Today, we're diving into a topic that's crucial for retailers but one we haven't explored much yet: hiring. If you want to find out how to attract and retain top talent, you're in the right place.In today's episode, I'm talking to Thad Price from Ready, Set, Hire. It’s a new product for small to medium-sized businesses, franchises, and recruiters seeking to hire frontline and essential workers. If you want help with the hiring process, streamline your efforts, find great talent, avoid be...

Holy guacamole, Instagram has made some updates that retailers need to know about!Steph Bechard from Crystal Media is joining me today to break it all down for you. We are going to tell you what these updates are, why you need to know, and what it means for you as a retailer. And it's good news for you as a small business. So yay! If you are marketing on Instagram and you're looking for ways to connect with your customers, drive foot traffic, drive website traffic, incre...

Today, I'm thrilled to share with you a live panel discussion from our EVOLVE conference in April 2024. The energy was incredible, and my panelists brought amazing insights. If you love hearing a mix of perspectives and stories from retail experts, you’re going to love this episode!We dive into the biggest challenges independent retailers are facing right now and practical strategies to overcome them. You’ll hear a success story from one of the panelists about a client who achieved great resu...

Welcome back to After the Show where we’re diving into the impact of adding more fun in your business. In our latest episode, I had a great conversation with Aimee Pelletier and Carly Stipe from Darn Knit Anyway, a store that’s redefining community connection and fun in retail.Aimee and Carly have really brought a playful energy to their store, and you can see the results everywhere. From Instagram reels that are getting millions of views to building real connections with customers right ther...

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to cousins Aimee Pelletier and Carly Stipe, the team behind Darn Knit Anyway. Their yarn store offers everything from a thriving e-commerce platform to a makers' lounge, and various classes and events.This episode is all about community: how to build it, connect with it, and nurture it in meaningful ways. Aimee and Carly have a lot to share about their journey and the amazing community they've cultivated through their store. Their story is full of lessons ...

We did it, we really did it! EVOLVE 2024 is now officially in the books, and what a ride it was. Today, I'm thrilled to take you behind the scenes of EVOLVE. In this episode, I'll be sharing some of the most memorable highlights that made this year's event truly special.EVOLVE isn't just an event—it's the result of months of planning and a commitment to providing high-value content and networking opportunities. Our goal is to empower independent retailers with the tools and strategies they ne...

We’re back for another After The Show to dive deep into the exciting world of pop-ups and pop-ins. In our latest episode, I was thrilled to host Allison Yee from Popping Up Next, where we explored all the nuances, logistics, and success stories surrounding these experiential retail strategies.Today, I'm excited to share with you my top takeaways and key insights from that discussion. From creating FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) to partnering with the right vendors, we'll explore how pop-ups can b...

Have you ever considered the power of a pop-up shop to breathe new life into your retail store? Well, you're in for a treat because today we're joined by Allison Yee, the founder of UpNext. We're talking all about the untapped potential of pop-up shops and pop-in shops. Let’s explore how these temporary setups can be game-changers for testing new markets, products, and ideas.As the CEO of UpNext, Allison wants to create a world where entrepreneurs can make big waves without taking huge r...

This week I’m talking about episode 81 with Lori Foster where we talk all about using Facebook Lives to market her shop. She has such incredible results and the biggest secret to her success is that she has found a way to make it FUN for her. For Lori that means leveraging spontaneous creativity to create her daily live show. This idea might be inspiring and freeing for you - to not have to worry about having a strict plan that you have to follow every single day. For others that might s...

Lori Foster has mastered the art of engaging with customers through Facebook Live. Lori shares her journey into live streaming during the pandemic, emphasizing its significant impact on sales and customer connection. She offers insights on how she plans content, engages viewers, and converts live sessions into sales without relying on e-commerce platforms. Lori's strategy of maintaining consistency, being authentic, and offering valuable content has not only allowed her to sell products daily...

This week my goal was to help ease your mind when it comes to any worries you may have around the economy, the fact that it's an election year, and that the cost of goods has increased. Paul Erickson was a perfect guest because he has so much experience and has watched these cycles in retail. He offers so much valuable advice.My biggest takeaway from the episode was “what we focus on expands.” So if we focus on the negativity in the world around us it is only going to appear to grow in our wo...

Today, we've got an episode that's perfect for anyone feeling the weight of economic uncertainty, the buzz of an election year, or the pinch of rising prices. If you've been wondering how to navigate these turbulent waters and ensure your store not only survives but thrives, then you’re going to love this conversation.Joining us today is Paul Erickson, Director of Mentoring at Management One. With his extensive experience serving retail clients across the globe, Paul is here to break down the...

In this episode of 'After the Show,' I am going to dive into my key takeaways from my discussion with Kareen Walsh.I first want to talk about what it might mean if you have an 'exit strategy' mindset even if not planning to exit. But what I really wanted to focus on is the unmatched advantage of creativity in independent retail against giants like Amazon. In this episode, I urge you to prioritize your creativity for the health of your business.[00:00] Welcome to Rooted in Retail: After t...

Are you ready to learn how to craft a business and a life that you truly love? Well, today, we're diving deep into just that with the incredible Kareen Walsh. She’s a friend and mentor who has mastered the art of building a business while staying true to herself.Kareen's evolution from a people-pleaser to seven-figure business builder is truly inspiring. Through her Evolve methodology, she empowers clients to transition from feeling lost to discovering alignment as they scale their businesses...

Are you doing anything with affiliate marketing?  Have you heard of affiliate marketing? Have you done any research thinking it could help drive traffic to your store? Or maybe you’ve done nothing at all, maybe you can’t see how affiliate marketing is going to help your brick-and-mortar store.  Give me a chance to show you how it can work and why its important for you to consider as part of your marketing. The thing is,  affiliate marketing is not new. It's been around for a long time....

Affiliate marketing isn't just for the big players. It's a powerful tool that can help grow your e-commerce business and open doors to new revenue streams without the hassle of more inventory. But if you're new to the concept or unsure if it's right for you, don't worry.  Today, I'm joined by Wade Tonkin, a seasoned expert with over 25 years in the affiliate marketing world. As the Director of Global Affiliate Marketing at Fanatics, he's been at the forefront of managing affiliate programs...

Today, we're diving deep into social media and how it can drive meaningful foot traffic to your store. I'm thrilled to be joined by our digital strategist at Crystal Media, Steph Bechard.  With over six years of experience in building online communities and skyrocketing engagement for retailers, Steph brings a ton of knowledge to the table. As the driving force behind our insider membership program at Crystal Media and the go-to expert for social media audits, Steph is immersed in social...

In this episode of 'After the Show,' host Crystal Vilkaitis discusses key takeaways from a previous episode featuring guest Miranda Heslip, co-owner of Cloud Nine Pajamas. The conversation touches on the importance of social media, email marketing, and ways to earn money passively. Despite the interest in passive income strategies, Crystal shifts the focus to the power of determining 'Who, Not How' in business, emphasizing delegation, strategic outsourcing, and utilizing resources like the...

If you've ever dreamt of making money while you sleep, then you're in for a treat. In this episode, we're diving into the secrets of passive income with a special guest who knows a thing or two about it. I'm thrilled to introduce Miranda Heslip, co-owner of Cloud Nine Pajamas. Miranda, along with her sisters, has mastered the art of bringing in revenue around the clock through their successful e-commerce venture.  Today, Miranda pulls back the curtain and shares how Cloud Nine Pajamas...

Welcome to Rooted in Retail: After the Show. This week I am diving into one of my biggest takeaways from my interview with Alex Back from Couch.com. It was hard to pick just one because I had so many takeaways so be sure to go back and catch that episode.  Today I want to focus on the power of brand collaboration and partnership in retail. This episode is packed with tips for starting small with collaborations, aligning with brands that share similar values, and leveraging local...

Meet Alex Back, an e-commerce entrepreneur who is shaking up the furniture industry. He’s the founder of Couch.com, a new startup focused on solving one of the biggest issues for consumers in the furniture industry: where the heck to buy a couch?    Before launching Couch.com, Alex co-founded and ran Apt2B, a popular online furniture brand that he led to a successful exit and transition just last year. In this episode, he shares his favorite tips and tools to help retailers market, evolve,...

We’re back this week with round two from the Dallas Market Center! Today's episode is a special one because I had the chance to sit down in person with Teddie Garrigan, the co-founder of Coco & Dash. Teddie, alongside her daughter Courtney, is the force behind Coco & Dash, an award-winning home decor retail shop that's all about creative furnishings, lighting, art, and accessories. In this episode, Teddie shares her strategies for building a strong retail brand presence on...

In January, I had the pleasure of sitting down with not one, but two remarkable guests at the Dallas Market Center. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce Brianna Cannon, the creative force behind BriannaCannon.com and a seasoned retail veteran with over two decades of experience. Trust me, this episode is nothing short of a retail masterclass. Brianna's fashion and lifestyle brand is bold, flashy, and beautiful. In this episode, we dive into the secrets behind her social media success, both...

This week, I talked to Susan Negen from Whizbang Training, and I hope you had the opportunity to listen to that episode because it was packed with so much actionable advice. She is so rooted in retail and gives some great tips that can save you so much time and make you a way more efficient retailer. We also talked about the power of learning and online education and investing in ourselves.  But today I wanted to share with you my biggest takeaways and why I think these are so important...