The Retail Whisperer

This week we are so lucky to have Dale Rhodes - Senior VP of Katin USA, as this week’s guest.

Dale’s path to success began at 17 years-old, when he worked in the retail industry at MGA (Guess Jeans), CampBeverly Hills, and Val Surf. It came naturally for him to style celebrities and work directly with clients. It was then – during the hot trend of Guess in the 80s – that Dale paved the way for his future accomplishments in the apparel industry. With a breadth of knowledge in marketing and management in the ever growing industry, Dale offers a link between the creative and influential action sports market; boutique; and youth market with industry leaders and corporate accounts.

In addition, his sales planning, budgeting, sales concept development, distribution platforms, strategic planning, and execution of goals gives a great product a chance at great success.

Michelle & Dale cover LA in the 80’s, the 68 history of Katin USA, pivoting through the pandemic, their buildout strategies, his advice on new business owners & how he gives back by filling his spiritual bank (we love this!) by working with his chosen charity A Walk on Water, who work with children with different needs by providing surf therapy & empowering them with a feeling of pride and accomplishment, as they unlock their inner athlete through the emotional and incredibly transforming experience of surfing. Click the link above or below to find out how to get involved!

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Stag Provisions

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Kerrie Fitzgerald the founder of Kerrie Fitzgerald LLC - an ecommerce and product business consulting & educational agency, and host of top 100 marketing podcast- The 6 Figure Product Business Podcast. As a digital marketing expert, Kerrie helps e-commerce businesses create “wildly in demand” brands that their customers are obsessed with. After starting her first high-end pet e-commerce business, The Dapper Dog Box in 2016, she grew the business to multi 6 figures of revenue in two years without funding, staff or support and successfully sold the business in 2019. During that time, she was featured in Buzzfeed, Forbes and Mariah Carey’s Christmas Edition.

On this episode Michelle & Kerri cover all things organic marketing and provide listeners with invaluable tips on how to bring in consistent sales without focusing a dime on ads.

Kerri is a proud boy & dog mom, hot sauce and coffee lover and is an east coast transplant living in Seattle.

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This week’s episode guest is Matt Katzenson, CEO of Fines Lines Company.

Fine Lines Company began in 1989. Paula Abdul had just released her smash hit “Straight Up”, and they had just launched their first 8 x 10 ft. trade show booth featuring 4 brave manufacturers that believed in a couple of cocky upstarts. Today, with permanent showrooms in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seattle, as well as a sales territory that ranges from New Mexico to Alaska, you might say they’ve grown a bit since Paula peaked. If you’re looking for some great lines for your store, design client, set, or event, look no further.

Matt & Michelle talk all things Fine Lines, its inception, current Las Vegas expansion plans and their newest online shopping division EGG, that you can shop anytime, anywhere!

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

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After over a decade working in advertising agencies on both Madison Avenue in NYC and in Los Angeles, Meredith turned her passion for marketing to retail marketing and merchandising when she and her husband Michael, a pharmacist, purchased the historic Fair Oaks Pharmacy in 1990. Together they restored it and added the iconic soda fountain which became an instant success along Route 66 and the site of a host of numerous television and movie shoots. In 2010 Meredith and Michael bought Webster’s Community Pharmacy in Altadena, CA. As with The Fair Oaks Pharmacy, the goal was to restore and revitalize this neighborhood independent pharmacy to its former glory days by adding a versatile gift and fashion accessory boutique, along with updating the pharmacy to include state-of-the-art technology.

Michelle & Meredith, Co-Owner, Marketing & Merchandising Director, for Websters Pharmacy talk gift departments within pharmacies, how it’s evolved over the years and how to reach this unique, captive customer.

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

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This week’s guest is Laura McDowell, a leadership coach + strategist & founder of Laura McDowell Creative, who specializes in helping entrepreneurial businesses love what they do.

Take a listen as Michelle & Laura breakdown, how you, as a business owner, can find new ways to increase revenue, generate leads, and finally achieve your next-level business goals utilizing the EOS system.

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Michelle is back this week with another Solocast to talk stories & lessons from a life in retail, the inspiration for this podcast. She touches on gift & apparel shows, not looking in the rear view mirror, why worrying about what others are doing is pointless, pushing the envelope creatively & a reminder to NOT expand too fast. 

Grab a notebook, a refreshing drink & find a quiet room. You won't want to miss these tips cultivated from 40+ years in the retail industry. 

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Lindsay Foster is a personal development junkie with a passion to share her stories of retail, recovery, and resilience with everyone in her life.  Lindsay is a student of the industry and began her days of retail in Coeur d' Alene Idaho at the age of 15 while working alongside her Mother at the Original Penny Candy Store. Lindsay went on to study Sociology at Brigham Young University- Idaho after which she received her license in Cosmetology.  As a young adult Lindsay battled with a disease that became debilitating and nearly stripped her of her life’s potential. With the support of her family, friends and therapy, she overcame her disease and is now 12 years into recovery. Lindsay's life blossomed at the start of her recovery. She has spent the last decade leading growth in the stationery and gift industry and is currently the VP of Retail Sales at Denik. Lindsay's hard work and leadership has awarded her the nomination of Top Women in Sales in Utah in 2022. 

Lindsay lives in the Avenues, a quaint neighborhood in Salt Lake City with her Husband and her life's joy, son Noah. (4).

On this episode, Michelle & Lindsay chat about company culture, personal development journeys and her recovery, her first job delivering papers, cosmetology & what led to her current job at Denik, an artist driven stationery company. After listening to this interview, it is clear why Lindsay was nominated for Top Women in Sales in Utah in 2022!

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Back by popular demand, we are so excited to welcome back Fabian Navejas, Gift Merchandiser & Buyer for A.C. Vromans Inc., one of the oldest independent bookstores in the country, 128 years old. In addition to working at A.C. Vromans, he is also the Founder of Onederkam.com, which is a small eCommerce gift and home accessories store. His side hustle! On this episode, which we are calling a ‘merchandising roundtable”, Michelle & Fabian jump right in to talk about ALL things merchandising. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Vroman’s
Onderkam.com

This week’s episode is sponsored by Fine Lines Showroom, a West Coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gift, fashion + home lines.

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Botanic and Luxe started in 2016 as a brick and mortar boutique in Santa Cruz, California. Created by two best friends with a passion for design, beauty, and a holistic lifestyle. At Botanic and Luxe you will find just that - thoughtfully curated home goods, unique gifts for any occasion, natural skin care, and our favorite home accent: plants! They strive to support local makers, fair-trade organizations, and products that we absolutely love and believe in. Everything they bring into the shop has been mindfully selected with this as a focus and in hopes to enrich your lives with something beloved.

Ariel Stirm and Leilani Zehnder, the co-founders of Botanic and Luxe, grew up on Kaua’i, first meeting on the beach at age one. Their childhood was spent building tree forts, exploring the ocean, and adventuring through the lush landscape. During their summer breaks, they would sell tropical flowers and plumeria leis they foraged in their "backyard jungle."

As young aspiring adults, Ariel and Leilani moved to California to pursue education in their personal passions - Ariel, delved into a world of Landscape Architecture, and Leilani studied holistic nutrition. After years of building their individual skill sets, the two had an "AHA!" moment and knew it was time to start their business. Botanic and Luxe opened their doors in the spring of 2016 and quickly became a local staple and a favorite among many in their community as well as visitors for gifts, home decor, indoor plants, and special one of a kind goods. 

Michelle & Leilani delve into many topics ranging from the importance of POS reports to attending show to working with small, local businesses and everything in between.

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We are so excited to have Kelly Morrison, founder of Create Your Affiliate Program (CYAP), as this week’s guest. On this episode, Kelly & Michelle breakdown exactly what an affiliate program is, how to create a profitable affiliate marketing program, and how retailers can utilize affiliate marketing to push online sales and help make more income and more impact by leveraging the power of affiliates.

And while Kelly founded Create Your Affiliate Program in 2018, she is not brand new to running successful affiliate programs; in addition to her work at CYAP, she also runs The Virtual Peacock, a Virtual Assistance company she founded in 2008 after graduating from both Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) and Assist University, an online training program for Virtual Assistants. When she is not working as a VA and supporting entrepreneurs with their affiliate programs, she enjoys spending time with my family and friends, reading, going to concerts, traveling and tweeting! 

Click here to download Kelly’s “5 Steps to Selling More Products” workbook. For the full experience, check out our YouTube Channel!

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