Rooted in Retail

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Rooted in Retail

Crystal Vilkaitis

224 episodes

13 hours ago

What better way to kick off the holidays than learning from the master of Christmas cheer himself? In this special throwback episode, Santa Claus joins host Crystal Vilkaitis to share timeless tips for retailers on creating magical in-store experiences, boosting team morale, and surprising customers with moments of delight. From setting up a North Pole nook to hosting Elf Happy Hour and adding personalized touches that make customers feel special, this episode is packed with festive ideas to ...

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Entrepreneurship

All content for Rooted in Retail is the property of Crystal Vilkaitis and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

What better way to kick off the holidays than learning from the master of Christmas cheer himself? In this special throwback episode, Santa Claus joins host Crystal Vilkaitis to share timeless tips for retailers on creating magical in-store experiences, boosting team morale, and surprising customers with moments of delight. From setting up a North Pole nook to hosting Elf Happy Hour and adding personalized touches that make customers feel special, this episode is packed with festive ideas to ...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/224)

Rooted in Retail

Creating Holiday Magic in Retail with Santa Claus

What better way to kick off the holidays than learning from the master of Christmas cheer himself? In this special throwback episode, Santa Claus joins host Crystal Vilkaitis to share timeless tips for retailers on creating magical in-store experiences, boosting team morale, and surprising customers with moments of delight. From setting up a North Pole nook to hosting Elf Happy Hour and adding personalized touches that make customers feel special, this episode is packed with festive ideas to ...

15 hours ago

24 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Creating Joyful Customer Experiences in Retail - Solo

How do you turn an angry or sad customer into a loyal one? In this solo episode, Crystal Vilkaitis explores the emotional side of retail—how optimism, playfulness, and genuine human connection can transform every interaction in your store. From simple yet powerful gestures like smiling to encouraging your team to show up with energy and joy, Crystal shares practical insights to help retailers create memorable customer experiences that go beyond transactions. If you’re ready to inspire positiv...

5 days ago

8 minutes

Rooted in Retail

How to Build a Resilient Store and Stronger Brand Partnerships with Jessica Barile

What makes a store truly stand out in today’s changing retail landscape? In this inspiring episode of Rooted in Retail, host Crystal Vilkaitis sits down with Jessica Barile, Head of Specialty Sales at DesignWorks Collective, to unpack nearly 30 years of wisdom from the gift and retail industry. Jess shares the timeless truth that drives every successful store—connection—and breaks down how to build meaningful relationships with your team, reps, vendors, and customers. You’ll learn how to crea...

1 week ago

46 minutes

Rooted in Retail

The Magic of Disney: Retail Lessons from the Happiest Place on Earth - Solo

In this solo episode, host Crystal Vilkaitis takes us behind the scenes of a truly magical experience — a private Disney World event with 29 retailers designed to spark inspiration, connection, and creativity. From fireworks and fine dining to learning Disney’s framework for building world-class culture and consistency, Crystal uncovers how independent retailers can bring that same magic into their stores. Discover how attention to detail, strong systems, and unforgettable customer experience...

1 week ago

17 minutes

Rooted in Retail

How Museum Store Sunday Creates Meaningful Retail Moments

What if retail could do more than sell—it could inspire, educate, and connect communities? In this special episode of Rooted in Retail, host Crystal Vilkaitis gathers four incredible guests—Susan Tudor, Chacho Herman, Stuart Hata, and Jonathan Ochart—to dive into Museum Store Sunday, the cultural counterpart to Small Business Saturday. They share how this nationwide movement helps museum stores (and indie retailers everywhere) turn a single shopping day into a year-round celebration of purpos...

2 weeks ago

36 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Small Business Saturday: How to Turn a National Event Into a Local Movement - Solo Episode

In this solo “After the Show (but not really After the Show)” episode, host Crystal Vilkaitis dives deep into how independent retailers can make the most of Small Business Saturday—a national event that’s not just about sales, but about creating experiences and community connections. Crystal shares both tried-and-true tactics and out-of-the-box ideas to help retailers attract loyal customers, drive traffic, and make holiday shopping magical. From bundles and VIP events to scavenger hunts, loc...

2 weeks ago

34 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Building Loyalty and Balance in Business with Hart Mercantile’s Dawn

What does it take to create true loyalty—not just from customers, but within your business partnerships too? In this episode, Dawn from Hart Mercantile shares her journey from launching a small retail side hustle to running a thriving shop that continues to evolve with new product lines. She opens up about how hospitality, service, and genuine connection build lasting customer relationships, and why having a solid support system—especially when working with your spouse or partner—makes all th...

3 weeks ago

37 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Rebuilding Retail from the Ground Up

Joy Fan, Founder of Storefront and lead of Retell.co, is transforming how independent retailers grow, connect, and thrive. Through innovation, pop-up strategies, and purpose-driven communities, she’s redefining what it means to create value in today’s retail landscape. Her approach blends creativity and connection, empowering brands to stay flexible and human in a rapidly changing world. This is a must-listen for indie shop owners, retail visionaries, and creators ready to rebuild with heart,...

4 weeks ago

48 minutes

Rooted in Retail

How to Keep Your Retail Business Fresh (Even in a Niche Market)

Running a successful niche retail business takes more than just passion—it requires strategy, creativity, and the ability to adapt. In this episode of Retail Therapy, Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor, sits down with Richard Matney, owner of Board Game Paradise, to talk about the realities of running and expanding a specialty store. Richard shares the challenges of needing space for a second location, the importance of understanding your target audience, and how he keeps his store fresh and excit...

1 month ago

47 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Fear, Failure & Finding Your Retail Voice with Michael Schultz

What happens when decades of retail success collide with fear-driven decisions? Michael Schultz, co-owner of Cursive New York, shares how one panicked choice nearly sank his business—and the lessons that turned it into a story of resilience. From 33 years in retail, Michael reveals the secret that never changes: a strong point of view. He also dives into how today’s consumers shop with less confidence, why tariffs are hitting harder than expected, and how showing up authentically on Instagram...

1 month ago

38 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Simplify, Serve, and Succeed: Retail Insights with Summer Allen

What does it take to turn retail struggles into sustainable success? Summer Allen, a former retailer turned retail consultant, knows firsthand. Today, she helps business owners simplify profits, attract more customers, and build businesses that truly serve their lives—not the other way around. In this episode, Summer shares lessons learned from her own store, why inventory should never “celebrate a birthday,” and how defining your own version of success is the key to long-term growth. From ru...

1 month ago

41 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Sell More Without Selling Hard

Running a store comes with endless moving parts—from stocking the right products to training your sales team and avoiding burnout as the owner. Michelle, a hardworking retailer, knows this all too well. She’s been wrestling with questions like: Should I invest in an inventory management system? In this episode of Retail Therapy session, host Crystal is joined by our retail therapist Bob Phibbs, along with guest Michelle Tjelmeland, to break it all down. Together, they dive into the diff...

1 month ago

38 minutes

Rooted in Retail

The Retail Accelerator: Insider Strategies from Retail Experts

What does it take to thrive in today’s fast-moving retail world? In this episode of Rooted in Retail, host Crystal brings together a powerhouse panel of retail experts: Sarah Koutsogiannis (ANDMORE), Jennifer Johnson (True Fashionistas), Cathy Wagner (Retail Mavens), Josh Orr (Capital Commerce), and Vi Wickam (Wizard of Ads). Together, they dig into the biggest worries weighing on retailers—and which ones aren’t worth the stress. From avoiding overthinking to finding clarity in your goals, th...

1 month ago

54 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Building Trust and Sustainability in Retail

What does it take to bring sustainability and authenticity into an everyday essential? Jen Eden, co-founder and CEO of Tampon Tribe, shares her journey of building a plastic-free, organic period care brand that’s making waves in retail. With a background in entrepreneurship, media, and marketing, Jennifer dives into what inspired her, how she connects with customers on a deeper level, and why trust and play matter in business. In this episode, you’ll hear how she went from retail beginnings t...

1 month ago

44 minutes

Rooted in Retail

How to Stop Being a Hidden Gem in Retail and Start Shining

Ever feel like your store is your town’s best kept secret—but you’d really rather everyone know about you? That’s exactly how Taylor Sumrall of Taylor Made Designs in Opelika, Alabama feels. She and her mom have been running their family-owned gift and jewelry shop for years, getting amazing feedback from customers… but struggling with consistency in foot traffic. In this Retail Therapy session, we’re joined again by our retail therapist, Bob Phibbs, who doesn’t hold back with honest, practic...

1 month ago

42 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Managing Stress Without Burnout – Tools Every Retailer Needs

Retail can feel like a never-ending hustle—but what if you had the right tools to manage stress, avoid burnout, and thrive? Chrystal Rose knows firsthand the highs and lows of being in retail. From dealing with guilt and overwhelm to understanding why effort doesn’t always guarantee success, she shares strategies for finding balance and regulating your nervous system. In this episode, Chrystal opens up about her retail journey and offers practical advice for business owners who want to protec...

2 months ago

28 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Storytelling, Strategy & Sauce: How Ari Lowenstein of Ari's Pantry Is Redefining Retail

Arieh Lowenstein is back for part two, and this time he’s diving even deeper into what makes independent retail thrive. From creating meaningful customer moments to shaping the right product mix, Ari shares how small shifts can make a big impact in-store. He also opens up about the lessons he would approach differently in his business and what he sees for the future of independent retail. If you want practical insights on how to better understand your customers, adapt to today’s fast-changing...

2 months ago

22 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Finding the Right Help in Retail

In this episode of Retail Therapy, host Crystal Valkaitis sits down with retail therapist Bob Phibbs and guest Lisa Greene to dig into one of her biggest challenges: finding qualified florists to help her business thrive. Lisa opens up about the difficulty of hiring in a niche market, and Bob shares insights on spotting vocational skills, using qualifications to guide your hiring decisions, and getting creative with talent attraction through video and social media marketing. They also talk ab...

2 months ago

32 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Scaling Smart and Staying Creative – Lessons from Ari’s Pantry

Ari Lowenstein has done just about everything in retail: consulting, product development, and leading industry associations. Now, he has built his own stores. With Ari’s Pantry, he is bringing authentic Italian flavors to Texas and has already grown from one shop to four in less than two years. In this episode, Ari opens up to Crystal about his bold approach to retail, why failure is part of the process, and how customer experience drives everything he does. From a playful loyalty program whe...

2 months ago

35 minutes

Rooted in Retail

Doing Less, Creating More – Retail Wisdom from a Third-Generation Store Owner

Jennifer Shorter’s retail roots run deep—three generations deep, to be exact. As the owner of Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts in Michigan, she’s mastered the art of blending tradition with innovation while keeping her creative spark alive. In this episode, Jennifer opens up about her unique retail journey, the surprising power of doing less, and why embracing change has been key to her long-term success. From adapting to shifting customer behaviors to creating events that keep people coming back, Jen...

2 months ago

25 minutes