Music Retail Podcast

Cris shares not only his best marketing promotion, but also talks about what it’s like working in a family business when the patriarch and CEO passes, plus some GREAT ideas on staff development that you can put in to place today!

How did one of my favorite strap companies get started? What bit of happenstance changed Jen’s life and the life of her employees? Why did she go work for Gator cases, and is she glad to be back at the helm of Souldier? Listen to find out!

Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about me (and then some) in this very special episode.

In addition to Believe in Music Week, we also talk the highs and lows of our industry, life lessons learned thus far, and more!

A second generation business is always a challenge - even more so when the first generation was a local LEGEND that ran the entire business from his head!

Today’s conversation was really interesting. Laura purchased Nick Rail Music in the fall of 2019, right before the global pandemic. We discuss how things are going, her background, and we had a really interesting and honest conversation about sexism in MI - you’ll definitely want to tune in!

Maureen Doron, from women’s fashion retailer Skirt, shares with us what is clienteling and how it can dramatically grow your revenues. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE INTERVIEWS - IT’S A MUST LISTEN!

Bertrand’s Music - an eight-location school music dealer based in San Diego, has grown their business despite a lot of tough competion. In this episode, Jeff shares lessons learned, leadership advice, and so much more.

Joel found himself in a difficult position - how do you continue to grow your regional music business when there is lots of competition? Joel also shares his thoughts on whether it’s better to buy our build, his thoughts on the best Point of Sale & E-commerce for School Music Dealers, thoughts about this fall, and so much more!

When the music store that Greg was working for decided to get out of combo, he and his wife, Angela, decided to go their own way and open their own guitar shop! Since that fateful day, Third Rock Music Center has been a NAMM Top 100 Dealer, a nominee for Best Merchandising and Store Design, and much more!

Leslie and I talk about how IMC came to be, the difficulties she has with dealing with all of the COVID stuff, the difficulties of starting a store from scratch, and so much more!  Also, now available with video on YouTube!   Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com

So, what’s it like for someone with only a high school education (and a guitar player, no less) to take over one of the top music retail businesses in Nebraska? What lessons did he learn along the way to pay off millions in debt and keep growing? Take a listen to find out! Now also available on Youtube! Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at htt...

Sweetwater is on track to soon be a billion dollar business - one with almost no debt, a terrific reputation in the industry and with customers. How did Chuck do it? And how is he managing his business during the COVID pandemic of 2020? Plus, like a good box of Raisin Bran, there are TWO SCOOPS of new parts of the Sweetwater story unveiled in this episode! Listen and be the first to know what’s co...

Candyman Strings & Things was one of the first business in our industry forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How did this NAMM Dealer of the Year award winner handle this crisis? Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com

I’m publishing this episode early due to the conversation about the Corona virus. While we share our thoughts about the hysteria behind the virus, this is not intended to downplay it’s importance, rather we are sharing our desire for people to remain calm and take reasonable precautions. I wanted to air this episode right after the previous one as kind of a book end - the end of one business and t...

This episode is one of the most insightful and thought provoking episodes yet! Listen up! Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com

Want to hear of a crazy way to do group lessons? How about how to recruit for new employees? Want to hear embarrassing stories about me? Then stay tuned! Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com

Why would you put an $8,000 guitar in a beginner's hands? What's the advantage of group lessons over private? When's the right time to close a lesson sale? Listen and learn! Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.  Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at h...

From humble beginnings to a major player in the school music scene in Chicago, Frank Pampenella has guided PM Music Center to annual growth year after year.  Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.  Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.m...

This episode we discuss leadership, what to do when you've hit the ceiling, how to get the most out of your video content, and so much more. If you'd like video or marketing help, reach out to gabe at Gabriel@upperhandstudios.com or visit his website Upperhandstudios.com.  Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Busi...

Topics include:Family business succession, college education for retail store owners, rental growth through aquisition and how to keep those new customers, finding road reps, the RTO changes in the 90s, the value of value brands, long range planning, and how to make the most of your NAMM show. Whew!  Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line In...

In this conversation with Michael we discuss how to build a thriving lesson program that surpasses the competition.  Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.  Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com

Do you ever feel as if there’s a bottleneck at your store? Your staff is constantly coming to you with questions, complaints and concerns, and you start to develop “decision fatigue.” (It’s a real thing—look it up.) This is one of the biggest reasons businesses fail to grow. Don’t be the lid on your organization! In this presentation, Will Mason of Mason Music will cover four basic but incredibly...

Yet ANOTHER interview from a NAMM Top 100 Dealer of the Year! Cindy and Rand Cook share their thoughts, insights, and the challenges they see in our industry and in running their business as it celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary.  Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.  Want help with your business? Fin...

Lauren has a great story - she’s a busy wife and mom, NAMM board member, and, of course, music store owner. Her full line music store is beautiful, and she has built a terrific business.  Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.  Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consu...