Field Notes for Retail Leaders

Photo by Steven Aguilar on Unsplash Hey Leader, As a store manager, I taught my team how to do everything. There were very few things that only I could do. I wrote the schedules. I made sure people were being paid correctly. I signed off on new hires. But run-of-the-mill daily tasks can usually be handled by anyone. Heck, I even taught some of my salespeople how to call IT and troubleshoot problems. They always asked me first. I'd see what I could do, but then I'd tell them to call and tell...

Hi. I'm gonna be so real with you right now. I spent the last month working my guts out on a leadership styles course. I was in the final stages of designing the sales page and making the videos. The course was in pre-sale. Guess what? I killed it. I killed the launch. Is that crazy? I spent a month on it. I was super stoked to share this information. I knew it would help leaders so much. But the climate wasn't right. People were not interested in it. Not here. Not now. I had (A LOT) of...

Hey Leader, The wait is over! The Retail Leadership Compass: Find Your True North is in pre-sale! This is a leadership styles training for retail leaders. For a limited time, you can get the entire course for just $72 (that's 50% off the regular price of $144!). This fun & effective mini-course includes: Short, punchy video modules on 4 distinct leadership styles Downloadable PDF + Leadership Styles Quiz Actionable strategies you can implement immediately And much more! This pre-sale price...

Hi Leaders, Get ready to level up! I'm going LIVE on Substack tomorrow with the incredible Steve Worthy to explore all things leadership. You won't want to miss this lively and down-to-earth conversation. We'll be talking about writing reviews and sharing actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Come prepared with your burning leadership questions – we'll be answering them live in the chat! Friday, February 14th Time: 9am PST/ 12pm ESTPlace: Substack app or desktop (new!) Steve...

Hi Leaders, I just got off a Substack Live event with Steve Worthy. We were talking about leading during chaotic times. Leading through change, social unrest, or policy changes is never easy. But leading is almost never easy - we know that. So, what do we do? How do we still lead when everything around us is in a constant state of upheaval or unknown? Here are three things I talked about with Steve today. Talk to someone. We all need people that we can call. Yes, I mean call. Not just text....

Hi Leaders, We're in the third week of January this year already. How are you? If you gave me a big ole sigh, I feel that. Every time I'm like, "How is it ______ already?" I feel like a grandma. But oh well. Lean in. Time flies and keeping it all straight isn't easy. There's a lot going on in the world, and a lot of that change can feel heavy. Rest when you can. Set those boundaries with your team to give you time off. And stay hydrated. This morning I kept feeling like there was not enough...

Hey Leader, How are you holding up? The whole month of January really felt like a 30-day hangover when I was a store manager. You're cleaning up from holiday, trying to make an empty store look full, saying goodbye to seasonal employees, and inventory is staring you square in the face. Sigh. It's a lot, and floor coverage is usually at its bare minimum. It's pretty hard to prep for inventory when you're running the floor with one other person. But somehow, we always make it work. In the hopes...

Hey Badass Retail Leader, Feeling a little lost in the retail shuffle? A wee bit burned out? I totally get it. The week after holiday, heading into the new year is challenging. There’s a lot to clean up, organize, and get ready for inventory - amiright? But get this - you're not alone. We feel you. We've all been there – staring at a blank calendar, and a sold-through store, wondering what 2025 holds. (Will that bench in the shoe department finally get fixed?) But what if this year could be...

Photo by Kostiantyn Li on Unsplash Hi Leaders, As the year winds down, please give yourself some grace. Take a day off. Get out of your city if you can—even if it's only for a few hours. December in retail is super challenging, and we need to give our bodies a break. As you plan for next quarter, do this one thing: get your 2025 vacations on the calendar now. I know, it kind of seems like overkill, but it's not. Retail moves quickly, and before you know it, it will be April, and you'll wonder...