Retail, retail, retail. We are always in "The Season of Retail." |
Send a card with a personal note!
Seattle, Washington: In this episode of the show you meet Judi Jacobsen and her family at Madison Park Greetings. She started this business in 1977 with just $200. Judi bought a vacant building, moved in, and by bringing the building back to life, the entire neighborhood improved.
This company produces greeting cards and sells them to consumers through over 5,000 gift shops. Also, they create private collections for retailers including Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, and, they distribute the graphic products of other artists including Larkspur and Sara Schneidman.
We first met Judi in 1995 in Washington DC when she was being recognized as the Small Business Person of the Year from the State of Washington.
Good to her word, Judi put a succession plan in place. In 1995, son Brian and long-time employee Glen Biely took over the leadership of the business. The good news is that the young men are growing a much bigger company and having plenty of fun.
All the Key Ideas and Video from this episode...
Go to the opening video...
*Called a sliver of genius in the earliest broadcasts
...of this show back in 1994-1995, it was a special segment until we began to realize virtually every successful business is built on that special focus.
And, yes, all these people are recommended by their community for their integrity and by their industry for their creativity and courage. |
Yet, retail is changing forever.
And small businesses are leading the way. It is more personal. More educational. More like a club.
Some of the Big Box Retailers are doing a lot right. Surely Nordstrom redefined customer service for everyone. Yet the small businesses of the world give us texture, personality, uniqueness, and more. Small business can win against the big box because the future of retail is personalization, education, and community. Here are a few examples. See their genius at work.* More...
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Specialty retail is small business! Meet the nation's expert in specialty shop retailing. She wrote the book and she walks the walk!
Key Question: How do I start a business?"
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Explore, be entertained, eat exotic food... This is retail Jackalope style where fantasy and reality blend.
Key Question: What is a path for growth?
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Her car dealership sets a new standard..
The location was losing money, but she nurtured her little Chevrolet dealership to health. Everybody gasped; her little duckling had become the most beautiful swan in the country! Read Pamela Rodgers' story... how she failed twice and then came back to win.
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Wahoo's Fish Taco focuses on the boarding tribe. Surfers, skateboarders, snowboards. In these restaurants people get to know your name!
They also very selectively franchise their business.
Learn all eight possible ways to leave your lover!
Key Question: Who is the best buyer?
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