Thank You for Understanding (TYFU)

Beth isn't a big fan of Halloween. Marilla doesn't really care about it that much either. So, how did we end up with our second annual Halloween episode? Marilla's friend Garrett Coons stopped by to tell us about what it's like to run a haunted Halloween attraction. One thing led to another. Now, we bring you another spooktacular episode! Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your f...

TYFU comes to you from the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York. Many of our small business neighbors are sustained by tourism even if our community sometimes finds them pesky. In this episode, Beth and Marilla talk to Sean Maher, bar manager of Ledger, who deals with a LOT of tourists visiting his town of Salem, Massachusetts during the spooky season. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) w...

We've had a lot to say over two seasons of TYFU. But, sometimes we forget a story until much later. And, of course, new stories come our way all of the time. This week, Beth and Marilla revisit some of our past topics with some fresh takes. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes and rate and review us on your favorite podcast...

From venues, to caterers, to florists a couple's big day can mean big business for small business owners. Weddings aren't an enormous part of Beth and Marilla's annual revenues, so in this episode they welcome Chelsea Leone who has lots of experience making weddings memorable and who has some memorable stories to share. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure...

We stand behind the counter, eager to sell our great products to our beloved customers. Sometimes, that person who walks in the door is there to turn the tables and sell us something. This week, Beth and Marilla talk about how they handle sales people of all kinds in the workplace and offer some observations on some of their do and don't. Oh, and did we mention we'd be happy to sell YOU a sponsors...

Our previous episode, Garden of Delights, was pretty sweaty. If you haven't listened yet, check it out now. This is our first two parter as Halie Cosgrove joins Beth and Marilla again to describe the fallout from the incident with "Randy" and how they handled it. Plus, we do talk about the fun side of crushes as well! Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to...

Crushes can be a lot of fun, but in the workplace it gets complicated fast, especially between employees and customers. This episode, Beth and Marilla explore what happens when that line is approached, crossed, and sometimes obliterated. We have help from Marilla's store manager from Geneva, Halie Cosgrove. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe...

We all use clues to form assumptions about other people. Those assumptions might be based on what type of business someone owns or what kind of car they drive. But  our assumptions aren't always 100% accurate. In this episode Beth and Marilla tackle some of the assumptions made about small businesses and their owners. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to...

We work hard to meet every customer's expectations. We pride ourselves in taking the extra step, so long as the extra step doesn't lead us off the pier! In this episode Beth and Marilla share some very specific and possibly...unrealistic...requests customers make. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes and rate and review us o...

Stop me if you've heard this one. No...really...stop! Beth and Marilla are no strangers to wit and witticisms they've heard over and over, and they may use a few well worn catch phrases themselves. This week they talk about the things that they've heard (and sometimes said) a million times. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episod...

After talking about disasters in Episode 20, Beth and Marilla thought it might be good to talk a little about insurance. Tom Burrall of Geneva's C.S. Burrall & Son, Inc. was happy to come in. All three come from business owning families, and that made for an interesting conversation about the ups and downs of growing up in small businesses. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your...

Is it pricier to shop small businesses than big box stores? Marilla recently posted a video comparing prices for spices. Her's are a great buy, and she has the receipts to prove it! This week, Beth and Marilla talk about the perceptions and realities of pricing in small businesses. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes and ra...

You are the face of your small business. But, is that who you REALLY are? In this episode Beth and Marilla explore how much your identify and self-worth are wrapped up in your small business. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes and rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Contact us and share YOUR story at tyfu...

Gentle listener, it has not escaped the notice of TYFU that we are sometimes witness to behaviors that are contrary to common courtesy. This week, Beth and Marilla address what Ms. Judith Martin calls "the language and currency of civility." Etiquette. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes and rate and review us on your favor...

Remember when we talked about the back room being on fire? That's not always a metaphor. This week, Beth and Marilla welcome Anorah co-owner Shawna Shell to talk about the unexpected things that happen to a business that rise to scale of disasters. And, this week's 5-Star Review calls for a field trip! Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for f...

So. You're a small business owner. Except you're much more than that. Every day you take on roles you never imagined when you decided to open your own business. In this episode, Beth and Marilla consider the many hats small business owners have to wear. Some fit better than others! Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes and ra...

'Tis better to give than to receive and Beth and Marilla receive lots of opportunities to give. In this episode, we talk about donations. It's not as simple as just writing a check to a good cause. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes and rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Contact us and share YOUR story a...

We may accept your return no questions asked, but we still sometimes have questions. This episode, Beth and Marilla discuss returning everything from shaving brushes to bananas and what returns mean to a small business owner. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes and rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Conta...

A firm handshake? A warm hug? A quick peck on the cheek? Hold on there! This is a business! In this episode, Beth and Marilla explore the many ways a small business owner has to maintain boundaries. They also welcome special guest Debora Kraeger of Exquisite Wax & Tan who has lots of thoughts on the topic. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe f...

When you open a small business you spend months, maybe even years, thinking about every conceivable detail of how that business is going to operate. Still, some customers and clients have a pretty good idea that you've forgotten something fundamental. In this episode, Beth and Marilla share some of their most...memorable...suggestions for operating their small businesses. Please share Thank You fo...

We're back! The holidays are behind us, and now that we've had a little time to breathe we're ready for a new season of TYFU. This episode, Beth and Marilla welcome one of our favorite neighbors (and a previous 5-star review recipient), Yvette from Earthly Possessions , for a talk about true crime in retail. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe...

Building a small business may be a marathon, not a sprint. But, for retailers the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are a marathon AND a sprint. In this episode, Beth and Marilla talk about what's coming both for their businesses and the podcast including an announcement about how you can show your love for TYFU. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure...

You know how you're not supposed to talk about politics in polite company? Well, small business isn't always polite and neither is TYFU. As we approach election day, Beth and Marilla talk about navigating politics in the workplace where so many customers are ready to share their opinions. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes...

Our annual Halloween show. A TYFU tradition since Episode 11. Beth and Marilla trade true stories of retail nightmares including an unexpected twist around the grand opening of Marilla's Mindful Supplies' Rochester location. Plus, our friend Kevin Dunn stops by with a really spooky tale! Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes...

"The customer is always right." -- attributed to Marshall Field (among others) "Hold my beer." -- Beth and Marilla, depending on the day The topic has been widely suggested and requested. In this episode, Beth and Marilla and their guest Carley Pulford of Zefiro compare notes. Please share Thank You for Understanding (TYFU) with your friends and be sure to subscribe for future episodes and rate an...