How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be a Retail Maven?
After graduating from Notre Dame, I got married and worked as a management trainee in a business supply company. Boy, this was the life I thought! A cushy corporate job and a husband….all my dreams had come true! The happiness was short-lived. I soon realized that I didn’t enjoy working for someone else. I had ideas that I was sure would increase business and procedures that I wanted to change, but couldn’t implement anything I wanted to. I was so frustrated. For a while, I thought I wanted to go to medical school and I thought that being a doctor would put me in business for myself, so I started to applying to schools.
Meanwhile, I discovered that I was pregnant! While I was waiting to hear if I had been accepted, I met a children’s clothing store owner in my Lamaze birthing class. He was looking for some part time help. I offered to help them out for a short time – never dreaming that I would enjoy it. Much to my surprise, I found that I loved retail! It was wonderful connecting with the customers and helping them solve their needs with merchandise. After a short time, I began to have suggestions about how the owner might be able to increase his business. He wanted none of that and had a suggestion for me – open YOUR OWN business!
And so I did. I realized that being in medicine would be too limiting for me and that I had to own my very own store. I got my sister to join me and we opened our first store – a children’s clothing and toy store. I am proud to say that we were profitable in our first year! The years went by and I had three more children and we opened two more stores. As you can imagine, with four kids and three stores I had some incredible store systems in place so that I could manage it all! I wanted to be able to enjoy both my kids and my work. Along the way, I discovered that crunching numbers and putting together systems was my favorite part – and I was good at it. We had the benefit of a great consultant who helped to show us the way to success. My sister did the buying and I had my finger on the pulse of all the numbers that are critical to retail profit. We had put together a great successful package.
One thing I noticed when we were at trade shows was that there were so many frustrated retailers out there. Many who hadn’t experienced the success and fun that I had enjoyed. I decided that I wanted to share all I had learned with others. I wanted them to have the tools they needed to enjoy their store and to look forward to going to work! So I sold my share in my stores and started consulting retailers.
What I love about my job is that I have been on both sides of the counter so to speak! I know that store owners wake up in the middle of the night, thinking about how money comes in and then goes out and they want to know how to have more left over for themselves. I know that store owners get out of bed in the morning worrying about how to increase their sales. I know that they walk through their back doors feeling overwhelmed by all there is to do. I know that they wish they were more in control of their business and their employees. I know that retailers wish they could take a day off in peace. I know…. because I have been there along the way. I understand. So, I started working with store owners to help them solve these problems and end these concerns. I was able to do that for myself and wanted to do it for others.
There is nothing more thrilling than to help someone realize their dream. That is what I get to do! I am passionate about it. I have dedicated myself to helping other retailers see how they CAN have it all - they can enjoy more money and more freedom in their life.
Since then, I have worked with hundreds of retailers and have seen them achieve such wonderful success. And that success is different to everyone. One client went from $0 to $1,156,767 in 29 months! Another told me that because of my help and guidance she was able to sleep peacefully during her busiest month, December, because she knew that she had all the systems in place to have a super profitable Christmas season. Another client made it onto the Oprah show (twice!) and has been able to share her passion about helping women feel beautiful. For another client, we were able to put together systems for a successful store and salon operation that gives them the freedom to work part-time and pursue other ministry opportunities. I have spoken in front of many groups and created a system for retail success; a series of important profit-building steps every retailer needs to apply to create more profit, get better results, have more fun and get better sleep.
Who are your clients?
I work with retailers just like you who are good at what they do; however, they have never been taught exactly how to run their stores more profitably or more effectively. Some retailers want to make more money. Some want to have more freedom. Some want both! Some are looking for help to transition into the next phase of their life. Others want to open new stores. I have worked with them all. Here are just a few of the types of stores I have worked with…
- Women's Apparel
- Men's Apparel
- Children’s Clothing
- Shoe – Adult and Children
- Internet
- Home and Interior Design
- Stationary
- Hair Salons and Spas
- Toy Stores
- Gift Stores
- Lumberyards
- Maternity
- Parent Teacher
- Sporting Goods
- Book Stores
- Lingerie
- Body and Bath
- Soccer Stores
- Formal Dress
- Consignment
- Contemporary Teen
What happens if you haven’t worked yet with a store like mine?
In the 11+ years that I have been working with retailers, I have discovered that everyone that sells something shares the same issues. They may be dressed slightly differently – because to be certain each store has its own personality – but many of the same concerns keep all retailers up at night.
You see, there is an art and a science to retail. The art that you provide is what makes your store unique. I am an expert on the science – and the numbers! The science remains the same in all stores regardless of what is being sold. So when I bring the science to the table and you wrap your special ‘art’ around it, we generate more success and profits.
How are you different from other “business consultants”?
There are two things that make me different from other consultants or coaches. First of all, I ONLY work with specialty independent retailers. That is why I am the Retail Maven! In other words, I don’t consult with big box stores or chains. What this means for you is that I am very focused on anything and everything that works for the specialty independent retailer. Because I am laser-focused, what you get with me is a no-excuse, no-nonsense, undiluted expertise on what works for independent retailers. I’ve simply become an expert at this type of retail and that’s why my clients, groups and customers get great results (and of course I ALWAYS throw in a healthy dose of compassion, humor, fun and encouragement)!
The other element that sets me apart is my unique, holistic approach to your store. I had a store – I look at yours as if it were mine! I know that there are many different aspects involved in running a store and I look at all of them – your inventory, your team, your store and your customers. By providing specific solutions tailored to each unique situation, I provide you with the vision and a broad range of tools necessary to create a thriving business.
What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?
The RETAIL Mavens consulting, workshops, products and programs are created for retailers who are absolutely serious and excited about building a successful retail business. They are created for people who are tired of waking up in the middle of the night worrying. If you are ready to get off that train, then you are ready for me and my team! Everything I offer is for you to get real results if you are ready to take a no-excuses approach to creating the store - and life - you’ve always dreamed of, but never knew if you could have!
Being a high-achieving go-getter myself, I’m known to work best with other high achieving go-getters who are ready to take a stand for their own education and success, and just want to know exactly what steps to take to get the success they want.
Consider what you’ll do with me to be an action learning course. You will be expected to take serious and consistent action. I will give you the recipe, but you absolutely must follow it to get the results you desire. There are no more excuses standing in your way. It just takes thinking differently about your business, while receiving the full support of an expert mentor – a Retail Maven –while you achieve these incredibly exciting goals: more profit, better results, better sleep and more fun! And more time off to enjoy your life!
Who is NOT going to benefit from working with me?
Please know that I’m very selective about who my team and I work with. Sometimes I must (gently) turn away people who aren’t suited for my programs and won’t get the results for which they would have signed up for. (It wouldn’t be fair to them either.)
Most of the RETAIL Mavens programs are NOT for those who have no money coming in and are absolutely, financially desperate...at least not right now. It’s been my experience that people who are in a financial crisis do not trust the recommendations and tools that I give them and don’t do the work (probably because they spend so much of their time worrying about where they are going to get next month’s rent or mortgage payment).
If you feel like this may describe you, don’t worry. It’s absolutely OK. We’ve all been there at one point or another. Do yourself all 3 of these favors:
1. Sign up for the free Retail Mavens CD “3 secrets to increasing your profits and sales in 30 days” AND LISTEN TO IT RIGHT AWAY! Put those secrets to work IMMEDIATELY.
2. Get some money coming in – but not by running a storewide sale! Instead start by cutting payroll back as far as you can and not buying any new inventory. This will tighten up the cash flow, take away some of that fear and desperation, and allow you to focus on the steps you need to take to build your business in a big way. The fact is that these programs do cost money –I know that you know that. They absolutely have a fantastic return on investment to be sure. You will make your money back but you need to be able to pay first. Don’t misunderstand me. This is about having skin in the game. This is about commitment. I was where you are right now! More than once!! And because I invested money to take my business to the next level I worked so hard and wouldn’t allow any excuses keep me from getting my ‘homework’ done. I followed through…and then some more…to get out of that hole. I want you to get out of that hole too. That is what I want for you.
3. Finally sign up for the weekly email newsletter. You will find tools that you can use and put to work right away for your store. You will see that I am all about providing you with HIGH CONTENT and HIGH VALUE information that will get you started in the right direction. You will be moving toward your desires and goals and you will be ready to work with me in a bigger way!
Doing these three things will help you get prepared for our work together. When you’re ready, call or email me and we’ll get you started. I’ll be here when you need me.
Another type of person I won’t work with (without exception) is the whiner or the chronic skeptic, as well as the individual who consistently makes excuses for not getting her homework done, blames others for her troubles, or challenges every single aspect of the program. If you are one of these people, I respectfully ask that you do not call or email to join our programs, and I hope that you understand why. We’ll probably just not work well together and I wouldn’t want you to waste your time or money. Is that fair?
Do your RETAIL Mavens programs work? Yes.
Every single one of our clients were more profitable in 2009 than in 2008. That is the bottom line, isn’t it? The result of our work is an approach to finding hidden opportunities in your business that works consistently to increase your profits and attract the raving fans you need. Read our Client Success Stories on our website
Please keep in mind that to see results, you need to be totally committed to taking action and have the resources - time, energy and drive - to carry you through. This is not a quick fix, it's not magic and it takes 6 months or more for the seeds to grow, but all my clients who have diligently applied every step of The Retail Mavens System™ have successfully grown their businesses, in much less time than they would have on their own and are “Raving Fans”. Best of all, clients are excited to report that they were able to cover the coaching investment as a direct result of our work, usually 5-9 tims over - meaning that for every $1000 invested, I show them $5000 - $9000 more profit per year and often much more than that.
What results can I expect?
You can expect to see an increase in your profits and your sales too. You will feel more peace as you know you are finally doing everything you need to be successful in your store. You will enjoy going to your store again!
Can I contact some of your current or former clients to see what it is like working with you?
Absolutely. Be sure to read our Client Success Stories. They are all happy to share their experiences with you.
Will I recover the investment that I put into this coaching program?
That is the best news! Yes, you will. Every month I show you how I have paid for myself at least once based on decisions made and actions taken on our strategies. Clients are thrilled to report that they were able to cover the coaching investment as a direct result of our work, usually 5-9 times over – meaning that for every $1000 invested, I show them $5000-$9000 more profit per year and often much more than that.
Do you take credit cards and do you have a payment plan?
Yes. We happily accept all major credit cards. And, we also offer payment plans for many of our products, workshops and programs for your convenience.
Alright, I really want to take a look at your different programs.
We offer different success program options depending on what you’re interested in accomplishing, you can check them out by clicking on our services page.
This sounds like everything I’ve been looking for. I’m ready to do this for myself. But, I do have a couple more questions before getting started...can I contact you to discuss this further?
Of course! Just email my team at Info@retailmavens.com or call us directly at 847-622-8382 and we’ll set up a complimentary “Get Acquainted” consultation to discuss where you are in your retail business, where you want to go and answer all your questions.
I look forward to helping you get more profit, make more money, and have more fun and freedom in your retail business!