Resilient Retail
86 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 45 ratingsRetail business owners have resilience in their DNA. From real stories of struggle and breakthrough to the insights your retail business needs right now, find inspiration, take action, and make your business future-proof.
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Episodes
Gorjana and Jason Griffin Reidel on designing a jewelry business that sparkles from the inside out
April 06, 2021 11:00 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBGorjana and Jason Griffin Reidel founded a small jewelry company in 2004 and sold Gorjana’s delicate designs from the confines of their apartment. Fast forward to the present day and that company - gorjana - is now a cult sensation with a robust online presence and 19 physical retail stores across the United States. For many physical retailers, business is driven by maximizing square footage and cramming the windows with bestsellers. For Gorjana and Jason, building gorjana was more...
The 8 Essentials of Remarkable Retail with Steve Dennis
April 01, 2021 11:00 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBIn our final pre-season episode, Kristen and Steve Dennis sit down once more to discuss the 8 essentials of Remarkable Retail. Hear how your store can embrace these essentials to survive, and thrive, in the coming years.
New Show! Real Life Retail with Steph La Posta
March 30, 2021 11:00 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBResilient Retail has a brand new show for Season 2: Real Life Retail with Steph La Posta of Common People Shop. Today, Kristen sits down with Steph to discuss her journey through retail, her plans for the season, and what makes Toronto such a special city to focus in on.
New Segment Preview! Retail News with Kat Cole and Halie LeSavage
March 25, 2021 11:00 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBGet ready for Retail News and Trends! Kat Cole of Focus Brands and Halie LeSavage of Morning Brew are joining Resilient Retail once a week to discuss all things retail news and how small retailers can respond to current events to stay resilient.
NFTs, Virtual Worlds, and Futuristic Commerce with Taylor Holiday
March 23, 2021 11:00 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBToday on Resilient Retail, we're getting ~futuristic~. Sit down with Kristen and eCommerce expert Taylor Holiday for a deep dive into the blockchain, NFT's, the Metaverse, and how this digital future will impact physical retail.
6 Major Ways the Pandemic Impacted Retail: Setting the Stage with Steve Dennis
March 18, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBSteve Dennis is a consultant, keynote speaker, author, and podcast host focused on retail growth and innovation. He has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations and his thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor. Steve's best-selling book-- "Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption"--will be released in a completely revised and expanded 2nd edition this Spring. Steve is currently...
Season 2 Preview: Resilience in action
March 16, 2021 09:00 - 7 minutes - 6.73 MBSeason 2 is coming on April 6th! Join Kristen LaFrance as we walk through the changes we'll see the season, some hints about guests (and hosts) you'll meet, and more.
The top trends across resilient retailers in 2020 with Kristen Lafrance
December 29, 2020 10:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBToday, we’re closing out season one with a recap ...and holy moly it’s been a season. We’ll be walking through the six main themes of Resilient Retail and hear from some of our incredible guests this season. Embracing the uncomfortable, taking the in-store experience online, the rise of new fulfillment methods, holistic (omnichannel) commerce, leaning into community, and, of course, resiliency.
Tokyobike on handling supply chain overwhelm with Juliana DiSimone
December 24, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBWhat happens when your entire supply chain can't produce your products? When demand outweighs your yearly supply in a mere 3 weeks? This is what happened to Julia DiSimone and the team at tokyobike throughout the pandemic. tokyobike is an independent bicycle company founded in Japan, and growing rapidly throughout the US and Europe. Based on the concept of Tokyo Slow their bicycles are designed to explore the places we love and call home. Julia us through the highly strategized ethos of their...
Tokyobike on handling supply chain overwhelm with Juliana Di Simone
December 24, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBWhat happens when your entire supply chain can't produce your products? When demand outweighs your yearly supply in a mere 3 weeks? This is what happened to Juliana Di Simone and the team at tokyobike throughout the pandemic. tokyobike is an independent bicycle company founded in Japan, and growing rapidly throughout the US and Europe. Based on the concept of Tokyo Slow their bicycles are designed to explore the places we love and call home. Juliana walks us through the highly strategized eth...
Kat Cole on growing Cinnabon into a global, omnichannel brand
December 22, 2020 10:00 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBToday, Kristen sits down with Kat Cole, COO and President of FOCUS Brands, the parent company to Auntie Anns, Cinnabon, Schlotzchky’s Carbell Ice cream, Mos and Mcalister’s Deli. So yeah, she knows retail. Kat tells the story about growing Hooters into a global business in her 20s, how brands can act local while thinking global, and how to deconstruct your brand to its core to make strategic pivots.
Knix on the 2020 marketing campaigns that catapulted their growth with Joanna Griffiths
December 17, 2020 10:00 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MB2020 has been a year and a half. And yet, Knix and KT by Knix, popular direct-to-consumer intimate apparel brands have found massive success through two highly strategic marketing plays: virtual styling and off-season warehouse sales. Today, join Kristen and Joanna Griffiths, founder and CEO of Knix as they dig into these COVID-friendly tactics, the awkwardness of bra shopping, and why it's more important than ever for brands to stand for something.
Jaime Schmidt and Helena Price-Hambrecht on local, grassroots growth and learning to fail
December 15, 2020 10:00 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MBThe future of commerce is local. It's human-centric. It's all about community. Today, Kristen sits down with Jaime Schmidt, Founder of Schmidt's Naturals, a personal care brand that has now been acquired by Unilever and Helena Price Hambrecht, Founder and CEO of Haus, a wildly popular DTC aperitif brand to talk about this shift towards connection. You'll hear how these two founders grew their brands through grassroots, localized marketing and how to truly serve your customers above ...
Daily Paper on community-centric retail and global branding with Hussein Suleiman, Jefferson Osei, and Abderrahmane Trabsini
December 10, 2020 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBCombining the founders' rich African heritage with contemporary fashion design, Daily Paper has become one of the fastest growing fashion brands out of Europe. And now, they've opened their first flagship store in NYC. In this episode, Kristen sits down with all three Daily Paper Founders (Hussein Suleiman, Jefferson Osei, and Abderrahmane Trabsini) to dive into the differences between European and American retail culture, reinvigorating a local neighborhood with artistic design, pl...
Universal Standard on the power of personalization in retail with Alexandra Waldman
December 08, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBWhile COVID-19 has kept folks further away from each other physically, it's revealed the true importance of relationship building between brands and customers. Today, Alexandra Waldman (Founder, Universal Standard) joins us to share how the innovative and inclusive retailer used personal shopping and one-on-one appointments to bring their business closer to the future of fashion.
Gusto on the need for secondary aid for small businesses with Lexi Reese
December 03, 2020 10:00 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBSmall businesses have been incredibly resilient through COVID — but they'll need even more help to get through the winter. That's why Gusto is calling on Congress and state officials to act now. Today we're joined by Lexi Reese, COO of Gusto to talk about this push. Lexi and Kristen get into the real economic impacts the retail industry has faced in 2020, what you can do to take care of your employees, what the next round of aid needs to look like, and how we can protect our local e...
Heatonist on the journey from pushcart to retail stores with Noah Chaimberg and Harley Finkelstein
December 01, 2020 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.1 MBHeatonist is a New York City based shop that specializes in top shelf hot sauces. Founder and owner of Heatonist, Noah Chaimberg joins us today alongside a special guest, Shopify's President Harley Finkelstein as they discuss meeting each other at summer camp, going from selling hot sauce from a pushcart to two retail locations, and partnering with one of the world's most popular media outlets.
Fenty Skin on launching a new brand in the middle of 2020 with Holly Cann
November 24, 2020 10:00 - 45 minutes - 42 MBWhen we say this next guest is cool—we mean that she's the "I've met Rihanna" level of cool. Holly Cann is the Senior Brand Manager for Rihanna's skincare line, Fenty Skin. Today, Holly joins us to give an inside look at how the powerhouse beauty brand has worked through the complexities of 2020, including throwing their own virtual house party with Lil Nas X.
The Detox Market on rethinking the role of retail store associates with Romain Gaillard and Adam Levene
November 19, 2020 10:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBWith foot traffic down and a greater focus on ecommerce, retail stores have started to seek out new opportunities for the passionate and knowledgeable folks they already have working their sales floors. Today, Romain Gaillard (Founder, The Detox Market) and Adam Levene (Founder, HERO) join us to talk about how the Detox Market transformed their operations by empowering their store associates to bring their expertise and talents online.
HERO on retail's video call and virtual shopping revolution with Adam Levene
November 17, 2020 10:00 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MBWe're all on more video calls than ever these days, but video has also been having a huge impact on how retail stores are operating too. This whole week, we'll be talking with our pals from HERO, a Shopify app that lets retail associates video chat with online store shoppers; used by everyone from Nike to Levi's to UNTUCKit. Adam Levene, founder of HERO, joins us today to dive deeper into how the lines between ecommerce and retail are blurring during the pandemic, especially when it...
Bonus Episode: How these Denver retailers are stepping up to support their city
November 13, 2020 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBAccording to the Denver Post, COVID19 cost Denver retailers over $1 billion in lost sales. With fewer people passing through Denver, fewer dollars are being spent. Tourism has dried up. The city's convention business disappeared. Sporting venues were shut down. And thousands of office workers who populated the Central Business District and Cherry Creek remain hunkered down at home. And yet, Denver is a shining example of what it means to be resilient. Our spotlight on Denver continu...
CJ Johnson on the secret to great branding
November 12, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBCJ Johnson is an acclaimed startup advisor with tons of experience consulting for small businesses, Fortune 50 clients, and everyone in between. He's also managed massive influencer marketing campaigns—both as an advisor, and as an influencer himself (with hundreds of thousands of followers). Today, CJ shares his expert insights into how retailers can level up their digital marketing, and what his ideal retail space would look like.
Bonus Episode: Topo Designs on the strength of Denver's retail community with Alex Bibby
November 11, 2020 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBWe wanted to understand how some of the world's most resilient retail communities are dealing with the pandemic, so this week we're shining a special spotlight on the city of Denver with two bonus episodes. In our first bonus episode: we're joined by Alex Bibby, Regional Store Manager of Topo Designs, a Denver and Colorado staple specializing in mountain culture and outdoor living. Alex shares Topo Designs' journey through the pandemic, and the effects he's seen on the Denver retail...
Great Lakes Brewery on saving 15,000 gallons of Toronto beer using local delivery with Troy Burtch
November 10, 2020 10:00 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBWhen the pandemic forced a total halt to all production, restaurant sales, and foot traffic, Great Lakes Brewery needed to think quick to keep getting their craft beer into the hands of customers. Today, Troy Burtch joins us to discuss how the Great Lakes Brewery team launched local beer delivery in less than a week and kept their brewing business afloat.
TC Running on going omnichannel and never looking back with Jeff Bull
November 05, 2020 10:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBBefore the pandemic hit, 98% of TC Running's business came through in-person, in-store interactions. So when they had to shut down their two Minnesota retail locations, they needed to move their entire business online—fast. Today, brand director Jeff Bull gives us the inside lane on TC Running's sprint towards online selling and why omnichannel is now the foundation of their retail business (including their instant hit loyalty program).
Doughp on raising mental health awareness and learning to adapt with Kelsey Moreira
November 03, 2020 10:00 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBThe travel industry has taken a big hit during the pandemic, and cities like Las Vegas, where tourist traffic powers the retail economy, are facing mounting challenges. Doughp recently shut down their flagship retail location on the Vegas Strip—today, founder Kelsey Moreira shares what the cookie dough brand is doing to adapt and how they're continuing to support their mental health-focused mission.
54 Thrones on striving for race equality in the beauty industry with Christina Funke Tegbe
October 29, 2020 09:00 - 46 minutes - 43 MBSince the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matters protests, every industry is working to create equality. But has the beauty industry truly embraced the fight for equal representation? Christina Funke Tegbe, founder and creative visionary behind award-winning beauty brand 54 Thrones, shares her thoughts on the push towards equality, partnering with major retailers like Nordstrom, and how she's connecting customers to suppliers who have previously been left out of the conv...
Jeff Staple on how streetwear changed retail forever
October 27, 2020 09:00 - 45 minutes - 103 MBSince the early 90s, streetwear culture has exploded—and Jeff Staple has been there every step of the way. Jeff designed the first Nike sneaker to cause riots. He launched a retail boutique and art gallery in NYC. He founded a leading visual communications agency. And now, he hosts The Business of Hype podcast on Hypebeast Radio. You can say that Jeff has easily had a hand in just about every facet of streetwear, including its transformative impact on the retail industry. Today, he ...
Pattern Brands on chasing the uncomfortable with Emmett Shine
October 22, 2020 09:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBPattern Brands is working to help people enjoy daily life again through their family of lifestyle DTC brands. Emmett Shine, Founder and Chief Creative Officer joins us today to share stories about founding a branding agency in 2007, breaking down traditional barriers, and what it's like to be kicked out of Adidas' headquarters.
Mack Weldon on building a three dimensional brand with Brian Berger
October 20, 2020 09:00 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBFor Mack Weldon, retail is all about taking a digital-first online shopping experience and bringing it to life in their Hudson Yards store. Brian Berger (CEO and Founder) joins us today to share how direct-to-consumer, omnichannel commerce has fuelled Mack Weldon's breakout performance in a highly competitive market.
Michelle Cordeiro Grant on Lively's dedication to subtle pivots
October 15, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBDespite very few of us wearing a bra since March, Lively has been able to survive (and thrive) throughout 2020 by focusing on creative, subtle shifts in the business. Michelle Cordeiro Grant, Founder and CEO of Lively joins us today to talk about creating the leisuree category, building a raving community, and staying nimble with Lively's brick and mortar presence.
Common People Shop on the real struggles of micro-businesses with Steph LaPosta
October 13, 2020 13:29 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MB2020 has been tough for everyone, but micro-retailers have generally been hit the hardest. Between forced closures, lack of government aid, and attempting to navigate eCommerce for the first time, being a two-woman team is far from easy. Steph La Posta, Co-owner of Common Goods Shop in Toronto brings us a real, honest conversation on the struggles (and resilience) they have faced this year.
Beardbrand on entering retail in 2020 with Eric Bandholz
October 13, 2020 13:29 - 55 minutes - 50.8 MBBeardbrand, a digitally native brand based in Austin Texas, recently opened up their own barbershop... in the midst of a global pandemic. Eric Bandholz, Founder and CEO is here to talk about his strategy, the early lessons from retail, and how this new space helped him reach 1M impressions on YouTube.
Coco and Breezy on thriving through uncertainty
October 13, 2020 13:28 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBCorianna & Brianna Dotson, twin sisters and co-owners of Coco and Breezy Eyewear are two of the most inspirational and authentic entrepreneurs there are. On this episode, Coco and Breezy are here to share powerful insights into running a Black-owned business in 2020, retail partnerships, popups, building a brand, designing the iconic Third-Eye glasses for Prince, and more.
Halie LeSavage and Nik Sharma on preparing for BFCM and beyond
October 13, 2020 13:28 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBThe holidays are going to look different this year. No Black Friday door busting, families opening gifts via Zoom, it's an unpredictable season for retailers. Halie LeSavage, writer of Retail Brew and Nik Sharma, THE DTC guy are here to help. On this episode, we go deep into curbside pickup, 'Shop and Ship,' local delivery, retailer partnerships and more.
Harley Finkelstein on resilience vs. resistance
October 13, 2020 13:28 - 49 minutes - 45 MBWhat does the future of retail look like? Is the apocalypse coming? And what makes a retailer resilient? Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify is here to share his thoughts on the state of retail, the difference between resilience and resistance, and how Shopify is deeply invested in brick and mortar merchants.