jazmin talks about how going viral on social media helped her dig out of a tough time and how she took a risk on TikTok Live. She also shares her experience working with a business consultant, how much of your creative secret sauce to share with others, and more.

What’s Inside:

• How Jazmin transitioned her personal TikTok account to business
• How Jazmin uses TikTok Live
• Jazmin’s experience working with a business consultant

Mentioned In This Episode:
Fridabaeco.com
At Home with Jazmin on Amazon
Frida Bae Co. on Facebook
Frida Bae Co. on Instagram
Frida Bae Co. on Pinterest
Frida Bae Co. on TikTok

Support the show

This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.

Jazmin Montalvo is the passionate owner of Frida Bae Co., a vibrant brick-and-mortar boutique where creativity and culture intertwine. As a mother and bonus mom to four daughters, Jazmin is dedicated to raising strong, fearless, and outspoken women, infused with pride in their Mexican heritage.

Jazmin's journey to entrepreneurship was shaped by her deep-rooted creativity and love for art, prominently displayed on the boutique's walls through her own artwork. Her career began in nursing, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016 and later a Masters in Nurse Leadership in 2021. However, the challenges of working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a pivotal shift in her life.

In October 2022, Jazmin realized her dream with the opening of Frida Bae Co., a size-inclusive women's boutique offering an array of customized products including jewelry, home decor, and apparel like t-shirts and wood signs—all handmade with love. Through her boutique, Jazmin continues to celebrate her culture and empower others to embrace their roots while pursuing their passions.

In part one of this conversation, Jazmin shares the adventure of moving into a new retail space. She walks through her journey of becoming a nurse and her transition to boutique ownership. Jazmin also shares her experience at Dallas Market Center, how she built an amazing table from scratch (with no experience!), what life was like working in nursing during COVID, and more.

What’s Inside:

• Jazmin’s transition from nursing to retail
• What it was like working in nursing during COVID
• How Jazmin’s immigrant parents influenced her career journey

Mentioned In This Episode:
Fridabaeco.com
At Home with Jazmin on Amazon
Frida Bae Co. on Facebook
Frida Bae Co. on Instagram
Frida Bae Co. on Pinterest
Frida Bae Co. on TikTok

Support the show

MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!

A printmaking graduate from the Ontario College of Art and Design, Michelle Galletta is the founder of Kiriki Press. The idea was inspired by Michelle wanting to make her niece Madeleine an embroidered doll but couldn't find a pattern anywhere. Michelle decided to learn how to embroider so she could make her a set of three owl dolls to play with.

It was difficult to find contemporary embroidery patterns that weren’t overly simplistic, let alone embroidered doll patterns, so Michelle ended up designing her own. As she was making Madeleine’s owls, she became fascinated with embroidery: the vibrant colors, the countless variety of stitches, and the calming effect it had on her.

After several years of improving her embroidery skills (and a ton of design work), Kiriki Press was born. It was developed in the hopes of giving others the chance to make something precious with their own hands. Kiriki Press was launched in December 2012 with seven patterns, and the collection has grown over the years and is currently expanding to include a range of other DIY products.

Michelle was chosen as a featured seller on Etsy and has been a contributor to Mollie Makes books and magazines. The company has been featured in Uppercase, Canadian Living, Chatelaine, Bust Magazine, and Homespun, as well as many other print publications and craft blogs.

Here, Michelle takes us inside her shop and shares how she moved from her prototype dolls into full production. She also talks about how she transitioned from what she thought was her dream job into starting a business of her own. Michelle shares her experience at her very first show, how she handled business growth through the pandemic, and where she finds inspiration.


What’s Inside:

• How Michelle moved from prototype to full production
• Michelle’s experience at her first show
• Where Michelle finds inspiration

Mentioned In This Episode:
www.kirikipress.com
Kiriki Press on Instagram
Kiriki Press on Facebook
Kiriki Press on Pinterest

Support the show

This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.

Kate Duff is the Founder and Wholesale & Gift Guru at Claxton Consulting. With a deep affection for the industry that raised her, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion. Renowned for her expertise and strong connections within the space, she possesses a unique ability to empower her clients to help them refine their approach. Her guidance and insights are invaluable, whether it's optimizing strategies, cultivating strong partnerships, or filling knowledge gaps.

With unwavering dedication and a nurturing approach, Kate is committed to helping businesses thrive and ultimately level up!

Kate’s been in the industry for over 27 years, and here, she shares how her career has grown and changed over time. Kate and Michelle discuss Kate's transition from retail business owner to consultant and her transformational work with clients. They also discuss relationships with rep agencies, what retailers need to ask vendors for, and how to let the divine take the lead.  

What’s Inside: 

• How Kate transitioned from retail business owner to consultant
• How Kate helps her clients level up
• What retailers should ask vendors for
  
  

Mentioned In This Episode:
Claxton Consulting Website
Book: Outrageous Openness
Book: The Big Leap

Support the show

This week’s episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.

Since 1987, Tim Babcock and Jay Anthony from Twigs Candles have been providing customers with the finest home décor with the best quality, selection and price. When you shop with Twigs, you will find a complete collection of fireless candles, lanterns, farmhouse lighting, floral and home décor.

Visit Tim and Jay in person at First Monday Trade Days in Canton Texas. They’re open 4 days out of every month, attracting thousands of visitors, and it’s a shopper’s paradise. Their 5,000 sq ft permanent showroom will give you the opportunity to shop till you drop! If you can’t make it in person, check them out online through the links below.

Tim and Jay share their plans to build the largest home décor warehouse in East Texas. They’re anticipating an August opening, as long as the weather cooperates! Tim and Jay also chat with Michelle about how they started and grew their business, what a typical day in their life looks like, how they’re planning for their upcoming store opening, and much more.

What’s Inside:

• Tim and Jay’s plans to open the biggest home décor warehouse in East Texas
• How Tim and Jay started and grew their business
• A sneak peek into their grand opening 

Mentioned In This Episode:
Twigs Candles on Instagram
Twigs Candles Website

Support the show

This episode is brought to you by Keena and Co., a premier gift and home agency covering all of the of the western United States. If you're a buyer and you're looking for beautiful contemporary lines, take a look at Keena's brands. Aside from representing stunningly unique and modern brands, they have a solid team of knowledgeable reps that are ready to help you with all your needs. And of course, they always have a bunch of really juicy show specials that are not to be missed. Or if you're a brand looking for boutique style representation in all western states, you should give Keena a call. Keena has beautiful showrooms in Las Vegas and in the Bay Area and a super strong road team with very established relationships with top accounts in their territories. For partnership, strategy and accountability from a sales team, Keena is the agency to contact. Check out their website, keenaco.com, to learn more.

With a vision of creating an internationally respected brand that focuses on sustainability, connection to the planet and to family, and bringing joy into people’s homes, Crow Canyon Home’s Owner & President Cara Barde, lives/exemplifies the values of the brand. She uses CCH enamelware every day in her own home for its style, function, durability and sustainability, reducing waste from disposable paper and plastic products.

Since she began leading the company in 2012, Cara has worked tirelessly to evolve this heritage brand, known as the originator of splatterware design, for a new generation of customers who value beautiful functional design and love to gather and entertain. She has doubled the business in 4 years and has expanded the aesthetic to include new artistic collaborations, new piece types and new colorways of the iconic splatterware. She continues to grow the business with the goal of creating a global lifestyle brand that offers anything the home entertainer needs, from cooking to decor, with an emphasis on creating sustainable products and sparking joy.

Cara, along with her husband Chris and her two children, moved to Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Her number one source of inspiration is travel with her family, where she gets new ideas for products and ways of bringing people together to make memories.

Here, Cara shares how she caught the entrepreneurial bug, moved from the medical to the gift industry, and bought and transformed Crow Canyon Home. She also shares how she purchased her biggest competitor to grow her splatterware empire. Cara and Michelle also discuss Cara’s partnerships, her favorite part about working with international retailers, how she handled her first trade show, and more.

What’s Inside: 

• How Cara moved from the medical to gift industry and purchased Crow Canyon Home
• How Cara’s bringing splatterware and sustainability to the forefront
• Cara’s experience living in Bali

Mentioned In This Episode:
Crow Canyon Home Website
Crow Canyon Home on Instagram

Support the show

MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!

Karyn Cantor is a true entrepreneur, a dynamic force in both the design and retail realms. With her keen eye for style and a knack for business, she's carved out a niche for herself in the jewelry and gift business. Her journey began in 1995 when she founded Classic Hardware Jewelry, initially specializing in pocket watches before expanding into a diverse array of jewelry pieces. What sets her brand apart is its fusion of boldness and romance, characterized by clean lines and sturdy craftsmanship.

Classic Hardware is renowned for its high-quality vanity cases, offering everything from business card holders to tampon cases, as well as high quality necklaces, bracelets, and rings all handmade in the USA with meticulous attention to detail. Karyn affectionately refers to her creations as "Accessories with Class and Sass."

In addition to her thriving jewelry business, Karyn has cultivated a brick-and-mortar presence in Los Angeles, a testament to her enduring success in the retail landscape. For over a decade, her store has been a hub of creativity and style, attracting patrons who appreciate unique, handcrafted pieces.
Alongside her physical storefront, Karyn extends her reach through various online platforms, including her own website, Etsy, and Faire, ensuring her creations reach a diverse audience.

Yet Karyn's entrepreneurial pursuits don't stop there. She's also made a mark as the Los Angeles representative in the gift industry with Just Got 2 Have It! For eight years, she's collaborated with fellow store owners, leveraging her expertise to help them thrive in their own businesses. As a rep, Karyn relishes the opportunity to connect with others in the industry, fostering growth and innovation within the community.

Driven by a passion for design and a commitment to excellence, Karyn continues to inspire and innovate, leaving an indelible mark on both the fashion and retail landscapes. Here, Karyn and Michelle dive into the Classic Hardware jewelry line and all the inspiration behind it. They also discuss how Karyn developed her retail store, how she infuses her personal style into her brand, how she handles theft in her store, and how she finds balance while running her three businesses.

What’s Inside: 

• The inspiration and influence behind Karyn’s jewelry line, Classic Hardware
• How Karyn developed her retail store in Los Angeles
• How Karyn finds balance while running multiple businesses
  
  

Mentioned In This Episode:

Classic Hardware Website
Classic Hardware on Faire
Classic Hardware on Etsy

Support the show

MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!

Ashley Sodipo is the owner of Pink Flamingo Party Co., a luxury party supply, event rental and "over-the-top" balloon installation company. She said she’s been tested and learned a lot about herself, including the importance of following your instincts – which is what she did when she made a spontaneous, career-altering decision six years ago.

Ashley also always loved event planning, so for the get-togethers she liked to order unique party favors and supplies—plates and napkins, maybe an embroidered banner or headbands, things like that. There was clearly a need, she knew, for a centralized, curated source of classy, cute, personalized party supplies, and so she created just that. The Pink Flamingo Party Company was born, starting as an Etsy shop out of her Brooklyn apartment. 

Her business got traction, and she created a company website. All was well, but then came COVID. Masks and social distancing put the kibosh on the parties that fueled Ashley’s business, with one critical exception: balloons. She’d always had balloons in her inventory, and with people locked down, demand for extravagant balloon displays soared. 

A team of eight now staffs the store while also keeping up with online orders, and balloons

are still a core product. No job is too big, as they do enormous garlands and columns and more while also offering everything a party planner could want, with special themes including featured seasonal inventory. From business meetings to baby showers to bar and bat mitzvahs, Pink Flamingo is ready.

Here, Ashley shares all about how she started Pink Flamingo and her plans to evolve the business going forward. Michelle and Ashley also discuss her transition from e-commerce to brick and mortar, how she developed her impressive balloon installation skills, and much more.

What’s Inside: 

• How Ashley started her business, Pink Flamingo
• Ashley’s transition from e-commerce to brick and mortar
• Where Ashley finds inspiration

Mentioned In This Episode:
Pink Flamingo Party Co. Website
Pink Flamingo Party Co. on Instagram
Pink Flamingo Party Co. on Facebook
Pink Flamingo Party Co. on Pinterest
Pink Flamingo Party Co. on TikTok

Support the show

MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!

In this solo episode, I break down how I keep things fresh working with a variety of retailers and wholesale showrooms. I’m getting ready for upcoming gift shows, so it’s the perfect time for this discussion! I walk through the process of how I honor each client’s particular style and needs while infusing my own ideas and creativity.  

What’s Inside: 

• My process for working with a variety of retailers and wholesale showrooms
  
  

Mentioned In This Episode:

The Retail Whore Podcast Website
Retail Whore Podcast on Instagram
MC Design Collaboration on Instagram
Retail Whore Podcast on TikTok
MC Design Collaboration on TikTok

Support the show

This week’s episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.

Welcome to our very first retail round up! This one features Barbara Mooney from Daisy’s Mercantile, Sara Villari from Occasionette, and Nathan Waldon from Nathan & Co. As retailers, we all have countless questions to ask our fellow retailers, and here, each guest gets the chance to pick the others’ brains.

Barbara kicks things off with an update on her classroom and what it looks like to take a class at her store. Sara fills everyone in on her move to a newer, bigger location and her plans for design and renovations. Nathan shares his updates from his cabin Airbnb in Sonoma County, California. He’s also in the top 10% of Airbnb hosts on the platform, worldwide!

The group talks about posting on social media and shares their stats, techniques, and some tips and tricks. Each member of the group shares how they plan for shows and the upcoming holiday season. They also share their thoughts on exit planning and retirement, what the future holds for their businesses, words of wisdom for hiring a manager, and open-to-buy systems and programs.

What’s Inside:

• How the group plans for shows and the holiday season
• Thoughts on retirement and exit planning
• Words of wisdom for hiring a manager

Mentioned In This Episode:
Daisy’s Mercantile
Occasionette
Nathan & Co.

Support the show