Get ready to be holiday-inspired in today’s episode! I’m so excited to introduce my guest, Emily Butler, co-owner of the historic Ah Lewis Store.

We had an amazing in-person chat at NY Now, where Emily shared her passion for crafting unforgettable customer experiences and how she thoughtfully analyzes every aspect of her store through her customers' eyes.

As we dive into our conversation, you’ll discover all the incredible things she’s planning for the upcoming holidays. With this episode dropping in October 2024, it’s the perfect time to follow along with her exciting holiday reveals on Instagram!

This episode is all about sparking inspiration, so I encourage you to soak it all in and think about how you can bring some of this creativity into your own store. You’re going to love this conversation!

[07:42] How retailers can make events memorable

[11:00] What Ah Louis does to make holiday shopping feel extra special

[15:41] Episode Sponsor: Crystal Media Co. Ads Management

[16:48] How they celebrated a big milestone of 150 years

[18:44] What Emily believes drove people to the event

[20:14] Emily’s tips for retailers hoping to create buzz around their holiday events

[22:25] Emily's resilience round

Get all of the details in our show notes

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Welcome to Retail Therapy, the segment where we give therapy to retailers! Today’s episode is perfect for anyone who’s ever felt stuck or confused about a decision in business or life.

My guest is Andy Havemeier, owner of Wealthy Street Bakery and Hall Street Bakery. Over the last five years, Andy’s life has undergone a complete 180, and now he’s facing a major decision that has him torn.

As business owners, we’ve all been there—struggling between what we want and what we think we should do.

In this episode, Andy shares his journey and participates in a powerful exercise led by Rhonda that brings him clarity in just three minutes. Tune in to gain valuable tools and insights to help you when facing your own tough decisions!

[04:26] Andy's rocket ship ride over the last 5 years in business

[06:36] The big decision: to expand or not expand?

[09:04] Why every opportunity isn't meant to be taken

[16:53] The myth that discomfort is necessary for growth

[18:52] What changes when Andy swaps a word for an emotion

[21:51] A powerful 3-minute exercise for decision making

Get all of the details on our website at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/maybe-bigger-isnt-always-better/

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Today, we’re taking a closer look at a simple but powerful idea from my conversation with Amy Loewenberg: "Sometimes, you’re in the weeds. And my friend says, ‘Stand up. Look beyond the weeds.’"

As small business owners, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially with the holiday season approaching and Q4 goals on the horizon. I know I’m there right now—between running my business, planning a wedding, and selling my house, I’ve got a lot on my plate. If you can relate, this episode is for you.

Today, I’m sharing practical tips that have helped me clear my plate and find some clarity, plus a little help from ChatGPT to give you even more strategies to get out of the weeds.

[01:22] Life updates and overwhelm

[02:27] My favorite strategies to get out of the weeds

[07:00] Time-saving tools that work for me

[10:47] How to use AI for time management

[15:56] Why saying yes really means saying no

Get all of the details on our website at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/getting-out-of-the-weed/

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This week, we’re kicking off something special—a series of live episodes straight from NY NOW! I’m thrilled to welcome back Amy Loewenberg, Director of Buyer Relations at NY NOW. Our first conversation on the show was packed with great takeaways, and today we’re going even deeper into ways that retailers can level up.

In this episode, we’re going over key strategies that help indie retailers thrive in their local community. We’ll talk about using customer data to make smart decisions, host fun and engaging events, and build partnerships with other local businesses.

Amy also shares her thoughts on the power of keeping a consistent brand presence and how to connect with your customers in fresh, exciting ways. Plus, we’ll cover tips on building strong customer loyalty and staying adaptable in today’s ever-changing retail world.

[02:14] How to reach untapped audiences in your local market

[05:12] How retailers can stay ahead of changing technology

[10:30] Amy's advice for staying adaptable in retail

[16:08] How to tap into new demographics of consumers

[19:37] Recent trends Amy sees in retail buying behavior

[22:11] The incubator at NY NOW

[26:10] Unique and interesting products retailers should be excited about

Get all of the details in our show notes at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/master-your-retail-market-with-amy-loewenberg/

Register for NY Now: https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowNYN251?flow=attendee&MarketingCode=DARF2&utm_sou[…]eferral&utm_campaign=rootedinretail&utm_content=DARF2

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In this special recast episode of Rooted in Retail, I speak with the legendary Santa Claus himself.

Santa shares invaluable advice for retailers to navigate the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of planning, keeping staff morale high, and creating a magical in-store experience.

Get ready to take notes on Santa's innovative ideas such as hosting holiday scavenger hunts, setting up AR experiences, and organizing surprise flash sales. With personalized service tips and a look into the future of retail, this episode is packed with insights to help independent retailers thrive.

Join me, as we revisit this enchanting conversation with Santa Claus!

[00:00] Santa Claus is Coming to Town

[01:44] Santa's Marketing Tips for Retailers

[05:24]Creating Magical In-Store Experiences

[10:29] Creating Unexpected Surprises for Customers

[13:51] Offering Personalized Touches in Retail

[15:49] How Retailers can Connect with their Communities

[16:52] Episode Sponsor: EVOLVE

[18:39] Resilience Round with Santa

[22:03] Santa's Christmas Wishes

Get all the details on our website at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/creating-magical-holiday-experiences-with-santa-claus/

We used Synthesia to Create Santa!

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In this episode of After the Show, I’m reflecting on my latest interview with Hollei Anne Hayes. She’s a talented product designer whose work you might have seen at Target and Toys “R” Us. We had an incredible conversation about what it takes to make your products stand out and the impact of design on customer engagement.

One key theme we explored was the importance of emotional connection in product design and branding. I’ll share some of my personal takeaways, but trust me, you don’t want to miss the full episode to get the complete picture.

I also had a serendipitous moment recently that tied into our discussion about creating content that builds an emotional connection—tune in to hear how it all connects and what it means for you as indie retailers.

[02:41] Why emotional connection matters in business

[04:25] Creating feelings through your content

[05:51] Why businesses that succeed tell stories

[07:00] Auditing your content for emotions

Get all of the details and resources on our website: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/why-your-customers-need-to-feel-something/

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Today, we’re diving into all things product design. I’m joined by Hollei Anne Hayes, who owns a creative studio specializing in product design and branding for product-based businesses. Even if you’re not designing your own products, you’re going to love this episode.

Hollei has over a decade of experience working with brands like Toys R Us and Skip Hop. As the owner of Hollei Anne Design Co., she’s designed for the homegoods, stationery, gift, and textile industries, with her work featured at Target, Home Goods, and Hallmark.

Hollei’s passion is creating trendy designs for entrepreneurial women in retail, so she’s the perfect fit for us here at Rooted in Retail! We’re chatting about what makes products pop on the shelves—and how to connect even deeper with your customers to ensure your products get chosen.

[03:17] The most effective branding strategies to help products stand out

[07:22] How to secure shelf space in major retail chains

[09:05] How long it took to land Hollei's artwork in big box stores

[12:34] The power of TikTok for trend research

[19:38] Episode Sponsor: Ads Management with Crystal Media

[20:44] How creating affordable yet beautiful products pushes Hollei to innovate

[24:37] 3 ways to make your product shine brighter than the competition on store shelves

[29:02] Hollei's resilience round

Get all of the resources on our website at https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/how-to-make-your-products-pop-with-hollei-anne-hayes/

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Ana, the owner of Pilar Boutique, joins us along with business and life coach Ronda for a special 'Retail Therapy' segment.

Ana opens up about her fears of business failure and the challenges of leading a retail team, despite being in the industry for 17 years. The discussion highlights the importance of visualizing success in order to push past negative thoughts when they start to interfere.

Ronda offers insights on internal sourcing, maintaining a positive mindset, and how to handle business growth while staying true to one's values.

This episode provides valuable advice for retailers on staying resilient, finding joy in their work, and strategically managing their businesses amidst uncertainties.

[01:11] Ana's Retail Journey

[02:07] Facing the Fear of Failure

[04:29] Exploring Identity Beyond Business

[07:55] Navigating Economic Uncertainty

[10:36] Harnessing Creativity in Adversity

[13:49] Building a Vision for Growth

[26:21] The Importance of Intimacy in Business

[33:48] Final Thoughts and Ana's Advice for Retailers

Get all of the resources on our website at: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/episodes/overcoming-fears-and-visualizing-success/

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