Stories from the River

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ImfLi_4vVVM   A passion for retail, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a commitment to developing people have shaped Robert Hilt's journey through the furniture and mattress industry. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf, CEO, sits down with Robert Hilts, General Manager of Asheville Ascend, to reflect on his career, from discovering the potenti...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pPfhozpc-pI   In this spotlight of episode 380 Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and James Interrante reflect on the early lessons of launching Broad River Retail's Ashley store in South Portland, Maine. James shares how the Memory Makers came together to form a strong, supportive team much sooner than expected and how the local community's enthusiastic welc...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wAf-PXFcBkk   In this spotlight from episode 380 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and James Interrante explore the culture and identity behind The Maine Event, Broad River Retail's Ashley store in South Portland, Maine. They discuss the thinking behind the store's bold name and boxer logo, inspired by the excitement of boxing and the film Rocky, and how...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fT79qzvBKD8   Building a new store from the ground up takes entrepreneurial spirit, a strong team, and a commitment to people. For James Interrante and the Memory Makers at Broad River Retail's South Portland, Maine, Ashley store, those values have helped shape their early success. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf, CEO, sits down with Jam...

Watch on YouTube: In this spotlight of episode 379 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Manny Rodrigues take a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into bringing a new store to life. They discuss the vision required to see potential in vacant or outdated retail spaces and the collaboration between construction, design, operations, and Memory Makers to transform those spaces into...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fd68FFWoI1Q   In this spotlight of episode 379 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Manny Rodrigues explore the decision to bring Broad River Retail's first-ever Ashley Store to Orangeburg, South Carolina. They discuss the company's strategy of finding white space within existing markets and how the new location, positioned between two major retail corri...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EFV7ScuF0IQ   A milestone 40th store opening marks another exciting chapter in Broad River Retail's continued growth. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf, CEO, welcomes Manny Rodrigues, President and COO, to discuss the upcoming opening of Broad River's new Orangeburg, South Carolina location. They explore the strategic importance of the mar...

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/jDvPgvcoGJ4    In this spotlight of episode 378 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Kensley Phillips explore the art of the comfort test and how Memory Makers can help guests find the right sleep solution. Kensley emphasizes the importance of active listening and asking thoughtful diagnostic questions before making a recommendation, using each gue...

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/jDvPgvcoGJ4    In this spotlight of episode 378 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Kensley Phillips discuss how to maintain positive momentum through challenges like a major store remodel. Kensley shares how each phase of the Hickory remodel as an opportunity to create new energy, spark customer interactions, and turn unexpected moments—like movi...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jDvPgvcoGJ4   An unconventional career path, a passion for people, and a commitment to leadership have shaped Kensley Phillips' journey to becoming General Manager of Broad River Retail's newly remodeled Ashley Store in Hickory, North Carolina. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf, CEO, sits down with Kensley to explore her journey from worki...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FktkAwj6jkc In this spotlight from episode 377 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Kellie Jones explore the culture that has kept Memory Makers connected to Broad River Retail for years. They discuss the importance of treating people as individuals and creating a genuine sense of care and support, especially when Memory Makers face challenges in their p...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hRwcLZdnYjo    In this spotlight from episode 377 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Kellie Jones explore the transition from leading a single store to leading leaders across multiple stores and regions. They discuss how past experience, mentorship, and continuous learning help leaders adapt to greater responsibilities, while emphasizing the importance...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jv5IpBfv3SU   A decade of growth, leadership, and opportunity has shaped Kellie Jones' journey from Guest Service Representative to Associate Director of Retail Operations at Broad River Retail. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf, CEO, sits down with Kellie to reflect on her ten years with Broad River and the evolution of retail operations...

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/a012PmJVfFE In this spotlight from episode 376 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Sara Callahan take a closer look at the process of closing Broad River Retail's books and ensuring financials are accurate and reliable. They walk through the eight-day closing process, from collecting data and estimating outstanding expenses to reviewing balance sh...

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/a012PmJVfFE In this spotlight of episode 376 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Sara Callahan explore the complexities of managing fixed assets at Broad River Retail and the process improvements needed to accurately track them for accounting and tax reporting. They discuss the high volume of assets involved in construction and showroom operations...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a012PmJVfFE   Growth, trust, and continual learning have shaped Sara Callahan's journey from Senior Accountant to Controller at Broad River Retail. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf, CEO, sits down with Sara to reflect on her career since joining Broad River in 2022. She shares how her experience at KPMG and in real estate investments prep...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/armaYXpHJRc   In this spotlight of episode 375 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Shelby Hill focus on the intricate process of opening new showrooms and the collaborative efforts required among various groups within the organization. They discuss the meticulous backward planning needed, starting with the store opening date and working in reverse to co...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/haavhm0NL8k   In this spotlight from episode 375 of Stories from the River, Charlie and Shelby continue their conversation focused on the complexities of merchandising across different types of companies and how strategies must adapt accordingly. One concept discussed was the relationship between manufacturers and licensees, particularly in developing a core asso...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sfjDtQEczlk   This week, Charlie Malouf, CEO, sits down with Shelby Hill, recently promoted Associate Director and one of Broad River Retail's newest leaders. Shelby shares her journey beginning as a category planner in January 2020, just before the onset of COVID-19. She discusses the challenges of starting a new career and learning a new industry during a globa...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nnSJxpT-LSM   In this spotlight from episode 374 of Stories from the River, Manny Rodrigues and Zach Smith, Executive Director of Beds for Kids, discuss how the organization prepares for increased demand as the school year approaches. Zach highlights the importance of volunteers in helping Memory Makers prepare and deliver furniture to families, especially during...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0A01WGlsCyo   In this spotlight from episode 374 of Stories from the River, Manny Rodrigues and Zach Smith, Executive Director of Beds for Kids, explore the organization's mission to support families experiencing furniture poverty across the Charlotte area. Zach explains how Beds for Kids partners with 99 referring agencies to provide families with essential furn...

Watch on YouTube:  Fifteen years of growth, partnership, and community support have helped Beds for Kids transform the lives of families experiencing furniture poverty. In this episode of Stories from the River, Manny Rodrigues, President and COO, welcomes Zach Smith, Executive Director of Beds for Kids, to discuss the organization's journey from a garage operation to a 44,000-square-foot warehous...

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/3l6TWmH7nHs   In this spotlight from episode 373 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Samantha Juliano reflect on the remarkable growth of Broad River Retail and how the company has evolved far beyond what either could have imagined. Samantha looks back on the journey from three locations in the East region to a growing footprint across multiple co...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QeB-rTB18A0   In this spotlight from episode 373 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and Samantha Juliano share advice for Memory Makers who are starting out or looking to take their performance to the next level. Samantha highlights the transformative opportunities available at Broad River and encourages Memory Makers to seek out successful peers, ask ques...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3l6TWmH7nHs   Growth, persistence, and a commitment to learning can turn a career in sales into a journey of lasting impact. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf, CEO, welcomes Samantha Juliano, Home Furnishings Expert at Broad River Retail, during the 5th annual Home Furnishings Expert Soirée at STK. Samantha reflects on her journey since jo...