OPEN for Growth Podcast

This episode is for entrepreneurs who've felt the shift—from the pinch-me moments of "I can't believe I'm doing this" to the ordinary Tuesday mornings when unlocking the door feels automatic. It's for business owners who remember when gratitude came easily but now find themselves running on empty, wondering where their spark went. Ana Maria Muñoz, author of "OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and L...

I know I speak to small retail shops, but so much of what I share can, and does, apply to any customer-facing business with a door and welcome mat ... ... Empty retail space creates an opportunity for another entrepreneur to share their passions, interests, and expertise with the community. It’s an opportunity for the entire ecosystem. How can we create and offer value to our customers and streets...

If you've ever put up a "back in 5 minutes" sign and felt like you were letting everyone down ... or walked up to a shop only to find the door closed with said sign, this episode is for you. ----- This is an audio version of the Substack, OPEN for Growth , by Ana Maria Muñoz Explore more … My book: OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream Let's work together If you enjoyed...

Shoppers come into our stores for different reasons and with many different perspectives and lived experiences. From the joys and celebrations that prompt purchases, to the heavy stresses of life that call for a form retail therapy … we have no idea what’s going on in their world as they browse what’s on the shelves. It is the Shopkeeper’s job to welcome them in and practice Non-JAR. What in the w...

I’m no longer a Shopkeeper and I don’t have to make incredibly hard choices about products, prices, overhead during these time. I’m not in those shoes anymore but I still care — deeply. I want to offer something. And since I don’t know who’s listening to this, and your particular business and situation, I offer these words that really landed for me during a recent yoga class ... --- This is an aud...

I'm all about “a rising tide lifts all boats”. So, whenever the Marketing 101 SWOT Analysis comes up, I’m ready to share my reframe of the competition part of the “T” with anyone nearby. In today’s post, I’m talking about the "T" as it refers to Competition . Specifically, how we can view their “threat” through a different lens. When we see our collective businesses as options instead of competiti...

When we open for business, we open up to immense personal growth. We’re constantly growing and evolving as we open ourselves up to new ways of thinking, doing, and being within our businesses and lives. Because of that, it was time to shift gears and bring OPEN for Growth to Substack. Press play to hear more about the change and what to expect. This is a public episode. If you would like to discus...

Your store exists for one reason: you had a Shopkeeper Dream. Desire met vision and passion, and combined with time and place. The moment to say YES to the calling was now, not later or one day . Your store’s “Open” sign would be hung and nothing stood in your way. The Shopkeeper Dream is a desire to share what you’re passionate about by creating a physical place where these passions can delight o...

"There are many components to an attractive storefront but today, with the most festive time of the year picking up steam, let’s focus on store windows, aka your silent salesperson. What is your silent salesperson telling people walking and driving by?" --- Signage S.O.S. My book: OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream This is a public episode. If you would like to discu...

Would you take a job for someone else and accept  not  getting paid for your work? Your answer will likely be no unless it's an unpaid internship or apprenticeship. So why would we take a zero-sum salary for working hard  in  and  on  our OWN business? Don't be an entrepreneurial martyr like me — Plan to pay yourself from the get-go. ~~~ This is an audio version of the Substack, Retail Rookie , by...

This is an audio version of the Substack, Retail Rookie , by Ana Maria Muñoz From this "Episode": "I've mentioned the practice of Taking Personal Inventory in a few posts but have yet to elaborate on what it is and where the concept came from. Well, as one of my favorite Lizzo songs says, "It's about damn time!"" --- YES = Your Energetic Spark Business is personal My book: OPEN: Big Lessons in Sma...

This is an audio version of the Substack, Retail Rookie , by Ana Maria Muñoz From this "Episode": "The festive season starts months before customers see anything related to it on the sales floor and in your marketing. So, what do we consider when planning that marketing? How do we consider sales goals and the value we offer to those who shop with us?" --- Shop! Association article Setting The Tabl...

This is an audio version of the Substack, Retail Rookie , by Ana Maria Muñoz From this "Episode": "I imagined the founders saying “clean your damn shoes!” to their friends and family and building a business around it. Sometimes phrases like this can launch a business. Pain points become ideas and ideas offer solutions. Other times useful phrases to describe your business can develop after you’ve b...

This is an audio version of the Retail Rookie Substack by Ana Maria Muñoz From this "Episode": "Degrees may vary but you’re personally intertwined with your business whether you like it or not. Your business will go through evolutions, just like you. Your business will go through challenging times, just like you. Your business will thrive in different seasons, just like you. Even if you’re not the...

There’s Christmas in July, and then there’s planning for Christmas in August . The festive season starts months before customers see anything related to it on the sales floor and in your marketing. So, what do we consider when planning that marketing? How do we consider sales goals and the value we offer to those who shop with us? I came across this short piece from Shop! Association as it relates...

I walked past Sneaker Laundry in Melbourne and smiled at the beauty of their storefront and what I could see of their interior. As their name suggests, they clean sneakers. Their window has a glowing sign that reads “clean your damn shoes.” It’s more than an invitation to stop and wonder if your shoes do in fact need cleaning, it’s a statement for what Sneaker Laundry cares about: helping us fall...

Hi, I'm Ana Maria. This podcast is an audio version of my Substack, Retail Rookie . From this "Episode": "Personal self-worth can create ease or friction in business, whether or not you have financial buffers or safety nets … So, when someone like Victoria Beckham makes the news for  not making a profit , and there's seemingly no shame around it—just more passion and work—I say  hallelujah . We’re...

There are many creative ways to collaborate, and often, the best solutions start with a problem, like how to get your product to your customers conveniently and timely. Episode Notes: Retail Brew article — Read my new book OPEN — Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epis...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit openforgrowth.substack.com

Hi, I'm Ana Maria -- this podcast is an audio version of my Substack, Retail Rookie. From this "episode": " When we give joy, we get joy. In these times of increased living costs and the ever-evolving customer and retail landscape, giving your time, resources, and expertise can be a win-win for you, your customers, and your community... Money is an energetic exchange, and if, like money, everythin...

Retail Rookie was an early title for my upcoming book, but it wasn’t the right fit. Rather than throw out a good name, I decided to repurpose Retail Rookie into a newsletter to celebrate and commiserate the experiences in independent retail entrepreneurship—experiences that can make Shopkeepers feel like rookies in their businesses from time to time. Though we learn best by doing, I hope that my n...