Stories from the River Broad River Retail

Welcome back to the second part of our conversation with Kota Bennett on "Stories from the River." Host Charlie Malouf sits down with Kota Bennett to discuss the importance of perseverance in his career and Broad River's recognition as one of the industry's best places to work. The company's family-like culture, approachable management, and strong employee appreciation create an environment conducive to both personal and professional growth.
Despite being naturally shy, Kota has excelled in sales by utilizing the "C4 Sales Process" — Connect, Customize, Commit, and Continue—which fosters personalized customer experiences and builds lifelong relationships. 
Kota emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, goal setting, and maintaining a positive mindset. He credits his consistent success to deliberate learning, a proactive approach to handling objections and rejections, and the motivation from annual jackpot bonuses. Personal anecdotes, such as helping a customer who lost her home to a fire and overcoming brain cancer in his youth, illustrate his gratitude and zest for life.
He advises new sales associates to develop mental resilience and continually refine their skills outside of live interactions. Kota's story, along with praise from colleagues and reflections on the company's cultural events, underscores the supportive and growth-oriented environment at Broad River, offering a transformative experience for those considering joining.
Publisher's Note: Please note that we have unfortunately lost access to the video file from the original interview, but we made the decision to publish this two-part conversation with the audio files that were preserved along with photos of Kota and photos taken during our recording day on Friday, June 28, 2024.
 This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8g71IOwIops 
Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. 
This show is brought to you by Broad River Retail. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com                   
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail      

Welcome to the first part of our conversation with Kota Bennett on Stories from the River. Host Charlie Malouf interviews Kota Bennett, a Home Furnishings Expert and VIP Sales Manager at Broad River. Kota shares his inspiring journey within the company over the past four years, starting with a leap of faith move to North Carolina in June 2020 during the pandemic. Kota shares his journey beginning with his virtual, yet fun and engaging, Retail 101 classes and the fellow Memory Makers who supported and helped him along the way.  
Known for his standout shoes, Kota shares his approach to wearing bright, fun shoes that help him connect and engage with his guests. 
He takes us through each year with Broad River and the career milestones (and setbacks) he has had along the way.  He shares how he has been able to write over $1,000,000 in sales each full year, how he had a rapid ascent to achieving the Expert status by the end of 2021.  He discusses his decision to move from the Raleigh area to Wilmington and the coastal region in April 2022.  Then, after temporarily losing his Expert designation in 2022, Kota describes how he managed to regain his Expert status in 2023 through perseverance and determination.  
His consistent success each year with Broad River has enabled him to grow his income each year at The River and culminated with his decision to purchase a house last year, marking a significant personal milestone. 
Kota opens up about his passion for VIP and how he has unlocked his potential and grown by taking on sales management and leadership duties since his move to Wilmington.  
Additionally, Kota emphasizes the importance of leadership and company support in achieving personal growth, expressing gratitude for the mentorship and guidance he's received. His journey from a newcomer to becoming a leader who positively influences his team highlights Kota's dedication and passion for his work. To hear the rest of Kota's story, tune in to part two on Thursday!
Publisher's Note: Please note that we have unfortunately lost access to the video file from this interview, but we made the decision to publish this two-part conversation with the audio files that were preserved along with photos of Kota and photos taken during our recording day on Friday, June 28, 2024.
 This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-gFX6sqY5pA 
Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. 
This show is brought to you by Broad River Retail. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com                  
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail     

In the last part of the Founders Scholarship Fund series on Stories from the River, host Manny Rodrigues sits down with Denasia Dixon, one of the recipients of the Founder Scholarship Fund. Denasia discusses her journey from receiving the scholarship to preparing for her upcoming studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She talks about the moment she discovered she won the scholarship, her excitement for what lies ahead, and the significance of receiving such an accolade. Known for her diverse interests, including sewing, painting, and video creation, Denasia shares the advice of being authentic and putting genuine effort into scholarship applications, highlighting the importance of proper preparation and authenticity.
Denasia also reflects on her academic experiences, including her recent graduation from high school and her decision to pursue psychology with a possible double major in sociology and a minor in history. She highlights the importance of effective study habits, such as using flashcards and collaborative learning with friends, and expresses her enthusiasm for the independence and new challenges of college life. Additionally, she offers insights into her varied hobbies, from painting and sewing to creating YouTube videos and exploring obscure historical topics. 
This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QWpakgwwV-o 
Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. 
This show is brought to you by Broad River Retail. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com                 
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail     

In this fifth part of the Founders Scholarship Fund series on Stories from the River, Manny Rodrigues talks with Tamaya Ormond, a Founders Scholarship recipient, and her mother, Shamieka Smith, who is a member of Broad River Retail's CX All Stars and a former Memory Maker of the Year in 2022. The episode highlights Tamya's first year at NC Central University, discussing her experiences, the challenges she faced in making new friends, and her dedication to her studies in pre-nursing. Tamaya shares her excitement and gratitude upon learning she won the scholarship and reflects on how the award will help her pursue her educational goals. Shamieka, on the other hand, expresses her pride in her daughter's accomplishments and the importance of the scholarship in providing much-needed support.
The conversation also covers Tamaya's motivations, work ethic, and how she balances her busy schedule with two summer jobs. Shamieka emphasizes the significance of prayer, mentorship, and encouraging independence in parenting a college student. The episode closes with advice from both Tamaya and Shamieka for students applying for the Founder Scholarship and parents supporting their college-bound children. They highlight the importance of hard work, transparency, and resilience in overcoming challenges and achieving success. Manny also offers insights into the value of learning from mistakes and staying connected to community values, aligning with the company's purpose of furnishing life's best memories.
This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vPXp0ZeLBcg 
Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. 
This show is brought to you by Broad River Retail. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com                
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail    

In this fourth part of the Founders Scholarship Fund series on Stories from the River, Manny Rodrigues welcomes Joey Leimkuhler and his mother, Janet, to discuss Joey's first year at UNC Charlotte as a recipient of the Founder Scholarship Fund. Joey shares that his initial college experience was easier than anticipated, achieving a spot on both the Dean's and Chancellor's lists. He talks about the significance of the scholarship in easing his academic journey and allowing him to take ROTC programs that helped him find community. Janet expresses pride in her son's accomplishments and highlights the company's unique support for its employees' families.
Joey also discusses his involvement in a variety of extracurricular activities, including his internship at Broad River Retail, where he applies his business analytics major by analyzing sales data. He recounts his experience helping to open a new store in Aiken, South Carolina. Additionally, Joey describes his roles on campus, like broadcasting for UNC's sports events and participating in a Baptist ROTC group called Valor. Manny and Joey dive into the importance of maintaining connections, the insights gained from a year in college, and plans for the summer, including a family cruise and a beach trip with friends. Janet closes by advising parents to maintain consistent communication with their children as they transition to college life.
This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tmp8xHhLnYw 
Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. 
This show is brought to you by Broad River Retail. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com               
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail   

In the third part of the Founders Scholarship Fund series on Stories from the River, host Manny Rodrigues welcomes Mark Deulley. Their discussion centered around resilience, determination, and strategic leadership. Mark shares insights from his educational journey, highlighting his favorite MBA class, an auto manufacturing simulation that ignited his passion for strategic planning. He details his unexpected win of a founder scholarship, fueled by encouragement from Laura Spencer and support from his family and girlfriend, Ashley. Mark's diverse interests, including financial planning and giving back through a not-for-profit coffee shop for entrepreneurs, further illustrate his commitment to creating supportive networks. He also emphasizes his objectives of "encouraging entrepreneurs," a network to aid entrepreneurs without commercial pressure, and discusses his vision for scalable and systematic connections.
Mark's career journey, from working in banking to furniture management and starting his own business, showcases his resilience and adaptability. Recognized as a Retail MVP, he shares his experiences with launching a successful retail team called Cobra Kai, underpinned by strategic systems and planning. Manny praises Mark's achievements, reinforcing the significance of perseverance despite challenges. The conversation rounds off with practical advice for scholarship applicants and those returning to school, encouraging them to focus on giving back and overcoming self-doubt. 
This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kaFJLy0fy1Y 
Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. 
This show is brought to you by Broad River Retail. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com              
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail