Keeping Shop: A Brick and Mortar Podcast

Just a little check-in now that life is totally, 100%, unbelievably different. Most of our spaces are closed and we're all treading water, waiting for this nightmare to end. This show is a glimpse into where we at Forty Winks stand with the PPP, what's making us money, and where my head's at as I navigate this. Enjoy....?

Today I’m excited to release my chat with Lisa Mullan, owner and co-founder of Uwila Warrior in Boston, MA. Lisa’s company is leading the charge against uncomfortable underwear; we’ve carried her line at Forty Winks since close to the beginning and our customers come back for it over and over again.  In fact, we have one customer who just wrote and ordered: “every medium you have in that incredible thong.” She was referring to this thong which is in fact, “incredible” if you’re in the market (restocking soon, btw). Lisa and I talked before coronavirus hit, but there is so much in our chat that’s applicable to what we’re facing right now. I am struck by Lisa’s dedication to creating (and re-creating) the best possible product for her clients and by her decision to focus on steady growth even if it takes a while. She mentions the “long game” a couple of times throughout our chat and even then before I knew we’d have to shutter our store, this struck me as incredibly smart. It’s pretty much the mantra of every brick and mortar business owner; our shops and spaces are rarely an overnight success, right? These are long-term investments for us. Smart brick and mortar bosses don’t open thinking that we’re going to roll in dough immediately, we open because we want to create a space and a community that lasts for a long time. Now more than ever, it’s important to keep our focus on the long game.  What are we doing now to ensure that our businesses will be nimble enough to withstand this game-changer? How are we connecting with our customers, both established and new that will bring them back when our doors open again? As we navigate this pandemic as small business owners, as our brains are overloaded with loan applications, unemployment claims, past-due bills, and landlord drama, let’s encourage each other to focus on what matters most, creating beautiful connective customer experiences that will last way past this tightest of situations. I’d love to hear how you’re playing the long game. Write to me. And enjoy the show.

Today I have the pleasure of releasing my conversation with Jay Adams co-founder and advisor to Brass, an online and brick & mortar company specializing in quality pieces that simplify and enhance their customer's wardrobes.  Jay and I connected years ago and she's been a constant source of inspiration for me as she and her business partner, Katie have grown Brass into a thriving and innovative online business. While they've always had short-term pop-up spaces, their first long-standing brick and mortar opened in Boston a few months ago so I’m excited to bring Jay on the show as an official brick and mortar boss. I was sort of weirded out by releasing conversations recorded pre-Coronavirus, but my friends and colleagues convinced me to keep releasing shows in an effort to keep things as "normal" as possible.  This conversation is actually really timely in that Jay and I talk a lot about eCommerce and how to create strong, vibrant communities within the online space. Now more than ever, we need to be finding ways to reach our clients virtually but not just to sell things to them. Our customers are in need of connection; people are feeling isolated and scared and we're in a unique position to create space for them. These connections and conversations are what will keep us afloat long term.  Not only does Jay talk to us about creating real connections with our customers, but she also shares what it's like to build an e-commerce platform, to manufacture pieces for lots of body types and how important communication is to a business partnership. Enjoy the show.

Today I have the pleasure of releasing my chat with Ashley Borchard owner of Cobbygoose in Alpena, Michigan. Cobbygoose is a paint your own pottery, canvas and/or wood studio that also specializes in classes, workshops, and events. Brick and mortar business ownership is Ashley’s dream and this is evident in the community she’s created around her space. Ashley’s road to business ownership is a rough one and she shares her story generously with us. She also shares the downside of buying an established business and offers tips for getting through this process in a graceful, productive way. We talk about the continuous roller coaster of learning on the job and why she looks back at her first months in business with a little bit of embarrassment. She talks about mistake-making and why we need to absorb those mistakes as learning tools. Right now, I’m writing this from my couch, mid-day, on a day that I should be at Forty Winks. Instead, I’m practicing social distancing in an effort to combat a global pandemic. WTF, right? I know most of you are doing this exact same thing and probably feeling all kinds of feelings about it. I know I am (more on this later). Anyway, Ashley and I talk about laying the groundwork for growth even when you’re not sure when and how the growth will happen. Even when you’re not sure your business is going to look the same ever again. Even when you’re terrified, sad and angry. We’ve got to lay that groundwork and move our energy towards preparing for bigger success when the storm has passed. Me personally, I’m giving myself a couple of days to get used to this and then I’m going to tackle some ideas that are going to up-level Winks when we open our doors again. I’m feeling inspired by this conversation for reasons I could never have imagined when I recorded it a few weeks ago. I hope you enjoy it and I hope you’re all okay. xoxo

I’m excited to bring you this episode with Greer Goodman, owner, and founder of Abroad Modern in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Greer used to manage a sweet little children’s shop called Magpie Kids and I met her whilst shopping for baby stuff.  Back then Greer was thinking about starting a very different business than the one she ended up opening (you’ll hear all about this in today’s episode), and she impressed me with her creative yet clear vision for her future business.  A couple of years later, I realized that Greer had, in fact, opened a shop, but a very different concept from the one she had shared with me way back when.  I knew there was a good story here, so I reached out for an interview.  And it is a great story! Greer shares how she found her true brick and mortar calling while on a trip to India. We talk about friendship, values and the importance of cultural exchange.  We talk about sourcing, inventory planning and Greer’s unique talent for being able to merchandise her store in her head.  Greer shares her fear that the mundane parts of brick and mortar business ownership will burn her out, zap her creativity and hurt the longevity of her business.  I think a lot of us can relate to this.  How many times have you had a free day or a slower week ahead of you and promised yourself that you were going to tackle a big, yet unexciting project only to find yourself on the other end having done nothing but busy work and Instagram scrolling.  You may have just experienced this real pain-in-the-ass component of business ownership during the retail hell we call January. I know that I had a lot of expectations set around how much I would get done after the holidays; I swore 2020 would be different and that I would tackle everything with a clear mind and a real zest for the mundane.  I did…okay.  Because it’s hard to feel motivated around things the bore us or even that overwhelm us.  Greer and I flesh this out a bit and encourage each other to just keep tackling the boring/hard/scary stuff as a way to get back to what lights us up. At its core, Greer’s business is beautiful and genuine. Abroad Modern is a values-driven model that doesn’t pat itself on the back.  Greer is doing great things that mean something. This interview is of value and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I’m very excited to be sharing the first episode of the spring season of Keeping Shop with you! Today I’m speaking with Stephanie Campbell of Blue Willow Boutique in Maryville, Missouri. When we connected, I knew nothing about Stephanie or her shop so I got to discover her story right along with my listeners. Stephanie tells us all about why she started her shop; it has to do with a big move for love, a community forced to find gifts at Walmart and the desire for real, honest community creation. Stephanie shares her tips for creating a trusting work environment and building a staff that will go to bat for you over and over again. She shares the way she makes sure she pays her bills, pays herself and makes sure she’s profitable so that she can do things like open a second store, which she just did a few months ago. A big thought-provoker that I took from this episode is the concept of giving clients what they want even when your concept would point you in another direction. Stephanie experienced this, and Meredith and I did too. For both of our businesses (and I’m sure so many others) within the first month our customers let us know, (loudly) what they wanted to see on our shelves. And we had a decision to make; would we continue stocking for the business that we envisioned, OR would we move in the direction our clients wanted us to take. For both of our shops, this switch up was successful, (Stephanie even says that it saved her business!) but there’s such emotional component of scrapping elements of your concept and starting to move in another direction. Stephanie shares what helped her through this decision and how it not only benefitted her shop financially but also served to build the type of community she longed for. There is so much value in this episode and I’m so excited to kick off this round of Keeping Shop with my chat with Stephanie. Enjoy.

Hey friends,

Hey friends.  This podcast was supposed to be a little different, but you know...life.  Instead, I’m sharing what went well in 2019, what didn't go so hot and where I’m taking the show in 2020.  I’m also revealing my word of the year and the habit I’m trying to form to keep my head clear(er). Thanks for listening and thanks for another great year.  ️

Today I'm speaking with Melissa Solis, owner of Front Row Cosmetics in Raleigh, North Carolina. Not only does Melissa run a brick and mortar, but she's also the creator behind all the products she sells. Melissa and I connected on Instagram (where else these days?) and I immediately knew I wanted to have this make-up creating mastermind on the show. Melissa started her career working in accounting for a robotics company and working for MAC on the weekends. Eventually, she started to work as an on-set makeup artist where she encountered an actress who was allergic to just about everything in Melissa's make-up kit. It was a game-changer for Melissa who started researching clean beauty and eventually created her own clean line of makeup. A brick and mortar space followed. Melissa and I talk about money, budgeting and how she built her business while keeping her finances on track. She encourages us to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself and hit me with my biggest takeaway of the conversation which is...to continue to haul ass for pop-ups. Not going to lie, this was a little bit of tough love for me, because I find pop-ups a little exhausting and not always super lucrative. Ultimately though, a chance to get in front of new sets of eyes and to sell to new people is truly invaluable. Not all success comes in the form of money. Melissa's incredibly positive and talking to her was inspiring in so many ways. I hope you find as much value in Melissa's words as I did. Enjoy the show. Be sure to check out Front Row Cosmetics at www.frontrowcosmetics.com and on Instagram at @frontrowcosmetics Just a little update, I'll be releasing the next show the week after Christmas instead of two weeks from now. I wish us all some time to enjoy the ones we love and to just breathe after our wild holiday seasons. Thank you for being here.

Today I'm speaking with Sonia Rife, owner of Revival Vintage in Austin, Texas. Sonia started her shop in a 480 square foot space and grew it into a thriving, 2800 square foot, multi-vendor space that delights vintage lovers from all over the country.  It was Sonia's Instagram that caught my eye because she styles her pieces in a really simple and beautiful way that makes you want to buy everything shown and just set it back up in your living room. I was thrilled when she agreed to share her story with this community.   Our chat features real advice about managing to-do lists across the team, being patient as your business grows and what to do with middle-of-the-night money panic. Sonia also shares a story about a tarot reading that took some of the pressure off of her as she built her career.  This story resonated with me because I started my company in my 20's and while that makes me super proud, the amount of pressure I felt (and still feel in many ways) was sometimes pretty crushing. I think a lot of people feel like if they don't do it "young" they'll never do it and that's simply not true. If you ever feel like this then this conversation will hit close to home.  Enjoy the show.

Today I’m releasing my conversation with Molly Avellar of Adorn in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Molly is a terrific supporter of the show and always sends me much appreciated little check-ins and words of encouragement. I’m so happy to finally be featuring her on the show. Molly is not only a shopkeeper but she’s an accomplished jewelry maker. She shares with us the ways she juggles the day-to-day demands of constantly switching gears between her art and running her shop. We commiserate about the naysayers in our past and about choosing to learn from the set-backs rather than letting them slow us down. We also talk a lot about maintaining a strong relationship with your business partner which is something that I especially relate to. Molly owns her shop with her mother and the two have an incredible working partnership. As you’ll hear in this episode, they make it work by playing to each other’s strengths and openly communicating through everything from hurt feelings to huge financial decisions. As a member of a strong business partnership that’s always changing and growing, I love hearing stories of people coming together with the common goal of providing their business with the best possible solutions. Find more from Molly at www.adorncapecod.com and from me at www.lovekeepingshop.com.

I’m so excited to be chatting with a brick and mortar business owner that I truly admire. Amy Driscoll owns Susanna which has two locations in Massachusetts, one in Cambridge and one in Jamaica Plain. Amy and I both own shops in the same area and while we sell different things, our experiences, successes and challenges certainly overlap. Amy is a lovely person to be around. She’s considerate and engaging, she’s whip-smart yet approachable and I just really like her. I was thrilled that she agreed to be interviewed despite the fact she was 8 months pregnant and had just opened her second store location. And I was especially thrilled that she didn’t freak out on me when I lost the audio from our first recording and had to re-record the entire conversation. Thanks, Amy! And our second conversation was so much better! Susanna, Jamaica Plain had been open for a little while longer and Amy was able to share more about operating two spaces. In this episode, you’ll hear us talk about managing a strong team across multiple stores, staying focused on what our customers truly want, and keeping our “blinders on” when it comes to what other shops are doing. Amy is also one of the only business owners I know that is making good money (enough in part to open a second store!) on social media. She graciously shares her simple processes on this and how she got used to being in front of the camera. This is a great conversation and I’m grateful for Amy’s perspective on this brick and mortar life. Enjoy the show.

**The last of my re-releases (new episode drops next week), this is my value-packed conversation with Nesha Frazier of Work Nest. Enjoy** Today I'm speaking with Nesha Frazier of Work Nest in Summerville, South Carolina. Work Nest is a one of a kind, baby-friendly co-working space that aims to help parents get closer to achieving real work/life balance. Nesha herself struggled with feeling torn between a job that she loved and raising her two babies and she wanted to find a way to make it easier for parents, often mothers, to reach their career goals. Nesha and I talk about her process for opening Work Nest and she shares the amazing 100-day accountability plan that she created for herself to ensure that her business would have the greatest chance of coming to fruition. We chat being financially responsible when finding space and why likes on social media shouldn't be the indicator of how successful you'll be. Nesha shares her process for setting her prices and why she doesn't struggle with presenting her costs to clients. We talk about storytelling in marketing and testing and pivoting when determining what works. Nesha is a wealth of knowledge and I'm so excited to see where her business goes (hopefully to Boston and Cambridge!). Enjoy the show. We talk about: -How to wade through the "analysis paralysis" of starting a business. -Understanding your "why." -Leveraging your current resources and strengths and applying them to the business you're starting. -Why you need people to shoot holes in your idea when you're fleshing it out. -Giving yourself financial breathing room. -Why storytelling matters in marketing. -Planning for partnering with corporations to grow and scale her business. -Being ridiculously obsessed with overcoming obstacles -Why mindset matters so much in business. -Deciding how much to charge for your goods and services and being confident in your costs. -Why you need to know your numbers in and out. -Personalizing your customer service experience across the board.

**Kinsey has experienced lots of changes since this episode aired a couple of years ago. Namely, she opened another spaced, closed her original space and now operates out of her gorgeous 2nd space in Dedham, Ma. This is still a super valuable episode because Kinsey just really epitomizes what building community is all about. Enjoy.** Today I'm speaking with Kinsey Rosene owner of Crose Nest in Lowell, Massachusetts. Kinsey describes her shop as a botanical pharmacopoeia; essentially, she's created a DIY herbal pharmacy where people can come and blend their own teas or body products. The point is to give people the tools and the instruction, and then to let them create what's best for their body and their needs. I've got so much admiration for the way that Kinsey has structured her brick and mortar as an interactive space that helps people take an active roll in the remedies that help heal their bodies. Follow Kinsey's work here and here. Enjoy the show! We talk about: -Taking risks even when you've got no idea what you're doing. -What herbs can work for busy (stressed out, anxious, Type A) business owners. -Sharing your political views as a business owner. -Using your business to create a community and build a friend group of like-minded people. -Using the moon cycles to reflect, renew and grow your business. -Why you need to think you're kinda cool to be a successful business owner. -Tips for finding your "plant allies" to help run your business and your life!

**Here's the second of the re-releases. It's with one of my personal brick and mortar favorites, Emily Kanter of Cambridge Naturals. This conversation doesn't disappoint. Tune in and remember that a new Keeping Shop episode drops on Tuesday, October 29th** Once I had a terrible sinus headache and I when I say headache, I mean this thing was crushing me. One of my Winks clients suggested that I get my sick self to Cambridge Naturals and while I'd been there many times it was always for fun stuff like make-up, probiotics, oils, teas...never to heal something like a headache. The super knowledgeable women in herbs gave me lots of suggestions including the insanely potent, locally sourced and incredibly powerful ground ginger that ultimately kicked my sinus headache to the curb. That stuff works. So when Cambridge Naturals owner Emily Kanter reached out to me I was flattered and a little star-struck. I think she and her team are kind of a big deal, but as you'll hear in the show she's super down to earth about the success of her business. It's been around since the 70's and has a ride or die following of people from all walks of life. Started by Emily's parents, the store was originally mostly natural and organic food stuff but has expanded over the years to include more products that make it more of a lifestyle shop rather than just a grocery store. From taking over the family business to expanding her space to being a champion for a natural lifestyle to selling authentically, Emily generously shares her experiences with us. Her story is valuable to us all, but especially to those looking to level up our shops in a way that keeps our values front and center. Emily shares how important it is to come into a situation with wide-open eyes and to observe thoroughly before trying to make changes. This chat was a pleasure. I hope you enjoy it too. We dive into: -Taking over a family business. -Allowing yourself the time to see the full picture of the business instead of jumping to make changes too quickly. -Opening a second location. -Creating a mission-centered business and continuing to build based on your core values. -Providing the education necessary to ensure that your client is comfortable buying your product. -The power of non-salesy selling. Enjoy!

**I'm re-releasing this episode because it gave me actual chills while I was recording it. And made me cry. It's a good one. New Episode releases on October 29th. ** Today I'm speaking with Debi Beard, owner of Debi's Design Diary in Solana Beach, CA. In the brick and mortar game for over 20 years, Debi is also the star of her own YouTube channel, the creator of her own chalk paint brand, DIY Paint Company and the founder of the DIY Bootcamp which is a 3-day intensive program that helps shopkeepers run their businesses. Sure, Debi is super successful, but it wasn't always easy. As you'll hear in the episode, getting to this point took some major time and even more than time, it took grit. Debi's stories (she's got a ton!) illustrate her truly remarkable process; from selling Christmas ornaments to moving back in with her parents to reaching millions of views on YouTube. In listening to the finished episode (yes, I listen to every one before it goes live) I was re-struck by Debi's tenacity and her flat out refusal to give up on her dreams. She's incredibly self-deprecating about her path, but it's clear that Debi's success is the result of some hard-ass work and sacrifice. We get real about listening to your intuition but being practical about it, about commitment and tenacity in the face of setbacks and why we need to build up our fellow brick and mortar business owners. Debi also offers up some tough love in this episode by explaining why we can't be profitable brick and mortar owners without exploring other revenue steams. As Debi says, you can't just stand behind a counter all day. Enjoy the show. We talk about: The stress of being a human factory when your wholesale product takes off. Knowing when something is right for your business and the tenacity it requires to stick to your guns. Learning to read the signs and signals from the universe but also tapping into the practicality that comes from age and experience. The long process of building a brand. Pitching a big magazine for PR without an agent or any connections. Being an introvert while building a huge Youtube presence. Being held back by exposure to all kinds of talent via social media. Getting over her fear of speaking in public and the major lessons she learned from her self-doubt around this. The humbling experience she had in deciding to move into her parents home to keep her store open and to build her YouTube channel. The way you stand out and beat the big box stores is by creating a connection and an experience for your clients. Time management skills and setting up structures within your business that allow you to do what's best for YOU. Why brick and mortar space is only one piece to the puzzle. Being an expert in your field and finding a way to stand out.

Today I'm speaking with Lauren Campbell owner of The Witch’s Fix in Ontario Canada. The day before we recorded, I'd been working with a coaching client, one-on-one. We were chatting about goals and dreams and she shared with me that she'd always wanted to tap into a lifestyle lived by Meg Ryan's book store owning character in You've Got Mail. And then, while recording with Lauren, it came out that she too had always fantasized about life like the one in YGM. Now while I find many elements of You've Got Mail extremely problematic (sorry don't hate me!), I think what resonates so hard about the YGM lifestyle is that it's a fairly accurate depiction of a woman who's creating her very own life through her business. She's not making millions, she's not traveling the world with all her free time and she's taking scary risks all the damn time. But she's also created a community that values her, a shop that contributes to its neighborhood and presumably enough money to live in a dope (albeit dated) apartment in NYC. Plus she has a pretty dreamy commute. Isn't this what we are all trying to create? Something that gives us security and freedom to live our life on our own terms? I've said it a million times now, my business isn't successful because we're franchising all over the countries and taking baths in money, we're successful because our business serves our lifestyle as new moms, as people with other projects and as leaders wanting to grow our shop in innovative ways. Often we focus so much on the financial aspects and forget that our lives are enriched by things other than money. So when you're at a low point or frustrated by your business, stop and think of the ways that it IS serving you. It's can be an amazing perspective to gain. So back to Lauren! The Witch's Fix came about by one of the best examples of manifestation I've ever heard. It was definitely a plan sent directly from somewhere else. Through self-doubt, logistical setbacks and money woes, Lauren stayed tuned into the greater plan for her space. Lauren and I talk about finding our respective "boss" voices, which is something I've been struggling with lately (ahem, always) and why we need to set clear, strong boundaries and expectations at the very beginning of any working relationship. We talk about figuring out how YOU work best and then sticking to your style despite everyone else's. And my favorite takeaway, why we need to sit in our spaces and as they just wash over us, to practice gratitude for all the things these little shops and spaces give to our lives. Thanks for listening.

Today's episode is slightly different from the others. One, it's my first repeat guest and two, it's the first interview I've done with someone that's closing their brick and mortar. My episode 38 guest Annie Rocchio reached out to me with the generous offer of talking us through her difficult decision to close her shop, Sun and Glory in NYC. While I am clearly sad to hear that the shop is closing, I'm also so grateful for Annie's willingness to share this part of her story with us. Annie and I talk through a lot of feelings in the episode. And If I'm being honest, these tougher conversations are the ones that bring me the most value lately. This life isn't usually the easy choice despite what outsiders might see. We carry our respective loads well; we are vulnerable about our fears but not so vulnerable that it weirds out our customers. We contribute to our local communities and grin and bear it when our communities don't support us with their dollars. Sometimes the clear path forward includes leaving our shops and spaces in the past and moving into something better for our souls. Annie's decision to close her shop wasn't always this clear but it was a thought that nagged at her. She shares the very moment when she knew she had to close and the exact feelings that washed over her. We also talk a lot about real-life finances in this episode; both sharing our monthly numbers and our frustrations with profitability and financial sustainability. Whether or not you're thinking about closing your space, this conversation is one you'll want to sit with. Thanks, as always for listening.

Today I'm speaking with Brandi Morpurgo, owner of Daisy Chain Book Co. in Alberta, Canada. I heard the story of Brandi's book store on wheels on the podcast Don't Keep Your Day Job and now am delighted to be sharing it with you on Keeping Shop. Brandi shares her startup story; both how difficult it was to be the first of her kind and also how her natural drive and resilience forged a path to a successful opening. We talk about the myth of social media, building community wherever you go and providing a truly impactful customer experience. Brandi also shares her thoughts on writing a business plan that goes beyond just the nitty-gritty and encourages us all to think bigger for our businesses. I love this. By acknowledging that we're even thinking of a 5-year plan we're imprinting big growth and big success on our business from the very beginning. If our big dreams change that's okay (!!!), at least we're allowing ourselves to be confident in the power of our businesses even when they're young. Brandi shares some of her favorite books and you'll hear me nerd out on why fiction is my ultimate brain escape. This is a wonderful episode. Brandi is warm, engaging and offers nuggets of wisdom that we can start using immediately. Enjoy the show.

Leading Change On Main Street - Jess Carter of The Local Variety by Rachel Wentworth

I feel so lucky to be releasing today's episode with Virginia Johnson, owner of Gather Here in Cambridge, MA. I've admired Virginia from afar for many years now so when my friend Amanda offered to introduce us, I was quick to jump at the opportunity. And obviously even more excited when she agreed to be interviewed for the show. Gather Here is so many things. It's a stitch lounge (the only one in Cambridge), a yarn and fabric store, a place for events and classes and an overall welcoming space for anyone and everyone. Virginia employs a knowledgable and approachable staff and while her system around staffing seems to be a well-oiled machine at this point, she shares how hiring, training, and overall management are parts of her job that she had to work at getting good at (and oh boy, do I relate to this). Virginia and I talked about being ready for success to come more quickly than we expect and she encourages us to stay open to bigger things. This conversation is full of value and it just makes me really happy. Enjoy it. I'm taking on one more client for the months of June and July. Do you want to be that person? If you need an ear and a voice to help you through a project or a decision, I'm your person. Just email me at keepingshop@gmail.com for more info. Looking forward to hearing from you!

My guest today is Patrick Stoffel, the owner and creator of Fox Naturals out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I found his beautiful shop on Instagram (where else is there these days?) and knew I wanted to talk to him after seeing his product line up. There's a lot about what Patrick does that speaks my language. His products are made from natural ingredients, not tested on animals and are tailored to all skin types. Additionally, Fox Naturals is priced accessibly based on Patrick's values around providing high-quality skin and hair care that can be used by everyone. Patrick generously shares his story; from his first failed soap-making attempts to his pop-up shops in Chicago to his brick and mortar in Grand Rapids. We talk about going above and beyond for our customers, choosing to step into fear instead of running away from it and how we all cry over IKEA furniture assembly. Patrick is warm and super funny and I can't wait for you all to hear this valuable conversation. Enjoy the show. Find more from Patrick: www.fox-naturals.com Instagram: @fox_naturals If you're liking the show please consider sharing it with a friend. I love bringing you these episodes and I'm grateful to you all for spreading the love. Speak to you soon.

Today I'm speaking with Amanda Fleisher retail expert and owner of Hooray House Studio. While Amanda is in the services game now, she's been up close and personal with retail since she was a teenager.  She’s run corporate retail spaces, owned a brick and mortar by way of a pop-up shop (before pop-ups were even a thing) and has had success with online selling platforms for years. Amanda has seen it all and so, has dedicated her current business to sharing this knowledge with brick and mortar stores.  She started Hooray House as a way to support and teach business owners who might not have anyone to help them save their friends and families (and we all know that this isn't really enough). Through strategic business coaching Amanda provides people with real-life business advice designed to make their brick and mortar profitable, systemized and even more beloved by customers.   And here she is, generously sharing this advice with us today. We talk about what types of selling people respond to best, finding valuable collaborations and how Instagram can be used to snag repeat customers. She shares her tips for getting really good at "retail math" and why it's important to get comfortable with looking your numbers. Amanda shares a ton of valuable information and I loved my time nerding out with her on retail.  If you find that this conversation helps you in some way, please share it with a friend.  I would greatly appreciate your help in growing our little brick and mortar community.  Enjoy the show.

Today I’m speaking with DaNay Tossey, founder and owner of Cornerstone Coffee in McBain Michigan. McBain is a farm town and home to around 1000 people. It’s a place that’s been hit in recent years with its share of financial insecurity and hardship. It’s also super close-knit and boasts the kind of community support that bigger cities are always trying to recreate. As DaNay tells her story, it’s clear that her dedication to providing a service to her community has always been top of mind. A full shop, friendly faces at the drive-through, people being creative within her space, all these things add to DaNay’s sense of purpose and her drive as a business owner. We talk about leading strong teams and why it stings a teeny, tiny bit when you realize that your clients start to like your staff a little bit more than they like you. We talk about real success and why it doesn’t always show up the way we think it will. DaNay shares how she manages being the mom of six and why her ability to juggle has a lot to do with her ability to go with the flow. We talk about cultivating real relationships with clients, finding “balance” in our personal lives and why we should never be afraid of copycats. This conversation was a joy to record. I was laughing the whole time and also felt really inspired by this brick and mortar in a tiny town in Michigan. People are doing amazing things all over and I’m so happy to be bringing you this conversation with DaNay. Enjoy.

Today's it's just me. I know I promised a Meredith cameo, but as you'll hear, stuff just kept happening and we never found time to record. So I decided to record a little solo episode. Frankly, after I sent the audio files off to be edited, I sank into a serious vulnerability hangover. I was really weirded out by doing a solo episode. Even though I enjoyed recording it, it was different with just me doing the talking and adding the value. When I'm interviewing I'm asking the questions and letting my guests work their magic and without that, I was a little intimidated. Shortly afterward (and knee deep in imposter syndrome) I was listening to a podcast where the host was talking about doing your best work... (and in my head, I was like.."shit, that wasn't my best work") ...but he went on to talk about how the only way anything gets out there EVER is by people just writing it, speaking it, creating it and PUTTING it out there. There's nothing wrong with wanting to do excellent work always, but if you're never releasing it because you're afraid of the vulnerability hangover, you're selling yourself, your work and the people who want to hear it wayyyyy short. I encourage the practice of literally forgetting about whatever you've just put out. Whether it's a blog post, a marketing email, a podcast episode or a piece of art, after you release to the world, just stop thinking about it. I'm not sitting over here listening to my recording over and over again, In fact, I didn't even relisten once. Because if I did, I would inevitably hate something about it and want to re-record it and probably lose steam or give up and never let any of you hear it. Not great for my process and a bad example for everyone I'm trying to serve. So when you put something out there, just trust that it's going to reach someone. Trust that it's going to make you better at your craft. And then stop thinking about it. You'll also hear at the end that I'm officially offering small business consulting/coaching specifically for brick and mortar people. I'm not 100% on the word coaching, I prefer selling it as a business partner for hire. If you need an outside voice to help you through a problem, or an extra set of eyes to help you create some new processes and systems, or if you just need someone to vent to, I will be your person. My rates are fair and I have availability starting mid-May. If you want to chat more about this, please email me at keepingshop@gmail.com. I'm looking forward to working with you!

Today I have the pleasure of releasing my conversation with Xenia Viray of Myths of Creation in Brooklyn, NY. Xenia’s path to the brick and mortar life is a winding one, marked with serendipitous twists and connections that turned into something more. Xenia and I also talk about using our businesses as an excuse to continue being workaholics, the role of a spiritual practice in weathering burnout and what exactly is human design. We dive deep into money stories and why attracting the abundance we want starts with acknowledging our self-worth (I’m working on it!!!). We talk about how society often undervalues the things that are intuitive to us, the traits that many small business owners naturally possess. Things like connecting, building community and selling genuinely are skills often dismissed as “soft.” In reality, these skills are hugely powerful. They exist through intuition and within spaces that defy traditional success markers. Let’s not forget that the skills that come naturally to us, that we didn’t necessarily have to “work for” are important and often the path to successful business ownership. I got off this call with Xenia feeling a lot of feelings. She is wise and approachable and she challenged me to think deeper about certain things surrounding life and business. I think you’ll feel the same way after listening. Enjoy the show. More from Xenia: www.mythsofcreation.com Instagram: @shopmyths I’ll be back on April 9th with a conversation with my business partner Meredith. It’ll be our nine year anniversary at Forty Winks and we’ll be reflecting it all. I hope you’ll listen. And I hope that if you’re liking Keeping Shop, you’ll consider sharing it with a friend. I’m grateful for your support always.

Today I have the pleasure of releasing a chat that’s been a long time in the making. Last year, I connected with Maryann Gibbons of Plants and Ponytails right when she was getting ready to launch the very first iteration of her business. She was selling at a farmer’s market in her hometown of Kingston, Ma as a way to research and prep for opening the brick and mortar space of her dreams later on. We stayed in touch and a month ago we finally got to talk shop. Maryann shares the story of starting her plants business and it’s a whole lot deeper than just setting up a stall at the farmers market. In fact, the farmer’s market didn’t even exist until Maryann and a group of community members started it. And as you’ll hear, it’s been a wild ride for Plants and Ponytails ever since. From pop-ups to temporary leases, from buildings being sold to tons of leftover Lululemon bags in her space, Maryann has ridden the waves of business ownership in ways many of us, simply put, have not. And she still really, really, really loves it. I verbally marvel at Maryann’s tenacity and her ability to go with the flow throughout her changing business. Truly, this is something that I don’t know if I could do and Maryann’s grit and comfort with the uncomfortable is something to aspire to. She's got a longterm plan and she’s willing to work for it…and to wait for it. Additionally, we chat about leaving a job that’s stable but that’s sucking you dry, fighting very real burnout and why being flexible with your buying can make you a lot more money. We talk about plants; they are Maryann’s love and her stress relief. She shares her mission to make them commonplace in people’s homes and spaces through gentle education. She talks about the ups and downs of raising young children alongside a business and why reaching out to her community (and to her Instagram community) is what keeps her from giving up. Enjoy the show. Find more from Maryann: Plants and PonytailsInstagram: @plantsandponytails Thank you again for listening. I’m getting ready to start planning the 2019 Keeping Shop Retreat and I’d love to gauge early interest. The retreat will be in early November again, right before all the holiday festivities start. It’ll be a time to settle our souls, to connect with each other and to rejuvenate around our businesses. If you’d like to hear more at this early stage, email me at keepingshop@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you again for listening.

Today I'm speaking with Renee Diaz, baker, owner and fearless leader at The Queen's Cups in Worcester, Ma. I found Renee on Instagram and, with my mouth watering, quickly emailed her to see if she wanted to chat for the pod. She agreed and I'm so excited to share our conversation with you today.  Renee started her shop with little knowledge of business ownership or commercial baking. After college, she taught herself how to bake and developed her business with the help and support of her mom and dad.  Her business also grew fast, maybe too fast in terms of its effect on Renee and her personal relationships.  We talk about how Renee found herself completely burnt out and at odds with the people that had supported her from the very beginning. She explains and acknowledges a period in her life when she was "very selfish" and why working through this took her business to the next level.  Renee's ability to lead truly blew me away. She's built a team of nearly 30 people and manages bakers to counterpeople to kitchen managers. Renee offers a lot of advice (mostly because I keep asking her question after management question) and shares the one mindset shift we all need to make to truly lead our teams (god, I needed to hear this one).  We also talk about what to do with a bad Yelp review, the best ways to communicate with a crabby staff member and why you don't have to be everything for everyone. Renee didn't just inspire me with this chat, she taught me things too. You'll love this one. Enjoy.  Find more from Renee: Visit in person at 56 Water St. Worcester, MA 01604 The Queen's Cups Instagram: @thequeenscups

Today I’m speaking with Megan Bowser, Katie DeConto & Krista Ann Nordgren of The Mothership in Durham, North Carolina. Krista Anne reached out to me while I was on the Keeping Shop Retreat this fall and I as I read her email detailing her business, I 100% wished she and her partners were there with us. Their concept, a co-working space meets retail space, is fresh and welcoming and puts its clients front and center. Whether it’s providing a space for artists to make a living or creating a place for people to work to their full potential, Krista Anne, Megan and Katie are there for it. As I mentioned in my intro, I interviewed these folks after an intense day at the store. Meredith had been sick and I couldn’t find anyone to cover. I had binged a terribly depressing though important podcast (Believed) while the shop was quiet and when it wasn’t, I’d dealt with some difficult people. It had been a long day so it actually didn’t surprise me when the conversation with Krista Ann, Megan and Katie turned to burnout. We were able to go deep and honest about burnout, hovering on the edge of it and how, if we acknowledge it, we can pull ourselves back from it before it gets too bad. The three of us talk about partnering up and why finding good partners is the best thing that happened to us. We talk about cutting other business owners slack when they’re crabby and cutting ourselves slack when we don’t always believe in the values that we’re selling (this is where I go into my body image issues). This is such a meaningful conversation. I can’t thank Krista Anne, Katie and Megan enough for their candor and their honesty. Every small business owner should listen to this episode (and I’m not just saying this because it’s my pod) and I hope you find as much value in it as I did. Find more from The Mothership: www.wearethemothership.comInstagram: @mothershipsightings Follow me at @keepingshoppodcast and subscribe to my email on this here website. If you like what you’re hearing, please share this show with a friend. I will love you forever. Thank you, friends.

Today I'm speaking with Lacey Prpic Hedtke of The Future in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lacey's space is truly magical. It’s comprised of a shop, an artist's residency and the best part? A magical library. The Future is built around the concept of community; it's a place for people to hang out and to connect with each other. Lacey works every day to continuing creating a weird and welcoming space that contributes to her neighborhood. Lacey and I chat about finding her space and why it's worth it to wait for the spot that makes you really light up. The story of finding a home for The Future is pretty amazing - it's one of the best space finding stories we've heard on the show yet - and it has a lot to do with the way that Lacey approached the process, with less fear and more trust in the universe. Hello the way I want to live my entire life. We talk about money (!!!) and how our money stories can trigger that nasty feeling of being unworthy of the success we find in our business. Lacey shares her experiences with vetting product to make sure it's in alignment with her values and offers her tips for staying open and willing to learn if we mess this up. Because we all still do. We talk about starting small, building intentionally, hiring the right way and why if you need inspiration, you really need to do a little traveling. I’m grateful, as always to my guest and I hope you enjoy the show.

Today I'm speaking with Andy McManis of Skirt & Satchel in Bloomington, Indiana. I found her rather randomly on Instagram and immediately admired her concept, her personal style, her use of non-professional models and the overall voice and vibe of her brand. Andy is a seasoned business owner and in this chat she offers some really helpful tips and suggestions for effective shop owning. We talk about her road to business ownership, her dedication to body positivity and why size inclusion doesn't have to be as financially challenging as you think. Andy is an adept decision maker having closed businesses, moved businesses and switched up her concept several times all while maintaining her core vision. She's actually in the middle of one of these changes right now, which you'll hear all about in the episode. A lot of business owners (myself included) tend to cling to our concept or space in a perhaps fearful way that can block positive change or growth. With this in mind, I really do admire Andy's willingness to make big changes to move her business forward. Andy has built a business around selling capsule collection items in sizes S-3X. We talk about body diversity and why it's important that a group of friends out shopping together all be able to find something at a boutique. As a business owner who is constantly striving to expand our size range (holy s*** there are a lot of bra sizes) this portion of my chat with Andy was both encouraging and a dose of tough love. Andy offers so much advice and empathy in this conversation and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Use code bossy for free shipping on Andy's Bossy collection This will be my last episode of 2018. Thank you all for your continued support and love. This community is growing each day and I can't wait to see what 2019 brings. I have some really fun stuff in the works including a start-up coaching program and another retreat (!!!). I wish you all a beautiful holiday season, can't wait to get back at it next year.

Today I’m speaking with Kristina Burkey of Calliope Paperie in both Natick and Somerville, Ma. One of my listeners clued me into Calliope and I sort of freaked when I saw her bright and pink and lovely shop on Instagram. Kristina sells beautiful cards, stationery and all kinds of accessories for fun and meaningful correspondence. She sells cards with all sorts of sentiments attached; from the simple Happy Birthday to a more complicated Infertility Sucks, Kristina is constantly finding ways to connect us to each other through cards. Kristina shares her road to business ownership and offers tips for every step of the process. From selling her wares at public markets to rocking a successful pop-up shop to finally telling her boss she was leaving her 9-5, she gives best practices for navigating the sometimes terrifying process of starting up. We chat about the intoxicating process of finding and signing on the space of your dreams and I get all nostalgic about finally finding a home for Forty Winks. Kristina has a super engaging presence on social and she shares the keys behind her success (always respond) on the ‘gram. We commiserate about exhaustion as brick and mortar businesses owners and why “peopling” all day can really bring out the introversion in a person. We talk about selling lots of small ticket items and actually making money, and Kristina offers some really sage advice for learning what your audience wants. This is a great show and I can’t wait to hear what you think. Thanks for listening. Follow Kristina on Instagram at @calliopepaperie

Bonus! Want to know what happened at the Keeping Shop Retreat? Listen in as Ashley Seamans of Local Maker asks me all about the retreat. Hear about what stressed me out, what we ate and when we'll be doing it again.

Today I’m speaking with Phillip Ouellette, sign craftsman and the owner of Springer Signcraft in Waltham, MA. My friend Ari connected me with Phillip because she thought we’d have a lot to talk about and she was right. We talked later in the evening one night and maybe it was the fact that we’re both young parents and were completely exhausted, but Phillip and I were quickly able to let down our respective guards and to get vulnerable about anxiety and people pleasing in a really valuable way. Phillip learned the basics of his craft while working for someone else, which obviously isn’t a requisite for opening a business, but it doesn’t hurt either. We talk about setting prices and sticking to them, putting things in perspective as a working parent, managing two businesses and getting comfortable in the inevitable chaos. Phillip also has an Etsy shop where he sells beautiful sign replicas that he handcrafts. Say you climbed Mount Washington and it changed your life, Phillip could replicate a meaningful trail sign for you. As someone who’s found a lot of healing and confidence in climbing big mountains, I can relate to the emotional effect that nature can have on someone. As Phillip says, it’s a way for people to mark what they took from a hike without actually taking anything from the trail. Personally the part of our chat about people pleasing and how much anxiety it can cause a business owner hit me like a ton of bricks. Making people happy, (or even just keeping them happy) is something that I really struggle with. I don’t mean to say that it’s not good to want to make people happy, it’s just occasionally exhausting to deal with unreasonable expectations from customers. One of my goals for 2019 is to learn to set better boundaries around what’s a reasonable request and what’s just someone flexing their power over me. Anyone relate to that? Hire Phillip at springersigncraft. com and follow him on insta @trailsigns. Buy your own trailsign at trailsigns.etsy.com

Today I’m speaking with Sarah Gottesdiener online shop owner, designer, podcaster and tarot reader. Sarah is (among many other things) the designer behind the “Women, Wimmin, Woomin, Womxn” design that you’ve probably seen at your favorite witchy, feminist shop. I have a tee and a tote, courtesy of Sarah and I get solidarity compliments wherever I go. She is also the creator of the always-sold-out Many Moons Workbook and the Many Moon Lunar Planner. Sarah talks about wanting to work for herself while being able to control her own time and energy. We talk about the irony in assuming that business ownership means freedom and how we can protect ourselves from the day-to-day energetic drain. Sarah is deliberate about what she allows into her life and we go into the benefits of a slow and steady approach when it comes to the success of our businesses and making money. Sarah shares her tips for preparing for what might be a negative customer interaction and encourages us to seek ways to be gentle with ourselves and others. Sarah and I talk about taking responsibility for our privilege as white, cis-gendered business owners and she encourages us to speak out in support of those without as much social and political privilege. I still feel strengthened and encouraged by my conversation with Sarah and I know you’ll feel the same after hearing our chat. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening.

Today I’m speaking with Alan Donovan of Oat Shop in Somerville, MA. I’ve been frequenting the shop since I had my baby, in fact I had my 36th birthday breakfast there; nursing Sylvie in the sunny front window while enjoying a delicious, hot oat bowl. It was lovely. Oat Shop is a beautiful space. It’s clean, cozy and welcoming and the food is delicious and nourishing. I’ve long admired the shop from a business perspective too because I love when places niche. the. hell. down. Oat Shop is based all around the mighty oat and features both savory and sweet oat bowl options. They also sell coffee and a few in-house created baked goods. It’s a tiny menu, full of well thought out options made from local ingredients. Alan started his career in finance and worked in D.C after college. It was there that he realized that busy people needed real food options. After deciding he wanted to move back home to Massachusetts, Alan started laying the bricks for Oat Shop. Alan and I talk about the start up process and what crossovers were helpful to him from the finance world when opening a small brick and mortar. We chat about being a sole founder and proprietor, and why it’s so important for us all to truly accept that we’re always going to be on call as business owners. Alan shares his experiences with making changes with customer’s suggestions and also why being stubborn around our business vision can save us tons of time, money and energy. I can’t wait for you to hear this all for yourself. Enjoy the show. Find more from Alan: www.oatshopboston.com Instagram: @oatshopboston Facebook: @oatshopboston There are only a few days left to sign up for the retreat. By now, you’ve heard the details enough...If you’re on the fence, just jump and come. I promise it’ll be valuable. Thanks again for listening. I’m grateful every day for this community.

A glimpse into what'll be happening at the Keeping Shop Retreat. Find more info at www.lovekeepingshop.com. Join us for real talk about money, managing people, systemizing, reconnecting with the soul of our business and so. much. more. The dates are 11/9-11/11. Location, Germantown, NY. The cost is $750 and this price includes all meals, a comfy bed, and connection with people that actually get it. All are welcome. Email me at keepingshop@gmail.com with questions. Thank you!

Wooohooo! I’m back after a couple of months that were supposed to be chill but turned out to be nutso. I’m so excited to be bringing you EPISODE 50 (!!!) with none-other than one of my personal shopkeeper crushes, Elissa Paquette. I’ve admired Elissa and her shop, Calico for years now. She’s been in business longer than me and she’s seriously boss when it comes to everything from buying to marketing to design. She’s also an incredible risk taker and someone who knows when to walk away from something that’s not serving her. Elissa and I talk about delegating work so that we can get real shit done which leads me to tell her my secret about cleaning the bathroom at the store. She gives us a glimpse into her very intense buying and inventory management systems and gives us some pretty great social media tips. And you want social tips from Elissa, she’s got a huge presence and consistently shows up with amazing self-created content. And check out her About Us page, it’s a great example of non-boring copy/design. I adored my conversation with Elissa; she’s energetic, down to earth and inspirational. I’m going to let you hear all this goodness for yourself. Enjoy! There are still a couple of spaces open for my Shop Keepers Weekend in the Hudson Valley. We’re going to be there together talking about branding, business visioning, money and all the other topics near and dear to our shop keeping hearts. If your space isn’t open yet you’re still 100% welcome. Come learn with us! The cost is $750 and includes all meals and a place to lay your head (rooms are shared, beds aren’t).

Today I'm speaking with Sarah Van Dyke of Revel Craft Bar in downtown Madison Wisconsin.  Sarah's concept is unique and smart and her space brings creativity into people's day in such a fun, effortless sort of way.  You can actually walk into Revel, buy a drink and sit there with your friends and work on a craft project.  From start to finish. Which is something that I'm sure as hell not doing at home.  And these are not cheesy craft projects full of pompoms and potpourri. These are projects that you'll actually be proud of making. From mineral magnets to leather coozies, from hand-selected wines at the bar to top-notch private workshop offerings,  the whole concept of Revel is so well executed.  Sarah and I chat about creating a blueprint for a business that hadn't been done before, hiring the right people to compliment your strengths and setting up systems for everything from sourcing materials to delegating tasks. She also shares a simple exercise that really helped her get clear on what type of business would be best for her.  Sarah and I get real about delegating as control freaks and taking the pressure off of ourselves to do everything even when the tasks aren't in our wheelhouse. I enjoyed talking to Sarah so much. She's a wealth of knowledge and a really impressive business owner. I love this episode and you will too. Thanks for listening.  If you want to talk more about all this brick and mortar stuff in person, sign up for the Keeping Shop Retreat. The cost includes all meals, a shared bed space, a creativity-boosting craft project, a workshop with a business coach and unlimited access to me and your brick and mortar community.  Expect long chats over delicious food with people that GET it. Pay the early-bird special price of $675 up until August 15th (after that the cost is $750). I really can't wait for this weekend and I hope you'll be joining me.

Today I'm speaking with personal wealth coach Liza Witonis. While she's not a brick and mortar business owner per se, Liza works with people like us on getting real around our money stories to bring us into financial freedom both at home and in our workspaces. Money is often top of mind for us business owners; feelings of lack, feelings of imposter syndrome and the fear that we're never going to make enough even when our bank accounts are looking pretty good. Liza addresses all this and more in this conversation about turning around our attitude on money. Liza and I talk about what forms our attitude around money, how to start working through our money blocks and she offers some easy steps to get started on the path to actually feeling good about money. We also chat about positive vs. negative talk around money and how being "realistic" about what you can afford can reveal what it is you really want. I found a lot of value in this episode as I start new business ventures and continue to grow my current business. I'm hoping you do too. Enjoy! Find more from Liza here: http://lizawitonis.com/ Instagram: @lizawitonis Facebook: @lizawitonispersonalwealthcoach There are still spaces available at the Keeping Shop Retreat. I'm super excited about what I've got planned and there are some really amazing people on board already. Don't miss out! If you have questions, please let me know. Thanks again!

We're in the middle of a heat wave here in Boston. It's been in the high 80s and 90s for a few days now and according to weather.com, there's not an end in sight. Along with dropping hints for an invite to my friend's mom's pool, one of the best ways to stay cool is to get an ice cream. And if you're like me a trip to Dairy Queen won't cut it...I want something that's local and delicious...that gives me an experience in addition to keeping me cool. The week's guest is Kristen Rummel owner and ice cream maker at Honeycomb Creamery in Cambridge, MA. I reached out to Kristen because her Instagram made my mouth water (and I thought it was really well done). She was kind enough to speak with me a couple of months ago (yes, I'm recording that far out), wayyyy back when we were still fearing a late spring snowfall here in the Northeast. We had a great conversation about starting a food business and Kristen generously shares her lengthy experience with health inspectors, building codes and all the things that might scare a lot of us off starting something in food service. She talks about getting the right experience before you open, creating systems that actually work and staying true to the values you set for your business. I hope all of you are able to eat lots of ice cream this summer. And I hope you enjoy this episode.

Today I'm joined by Ashley Seamans, owner and creator of Local Maker a full-service company working to connect retailers with makers and designers. Additionally, Ashley is currently running a brick and mortar pop-up shop outside of Boston which highlights wares from the businesses she is representing. Her business ventures are values-driven, authentic and aimed at creating a community around local business. We talk about being mentally prepared for opportunities that may (or may not) present themselves, creating a business that contributes to the kinds of communities we want to create and why it's so important to create a dream customer avatar when you're starting out. Ashley shares her tips for creating intriguing shop environments that really resonate with clients and she tells us why brick and mortar owners to take a step back and look at ourselves "from the outside in." I've got so much appreciation for people that are innovating around small business, both in brick and mortar spaces and within the maker community. As shop owners and space makers, we know that not every day is easy and there's value in aligning ourselves with values-driving companies and organizations that are providing solutions to some of the issues we face. Further, there are benefits to communicating our goals, our weaknesses, our successes to companies like Local Maker to encourage a greater understanding of small business ownership and community building. I'm excited for you to hear my chat with Ashley and I hope you'll check out her pop-up at The Hangout (hoping to get there myself this weekend). Enjoy the show. Follow Ashley on Instagram @localmaker and via her website www.localmaker.com. And perhaps I'll see you at The Hangout this weekend (find more at www.poppingupnext.com/thehangout)

Today I have the pleasure of releasing my chat with Emily Thompson co-host of the Being Boss podcast and the owner of Almanac Supply Co. Almanac is a beautifully curated online space that aims to help people live more intentionally with the seasons through hand-poured candles, crystals and seasonally appropriate goodness. Not only does she sell online, but Emily and her business partner Holly, pop-up on select weekends at various spaces around Chattanooga. I've been wanting to have this type of business owner on the show for while; someone that makes and sells in various spaces so Emily was a natural choice, if a little bit of a long shot given how busy this woman is (wow). A couple of standouts from this chat...Emily and I talk about finding a business bestie AND finding a business partner. What struck me most is just how similar these two endeavors really are. Emily offers two criteria for finding a business bestie and upon reflecting on our chat, I have to say that her guidelines apply to finding a business partner too. In fact, it's perhaps the most succinct advice for finding a partner (or a bestie) that I've heard on the show, so yeah, it stuck with me. The other resonating point was our chat about side gigs and how they contribute to the overall health of our main hustle. Emily pulls out the big guns by encouraging us to see passion projects as a way of ensuring that we stay creatively fulfilled and better able to show up as the boss of our business. Emily loves Being Boss, just like I love Forty Winks, but we agree that being responsible for other endeavors allows us to bring renewed creativity and energy to our companies. There is so much good in this chat. Emily shares her thoughts on social media, email marketing and why she'll (probably) never offer a discount. She shares what grounds her throughout the process of running multiple businesses and why being an entrepreneur can be a spiritual practice. I hope you all get as much out of this conversation as I did. Enjoy the show. Areas of focus: -Why her success at Being Boss is so dependent on her pursuing other ventures. -Finding a business bestie. Or a business partner. -Tips for effective and money-making pop-up shops. -Establishing boundaries in business partnerships. -Keeping your ear to the ground about retail space (and not jumping at the first thing that comes your way). -How to manage more than one business. -The best ways to offer discounts. -Spirituality and its role in our businesses. -Why it takes a really special person to start a brick and mortar. -Why being super familiar with your numbers doesn't have to be daunting (but is so necessary). Find more from Emily at www.almanacsupplyco.com and on the Being Boss podcast via your favorite podcast player. And I've got big news, folks. I booked an Airbnb for the first Keeping Shop retreat. It's a dreamy space in upstate New York and I'll be heading there the weekend of November 9th. I'm so excited to share details with you all as I work them through. For those of interested in jumping on board early on (space is limited), please shoot me an email (keepingshop@gmail.com). As always thank you for listening and thanks for building this community with me.

Today's guest is Janine Stafford owner of SPACE, a community connection project and Spring Tide, an intuitive business coaching business. Her resume is vast; she's been a stylist, a COO, and a salesperson. She's worked high-end retail in a boutique setting as well as for big retailers like Neiman Marcus and Kit and Ace.  Janine takes us through the process of starting her retail career, which is startlingly similar to my own story (so you'll hear that too!) and what led her to where she is now.  We delve into the art of retail, of being "really good" at selling and why retail is only trivial if you make it trivial.  Janine talks to me about the importance of creating a space where customers can come and feel seen and heard and we address the emotional labor that can sometimes come with creating such a space.  We also get real about feminine vs. masculine energy in business and why we need to learn to check in with ourselves as a way to meet our basic emotional and mental needs.  Janine shares tips and tactics to help us step back and reconnect with the higher purpose of why we started our spaces in the first place.  This is a value packed episode. It's essential if you're experiencing burnout, a lull in sales or if you're looking to level up.  It's helpful for those of us deep in the game and those of us that are just starting out.  I hope you find an enormous amount of value in it...I know I did. Enjoy the show.  -Why it's important to make the best and the most out of every work experience you have. -Starting a retail job and deciding to make it a real career.  -What it takes to be good at sales.  -The responsibility on the part of business owners to identify and then mentor the next generation of shopowners. -Emotional labor and establishing clear and kind boundaries.  -Getting clear on why your store isn't doing well.  -Why you need to think about the words and feelings that people take from your space.  -Acknowledging "the pause" in reassessing our goals and visions especially as long-term business owners.  -The symptoms of burnout and addressing our energetic blocks.  -Tangible tips to refresh yourself in relationship to your business.  -How taking care of yourself first is how you best serve your customers.  -Getting clear on how people walking into your space are going to feel.  -Exploring the idea that space can( or can't) be "something for everyone." Thank you again for your support of the show. Glad so many of you are finding value in this! If you'd like to join us for our Full Moon Tarot and meditation event on Tuesday, May 29th shoot me an email at keepingshop@gmail.com. I'd love to see you there. Thanks again!

Today's guest is Stasia Steele, owner of The Little Details, which is both an organizing company and a brick and mortar studio/retail space in Cambridge, MA. Stasia is a long-term business owner, but her brick and mortar shop recently came to fruition fast and it required a TON of work and focus. You'll hear about how she found her space, the crazy buildout process and how she kept herself organized during the process. Despite being hyper-organized as a child, Stasia didn't start out knowing that's she wanted to be a professional organizer, in fact, she never really even thought her skills could be a business. It took a while, but once Stasia decided to jump into business ownership, she tackled the process with determination and tenacity and over the years, she's successfully systemized and organized her way to a thriving business. One of the things that struck me most about Stasia's story was her realization that she had more knowledge and skills than she ever gave herself credit for and how when she finally realized this, she was able to much more confidently move her business forward. I think the imposter syndrome trap is strong with us business owners and I don't think we're always good at giving ourselves permission to be experts at our crafts. It's something that many of us struggle with and something that I am going to try to work on it my own life. I loved my chat with Stasia. She left me inspired to get more organized; to clean out my medicine cabinet and to tackle my pantry. She shares lots of tips and tricks for getting organized, both in the home and in your shops and spaces. Enjoy the show. We talk about: -The evolution of how she realized that she could make a business out of something she loved to do. -Learning to value her time and services appropriately. -The legalities of hiring independent contractors. -Being ready to jump at an opportunity when things present themselves. -Why the right staff can help you understand what you need to grow and thrive as a business. -Creating systems around the things you do every day. -Deciding to open a brick and mortar when she already had a successful business. -Establishing trust as an organizer and why opening a brick and mortar helped people trust her. -Hosting workshops and how to nudge people in the right direction towards being more organized. -Why being organized also leads to deeper mental clarity. -What businesses should do to organize themselves and their businesses (stop putting out fires). -Tips for getting started with organizing your space, both at home and in your business. Thank you again for listening and supporting Keeping Shop. If you feel so inclined, please leave me a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Also, follow me at @keepingshoppodcast on FB and Instagram. Cheers to keeping good shop.

Today I'm speaking with Amanda Mitchell owner of the Charlestown, Massachusetts boutique, Place and Gather. Amanda is a real trooper because as you'll hear in the episode, my computer died taking with it a bunch of audio that I'd recorded before my maternity leave. Not a great experience but Amanda was incredibly gracious about the whole thing. This isn't surprising though because being a brick and mortar business owner means we've got to roll with the punches, amaright? Still, I'm hugely grateful that Amanda was willing to spend another hour talking to me about her space. Amanda bootstrapped her brick and mortar, and she offers us tangible tips for saving money and making it through the startup process with less worry about the financials. She also shares the one thing that slowed her down during her early process, (hint: it has to do with financial planning) and how she overcame it. We chat a ton about reaching out to others, both to our colleagues and to our customers, and why just talking to people can level up our businesses in ways we can't imagine. She reminds us that we have control over our customer interactions in an authentic way and because of this one-on-one, we can provide services to people that big companies just can't. Amanda also explains why the "business model canvas" style plan ended up working better for her than a traditional business plan, mainly because this style is designed to allow you to evolve and adjust it quickly. As Amanda says, it feels more like a living document than a school paper. This is a value-packed episode and I'm grateful for Amanda's take. Enjoy the show. Find more from Amanda: www.placeandgather.com Instagram: @placeandgather Business Model Canvas Photos by @theshannongrant and @amodestlife Thank you again for listening and supporting Keeping Shop. If you feel so inclined, please leave me a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Also, follow me at @keepingshoppodcast on FB and Instagram. Cheers to keeping good shop.

Today I'm speaking with Nesha Frazier of Work Nest in Summerville, South Carolina. Work Nest is a one of a kind, baby friendly co-working space that aims to help parents get closer to achieving real work/life balance. Nesha herself struggled with feeling torn between a job that she loved and raising her two babies and she wanted to find a way to make it easier for parents, often mothers, to reach their career goals. Nesha and I talk about her process for opening Work Nest and she shares the amazing 100 day accountability plan that she created for herself to ensure that her business would have the greatest chance of coming to fruition. We chat being financially responsible when finding space and why likes on social media shouldn't be the indicator of how successful you'll be. Nesha shares her process for setting her prices and why she doesn't struggle with presenting her costs to clients. We talk about storytelling in marketing and testing and pivoting when determining what works. Nesha is a wealth of knowledge and I'm so excited to see where her business goes (hopefully to Boston and Cambridge!). Enjoy the show. We talk about: -How to wade through the "analysis paralysis" of starting a business. -Understanding your "why." -Leveraging your current resources and strengths and apply them to the business you're starting. -Why you need people to shoot holes in your idea when you're fleshing it out. -Giving yourself financial breathing room. -Why storytelling matters in marketing. -Planning for partnering with corporations to grow and scale her business. -Being ridiculously obsessed with overcoming obstacles -Why mindset matters so much in business. -Deciding how much to charge for your goods and services and being confident in your costs. -Why you need to know your numbers in and out. -Personalizing your customer service experience across the board. Find more: www.theworknest.com Instagram: @theworknest Facebook: @theworknest And follow me on @keepingshoppodcast on Insta and Facebook. Don't forget to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts.

Today I'm speaking with Cambridge Naturals owner Emily Kanter. I was so flattered when Emily reached out to me because she and her team are kind of a big deal, but as you'll hear in the show she's super down to earth about the success of her business. It's been around since the 70's and has a ride or die following of people from all walks of life. Started by Emily's parents, the store was originally mostly natural and organic food stuff but has expanded over the years to include products that make it more of a lifestyle shop rather than just a grocery store. From taking over the family business to expanding her space to being a champion for a natural lifestyle to selling authentically, Emily generously shares her experiences with us. Her story is valuable to us all, but especially to those looking to level up our shops in a way that keeps our values front and center. Emily shares how important it is to come into a situation with wide open eyes and to observe thoroughly before trying to make changes. This chat was a pleasure. I hope you enjoy it too. We dive into: Taking over a family business. Allowing yourself the time to see the full picture of the business instead of jumping to make changes too quickly. Opening a second location. Creating a mission centered business and continuing to build based on your core values. Providing the education necessary to ensure that your client is comfortable buying your product. The power of non-salesy selling. Find more about Emily and Cambridge Naturals: www.cambridgenaturals.com Facebook: @cambridgenaturals Instagram: @cambridgenaturals I'm still taking business plan projects. If you're wanting a second set of eyes on your plan, please reach out. I am offering one read through with edits/thoughts for $75. If this is something that you feel would be valuable email me at keepingshop@gmail.com.

Today I’m speaking with Dan Pecci of The Dan Pecci Company. Join us as we take a deep dive into the world of retail and small business ownership. We explore retail as performance, chat about delighting our clients and get candid about why it’s hard to make the leap into self employment. Dan also shares his tips for getting shit done (because he is legit one of the most productive people I’ve ever encountered). Enjoy the show! Follow Dan on Instagram and Facebook at @danpeccicompany Follow Keeping Shop at @keepingshoppodcast and email me your thoughts and suggestions at keepingshop@gmail.com Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts (thank youuuu!)

I'm so excited to welcome Annie Rocchio to the show for the season 2 opening of Keeping Shop. Annie owns Sun and Glory which is a beautiful apothecary style space in NYC with a "modern granola vibe." Annie and I talk about starting a business fast, when the moment is right and we chat about how to manage the co-op style structure for your brick and mortar. Annie shares her opinions on the wellness industry and why she doesn't use the term "self care." Enjoy the show.

Surprise! I'm back for a little January pop-up episode. Today I'm speaking with Stephanie Jones owner and president of Mercantile Events and Marketing as well as the tightly curated, small maker based buying shows Niche Fair and Mercantile Fairs (if you are a maker you NEED to check these out). I'm releasing this episode in January because I know how exciting this time of year is for business owners. Speaking for myself, I find the time between January and March to be especially invigorating around personal business growth. I choose my word of the year, I reflect on the things that went well in the previous year and also on the things I want to focus more on over the next 12 months. 2017 was a year of major change for me and I can't wait to see the kind of growth that comes my way in 2018. Stephanie and I talk about her path to business ownership, the need for a real commitment to marketing (and how much that costs) and some tips that we can implement this week that will propel our brick and mortars forward. I ask her all about leaving a cushy corporate job and the risks (and opinions!) that come with that. We talk about creating stronger teams and why we all need to find the business yin to our business yang. Stephanie also gives us some really tangible ways to market our business through ads and social media and encourages us to get clear on the big picture instead of just poking holes in it without a real plan. "There's no better way to target an audience than through social media." --Stephanie Jones