Let's Talk a Little Shop | ASD Market Week ASD Market Week - The Largest Wholesale Merchandise Trade Show in the U.S.

Welcome to the latest episode of Let’s Talk a Little Shop. Emilie interviews Jeremy Bergstein of The Science Project. The Science Project is a digital innovation firm that works with world class brands such as Nike, Kiehl's. Uniqlo, Chanel, Calvin Klein, the Simon Group, Bloomingdale's, and Kate Spade to create digital experiences into physical store locations, and vice versa. In this episode, they discuss: 


00:00: Meet Jeremy Bergstein
02:58: What Makes a Brand Special
03:44: What is a Conversion-Based, Creative Agency?
05:20: How Great Marketers Balance Creative and Data
06:00: Jeremy’s Origin Story: From NYC Science Teacher to Luxury Brand Strategist
11:30: Speaking and Connecting with Customers Requires Constant Reiteration
12:15: You Must Use Data to Inform Your Customer Conversations Online
13:00: You Can’t Build a Successful Business on a Shaky Foundation
15:15: The Disruptive Nature of AI
16:37: How AI Processes Data
18:00: Consumers Are Just Starting to Experience AI’s Power
21:00: Use Cases of AI in Retail - Product Discovery and Attribution
24:23: As AI Progresses, Retailers Will Have to Adapt
27:00: Evolving Digital Experience to Amplify Consumer Experience
30:00: How Lady Gaga Used Digital to Tell Her Fans’ Stories
31:18: The Considerations for Moving into Digital from Physical Retail, and Vice Versa
33:27: Facilitating Brand Conversations at Every Touch Point
35:37: Dynamics of Running an Agency - Hiring, Operations, and Cash Flow
38:00: It’s Important to Have a Specific Expertise and Focusing on Your Core Strengths
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Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Welcome-Lets-Talk-A-Little-Shop-A-Podcast-For-Small-Retailers-ASD-Market-Week-Podcast/B09VHWTKGV

In this episode of Let’s Talk a Little Shop, Emilie Lewis interviews Jamie Grossman, the founder of PRTNR Recruiting Firm. 
PRTNR Recruiting Firm isn’t the traditional placement agency, they specialize in full-time job placements in consumer lifestyle industries. And unlike many recruitment firms, Jamie doesn’t work with just anyone. She only works in her zone of excellence and her company’s strengths. 
In their conversation, Emilie and Jamie start off by discussing:
How to debunk misconceptions when it comes to recruiting,Mindful recruiting practices,  and only taking on candidates or clients that fit your zone of excellence,And why It’s okay to turn away business and/or refer it out.Jamie goes on to share how the hiring and Human Resources practices are changing. She shares that before the pandemic, job candidates once got sick and vacation days; now she’s seeing mental health days added to those offers. 
Traditional Thinking Is Killing Your Company Culture
Now that people are returning to offices, she’s also seeing the WFH model being challenged by senior leadership because they want people back in the workplace. 
Jamie advises that companies really take a hard look at how companies are operating in 2024 and beyond. 
Rethinking Hire Slow, Fire Fast
When it comes to hiring in 2024, Jamie recommends that companies be very specific in their job descriptions and expectations in the roles they’re hiring for. 
Emilie and Jamie also talk about the hire slow, fire fast mentality. The onboarding process is extremely important, so setting your candidates up for success needs to be taken into consideration before you extend an offer. 
Three Signs of Great Talent
Jamie goes on to share the three signs of great talent. Great talents has:
Excellent follow through, They always arrive early, and they clearly communicate. These are the people you want to keep because they’re going to constantly deliver beyond your expectations. 
Hiring for Trade Shows
When it comes to trade shows, companies can and should apply the practices as well. There are companies and recruiters that now specialize in trade show recruiting. People who understand how to represent a company at a show are in high demand. 
Future of Hiring
Hiring in 2024 isn’t going down, but it is changing and pivoting. People are scaling back to find the right people, but jobs haven’t decreased.  Jamie is also seeing strong, female leaders are starting to step up and be seen. 
The future of the workplace includes transparency, clear lines of communication, and empathy. If you don’t have those, you’ll lose out. 
Become a Part of ASD Market Week
To learn more about retail buying opportunities and attending ASD, visit our website where you can register for free. 
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Let’s Talk a Little Shop is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Watch and listen on Spotify, Apple, iHeart Radio, 

Season 3 of Let’s Talk a Little Shop is here! This season, your host is Emilie Lewis, the VP of Marketing for ASD Market Week. 
At ASD, our team sees that the retail landscape is changing. So for Season 3 of Let’s Talk a Little Shop we wanted to focus on “What’s Important.” The next 10 episodes are dedicated to discussing what is happening retail business, trade shows, and the events now, and what’s important to focus on. 
In this episode, Emilie interviews David Levich of Sun-Staches on how he built a retail brand based on fun, connection, and conversation. David shares his brand’s origin story, what it was like to build a company on less than $500, how he learned to embrace failure and success, and so much more. 
Listen or watch as Emilie and David’s conversation that talks about: 
How David’s Childhood Experiences Inspired Him to Become an EntrepreneurDavid’s Biggest Fear Was Being Broke; How He Overcame Negative Money StoriesSeasonal Sales Require Creative Marketing and Sales TacticsSun-Staches’ Origin Story; Hollywood and Hip Hop Shaped the BrandHow to Pivot Your Business in a RecessionOffering 10,000 Pairs of Kanye West’s Shutter Shades to Claire’s for FreeDavid’ Wife Demanded He Answer the Open Casting Call for Shark Tank Experience The Shark Tank Process took 10 Years, not 10 MinutesDaymond John Chose to Them over Mark CubanDaymond Trusted David to Build the Company; Not Micromanaging Was Critical to their SuccessYour Business Needs Values; Moral and Ethics are Not NegotiableYou Have to Take Care of Your Customers, Vendors, and EmployeesThe Balance of Success and Failure; You Win Some, You Lose SomeTaking Calculated Risks in 2024In Financially Risky Times, Look at Impulse, Price Sensitive and Best Sellers to Drive Merchandise SalesIt Takes Years to Develop a Business; You Can’t Just Do One ASD Show, You Must Invest in at Least 4 Shows (2 Years)ASD is an Order Writing Show, You Diversify Your Distribution and Types of AccountsNo Matter How Great the Digital Landscape is, Face to Face Interaction and Seeing Products is Critical to RetailStarting with $200, eBay and Putting in the TimeBelieve in Your Product or Store, You Can Find Success If You Have Brick and Mortar, You Need Great Customer ExperienceIf You Go Online, You Need to Learn to Talk to and Entertain Your CustomerBecome a Part of ASD Market Week
To learn more about retail buying opportunities and attending ASD, visit our website where you can register for free. 
Subscribe to Our Podcast
Let’s Talk a Little Shop is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Watch and listen on Spotify, Apple, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, or

In this episode, Stephanie talks to Dane Cohen, Director of Sales and New Business Development, Management One, LLC.
 
 3:14: Dane joins the family business, Lesters, a multi-store location in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut!
4:06: A shift to Management One LLC, Dane uses his diverse background to help strengthen independent and family-owned retail businesses with open to buy and inventory management.
5:31: Motto, “Onwards and Upwards" - guiding clients to success through learning, growth, and evolving together.
6:05: The optimistic approach to business. Play offense when it comes to being a merchant.  To grow the business, you need to attack success!
7:10: The state of independent retail is growth!
10:38:  Cash flow and Inventory.  The simple fact is that more than 50% of your cash is going back into inventory.
13:12: Two big factors for good inventory Budgeting - How much product do you really need and when do you need it to hit your store?
16:00: The need to take risks!  If you have a budget and understand when the product will land, you can take calculated risks!
18:19: Distribution!  Trade shows are critical to source new products and manage relationships with suppliers to ensure you can get product to your store on time!
23:56: Transparency, communication, and problem solving!
24:58: Sourcing! ASD launched Sourcetique, a dedicated platform with vetted manufacturers that can offer lower MOQ and drop shipping fulfillment to large and small boutique buyers.
26:40: Private Label is a genius way for retailers to compete in this economy!  It is your own method of vertical distribution.
28:58: What can you learn from big box retailers.  How data driven decisions help retailers make smart decisions when purchasing inventory.
31:56: Go in with a plan! Dane dishes on how to best prepare to optimize success at tradeshows!

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In this episode, Stephanie talks to Danny Kole, Co-President, Kole Imports & Closeouts.
1:47:  How Two Brothers started a business at swap meets using wait lines to source merchandise before the meets started.3:35: The Pivot - from swap meets to selling promotional, new merchandise.4:36: Sourcing - Diving to LA and using sourcing wholesale merchandise from import businesses in downtown Los Angeles.7:55: Trade Shows - If you build it, they will come. How trade shows laid the foundation for Kole Imports & Exports.8:30: Re-packaging existing products to develop items that could retail for .99 stores.11:00: You need to find and sell merchandise that customers recognize in order for it to sell well.13:55: Lessons from family, be impeccable to your word.  Show up and be authentic to your customers.15:00: Longevity and retention is important. Having your employees stay with you is critical to your success.17:15:  Creating a team with an entrepreneur mindset.  People don’t work for us, they work with us.20:38: Defining leadership and adapting with shifting environments.23:00: Focus your energy on what you can influence. Find the positive in all situations and focus your attention on progress.24:30: Learning to pivot with the industry and being a considerate leader.27:00: Building grit and learning to problem solve for personal success.31:00: The importance of generational family-owned business and how family members play key roles in the future of the company.33:46: Balance your booth merchandise, Kole Imports carries 50% closeouts and 50% imports.34:00: Closeouts allow retailers to create excitement in their stores with consumers! Trending now - closeout buys are at an all time high.35:04: ASD Market Week is an order writing, high volume, show.

In this episode of Let’s Talk A Little Shop, Stephanie Beringhele talks to Ashley Alderson, Founder and CEO, of The Boutique Hub. 
1:20: There is no way to lay out a perfect business plan. A business should start with a purpose and a why. 3:00: How The Boutique Hub found their niche and made a pivot to support small retail businesses. 5:45: From inventory to merchandise, how The Boutique Hub supports retailers’ business questions. 7:05: Helping small retailers leverage their sales and marketing data to improve their e-commerce sales and marketing efforts. 8:15: As you take over a legacy business, if you don’t have a website and e-commerce, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. 9:00: Shopify makes e-commerce development a low barrier effort for small retailers. 11:02: Mindset matters, don’t let your energy and excitement drop in your slower months. Your sales reflect your belief for your monthly sales. 12:04: Use slower times to develop better marketing efforts, invest in automations, and manage what sets your success. 14:30: Relationship first, sales second - make sure you understand your customers’ lives.16:00: Merchandise and selecting the products you carry in your store. Product assortment falls into four categories - trend, bread and butter, margin builders, add-on and upsells. Master all four to find success. 20:00: Use bi-monthly collections in order to create seasonal stories and reasons for customers to buy. 22:58: Time, money, and energy. You need to allow for the seasons of your personal life to ebb and flow. Balance is hard, but it’s important to define it. 26:49: Stop being so hard on yourself. Give yourself credit for your accomplishments. To learn more about ASD Market Week, visit https://www.asdonline.com