Episodes
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In this episode, we want to thank all who have supported our organization this year. Listeners like you make it possible for our organization to help retailers in need. This week, we traveled to Chimney Rock, NC, to donate to Bubba O'Leary's General Store. The funds for this donation came from individuals, other retail owners, and small business enthusiasts from across the US (and even one international donation). We are thankful of your support and that you trust Heart on Main Street to help affected retailers.
On December 3rd, Giving Tuesday, we will be making three more donations to retailers affected by the recent hurricanes. This is also money that has been donated by individuals from around the country. We will also raise money for three more retailers affected by natural disasters this year. Donations on Giving Tuesday will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to a certain amount by the following companies: Bridgewater Candle Company, Fresh Scents by Willowbrook, Ganz, Greenleaf Gifts, Just Got 2 Have It, Notes Candles, Primitives by Kathy, Raz Imports, tag, and Votivo.
To donate to our Giving Tuesday fundraising: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/giving-tuesday -
Ashley Alderson, founder of the Boutique Hub, joins the Main Street Matters by Heart on Main Street podcast to talk about the Boutique Hub and its resources, how retailers can use "Community over Competition" to grow their business, and the information that she is hearing from her network of retailers around the nation.
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Do you want to sell more during the holiday season? Do you want to clear out your inventory and put more cash in your pocket? Kathy Cruz, the Savvy Shopkeeper, joins Main Street Matters to talk about how to leverage Facebook Live to create more sales, maximize your cash flow, sell more products, and ultimately be happier at the end of the year.
In this episode, Kathy discusses why you should use Facebook Live for sales, how to set yourself up for success, tools, and tactics to optimize your Facebook selling experience, and store event ideas for the fourth quarter.
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
https://savvyshopkeeper.com/ -
Patrick talks about Hurricane Milton's effects on the communities and businesses of Florida. Heart on Main Street is raising money to donate to retailers affected by the recent hurricanes in the southeastern part of the United States. If you would like to donate, go to https://givebutter.com/hurricane-relief-fund
This episode also features an interview with Samantha Conner of the Boutique Hub, in which Samantha discusses the upcoming event, Pink Friday! You can sign up to participate in Pink Friday by clicking here: https://go.theboutiquehub.com/pinkfriday. -
Many areas of the southeast US are hurting in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power and cutoff from resources. Additionally, countless retailers have lost their businesses and don't know what to do next.
In this episode, Patrick sat down with retail owner Anita Cereceda, who lost her stores to Hurricane Ian in 2022, to talk about what she did in the wake of its destruction and what advice she has for retailers today.
Donate to Disaster Relief Efforts: https://givebutter.com/hurricane-relief-fund
Savvy Shopkeeper's Retail Email Bootcamp: https://savvyshopkeeper.thrivecart.com/2024-retail-email-bootcamp/?utm_source=Heart%2Bon%2BMain%2BStreet&utm_campaign=38bea6637f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_10_01_10_45&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-38bea6637f-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D -
Patrick discusses his trip to Oklahoma in July, during which he visited the towns of Sulphur and Ada. He talks about the beauty of the state and the impact that the Chickasaw Nation has on the area. While both towns were visited on Mondays, they were for very different reasons.
In April, a tornado devastated the historic downtown of Sulphur, leaving a scar across the community. Patrick met with Christy Morris, the owner of the Mix Mercantile, about the loss of her store. While there, he made a donation to the Mix Mercantile to help them rebuild the store and remain a part of the community. Christy is solely focused on rebuilding in Sulphur to help bring hope back to the area.
Patrick also discusses three different retailers in Ada, OK, whom he met with for Main Street Monday. The town of Ada has experienced remarkable growth and revitalization in the last several years, making it a great shopping destination. He talks about the stores M Street Decor, EVER Boutique, and Serendipity on Main and some of the things they are doing to create their own success.
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
To help other retailers in need visit: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/donate -
As the summer comes to a close this weekend, Patrick reflects on the Summer Sourcing Series webinars that Heart on Main Street conducted this summer. Through the webinar series, they explored how retailers can find products for their stores by attending trade shows, working with a local sales rep, and using an online marketplace like Faire.com. All have pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages based on your unique situation.
Register for upcoming webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinars -
Heart on Main Street's Summer Sourcing Series concludes with a discussion with Faire.com. Learn more about Faire Wholesale - a marketplace focused on helping independent retailers simplify the way they find, finance, and manage unique inventory from around the world.
Hear about their mission, learn more about their marketplace and financial benefits, and discover some great brands, too
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In this episode, we go out on the road to explore a fun and vibrant arts community within Dallas, the Bishop Arts District. I saw artwork that made this area unique and worth exploring. I met with great retailers whose stores fit so well with the community and culture of the neighborhood. And I ate some pretty good food. While in Dallas, I also had the opportunity to interview Deavon Moore, the owner of DLM Supply, and David Spence, the owner of Good Space, a company transforming Bishop Arts District and making it the wonderful community it is today.
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
https://www.dlmsupplyco.com/
https://goodspace.com/ -
Our Shop Talk series continues with a little twist. Patrick travels to Ely, MN, to meet in person with Kara Polyner, the owner of the Ely Mercantile! We discuss how she fared through the latter half of Ely's busy season with their Blueberry Arts Festival and the All-Class Reunion to celebrate the local high school's 100th anniversary. These events brought tens of thousands of people (and potential shoppers) to the town of Ely.
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Explore the town and independent retailers of Downers Grove, which underwent a significant renovation in 2001 to attract more people and businesses and build a better downtown community. In this episode, we discuss what Downers Grove accomplished in its renovation project and how this has helped improve downtown businesses. We also talk about four retailers: Happy Dog Barkery, My Special Toy Store, Adorn 512, and Evelyn Jane.
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/ -
Vendor sales reps provide much more to the retail business than catalogs. They can inform you about what they're seeing in the field, exclusive deals, and knowledge and insights to help your business grow. I spoke with Adam Schrier of Creative Co-Op, Angela Schmook of Road Runners, Brian Schroeder of Creative Brands, and Majda Rensberger of OneCoast about how they view the role of sales reps in today's wholesale marketplace, how relationships with sales helps can impact your store, and the role of the sales rep of the future.
Heart on Main Street: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/ -
Come explore the gem of Door County Wisconsin: Sturgeon Bay. We highlight the brilliant retail stores around downtown, and what they're doing to help stand out amongst the crowd. Filled with longevity and love, these stores serve their community in unique ways to bring together the town of Sturgeon Bay. We look at a kitchen store, apparel shop, quilting store, bookstore, and children's stores along the way. And, of course, we talk about the fish on the street.
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/ -
In this episode, we talk about what Heart on Main Street has planned for Independent Retailer Month, including a donation that we made to The Mix Mercantile in Sulphur, OK. We also catch up with our friend, Kara Polyner, the owner of the Ely Mercantile in Ely, MN. Since we last spoke, Ely has entered into its busy season, and The Ely Mercantile has seen a significant growth in traffic. We talked with Kara about her learnings, the surprises, and what she plans to do differently next summer based on what she has experienced so far.
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We recently visited Estes Park, CO, as part of our Main Street Monday series. This is a beautiful part of the country that has a fantastic independent retail scene, in part because the history of the town has prioritized a focus on its community. The area has seen devastating natural disaster that has only made Estes Park more resilient and more apt to supporting each other's growth. Come explore Estes Park and learn what makes it so special.
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/ -
Come explore the first US town named after Abraham Lincoln! I was invited to this town by one of its wonderful store owners and not only learned much about the town of Lincoln but also saw first-hand how a group of business owners worked together to make their downtown a better place.
Donate to help retailers affected by natural disasters: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/donate
Shop Heart on Main Street products: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shop -
Heart on Main Street's Summer Sourcing Series kicks off with a panel discussion about the importance of attending trade shows this summer! Hear from retailers and representatives of Dallas Market Center and AndMore (formerly International Market Centers) about why summer trade shows are so crucial for your business and how to make a plan to get the most out of your time at the market.
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinars -
It was eclipse day when I visited Noblesville, IN, and the atmosphere was incredible! Downtown Noblesville has vibrant retailers and unique shopping environments to meet the needs of all shoppers. And the community of retailers has banded together to ensure that everyone's experience in Noblesville is a positive one.
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/main-street-monday -
Since it burst onto the scene over the last couple of years, AI has been positioned as a force that can completely change our lives. Yet, most people are still figuring out what AI is and how to incorporate it into their work. For retailers, the potential uses for AI are limitless, but they need to know where to start to take advantage of the possibilities. Crystal Vilkaitis of Crystal Media joins the Main Street Matters webinar to discuss how AI can help make retailers' lives easier!
https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
https://www.crystalmediaco.com/ -
Join us as we explore the resurgent downtown area of Waukon, IA. Located in the Driftless, Waukon is an extraordinary setting that has seen local residents invest in over the last decade. I met with new retailers to see how they're reshaping the town of Waukon, and I interviewed Valeria Reinke the Director of Economic Development in the county to find out what makes Waukon a thriving Main Street community.
Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinars - Show more
