The Retail Whore

Susan and Michelle are back with another action-packed episode of Shelf Talk! In this conversation, they kick things off with a quick catch-up and get into what it's like working alongside their husbands, including a juicy business conversation about a car wash. They dive into plans to collaborate with sponsors and grow the community, what's in store for the upcoming show season, and the impact of tariffs. Susan and Michelle also tackle submitted questions from fellow retailers on signage and sale strategies and display theme ideas between Christmas and Valentine's Day and between August and September.Ask Michelle and Susan for Shelf Talk! Michelle and Susan will be co-hosting an episode every month! We're diving into all things design, display, and merchandising—and we want to hear from you! Got a question? Submit it by going to theretailwhorepodcast.com, clicking on SHELF TALK, and we'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Let's talk shop and bring your ideas to life! What's Inside: The impacts of tariffs on retailers so farIdeas to maximize signage and sales strategiesHow to tackle display designs in between peak seasonsMentioned In This Episode:susan@ruepatois.comRuepatois.comRue Patois on InstagramMC Design Collaboration on Instagram

Steven Henke is the Chief of Brand Marketing at DAP Health. DAP Health (DAP) is an advocacy-based health center in Palm Springs, CA, serving over 8,000 patients, offering medical and mental healthcare, STI testing and treatment, dentistry, pharmacy, and lab. A variety of wraparound services enable patients to experience optimal health, including social services, support groups, alternative therapies, and other wellness services. DAP opened one of California's first COVID clinics and hotlines to offer screening, testing, and treatment. DAP is also working to address social determinants of health that are causing negative health outcomes during this pandemic, like food and housing insecurity, joblessness, isolation, and access to ongoing healthcare.DAP's sexual health clinic offers STI testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. DAP has also earned Charity Navigator's highest rating for the twelfth consecutive year—landing DAP in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. At DAP, Steven plans and implements brand marketing and PR strategies with various stakeholder communities, including businesses, chambers of commerce, volunteers, donors, retail, and media. Steven's primary areas of focus include visual, written, and digital storytelling on behalf of DAP Health, Revivals Stores, Resource Development events, annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaign communications.Here, Steven shares how DAP's Revivals Stores serve as a “gateway drug” to life-changing healthcare services. He dives into his career journey from working part-time retail jobs, landing a position at Target Corporate, and eventually making his way to DAP in Palm Springs. Steven also shares details about the annual Revivals After Dark event, how he curates the furniture collection at each store, and the most unique and noteworthy donations. MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!What's Inside: How DAP's Revivals Stores introduce customers to life-changing healthcare servicesHow Steven curates the furniture collections at each Revivals locationStories about some of the most unique donations at RevivalsMentioned In This Episode:DAP Health on InstagramDAP Health on FacebookRevival Stores on InstagramRevivalsstores.comRevivals Stores on FacebookRevivals Stores on YouTube

Sara Vaskov has been in the San Luis Obispo retail scene for over two decades. She began working at Hands Gallery 22 years ago and became the owner in 2016, leading the shop through years of growth and evolution. Beyond running a thriving small business, Sara is deeply involved in community advocacy. As a board member of the Downtown SLO Association, she played a key role in lowering parking costs through her work on the Parking and Access Committee. Sara has also been an active participant in the Economic Development Committee with the Chamber of Commerce. Balancing these responsibilities with full-time business ownership has been both challenging and rewarding, allowing her to help shape the future of her local downtown while continuing to curate a unique shopping experience for her customers.Bailey Weaver is the store manager and creative director of Hands Gallery. Now in her ninth year at the shop and second year as manager, she has helped Hands Gallery earn the title of Best Gift Shop in SLO County for two years in a running now, as voted by New Times readers. She has also expanded the store's digital reach, growing its Instagram following to over 4,000 and strengthening its online presence. Bailey oversees merchandising, marketing campaigns, and store displays, ensuring everything reflects the brand's aesthetic. She also attends trade shows to source new and exciting products. This past year, she collaborated with fellow business owners to successfully advocate for lower parking costs in downtown SLO, reinforcing her commitment to both retail and community engagement. Bailey discovered The Retail Whore Podcast in her first year as manager, finding inspiration and guidance as she navigated her new role, making this opportunity to be a guest feel truly full circle.Here, Sara and Bailey share how they went from working in the restaurant industry to becoming a superstar mother-daughter retail team. They dive into how they took over Hands Gallery and transformed it into an award-winning store. Sara and Bailey also share how they split responsibilities, how they tackled SLO's parking challenges, how they approach merchandising, and how they maintain a work-life balance.We are doing our first-ever open call! You can submit your store or favorite store to be on the podcast because every store has a story behind it! Go to theretailwhorepodcast.com, click on SUBMIT YOUR STORE, fill out an easy form and we'll see you on the mic! What's Inside: How Sara and Bailey turned Hands Gallery into an award-winning retail storeHow the mother-daughter team splits store responsibilitiesSara and Bailey's approach to merchandising  Mentioned In This Episode:Hands Gallery on InstagramHandsgallery.com

Misty Stachel is the founder and owner of 85 Local, a carefully curated boutique that blends locally made goods with unique, high-quality finds from beyond Arizona. With a passion for retail and community, Misty has created a shopping destination where customers can discover one-of-a-kind gifts, stylish apparel, and must-have home accessories—all while supporting small businesses.At 85 Local, Misty focuses on thoughtful curation and an elevated shopping experience, helping customers find the perfect gift, refresh their wardrobe, or treat themselves to something special. Whether she's working with vendors to boost their sales, creating eye-catching displays, or hosting engaging store events, Misty is dedicated to making shopping fun, personal, and inspiring.When she's not running the store, you'll find her sourcing the latest trends, fine-tuning merchandising strategies, and, of course, assembling the perfect gift baskets.In this conversation, Misty shares how she dove headfirst into the world of retail without any experience. She goes into detail on how she fixtured her store, how she brought her vision to life, and lessons learned along the way. Misty also shares her thoughts on loss prevention, how she sources and screens vendors, plans for the upcoming summer season, and much more.We are doing our first-ever open call! You can submit your store or favorite store to be on the podcast because every store has a story behind it! Go to theretailwhorepodcast.com, click on SUBMIT YOUR STORE, fill out an easy form and we'll see you on the mic! What's Inside: How Misty went from stay-at-home mom to retail store ownerMisty's strategies for sourcing and screening vendorsMisty's plans for the summer seasonMentioned In This Episode:85 Local on Instagram85 Local on Facebook

Emma Lewis is the owner of Rare Form and The Twentieth, both based in Chicago. Emma works to digitally restore and reinterpret 100-year-old designs to create unique greeting cards, stationery, and more. Through her work, her goal is to empower and affirm others with a brand that combines vintage images with unapologetic contemporary feminist language and over-the-top messages of affirmation.The Twentieth is a stationery, gift, and design brand that brings historical maximalism together with 21st-century wit and an unapologetic attitude. The brand brings Art Deco imagery into the 21st century with empowering language and more than a hint of sarcasm. Rare Form offers a variety of Emma's feminist prints, greeting cards, antiques, and other gifts. There, she uses her nerdy, sarcastic sense of humor to create digital collages that combine vintage photographs of women with empowering, contemporary feminist language.Sonia McMoran spent more than a decade reporting on interior design and technology trends for publications such as The New York Times, Wired, ReadyMade, and Apartment Therapy. While taking a hiatus from journalism, Sonia realized that what she loved most about her job wasn't the writing, butthe excitement of uncovering cool products and the people who make them and sharing her discoveries with the world. This was the impetus for Home/Work, an affordable and unique shop for the home and home office that celebrates the best in past and present design.Sasha Varni was raised in Carmel in a family of retailers - it's in her blood! Sasha worked for her mom's candle store growing up and in college. After a brief stint in Italy, Sasha moved to SF and worked for Sephora and bareMinerals. She then moved to Walnut Creek and after taking maternity leave, she decided to go all-in on opening the gift shop Wish with her mom. Thanks to her amazing customers, Sasha has been able to expand her shop and now ships nationwide through her website. This month, Wish is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. In this first all-female retail roundtable, Emma, Sonia, and Sasha join Michelle to dive deep into their stores and recap the last holiday season. They also share how they like to tackle gift shows, strategies to boost special event attendance, and how to deal with crappy customers and social media trolls. The roundtable wraps up with tips to handle returns and run a successful loyalty program.Cadeau Ami Agency is solely a road rep agency of 10+ associates that handle the states of CA, AZ, HI, and parts of Nevada for many of their 23 or so boutique/gift brands, such as Chive, SF Mercantile, Sock it to Me, French Broad Chocolate, Pomegranate, Calypso Cards, Good Juju, Ryland Peters & Small, Kei & Molly and has been a part of the industry for over 30 years now. What's Inside: A recap of the last holiday seasonHow to boost attendance at special eventsTips for handling crappy customers and returnsMentioned In This Episode:Wish Walnut Creek on FacebookWish Walnut Creek on InstagramWishwalnutcreek.comShoprareform.comHome/Work on InstagramHome/Work on FacebookHome/Work on TikTok

Susan and Michelle join forces again for another episode of Shelf Talk! Here, they kick things off with a recap of Susan's recent trip to New Orleans and all the fun shops she explored while there. Next, they share some of their favorite displays found on Instagram and discuss their stand-out design elements and features. Susan and Michelle also discuss how you can recreate these displays in your own store, plans for booking upcoming shows, Mother's Day display details, and more.Ask Michelle and Susan for Shelf Talk! Michelle and Susan will be co-hosting an episode every month! We're diving into all things design, display, and merchandising—and we want to hear from you! Got a question? Submit it by going to theretailwhorepodcast.com, clicking on SHELF TALK, and we'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Let's talk shop and bring your ideas to life! What's Inside: A recap of Susan's recent trip to New OrleansSusan and Michelle's favorite displays found on InstagramPlans for upcoming showsMentioned In This Episode:susan@ruepatois.comRuepatois.comRue Patois on InstagramMC Design Collaboration on Instagram

Gloria Chou is an award-winning PR strategist and host of the top-rated Small Business PR Podcast. Known for her untraditional yet proven approach to PR which makes visibility and access to media accessible for anyone, Gloria helps BIPOC and female founders get featured organically in top-tier media without needing PR connections or a large following. experience through her signature CPR Pitching Method. Gloria's strategies have earned small businesses in nearly every industry niche over a billion organic views and features in outlets like the New York Times, Oprah's Favorite Things, Vogue, and Forbes without any pay-to-play. A former U.S. Diplomat turned small business advocate, Gloria has been on 100 podcasts and was named "Pitch Writing Expert of the Year" in 2021 as part of the Influential Businesswomen Awards and a Forbes Next 1000 honoree.In this conversation, Gloria dives into how she got into the world of PR and how she offers a fresh, alternative perspective to today's “bro marketing” strategies. She shares why it's important to use your voice to attract your ideal audience and the impact of generational trauma on business and life. Gloria also shares tips for making spaces more inclusive, her experience with psychedelic-assisted therapy, and advice for successful product pitching.MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy! What's Inside: How Gloria brings a fresh, new perspective to the world of PRTips on how to make spaces more inclusiveAdvice for successful product pitchesMentioned In This Episode:GloriaChouPR.comGloria Chou PR on XGloria Chou PR on InstagramGetFeaturedNow.com

Marrin Costello is an American businesswoman, designer, and brand architect. Her career as a creative began at age seven, after receiving a bead kit for Christmas. Selling her creations at local San Francisco Bay Area craft fairs and local boutique retailers while in grammar school, Costello's love for both business and fashion was realized at a very young age.Less than a decade later, a childhood hobby has transformed into a global luxury lifestyle brand — with jewelry at its core. While studying at the University of California, Los Angeles, Costello's collection was featured on American Idol — and a business was born. Marrin Costello's collections have since beenfeatured in Vogue, Huffington Post, In Style, and US Weekly — and she has personally been recognized as a lifestyle influencer, style icon, and tastemaker.Here, Marrin walks us through her journey from making jewelry as a hobby to a career in fashion show event production and coming full circle as the owner of a successful jewelry brand. She shares how her life changed after hurricanes Helene and Milton, lessons she learned, and how she bounced back. Marrin also shares how she finds a work/life balance, how her faith helps her through obstacles, and top trending designs for her brand.  For 20% off a purchase from Marrin's website, use discount code TRW20 or head directly to this link! https://marrincostellojewelry.com/discount/TRW20MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!What's Inside: Marrin's journey from making jewelry as a hobby to owning a successful brandHow Marrin bounced back after devastating hurricanesTop trending designs for Marrin's brandMentioned In This Episode:Marrin Costello Jewelry Get 20% off with code TRW20wholesale@marrincostello.com Marrin Costello Jewelry on InstagramMarrin Costello Jewelry on Facebook

Caroline Weaver is an obsessive shopper, former specialty shop owner, and creator of The Locavore Guide. During her years as a shopkeeper, she yearned for a resource to help others understand what it actually means to "shop small" and to share information about why it's better for everyone. In a world of algorithms and convenience, most of us have lost touch with the ways in which shopping acts as a gateway for community building. Caroline spent a year walking hundreds of miles through every borough of New York City to get a grip on what's out there and where to find it and to learn about how the small business economy works on a bigger scale. Through her research, Caroline discovered that NYC really does have it all. The Locavore Guide is here not only for locating that thing you need to buy but also to help you learn how to use your regular errands as a reason to get out and engage with your surroundings and visit neighborhoods you've yet to explore. Join Caroline in seeing the city through the lens of a Locavore!Here, Caroline shares her journey from running a specialty pencil store in her early 20s to developing the amazing directory that is The Locavore Guide. She dives into all the lessons she learned as a young retail shop owner and why she's passionate about keeping the pulse on independent retail. Caroline also shares her bicycle-powered sourcing strategy, how she tackled the holiday season, how she decides what goes on sale, and her take on tariffs.PS -Don't forget to take Caroline's Shop Survey (linked below)!We are doing our first ever open call! You can submit your store or favorite store to be on the podcast because every store has a story behind it! Go to theretailwhorepodcast.com, click on SUBMIT YOUR STORE, fill out an easy form and we'll see you on the mic! What's Inside: Caroline's journey from shop owner to developing The Locavore GuideWhy Caroline's passionate about taking the temperature of independent retailCaroline's take on tariffsMentioned In This Episode:The Locavore WebsiteCaroline Weaver on InstagramThe Locavore on InstagramThe Locavore on TikTokThe Shop Survey

Andrew Fegler is the brains and beauty behind That's So Andrew, the sassy gift brand for the girls, gays, and theys. He's been sailing the entrepreneurial seas for over a decade and has gone from manufacturing to having a brick & mortar to creating an exclusive wholesale brand. Now, he's full-circling back to open the doors of a pop-up gift shop!In this conversation, Andrew brings us up to speed on an eventful, busy season and his plans to turn his holiday pop-up shop into a year-round venture. He's a champion of bringing pay transparency to the world of retail and here, Andrew dives into why it's important for the industry. Andrew also spills all the tea on his holiday pop-up shop experience, plans for expansion, a full budgeting and inventory breakdown, and more.MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!What's Inside: A recap of Andrew's holiday pop-up shop and his upcoming plansWhy pay transparency is so important for the retail industryAndrew's budget breakdownMentioned In This Episode:That's So Andrew on InstagramThat's So Andrew on TikTokthatssoandrew.com

Welcome to Shelf Talk: a brand new, add-on segment inside the Retail Whore Podcast! In this new once-a-month segment, Michelle and co-host Susan Esayian dive into all things merchandising and design. Both Michelle and Susan have strong backgrounds as buyers and merchandisers in retail and wholesale gifts. On Shelf Talk, you'll have the chance to submit your burning merchandising questions and get answers straight from the experts!A native of the Pacific Northwest, Susan Esayian has been working in the gift industry professionally for 26 years in a variety of roles. From merchandising Kitchen-Aid mixers, buying fine tableware and even carrying a four-poster bed up a mountainside for a catalog photoshoot, Susan's done it all—and that was just in the first 10 years!Since then, Susan's kept herself immersed in the gift industry as a buyer for a hospital gift shop and merchandiser for several wholesale showrooms and retailers. For Susan, retail isn't just a job. It's a career that she's inspired by and passionate about more every day.Here, Michelle and Susan catch up and share details on home reno projects and adjusting to life after the CMA show. They dive into Susan's new side hustle, the highs and lows of owning a retail store, making use of reclaimed materials, inspiring displays, and more.Ask Michelle and Susan for Shelf Talk! Michelle and Susan will be co-hosting an episode every month! We're diving into all things design, display, and merchandising—and we want to hear from you! Got a question? Submit it by going to theretailwhorepodcast.com, clicking on SHELF TALK, and we'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Let's talk shop and bring your ideas to life! What's Inside: An introduction to Shelf TalkPost-CMA life updatesDetails on Susan's new side hustleMentioned In This Episode:susan@ruepatois.comRuepatois.com theretailwhorepodcast.com Rue Patois on InstagramMC Design Collaboration on Instagram

Dan Jablons heads up Retail Smart Guys, a premier consulting company for independent retail. Dan studied at the Ohio State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Production. Throughout his career, he's worked with big-name retailers like Walmart, Target, JC Penney, American Apparel, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karan, Jimmy Choo, and many others.Dan also worked for a clothing manufacturer where he piloted vendor-managed inventory programs, a leading point-of-sale provider (where he installed systems and provided merchandising help to retailers large and small) and internet marketing (where he helped retailers establish a presence on the web.)In addition to his vast retail background, Dan also has a background in improvisational theater. He recently appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm (he played Larry David's lawyer) and is often seen in national commercials. Dan combines his extensive knowledge of retail with his comedy skills to become one of the industry's most popular speakers. He has spoken at Magic, Surf Expo, at local municipal and trade show events, and many other venues.In this conversation, Dan provides insights into the concept of open to buy (OTB) and how his company helps stores become more profitable. He shares the strategies he uses to get inventory moving and how to tell a story with your merchandise. Dan also shares his two cents on what's going on with tariffs, why email marketing is so important, and what it's like to work with the Retail Smart Guys.MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!What's Inside: How Retail Smart Guys helps stores become more profitableDan's thoughts on how tariffs will impact retailersWhy you need an email marketing strategy Mentioned In This Episode:Retail Smart Guys on InstagramRetail Smart Guys on FacebookDan Jablons on LinkedIn

Mary Bligh and Jessica Giancotti are lifelong friends and passionate designers with over 20 years of combined experience. Together, they founded Lily & Marigold Home + Design on a shared belief: women can thrive in their careers, embrace motherhood, and create beautiful, functional spaces that truly feel like home. Mary and Jessica believe a beautiful home should be accessible to everyone. Their first brick-and-mortar store is located in Eastdale Village in Poughkeepsie, NY, where they offer a curated selection of home décor accessories. From candles, pillows, and throws to kitchen essentials and lighting, their unique products are designed to transform your home into a place for gathering, celebrating, resting, and recharging—all without breaking the bank.In addition to retail offerings, Mary and Jessica provide comprehensive interior design services for both residential and commercial spaces. They see design as a collaborative journey and work closely with each client to create spaces that are both distinctive and meaningful. As people's needs at home continue to evolve, they design with these shifts in mind, ensuring that each space is as adaptable as it is stunning. Your home is your sanctuary, and everything in it should be a reflection of your story—where you've been, where you are, and where you're going. Here, Mary and Jessica return to the podcast and catch us up on everything that's happened since the last chat, including a chaotic holiday season. They share their strategy of competing with expensive brands and offering products at a lower price point and how they stay authentic and unique on social media. Mary and Jessica also share details on moving their retail store, how they're managing inventory and re-merchandising, and where they find inspiration. What's Inside: A recap of Mary and Jessica's chaotic holiday seasonHow Lily & Marigold competes with higher-end brandsDetails on Mary and Jessica's upcoming store moveMentioned In This Episode:Lily & Marigold on InstagramLily & Marigold on Facebook

Liz Ferreira's mom Beth started floral and gift shop Sweetbay out of her home when her two children were small. Over the years, her business has taken her to several brick-and-mortar shops, retail cooperatives and studio design. Her creative vision is the backbone of Sweetbay, as her merchandising inspires clients and shoppers across the Massachusetts north shore.Liz joined forces with her mom after the birth of her second child. Not only was she raised in the school of Sweetbay, she brings many years of retail and customer service management to the shop. Liz loves collaboration with other creatives as well as working with clients to bring their visions to life. She looks forward to bringing in the next generation of Sweetbay clientele through exciting workshops, networking, and encouraging new trends in buying.Community is the heart of the Sweetbay business. Both graduates of Wakefield High School and lifelong Wakefieldians, Liz and Beth, are passionate about owning and operating their business in their hometown. Here, Liz shares her journey from working for one of Boston's premier floral design and event companies to working alongside mom at Sweetbay. She shares the experiences that shaped her customer service philosophy and how she selects products for their retail space. Liz also talks about incorporating vintage pieces into her inventory, how she lures shoppers onto the second floor of her space, her strategy for buying at shows, and more.What's Inside:Liz's career journey and what led her to SweetbayHow Liz incorporates vintage into her merchandiseLiz's strategy for buying at showsMentioned In This Episode:The Sweetbay Shop on InstagramThe Sweetbay Shop on Facebook

Ronald Carter likes to think of creative styling as an art form: a masterpiece, carefully crafted by imagination and passion. He fell into his career by accident as a struggling actor in need of a side hustle. Ronald was living in Seattle at the time and recalls asking a friend if she knew of anyone who was hiring, and she kindly suggested checking out Eddie Bauer. From there, his retail career took off. At Eddie Bauer, Ronald started as a greeter, and in the three years that followed, he worked his way up to designing floor plans for the corporate office and training new visual managers. He then went on to work for Nordstrom, Anthropologie and Porch. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Susan Esayian has been working in the gift industry professionally for 26 years in a variety of roles. From merchandising Kitchen-Aid mixers to buying fine tableware and even carrying a four-poster bed up a mountainside for a catalog photoshoot, Susan has done it all…and that was just in the first 10 years!Since then, Susan's kept herself immersed in the gift industry as a buyer for a hospital gift shop and merchandiser for several wholesale showrooms and retailers. For Susan, retail isn't just a job; it's a career that she's inspired by and passionate about more every day.Jessica Young has been in retail since 1993. She started out working at The Gap in college, met Michelle at Anthropologie around 20 years ago, and the rest is history. From LA to Atlanta and to Vegas, Jessica has collaborated on tons of different projects. Coming to work on the CMA project with everyone was truly a full-circle moment for Jessica. Dave Sherrier, my super supportive husband, started out in retail when he was a kid but ventured off into construction. Fast forward to today; Dave works most of our gift show setups and wholesale show rooms and does a lot of the buildouts for the retailers we work with, such as Sales Producers, Fine Lines, CMA and many more. In this recap episode, the merchandising team dives into the creative side of the CMA show, including the process and how everything came together. The CMA project came up late in the season in October, and everyone brought along their expertise as strong merchandisers to pull it all off. The group discusses the details of the displays, all the moving parts, twists and turns, and reflections on the completed project.This episode is sponsored by CMA. CMA is a leading professional sales representation group operating throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, and Alaska. CMA understands the retail world is constantly evolving and welcomes changing trends as opportunities to bring new and exciting products, as well as tried-and-true best sellers, to retailers and their shoppers. Their professional and knowledgeable sales team confidently navigates the complexities of the gift industry to drive success for their vendors, retailers, and their business. Visit their website at CMAGifts.com.What's Inside: A recap on the creative side of the CMA projectMentioned In This Episode:Ronald Carter on InstagramJessica Young on InstagramRue Patois on InstagramRuepatois.com CMAGifts.com 

Many of you were interested in hearing about how the CMA job came to be, my planning process, and how everything turned out. This week, I'm recapping it all here on the podcast! Starting from the beginning, I talk about how Emily Hoffman (VP of Sales for CMA) reached out to me for some rework projects, then get into the challenges we faced, all the unique design elements, and how it ultimately came together.If you want to check out some of the maps we used, make sure to watch this episode on YouTube. Also, stay tuned for an upcoming episode where the team and I breakdown more of the juicy details of this incredible project!What's Inside:  A recap of the CMA projectMentioned In This Episode:MC Design Collaboration on InstagramThe Retail Whore Podcast on Instagram

Larisa Olson grew up in Chicago, the daughter of an entrepreneur who purchased a failing framing and furniture business and revitalized it. After many crazy adventures, Larisa studied set and costume design in the UCLA master's program. Over the years, she also spent much time immersed in her father's framing showroom as the showroom coordinator (she had to organize a very chaotic business!) Years later, after more adventures, including some time in real estate, her father encouraged her to purchase a business: Chantilly Lace, a tiny rundown lingerie shop in the middle of one percent, white bread America. She has since revamped the business and turned it into one of this country's lingerie powerhouses. Chantilly Lace is estimated to be one of the top five largest lingerie and swim shops in the nation.Here, Larisa tells the amazing story of how she brought Chantilly Lace from its humble beginnings to monumental retail success. She shares how the store evolved over the years, from window displays to major renovations, and how she broke the rules of retail. Larisa also shares her customer service strategies for driving more lingerie and swim sales, how she flipped the script on merchandising, details of her customer newsletter and employee referral program, and more.What's Inside: How Larisa transformed Chantilly Lace and grew a lingerie empireLarisa's unique customer service strategy How Larisa flipped the script on lingerie and swim merchandisingMentioned In This Episode:Chantilly Lace on InstagramChantillyfavorites.com

Jason Soejoto is the National Account Manager for Specialty and Independent Business at Duke Cannon Supply Company. Duke Cannon is a one-stop shop for premium men's grooming goods, and the brand occupies a really unique space within the gifts industry. Hailing from a simpler time, Duke Cannon values things like hard work, family, community, and... bacon!Prior to joining Duke Cannon, Jason was a bit of a jack of all trades, but he's always remained in the retail and customer service world. He's done everything from account management, inside sales, and e-commerce management all the way down to retail store management and in-store execution. Jason also has a strong background in merchandising. If it happens within four walls and involves somebody buying something, chances are he's done something similar.Here, Jason discusses how he started his career in retail and went from working at a local record store and playing guitar on the side to the twists and turns that led him to Duke Cannon. He shares insights into selling to male consumers and keeping them hooked; the dad jokes behind Duke Cannon's merchandise; how the product line is evolving; and how Duke Cannon gives back to America's veterans.What's Inside: Stories from Jason's career journeyDuke Cannon's unique approach to men's grooming goodsHow Duke Cannon gives back to veteransMentioned In This Episode:Duke Cannon Supply Co on InstagramDuke Cannon Supply Co on Facebookdukecannon.com

Sam Chapman started his career as a hairdresser, working for some of the biggest names in the UK. Eventually, he decided it was time to work for himself and opened his own salon. He got a crash course in running a business and learned how to stand out in front of the right customers and encourage them to come back.At one point, Sam's business was failing to the point where he was on the brink of losing his home. It was in that moment that he decided to invest in a mentor. His mentor helped him break down his business and build it back up with the correct systems and processes he needed to succeed. Sam was also able to discover how profitable products could be and started up his very own line. Once he finally attracted a solid customer base, he began working on how to give them bigger and better results. Within two years, Sam went from drowning in debt to opening an online shop and bringing in over $600K! Today, Sam's drive to help others comes from not wanting anyone to feel how he did at his lowest. As a product-based business coach, his specialty is helping clients build their brand, attract their perfect customer base, and turn them into raving fans. His signature four-pillar method has helped many small businesses double their income in just a few short months.Here, Sam shares stories from his exciting career journey from hairdresser to salon owner to starting his own product line. He dives into how he works with clients and shares his valuable wisdom on his podcast. Sam also talks about tackling imposter syndrome, how to use social media to connect with customers, and what it's like to work with Sam as a coach. MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!  What's Inside:How Sam started up his own product lineHow Sam helps clients through his product-based business coachingHow to connect with customers through social mediaMentioned In This Episode:https://www.samuelchapman.comSam Chapman on InstagramSam Chapman on YouTube

I can't believe we've already said goodbye to 2024! I like to do solo shows this time of year because it gives me a chance to take a look back at all that happened and also to talk about what I'm looking forward to as we move ahead. If you've been following along, this past year was full of challenges, from saying goodbye to our puggle to moving all the way to Oregon. Thankfully, things are slowing down, and it's the perfect time to share last year's crazy highs and lows and what I'm working on bringing to life in 2025! MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy! What's Inside: Reflections on 2024 and a look ahead to what's in store for 2025Mentioned In This Episode:The Retail Whore Podcast

Hailing from North Dakota, where her nearest shopping opportunity was over 300 miles away, Ashley Alderson longed for a place online to find and shop the boutiques she loved all over the country, together in one place. "There must be a place for shoppers like me who love boutiques to find them all—and a place where boutique owners themselves can connect to find resources & grow," Ashley thought.Ashley's background in business, marketing, and economic development fueled the desire to simply make life easier for small businesses by providing them with training, exclusive savings, events, and wholesale shopping in one simple place. And all in the name of COMMUNITY over COMPETITION since2013. Today, The Boutique Hub & Shop The Best Boutiques are the central connection point for the retail industry, providing a daily membership packed with resources, live events, signature courses, wholesale shopping, daily networking and a consumer-facing marketplace for boutiques.Ashley is a wife, busy momma of 3, jewelry junkie, barrel racer, cancer survivor, basketball fan, speaker of sarcasm, and heart for those with a dream. Just this year, The Boutique Hub launched Hubventory, a wholesale marketplace built by the boutique industry for the boutique industry with curated & trusted brands, creative inventory planning, smart integrations and membership perks. Here, Ashley shares how she built her career out of humble beginnings in North Dakota and what inspired her to create The Boutique Hub. She dives into the reasons why she values community over competition and how it's helped her grow and expand over the years. Ashley also shares all the details of her subscription model, her signature planner, the magic of her live events, and much more!MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy! What's Inside:The story behind The Boutique Hub's creationWhy Ashley values community over competitionWhat it's like at one of Ashley's live eventsMentioned In This Episode:The Boutique Hub WebsiteThe Boutique Hub on InstagramThe Boutique Hub on FacebookThe Boutique Hub on YouTubeHubventory Website

Annie Glenn (AKA Urban Girl Annie) started her company, LG Retail Enterprises, back in 1994 and she's been doing retail ever since. Although she majored in literature in college, Annie's known she wanted to own her own business from the age of 10.With no prior background in retail, she credits her business success to having great instincts and a lack of fear. Today, she's a proud entrepreneur and a mom to two amazing boys, Jack and Cooper. Her hope is that her stores, including Urban Girl Accessories, bring joy and happiness to whoever walks through the doors.Here, Annie talks about what it's like to own and operate 10 different retail stores and the new projects she's working on. Annie discusses how she works with different merchants and how she copes with stress through her unique way of recharging: lizarding! Annie also shares how she found a silver lining during COVID, the different concepts in her stores, how she keeps staff motivated, and her philosophy on merchandising.This week's episode is sponsored by @salesproducersinc, a progressive business to business company representing Gift, Lifestyle, Fashion, Personal Care, & Kids lines selling to retail stores with a mission to create long lasting, profitable relationships by adding significant value to our Customer, Vendor, and Team partners. For more information, check out their social media or website www.salesproducersinc.com What's Inside:How Annie finds balance in running 10 different retail storesThe silver lining Annie found during COVIDAnnie's merchandising philosophyMentioned In This Episode:Urban Girl Accessories on Instagramhttps://urbangirlaccessories.com/

Retail icon Iris Fuller opened her store, Fillamento, back in April 1981 and led the Fillmore District neighborhood renaissance in the San Francisco area. In its heyday, Fillamento was three floors at Fillmore and Sacramento and was filled to the brim with furniture, glassware, linens, bath items and eclectic gifts from the whimsical to the practical. After 20 glorious years of business, Fillamento closed permanently in 2001. Here, Iris talks about the early days of Fillamento and how taking on samples and consignment later evolved into curating her unique brand. Iris shares all the details of how she created her store layout and her strategy for changing around displays and merchandising. Iris also shares where she finds inspiration, how Fillamento grew and changed over the years, how her mentorship shaped so many others in retail, and a special guest appearance by Nathan of Nathan & Co.!This week's episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines. What's Inside: How Iris started and grew her iconic store, FillamentoHow Iris developed her signature brandHow Iris' mentorship influenced so many in retailMentioned In This Episode:Iris Fuller on Instagram

Mary Liz Curtin is passionate about independent retail. Her knowledge of all aspects of the gift, craft and home industries gives her a unique point of view, encompassing the needs of retailers, vendors and sales representatives. She is also a heck of a retail shopper and loves to crawl malls, discover downtowns and walk through the Web to find ideas and inspirations for her presentations.With over 35 years of hands-on experience in the gift and home industries, Mary Liz is an internationally acknowledged expert in independent retail and has advised numerous manufacturers on marketing, sales and management issues with her unique brand of Sales and Marketing Therapy.Mary Liz is a humorous and engaging speaker, delighting audiences internationally at trade shows, sales meetings and conventions with her stories of how to build and market a brand, run a better business and maintain a mom-and-pop retail store without losing your sanity...or your marriage.Here, Mary Liz shares her retail story and what led her to start Leon and Lulu, a 15,000 square foot destination lifestyle store located just outside of Detroit in a vintage roller-skating rink. She dives into everything from the store's unique installations to how the family is involved in the business. Mary Liz also shares her merchandising process, how she tackles shows with her team, where she finds inspiration, and more.  MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!What's Inside: How Mary Liz started her store, Leon and LuluMary Liz's approach to merchandising and showsWhere Mary Liz finds inspirationMentioned In This Episode:Leonandlulu.comLeon and Lulu on Instagram

Root Adorned is the brainchild/dream project of Erin Hasler. Erin's love for beautiful treasures began most likely at birth (maybe in the womb?) and has grown ever since. A self-described magpie, easily distracted by anything that sparkles; Erin continues to fill her own home with rugs, plants, pottery anddogs. Her philosophy being that you can never have enough of any of the above.Born and raised in Bend, Oregon, Erin is honored to bring her unique perspective to the community that she so dearly loves. After facing breast cancer as a young mother and wife, Erin discovered a new zest for life. She sold her hand-crafted jewelry line and sought out a new career that would enable her totravel the world, support artisans, and connect to the community. It was from this dream that Root Adorned was born. Erin is a firm believer that life is short and you shouldn't waste a moment of our precious time on Earth.Erin starts the conversation with the story of her background and what led her to create Root Adorned. She shares how her breast cancer diagnosis changed her life and how she got her jewelry line into stores. Erin also shares what it was like opening her retail shop, details about the products she sells in store, where she finds creators, and her plans for the holiday season.This week's episode is sponsored by @salesproducersinc, a progressive business to business company representing Gift, Lifestyle, Fashion, Personal Care, & Kids lines selling to retail stores with a mission to create long lasting, profitable relationships by adding significant value to our Customer, Vendor, and Team partners. For more information, check out their social media or website www.salesproducersinc.comWhat's Inside: The story behind Root AdornedHow Erin got her jewelry line into storesErin's experience of opening her retail shopMentioned In This Episode:Rootadorned.comRoot Adorned on InstagramRoot Adorned on Facebook

Based in Seattle, Andrew Fegler is the brains and beauty behind That's So Andrew, the sassy gift brand for the girls, gays, and theys. He's been sailing the entrepreneurial seas for over a decade and has gone from manufacturing, to having a brick & mortar, to creating an exclusive wholesale brand. Now, Andrew's full circling BACK to open the doors of a POP-UP gift shop!Andrew shares his recent experience during the recent show season, including his dad getting to come along for the ride. Andrew's brand is all things snarky and unique, and he dives into some of his new product releases and ideas. He also shares his strategy for sharing his brand on social media, plans for his pop-up Christmas shop and the holiday season, and more. This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, andstylish brands.What's Inside: Andrew's show season experiencesHow Andrew shares his brand on social mediaAndrew's plans for his Christmas pop-up shopMentioned In This Episode:That's So Andrew WebsiteThat's So Andrew on Instagram

Mary Bligh and Jessica Giancotti are lifelong friends and passionate designers with over 20 years of combined experience. They founded Lily & Marigold Home + Design on a shared belief: women can thrive in their careers, embrace motherhood, and create beautiful, functional spaces that truly feel like home. At Lily & Marigold, Mary and Jessica believe a beautiful home should be accessible to everyone. Their first brick-and-mortar store is located in Eastdale Village in Poughkeepsie, NY, where they offer a curated selection of home décor accessories. From candles, pillows, and throws to kitchen essentials and lighting, their unique products are designed to transform your home into a place for gathering, celebrating, resting, and recharging—all without breaking the bank.In addition to retail offerings, Mary and Jessica provide comprehensive interior design services for both residential and commercial spaces. They see design as a collaborative journey and work closely with each client to create spaces that are both distinctive and meaningful. As people's needs at home continue to evolve, they design with these shifts in mind, ensuring that each space is as adaptable as it is stunning.Here, Mary and Jessica share how their friendship and career experiences ultimately led them to start Lily & Marigold. They share how the business has expanded since they started and how they incorporate storytelling into their displays. Mary and Jessica also talk about how they developed their store layout, how they manage their busy schedules and find balance, and how they're approaching the upcoming holiday season. This week's episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.What's Inside: How Mary and Jessica started Lily & MarigoldHow Lily & Marigold has evolved over the yearsMary and Jessica's approach to the upcoming holiday seasonMentioned In This Episode:Lily and Marigold HomeLily & Marigold Home on TikTokLily & Marigold Home on Instagram

In this solo show, Michelle recaps her 40th high school reunion and what it was like to geek out over retail with her former classmates… without her old insecurities. She catches everyone up on what's been going on since the move to Oregon and living life at a much slower pace. Michelle chats about burnout and why it's important to recharge to stay creative, store standards and your role as a merchandiser, and what things look like for the future at MC Design Collaboration.This episode is sponsored by Show Me Your Store. Show Me Your Stores is a program I started about a year ago where you send me photos and videos of something in your store that's a challenge. If you comment “Show Me Your Store” on any of MC Design Collaboration videos or posts on Instagram, you will get an auto-response form that you can fill out and upload photos and videos, and let me know what your challenges are.I'll do the video, and I am adding in a free 15-minute Zoom call with you after. You can either take my advice, do the shifts and the moves, and show me what you did for some feedback, or you can use this time to ask me additional questions or whatever you want that will hopefully help you get to your goal.Again, comment Show Me Your Store on any of MC Design Collaboration Instagram posts, and you will get the form. Send it in, and I will see you on the video. What's Inside: Michelle's experience at her high school reunionHow to manage store standards and what your role should be as a merchandiserFuture plans for MC Design Collaboration and Show Me Your StoresMentioned In This Episode:The Retail Whore Podcast

Ken Lain is known by his friends as 'The Mountain Gardener'. His weekly garden advice is featured by Prescott Living and Prescott Woman Magazines, the Daily Courier, Prescott eNews, and Signals AZ Newspapers. Ken is passionate about plants, creative landscape design, and spreading the good news that gardening is healthy and fun.Ken dreamed of owning his own business after graduating from Prescott High School. Yavapai College peaked his business interest and finished a management degree from ASU's W.P. Carey School of Business. His garden credentials are Master Gardener, Certified Nursery Profession, and WattersGarden Center owner, located on Iron Springs Road in Prescott. Ken and wife Lisa host the 'Mountain Garden radio hour' as they share garden tips, tricks, and techniques on both The Big Talker and KQNA talk radio. Throughout the week, Ken talks up plants at Watters Garden Center in Prescott, where his digital garden center is located online at Top10Plants.com.Here, Ken talks about his transition from a career in banking to going all-in on gardening. He shares his experience as a second-generation business owner and how he's making Watters Garden Center his own. Ken also shares how he keeps things fresh in the store, his budgeting strategy, how he creates a fun culture for his employees, and how he stayed afloat during COVID.This episode is sponsored by Show Me Your Store. Show Me Your Stores is a program I started about a year ago where you send me photos and videos of something in your store that's a challenge. If you comment “Show Me Your Store” on any of MC Design Collaboration videos or posts on Instagram, you will get an auto-response form that you can fill out and upload photos and videos, and let me know what your challenges are.I'll do the video, and I am adding in a free 15-minute Zoom call with you after. You can either take my advice, do the shifts and the moves, and show me what you did for some feedback, or you can use this time to ask me additional questions or whatever you want that will hopefully help you get to your goal.Again, comment Show Me Your Store on any of MC Design Collaboration Instagram posts, and you will get the form. Send it in, and I will see you on the video.What's Inside: Ken's transition from a career in banking to owning a garden centerHow Ken keeps products and displays fresh How Ken kept things going during COVIDMentioned In This Episode:Watters Garden CenterWatters Garden Center on InstagramWatters Garden Center on FacebookWatters Garden Center on YouTube

Jocelyn Songco is the founder and owner of Yarn Farm Kingston, a yarn shop and wine bar in New York's Hudson Valley, two hours north of NYC. Prior to Yarn Farm, Jocelyn worked at a private foundation for over a dozen years, investing in social entrepreneurs in emerging markets, primarily in Africa in the agriculture sector, as well as a handful of years in for-profit finance in NYC. She went to grad school and business school in NY (Columbia) and college in LA (UCLA), grew up in NJ, and is a first-generation Filipino-American.Jocelyn's been passionate about fiber arts, knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving and sewing, for most of her adult life. Working with entrepreneurs in her prior career inspired her new foray into the retail and hospitality sector in this hybrid business. The wine bar is superbly managed by Jocelyn's boyfriendTodd. Together they create and offer a welcoming shop and gathering space that appeals to new and experienced fiber artists and curious creatives from the local community and weekenders. Jocelyn and Todd live close to Yarn Farm (4 min drive; 8 min kayak ride) with their two pugs Zorro and Omni.Here, Jocelyn shares the story of how the Yarn Farm business and brand were created and what led her and her partner to start things up. She dives into the details of the fixturing in her space, how she approached the design, and how she sources products. Jocelyn also shares how she set up the wine bar portion of her business, her budgeting process, and how she came up with the name Yarn Farm.This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.  What's Inside: How Jocelyn created the Yarn Farm business and brandJocelyn's approach to store design and fixturingHow Jocelyn set up the wine bar portion of the businessMentioned In This Episode:Yarn Farm KingstonYarn Farm Kingston on InstagramYarn Farm Kingston on LinkedInJocelyn Songco on LinkedIn

Annie Glenn (also known as Urban Girl Annie) started her company LG Retail Enterprises back in 1994 and has been doing retail ever since. Although Annie majored in literature in college, she knew she wanted to own a business since she was 10 years old. With no prior background in retail, she credits her business success to having great instincts and a lack of fear. Today, she's a proud entrepreneur and a mom to two amazing boys, Jack and Cooper. Her hope is that her stores, including Urban Girl Accessories, bring joy and happiness to whoever walks through the doors. Jamie Carl is the owner and founder of Serge + Jane in Minneapolis, MN. S+J is a lifestyle boutique featuring men's, women's, kids, pets, vinyl, home + gifts in a 3-story shop (4 including the open-air rooftop where they host fashion shows, trunk shows, pop-ups + always a DJ + dance party)! Jamie spent the first 15 years of her career in retail at Target Corporation. Jamie spent the last 9 years there working on and leading the Internal Events Team. She was responsible for Board Meetings all the way up to 10,000-person National Team Meetings with guest speakers, musicians, fashion shows and more! Jamie left the role at Target when she couldn't balance two big jobs within retail in one family and took the opportunity to stay home with her two young boys for several years, all while fine-tuning her vision for the shop and "visually re-merchandising" her house for each holiday!Michael Schultz is the co-owner and creative eye of Cursive New York, which operates 2 stores in New York City. Cursive is a tightly focused concept with the simple mission of cultivating joy. Michael, along with his husband, Douglas Duncan, have established Cursive as a strong and forward voice in the industry. Cursive offers gift, stationery, home and lifestyle products and is constantly evolving. Cursive operated in New York City's iconic Grand Central Terminal for 11 years and within ABC Carpet & Home for 15 years, until the Covid-19 pandemic upended those long runs. Making lemonade out of lemons, Schultz and Duncan doubled down on New York and opened 2 shops in New York's West Village neighborhood, 4 blocks apart. One shop is true to the original Cursive vision, while Cursive Home is the brand's extension into home goods. In this second Retailer Roundtable, we chat about what our three guests have been up to over the last couple of years. Annie, Jamie, and Michael all share the stories of how they started up their stores and how they approach shows. We discuss some of the highlights from the recent Las Vegas show, plans for the upcoming holiday season, and the craziest current in-store trends. We also talk about how everyone approaches sales and handles social media.This week's episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.What's Inside: How Annie, Jamie, and Michael started their storesPlans for the upcoming holiday seasonHow to handle social mediaMentioned In This Episode:Annie GlennUrbangirlaccessories.comUrban Girl Accessories on InstagramJamie CarlSergeandjane.comSerge and Jane on InstagramMichael SchultzCursivenewyork.comCursive New York on Instagram

In 2005, Johanna Bialkin moved to San Francisco, seeking solace from the bustle of New York City and her sojourn in digital media. While the allure of SF's tech industry didn't captivate her, the promise of a tight-knit community did. She longed for connections forged in genuine conversations, for friendships nurtured over shared experiences.It was in this pursuit that Aldea was born — a sanctuary amidst the city's clamor, where stylish home essentials met the warmth of human connection. Inspired by the cozy elegance of "The Apartment" in NYC, Johanna envisioned a space where shopping felt like strolling through a cherished village, where every purchase added a touch of life to one's living space.The name "Aldea'' ("village" in Spanish) came to Johanna in a dream during my honeymoon in Spain. It spoke of community, of shared bonds, and of a place where strangers become neighbors. With this vision in mind, she set out to bring Aldea to life. Over the years, Aldea evolved into more than just a store — it became a hub of connection, a place of lively parties and with intimate gatherings. Throughrecessions, pandemics, and personal tragedies, it's stood as a beacon of resilience, offering solace and inspiration to people who wanted to brighten their homes.Behind the scenes, Johanna's journey was one of constant learning and growth. From navigating the intricacies of retail to weathering the storms of entrepreneurship, she embraced the challenges with open arms, knowing that each obstacle was a steppingstone towards Aldea's success. Now, as Johanna and her team stand on the cusp of expansion, they're looking for like-minded people to help their village grow. Here, Johanna shares the incredible story of how Aldea was brought to life. She shares all the details of the design and fixturing of her store as well as her ongoing plans for growth and expansion. Johanna and Michelle also discuss how she changes windows and displays, how Johanna created her own franchise, her favorite vendors, and how she weathered the pandemic.   This week's episode is sponsored by @salesproducersinc, a progressive business-to-business company representing Gift, Lifestyle, Fashion, Personal Care, & Kids lines selling to retail stores with a mission to create long-lasting, profitable relationships by adding significant value to our Customer, Vendor, and Team partners. For more information, check out their social media or website www.salesproducersinc.comWhat's Inside: How Johanna started Aldea and created her own franchiseJohanna's plans for growth and expansionJohanna's favorite vendorsMentioned In This Episode:Aldea on FacebookAldea on InstagramJohanna Bialkin on LinkedInAldeahome.com

SF Mercantile began in 2008 with the objective of producing high-quality San Francisco gifts and keepsakes designed by local artists. Their products celebrate the vibrant and diverse culture that is unique to California, and all of their items are designed by artists who live in the San Francisco Bay area. The company was started by Robert Emmons, who saw a niche in the market after working on a project to revamp the gift shops at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park and Coit Tower. Both of these outlets were in terrible shape, and the assortments consisted of the cheapest of low-end souvenirs (since then the Japanese Tea Garden has been transformed by a new concessionaire, and Coit Tower will hopefully follow suite soon when it changes hands). While trying to plan a new assortment, it became clear that there was a very limited assortment available to retailers and a need for a better line of San Francisco mementos that are trendier, updated and designed by local artists who know and love the city.After many years of designing products for other retailers, Robert decided it was time to leave the corporate world behind and create a product line of his own, so in 2008 he began collaborating with other local designers, partnering with the best factories in the industry, emptying his savings, and then converting his garage into a makeshift warehouse; SF Mercantile was born.SF Mercantile launched their line with 12 San Francisco themed items in the spring of 2009 and since then have grown their product assortment to hundreds of designs, including San Francisco, Wine Country, Sausalito, East Bay/Oakland, Coastal and General California, as well as New Mexico, Arizona and Lake Tahoe. They also design and produce custom products for customers throughout the US and are currently working on new SF Mercantile designs that will be available later this year.Here, Robert shares how his career background set the stage for him to build out the SF Mercantile brand. Robert and Michelle discuss the launch of his product line and how it's expanded over the years. Robert also shares details of his new retail space, how he's learned to delegate responsibility to others, what holiday looks like for SF Mercantile, and his transformational work within the San Francisco community.Cadeau Ami Agency is solely a road rep agency of 10+ associates that handle the state of CA, AZ, HI, and parts of Nevada for many of their 23 or so boutique/gift brands, such as Chive, SF Mercantile, Sock it to Me, French Broad Chocolate, Pomegranate, Calypso Cards, Good Juju, Ryland Peters & Small, Kei & Molly and has been a part of the industry for over 30 years now.What's Inside: How Robert built the SF Mercantile brandAll about Robert's new retail spaceRobert's work within the San Francisco communityMentioned In This Episode:SF MercantileSF Mercantile Store on InstagramSF Mercantile Store on Facebook

This week's episode is sponsored by @salesproducersinc, a progressive business to business company representing Gift, Lifestyle, Fashion, Personal Care, & Kids lines selling to retail stores with a mission to create long lasting, profitable relationships by adding significant value to our Customer, Vendor, and Team partners. For more information, check out their social media or websitewww.salesproducersinc.com Kelly Bristol is Vice President of Business Development at Just Got 2 Have It, a B2B Sales Representative Agency with 5 divisions serving 36 states. She is an accomplished senior leader in the gift and home industry with nearly 25 years of experience in the sector. Prior experience includes almost 20 years working on the National Stationery Show as well as subsequent positions at the Dallas Market Center, Brandwise/MarketTime, and Purchasing Power Plus, a hospital gift shop buying group.Kelly is a board member of Gift for Life, the gift and home industry's longest-running, volunteer-led national charitable organization, and is a Founding Partner of the new industry movement, Reps are Local Too!In this conversation, Kelly shares all the details on the Reps are Local Too movement and how it's bringing rep agencies together from across the country. Kelly and Michelle dive into the benefits of working with your local rep as a retailer and some of the challenges of buying outside of that process. Kelly also shares her experience at trade shows and how she sees the wholesale industry changing in the future.What's Inside:Kelly's work with the Reps are Local Too movementThe benefits of working with your local rep as a retailerHow agencies are streamlining the trade show experienceMentioned In This Episode:Reps Are Local TooReps Are Local Too on InstagramReps Are Local Too on Facebook

This week's episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.Along with his partner Bryce, Andrew Gawdun runs the shop curious... in Hermosa Beach, CA. Andrew started his journey in Colorado at a young age before moving to Nevada with family and then Southern Utah for a few years in his early 20's. He launched himself into the world of photography, where he opened his own business and then relocated it to Southern California. During the spring of 2012, Bryce and Andrew met at curious... in Hermosa Beach, where Bryce was sanding wood for a table he was building. They started dating, and soon Bryce convinced Andrew to help with the stationery buying for curious… Hermosa Beach. It was all over then. In November of 2015, Andrew and Bryce married as well as started the adoption process. 2017 June led to the opening of curious… Kauai. After a truck drove through the new location, a month after opening, they spent the next 4 months refocusing the vibe of the Kauai location and making sure they had better wall security. curious… Kauai reopened November 2017. By May of 2018, Andrew and Bryce flew to Missouri to adopt their daughter Willow. During the early part of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe and altered life and business. Andrew, Bryce, and Willow managed to head back to Kauai for the spring season in early March, but like everyone else in the U.S., they were put under Stay-at-Home Orders. During those two months, they launched their online store and came to the tough decision to downsize from two brick and mortars to just one. After careful consideration, they closed the Kauai, HI, location just shy of 3 years open. This meant also a move from their home on the island as well. Andrew and Bryce know they'll return to the island one day, but in the meantime, they're enjoying life full time in Hermosa Beach, CA.Here, Andrew shares the history of the store and how it evolved over the years. Andrew and I discuss buying at shows, all of the different departments in store, and the challenges of keeping up with social media. Andrew also shares his thoughts on standing behind your brand and being unique and his buying strategy for the upcoming holiday season.What's Inside: The history of the curious… storeThe importance of standing behind your brandHow Andrew's planning for the upcoming holiday seasonMentioned In This Episode:www.curiousworkshop.comCurious on InstagramCurious on Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.Best known as rapper/actor Bow Wow's mother and manager for most of her career, Teresa Caldwell and her personal style were thrust onto the stage of the public eye when her son became the biggest child star in music and film. Suddenly in the company of celebrities, pop culture influencers and other fashionistas, Teresa quickly realized that there were women who truly appreciated her fashion sense and aspired to her unique style. In 2012, Teresa decided to share her own personal taste in fashion, launching an online boutique ‘thetasteboutique.atl' on Instagram, now with more than 43,000 followers. Having seized an opportunity to occupy the only fashion-focused retail space at The Interlock, a new $450 million retail, office, entertainment and hotel development in west midtown Atlanta. Teresa is poised to bring her unique style to a brick-and-mortar lifestyle brand, aptly called The Taste Boutique. In addition to discovering curated apparel, home décor and gifts at The Taste Boutique, shoppers will also find Teresa's own line of ‘TASTE' lip gloss, as well as her inspirational autobiography, I Once Was Her, which was released on June 26, 2020. Here, Teresa walks us through her incredible career journey from her celebrity stylist days to starting up her retail empire. She shares all the details on how she curates the vibe in her store and how she switched her strategy when she moved store locations. Teresa also discusses how she decides which gifts to sell in her store, the importance of top-notch customer service, and upcoming fashion trends to look out for.What's Inside: Teresa's experience as a celebrity stylistHow Teresa curates the vibe and experience in her storeUpcoming fashion trends to watchMentioned In This Episode:https://thetasteboutique.com/The Taste Boutique on InstagramThe Taste Boutique on FacebookTeresa Caldwell on Instagram

MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!The Thumb in Scottsdale, Arizona, isn't your average gas station. It's also a car wash, retail shop, in-house bakery, wine cellar, and competition-style barbecue restaurant! The food is to die for, and the restaurant was featured on the hit show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The Thumb's mission is to offer a new and exceptional customer experience, and it's safe to say they're nailing it.Carole Gibbons is the retail manager and buyer and started her career at The Thumb 8 years ago. Erica Lassetter is also a retail manager and has been with the company for 11 years. Here, they share how the gift portion of The Thumb has evolved since they joined. Carole and Erica also discuss their career backgrounds, how they design the retail floor and approach shows, how they prepare the store for the holidays, and much more.What's Inside:How The Thumb's gift space has evolved over the yearsHow Carole and Erica approach shows and buyingHow rising costs influence pricing in the retail shopMentioned In This Episode:http://www.thethumb.com/The Thumb on FacebookThe Thumb on Instagram

This week's episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.I'm back with another solo show to catch you up on what's been going on these past few months! Here, I'll talk a little about some of the experiences I've had over the summer, which flew by so fast. Between our move to Oregon and a super busy summer season, things have been a whirlwind, and holiday and winter show season is just around the corner. I share how things have been since the move, highlights from my summer travels, and more.What's Inside: A catch up on my busy summer season and what's on deck for fall and winterMentioned In This Episode:MC Design Collaboration on InstagramFine Lines Showroom on Instagram

This week's episode is sponsored by @salesproducersinc, a progressive business to business company representing Gift, Lifestyle, Fashion, Personal Care, & Kids lines selling to retail stores with a mission to create long-lasting, profitable relationships by adding significant value to our Customer, Vendor, and Team partners. For more information, check out their social media or website www.salesproducersinc.comSusan Esayian is a native of the Pacific Northwest, and she's been working in the gift industry professionally for 26 years in a variety of roles. From merchandising Kitchen-Aid mixers, buying fine tableware and even carrying a four-poster bed up a mountainside for a catalog photoshoot... and that was just in the first 10 years! Since then, she's kept herself immersed in the gift industry as a buyer for a hospital gift shop and merchandiser for several wholesale showrooms and retailers. Retail is not just a job for Susan, but a career that she's inspired by and passionate about more every day.Fabian Navejas was born and raised in LA and is a self-taught creative leader and a bona fide retail nerd. With more than 25 years of multi-unit management experience in the retail home furnishings industry, he still feels he's in the beginning stages of his career. Currently, Fabian is a gift merchandiser and buyer for A.C. Vroman's, Inc., one of the oldest independent bookstores in the country, is 128 years old. A.C. Vroman's operates two bookstores in the Pasadena area and owns Book Soup in West Hollywood, CA, another independent bookstore founded in 1975.In addition to working at A.C. Vromans, Fabian, is also the founder of Onederkam.com, which is a small eCommerce gift and home accessories store. He also occasionally works on a variety of TV productions, doing everything from set dressing to working in the props department to being a shopper for the artdepartment. Fabian also worked at IKEA North America in several markets and as a district manager for  Z Gallerie.Eric Velez is a confident, competent, and imaginative interior designer with extensive experience in residential and commercial spaces ranging from 300k to 2m. With an excellent commercial approach to solving problems, Eric has a proven ability to create fresh solutions for the renovation of interior spaces or new construction.During his journey as an interior designer for the past 8 years, Eric has succeeded in all design projects, no matter how large or small. He believes that by having a broad understanding of people's living situations and needs in their everyday lives at home, you're able to design great solutions.In this merchandiser roundtable, we're chatting live from Las Vegas and digging into what everyone's working on. We also talk about how retail is a business of relationships and how interacting with others live at a show enhances the whole experience. Our roundtable discussion also includes a little about how each guest built their career and some really funny stories along the way!What's Inside:A roundtable discussion on the world of retail and merchandisingThe value of the live-show experienceHow each member started and grew their career Mentioned In This Episode:Susan Esayian on InstagramOnederkam WebsiteOnederkam on InstagramEric Velez on Instagram

This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.Jazmin Montalvo is the passionate owner of Frida Bae Co., a vibrant brick-and-mortar boutique where creativity and culture intertwine. In part two of this conversation, Michelle and Jazmin dive into all things social media, especially TikTok. Jazmin shares how she transitioned her TikTok account from personal to business. Jazmin talks about how going viral on social media helped her dig out of a tough time and how she took a risk on TikTok Live. She also shares her experience working with a business consultant, how much of your creative secret sauce to share with others, and more. What's Inside:How Jazmin transitioned her personal TikTok account to businessHow Jazmin uses TikTok LiveJazmin's experience working with a business consultantMentioned In This Episode:Fridabaeco.comAt Home with Jazmin on AmazonFrida Bae Co. on FacebookFrida Bae Co. on InstagramFrida Bae Co. on PinterestFrida Bae Co. on TikTok

This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.Jazmin Montalvo is the passionate owner of Frida Bae Co., a vibrant brick-and-mortar boutique where creativity and culture intertwine. As a mother and bonus mom to four daughters, Jazmin is dedicated to raising strong, fearless, and outspoken women, infused with pride in their Mexican heritage.Jazmin's journey to entrepreneurship was shaped by her deep-rooted creativity and love for art, prominently displayed on the boutique's walls through her own artwork. Her career began in nursing, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016 and later a Masters in Nurse Leadership in 2021. However, the challenges of working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a pivotal shift in her life.In October 2022, Jazmin realized her dream with the opening of Frida Bae Co., a size-inclusive women's boutique offering an array of customized products including jewelry, home decor, and apparel like t-shirts and wood signs—all handmade with love. Through her boutique, Jazmin continues to celebrate her culture and empower others to embrace their roots while pursuing their passions.In part one of this conversation, Jazmin shares the adventure of moving into a new retail space. She walks through her journey of becoming a nurse and her transition to boutique ownership. Jazmin also shares her experience at Dallas Market Center, how she built an amazing table from scratch (with no experience!), what life was like working in nursing during COVID, and more. What's Inside:Jazmin's transition from nursing to retailWhat it was like working in nursing during COVIDHow Jazmin's immigrant parents influenced her career journeyMentioned In This Episode:Fridabaeco.comAt Home with Jazmin on AmazonFrida Bae Co. on FacebookFrida Bae Co. on InstagramFrida Bae Co. on PinterestFrida Bae Co. on TikTok

MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!A printmaking graduate from the Ontario College of Art and Design, Michelle Galletta is the founder of Kiriki Press. The idea was inspired by Michelle wanting to make her niece Madeleine an embroidered doll but couldn't find a pattern anywhere. Michelle decided to learn how to embroider so she could make her a set of three owl dolls to play with. It was difficult to find contemporary embroidery patterns that weren't overly simplistic, let alone embroidered doll patterns, so Michelle ended up designing her own. As she was making Madeleine's owls, she became fascinated with embroidery: the vibrant colors, the countless variety of stitches, and the calming effect it had on her.After several years of improving her embroidery skills (and a ton of design work), Kiriki Press was born. It was developed in the hopes of giving others the chance to make something precious with their own hands. Kiriki Press was launched in December 2012 with seven patterns, and the collection has grown over the years and is currently expanding to include a range of other DIY products. Michelle was chosen as a featured seller on Etsy and has been a contributor to Mollie Makes books and magazines. The company has been featured in Uppercase, Canadian Living, Chatelaine, Bust Magazine, and Homespun, as well as many other print publications and craft blogs.Here, Michelle takes us inside her shop and shares how she moved from her prototype dolls into full production. She also talks about how she transitioned from what she thought was her dream job into starting a business of her own. Michelle shares her experience at her very first show, how she handled business growth through the pandemic, and where she finds inspiration.What's Inside:How Michelle moved from prototype to full productionMichelle's experience at her first showWhere Michelle finds inspirationMentioned In This Episode:www.kirikipress.comKiriki Press on InstagramKiriki Press on FacebookKiriki Press on Pinterest

This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.Kate Duff is the Founder and Wholesale & Gift Guru at Claxton Consulting. With a deep affection for the industry that raised her, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion. Renowned for her expertise and strong connections within the space, she possesses a unique ability to empower her clients to help them refine their approach. Her guidance and insights are invaluable, whether it's optimizing strategies, cultivating strong partnerships, or filling knowledge gaps.With unwavering dedication and a nurturing approach, Kate is committed to helping businesses thrive and ultimately level up!Kate's been in the industry for over 27 years, and here, she shares how her career has grown and changed over time. Kate and Michelle discuss Kate's transition from retail business owner to consultant and her transformational work with clients. They also discuss relationships with rep agencies, what retailers need to ask vendors for, and how to let the divine take the lead.  What's Inside: How Kate transitioned from retail business owner to consultantHow Kate helps her clients level upWhat retailers should ask vendors forMentioned In This Episode:Claxton Consulting WebsiteBook: Outrageous OpennessBook: The Big Leap

Send us a Text Message.This week's episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.Since 1987, Tim Babcock and Jay Anthony from Twigs Candles have been providing customers with the finest home décor with the best quality, selection and price. When you shop with Twigs, you will find a complete collection of fireless candles, lanterns, farmhouse lighting, floral and home décor.Visit Tim and Jay in person at First Monday Trade Days in Canton Texas. They're open 4 days out of every month, attracting thousands of visitors, and it's a shopper's paradise. Their 5,000 sq ft permanent showroom will give you the opportunity to shop till you drop! If you can't make it in person, check them out online through the links below.Tim and Jay share their plans to build the largest home décor warehouse in East Texas. They're anticipating an August opening, as long as the weather cooperates! Tim and Jay also chat with Michelle about how they started and grew their business, what a typical day in their life looks like, how they're planning for their upcoming store opening, and much more.What's Inside:Tim and Jay's plans to open the biggest home décor warehouse in East TexasHow Tim and Jay started and grew their businessA sneak peek into their grand opening Mentioned In This Episode:Twigs Candles on InstagramTwigs Candles Website

Send us a Text Message.This episode is brought to you by Keena and Co., a premier gift and home agency covering all of the of the western United States. If you're a buyer and you're looking for beautiful contemporary lines, take a look at Keena's brands. Aside from representing stunningly unique and modern brands, they have a solid team of knowledgeable reps that are ready to help you with all your needs. And of course, they always have a bunch of really juicy show specials that are not to be missed. Or if you're a brand looking for boutique style representation in all western states, you should give Keena a call. Keena has beautiful showrooms in Las Vegas and in the Bay Area and a super strong road team with very established relationships with top accounts in their territories. For partnership, strategy and accountability from a sales team, Keena is the agency to contact. Check out their website, keenaco.com, to learn more.With a vision of creating an internationally respected brand that focuses on sustainability, connection to the planet and to family, and bringing joy into people's homes, Crow Canyon Home's Owner & President Cara Barde, lives/exemplifies the values of the brand. She uses CCH enamelware every day in her own home for its style, function, durability and sustainability, reducing waste from disposable paper and plastic products.Since she began leading the company in 2012, Cara has worked tirelessly to evolve this heritage brand, known as the originator of splatterware design, for a new generation of customers who value beautiful functional design and love to gather and entertain. She has doubled the business in 4 years and has expanded the aesthetic to include new artistic collaborations, new piece types and new colorways of the iconic splatterware. She continues to grow the business with the goal of creating a global lifestyle brand that offers anything the home entertainer needs, from cooking to decor, with an emphasis on creating sustainable products and sparking joy.Cara, along with her husband Chris and her two children, moved to Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Her number one source of inspiration is travel with her family, where she gets new ideas for products and ways of bringing people together to make memories.Here, Cara shares how she caught the entrepreneurial bug, moved from the medical to the gift industry, and bought and transformed Crow Canyon Home. She also shares how she purchased her biggest competitor to grow her splatterware empire. Cara and Michelle also discuss Cara's partnerships, her favorite part about working with international retailers, how she handled her first trade show, and more.What's Inside: How Cara moved from the medical to gift industry and purchased Crow Canyon HomeHow Cara's bringing splatterware and sustainability to the forefrontCara's experience living in BaliMentioned In This Episode:Crow Canyon Home WebsiteCrow Canyon Home on Instagram

Send us a Text Message.MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!Karyn Cantor is a true entrepreneur, a dynamic force in both the design and retail realms. With her keen eye for style and a knack for business, she's carved out a niche for herself in the jewelry and gift business. Her journey began in 1995 when she founded Classic Hardware Jewelry, initially specializing in pocket watches before expanding into a diverse array of jewelry pieces. What sets her brand apart is its fusion of boldness and romance, characterized by clean lines and sturdy craftsmanship. Classic Hardware is renowned for its high-quality vanity cases, offering everything from business card holders to tampon cases, as well as high quality necklaces, bracelets, and rings all handmade in the USA with meticulous attention to detail. Karyn affectionately refers to her creations as "Accessories with Class and Sass." In addition to her thriving jewelry business, Karyn has cultivated a brick-and-mortar presence in Los Angeles, a testament to her enduring success in the retail landscape. For over a decade, her store has been a hub of creativity and style, attracting patrons who appreciate unique, handcrafted pieces.Alongside her physical storefront, Karyn extends her reach through various online platforms, including her own website, Etsy, and Faire, ensuring her creations reach a diverse audience.Yet Karyn's entrepreneurial pursuits don't stop there. She's also made a mark as the Los Angeles representative in the gift industry with Just Got 2 Have It! For eight years, she's collaborated with fellow store owners, leveraging her expertise to help them thrive in their own businesses. As a rep, Karyn relishes the opportunity to connect with others in the industry, fostering growth and innovation within the community.Driven by a passion for design and a commitment to excellence, Karyn continues to inspire and innovate, leaving an indelible mark on both the fashion and retail landscapes. Here, Karyn and Michelle dive into the Classic Hardware jewelry line and all the inspiration behind it. They also discuss how Karyn developed her retail store, how she infuses her personal style into her brand, how she handles theft in her store, and how she finds balance while running her three businesses.What's Inside: The inspiration and influence behind Karyn's jewelry line, Classic HardwareHow Karyn developed her retail store in Los AngelesHow Karyn finds balance while running multiple businessesMentioned In This Episode:Classic Hardware WebsiteClassic Hardware on FaireClassic Hardware on Etsy

Send us a Text Message.MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!Ashley Sodipo is the owner of Pink Flamingo Party Co., a luxury party supply, event rental and "over-the-top" balloon installation company. She said she's been tested and learned a lot about herself, including the importance of following your instincts – which is what she did when she made a spontaneous, career-altering decision six years ago.Ashley also always loved event planning, so for the get-togethers she liked to order unique party favors and supplies—plates and napkins, maybe an embroidered banner or headbands, things like that. There was clearly a need, she knew, for a centralized, curated source of classy, cute, personalized party supplies, and so she created just that. The Pink Flamingo Party Company was born, starting as an Etsy shop out of her Brooklyn apartment. Her business got traction, and she created a company website. All was well, but then came COVID. Masks and social distancing put the kibosh on the parties that fueled Ashley's business, with one critical exception: balloons. She'd always had balloons in her inventory, and with people locked down, demand for extravagant balloon displays soared. A team of eight now staffs the store while also keeping up with online orders, and balloonsare still a core product. No job is too big, as they do enormous garlands and columns and more while also offering everything a party planner could want, with special themes including featured seasonal inventory. From business meetings to baby showers to bar and bat mitzvahs, Pink Flamingo is ready.Here, Ashley shares all about how she started Pink Flamingo and her plans to evolve the business going forward. Michelle and Ashley also discuss her transition from e-commerce to brick and mortar, how she developed her impressive balloon installation skills, and much more.What's Inside: How Ashley started her business, Pink FlamingoAshley's transition from e-commerce to brick and mortarWhere Ashley finds inspirationMentioned In This Episode:Pink Flamingo Party Co. WebsitePink Flamingo Party Co. on InstagramPink Flamingo Party Co. on FacebookPink Flamingo Party Co. on PinterestPink Flamingo Party Co. on TikTok

Send us a Text Message.MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!In this solo episode, I break down how I keep things fresh working with a variety of retailers and wholesale showrooms. I'm getting ready for upcoming gift shows, so it's the perfect time for this discussion! I walk through the process of how I honor each client's particular style and needs while infusing my own ideas and creativity.  What's Inside: My process for working with a variety of retailers and wholesale showroomsMentioned In This Episode:The Retail Whore Podcast WebsiteRetail Whore Podcast on InstagramMC Design Collaboration on InstagramRetail Whore Podcast on TikTokMC Design Collaboration on TikTok

Send us a Text Message.This week's episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.Welcome to our very first retail round up! This one features Barbara Mooney from Daisy's Mercantile, Sara Villari from Occasionette, and Nathan Waldon from Nathan & Co. As retailers, we all have countless questions to ask our fellow retailers, and here, each guest gets the chance to pick the others' brains. Barbara kicks things off with an update on her classroom and what it looks like to take a class at her store. Sara fills everyone in on her move to a newer, bigger location and her plans for design and renovations. Nathan shares his updates from his cabin Airbnb in Sonoma County, California. He's also in the top 10% of Airbnb hosts on the platform, worldwide!The group talks about posting on social media and shares their stats, techniques, and some tips and tricks. Each member of the group shares how they plan for shows and the upcoming holiday season. They also share their thoughts on exit planning and retirement, what the future holds for their businesses, words of wisdom for hiring a manager, and open-to-buy systems and programs.What's Inside:How the group plans for shows and the holiday seasonThoughts on retirement and exit planningWords of wisdom for hiring a managerMentioned In This Episode:Daisy's MercantileOccasionetteNathan & Co.

Send us a Text Message.This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.Kerrie Fitzgerald is the founder of Kerrie Fitzgerald LLC, an ecommerce and product business consulting & educational agency. She's also the host of the top 100 marketing podcast, The 6 Figure Product Business Podcast. As a digital marketing expert, Kerrie helps e-commerce businesses create "wildly in demand"brands that their customers are obsessed with. Her unique framework stems in organic marketing, that brings in consistent sales and traffic without focusing a dime on ads.After starting her first high-end pet e-commerce business, The Dapper Dog Box, in 2016, she grew the business to six figures of revenue in two years without funding, staff or support and successfully sold the business in 2019. During that time, she was featured in Buzzfeed, Forbes, and Mariah Carey'sMagical Christmas Special. Kerrie is a proud boy & dog mom, hot sauce and coffee lover and an east coast transplant living in Seattle.Here, Kerrie and Michelle catch up on everything since Kerrie was on the show last year, including her brand-new book, Customer Obsession. Kerrie shares how she's pivoting in life and business, including her ideas for another product-based business and a software business. She also shares her experience with burnout, chasing the high of starting new projects, and more.What's Inside:All about Kerrie's book, Customer ObsessionKerrie's experience with burnout and making life and business changesThe top three elements of cult-like brandsMentioned In This Episode:Kerrie Fitzgerald WebsiteKerrie Fitzgerald on InstagramKerrie Fitzgerald on YouTubeKerrie Fitzgerald on TikTok

Send us a Text Message.MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!Melanie Scofield is a self-taught baker who started her journey only a few short months ago. Last year, she was diagnosed with LGL Leukemia after having back surgery and an emergency spine surgery. Melanie's life had completely turned upside down. She had all these medical issues and then also lost her job of 8 years, which was truly devastating.Going back to work was not an option for Melanie, because some days she's really sick. She started baking bread for her family, which was truly therapeutic. Melanie fell in love with it and knew this is what she wanted to do. She knew she couldn't commit to a storefront, so she decided to open a small farmstand in from of her house instead.  There, she sells her organic sourdough and baked goods. Marketing is Melanie's other favorite thing to do, and she knew she could do everything from home. Her community has been amazing, and they've supported her stand for the past five months. Melanie is so thankful, and she says bringing joy to her community is what keeps her going. She wouldn't change a thing!Melanie shares her inspiring story of how she stated her stand, Farm and Flour. She also talks about her health struggles and how her surgeries and cancer diagnosis transformed her life. Michelle and Melanie discuss Melanie's former retail store experience, how she's expanded her offerings since opening, and her plans for the future.What's Inside:How Melanie started her stand, Farm and FlourHow Melanie's expanded her offerings since she startedMelanie's plans for the stand's futureMentioned In This Episode:Farm and Flour on InstagramFarm and Flour on Facebook