How To Get More Foot Traffic (Even During Slow Seasons)

How To Get More Foot Traffic (Even During Slow Seasons)

If you’re feeling like your store’s traffic has slowed to a crawl lately, this Real Retail TV replay for you. In this episode, I dust off one of the most powerful tools in a retailer’s toolkit, the Foot Traffic Formula.

Entrepreneur’s Guide to Strategic Summer Reading

Entrepreneur’s Guide to Strategic Summer Reading

As Susan and I get ready for our annual summer getaway to the French River in Ontario, I thought it’d be the perfect time to reshare this episode of Real Retail TV. Things slow down a bit in the summer, which makes it the ideal season to rest, recharge, and gently work your brain in a different way.

A Smarter Store Starts With These 4 Letters

A Smarter Store Starts With These 4 Letters

In this episode of Real Retail TV, I’m sharing a little gem that came out of our recent Platinum Mastermind meeting here in Grand Haven. It was one of those stop-you-in-your-tracks moments, something so simple, yet so powerful, that I knew right away it had to be passed along.

The Hardest Thing To Do In Retail

The Hardest Thing To Do In Retail

In this episode of Real Retail TV, I’m digging into what might be the hardest part of running a retail business, and no, it’s not the long hours, holiday chaos, or even hiring problems. It’s something a little deeper, and a whole lot more personal.

Create Standards Your Team Will Follow

Create Standards Your Team Will Follow

In this episode of Real Retail TV, we’re talking about the power of clear, well-communicated standards, and why your store can’t run smoothly without them. If your team isn’t all on the same page, they’ll do things their way, leading to inconsistency, confusion, and frustration. You can’t build a great store without great standards.

Piña Colada Principle

Piña Colada Principle

After a solid week of rain here in Grand Haven, I got to thinking about the Piña Colada Principle, a clever marketing gem from our friend Micha Seto, a past Platinum Mastermind member and owner of Blooming Boutique.

Your Indie Influence

Your Indie Influence

The Virtual Retail Success Summit is just days away, and I wanted to share my opening remarks from the 2024 in-person Summit, a reminder of just how powerful you are as an independent retailer.

A Business Meeting That Changed My Life

A Business Meeting That Changed My Life

Years ago, when my store was struggling, a meeting with a financial advisor named Tom Williams changed my life. After laying out all the painful details—money owed, relationships strained—Tom just shrugged and said, “It’s just business.” That simple phrase shifted everything.

3 Building Blocks For Retail Success

3 Building Blocks For Retail Success

Retail success rests on three powerful pillars: mindset, skill set, and structure. When you think like a growth-focused retailer, develop the right skills, and build smart systems, you create a business that’s more profitable, more fun to run, and less dependent on you.