Rooted in Retail

From Store Bottleneck to Retail Visionary

How do you stop being the "easy solution" and start building a team that thinks for themselves? Sarah LoBue, co-owner of Main Street Florist and an industry educator, joins the show to discuss her 15-year evolution from a "baptism by fire" beginner to a retail strategist.In this episode, Sarah breaks down the mindset shifts required to overcome decision fatigue, the tactical "1-3-1" rule for employee problem-solving, and how to use social media as a genuine "window" into your shop rather than a static advertisement.[2:40] Sarah’s journey of taking over a shop with zero experience and learning through action.[3:40] Why being the one with all the answers prevents your team from problem-solving.[5:44] A specific tool for empowering employees to bring solutions, not just questions, to the owner.[6:41] Explaining the "why" behind pricing and policies creates more confident staff.[10:00] Treating your platforms as a way for customers to know your team and shop feel before they walk in.[11:37] Why the "OG" platform remains the top driver for local retail traffic.[13:50] Lessons on tracking waste and ensuring your products don't "celebrate an anniversary" on the shelf.[19:59] How a simple seating area and "clienteling" can turn a transaction into a lifetime connection.Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Building a Resilient and Profitable Store with Patrick Retzer

Are you stocking your store with only the items you like, or are you building a business that people actually want to shop? In this episode, Crystal Vilkaitis sits down with Patrick Retzer, Director of Sales at Streamline Imagined, to deliver "tell it like it is" advice for retailers navigating 2026. Patrick draws from over 20 years of experience in jewelry, fashion, and wholesale to explain how independent retailers can move past the "lonely" aspects of business and tap into the power of clienteling, staff empowerment, and community. This episode is a masterclass in shifting from a "survival" mindset to a thriving, results-driven approach by focusing on the human elements that make retail tick. [2:21] Patrick’s background managing multi-million dollar stores and how he transitioned into the gift industry. [9:33] Why "old school" relationship management is the basic necessity for modern survival. [13:16] How the "Ritz Carlton" approach to employee autonomy transforms the customer experience. [16:57] The story of the "20-cent caramel" and how tiny, unexpected delights create generational loyalty. [21:30] Why training and accountability are the keys to delegating without fear. [22:04] Insights from the 2026 show season on why the best stores are constantly looking for "new and fresh" products. [26:25] Why physical trade shows and local networking still outpace online-only sourcing. [28:36] Using your network and community to ensure "Main Street" stays successful for everyone. Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Disrupting the Resale Industry with Jessica Rennard

Is your inventory celebrating a birthday? In this episode, Crystal Vilkaitis is joined by Jessica Rennard, founder of NuSource and "The Fashion Disruptor," to discuss why retailers need to stop being emotional about their products and start treating them like widgets. Jessica shares her journey from monetizing non-profit donations to building a "mystery box" empire that helps retailers source quality secondary market goods. Whether you are a traditional boutique owner or a dedicated reseller, this conversation dives into the tactical side of inventory velocity, the rise of live selling platforms like Whatnot, and how to diversify your shop with sustainable, high-quality resale items. [3:18] Jessica’s journey from non-profit management to the resale world [4:47] How NuSource helps retailers scale their inventory engine [5:07] Current trends: Moving from fast fashion to "quality over quantity" [6:29] The biggest inventory mistake: Holding onto "widgets" for too long [7:45] Using AB testing and sales cycles to unlock cash flow [8:52] The hidden labor costs and processing hurdles of resale inventory [11:01] Top inventory management systems for the thrift and resale industry [12:53] Why every retailer should be experimenting with live selling [13:42] What is Whatnot? Exploring the $9 billion live-selling marketplace [15:12] Resilience Round: Atomic Habits, Blue Ocean Strategy, and ShipHero [16:22] The future of hybrid retail: Bringing vintage racks into traditional stores [17:02] How to use "Brand Mystery Boxes" to test resale in your shop Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Investing in Relationships That Power Your Retail Business with Kathy Rushing

In this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis sits down with marriage and relationship counselor Kathy Rushing to explore why communication and intentional relationship-building are foundational (not optional) for healthy retail teams, strong leadership, and sustainable business growth.Drawing from over 30 years as a marriage and family therapist and 40+ years of marriage to a serial entrepreneur, Kathy shares practical frameworks and mindset shifts that help retailers strengthen relationships at work and at home. From nervous system regulation and burnout to simple daily rituals and the powerful CRAVE framework, this episode offers actionable tools retailers can implement immediately to improve culture, retention, and connection.[02:10] — Why communication and connection are culture-shaping forces in retail, not just “soft skills.”[05:01] — Kathy shares her personal story of hitting relational burnout after years of entrepreneurial pressure.[08:38] — Understanding fight-or-flight, irritability, and why prolonged stress changes how we show up at work and at home.[12:38] — Small moments of connection that radically shift team morale and customer experience.[14:46] — The danger of assuming “we’re fine” and how slow relational drift happens unnoticed.[17:00] — You’re either moving toward connection or slowly drifting apart — at work and in life.[19:57] — Relationships as long-term assets, not emergenciesWhy proactive maintenance prevents burnout, turnover, and even divorce.[22:10] — Why people don’t leave jobs, they leave relationships, and how leadership directly affects retention.[25:40] — How understanding communication styles improves leadership, hiring, and teamwork.[27:05] — Introducing the CRAVE frameworkA five-pillar system for maintaining strong relationships:C — CommunicationR — Rhythms & rituals that connectA — Appreciation & affirmationV — VisionE — Energy[28:17] — A simple but transformative communication tool that reduces defensiveness and builds trust.Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Master Meta Ads: How Independent Retailers Amplify Their Brand - Bonus Episode

Are you tired of feeling like your store is the "best kept secret" in town? In this bonus episode, Crystal Vilkaitis, dives deep into the "hellscape" of Meta Ads Manager to show you why Facebook and Instagram ads are the ultimate irrigation system for your business. Crystal explains how to move beyond "hoping for rain" with organic posts and instead take control of your visibility, foot traffic, and sales through strategic amplification.This high-level guide provides the clarity you need to turn up the volume on your brand and become "15-mile famous."[1:45] The Hamilton Metaphor: Why ads are the "lighting and sound" of your retail stage.[5:10] The 1-7% Rule: The harsh reality of organic reach and why you can't rely on "rain."[8:30] Success Metrics: Why looking for sales alone is tunnel vision and what else to track.[12:15] The Power of the Pivot: How ads grow your email list and drive event attendance.[16:40] 15-Mile Famous: Leveraging local awareness to become a community legend.[20:10] Old School vs. New School: Why targeting is dead and "Creative" is the new algorithm driver.[24:35] The Importance of Clean Data: Why Meta needs good signals to optimize your spend.[27:15] AI in Ads: Why you still need a human in the loop to avoid "lazy" brand damage.[28:50] Ad Strategies for Brick-and-Mortar vs. E-commerce.Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt