Ep. 21 Lara Mackim | The Enduring Appeal of Hickies: A 160 Year Legacy

In this episode, Lara Mackim, a key figure at Hickies, a historic music store in Reading, delves into the rich history of the store, tracing its roots back to 1864. Lara shares personal anecdotes about her family's connection to Hickies and her own journey from a young Saturday girl to a key role in the business. The episode explores the challenges and triumphs of running an independent music store in the digital age. Lara discusses the importance of adapting to changing trends while preserving the store's traditional values. She also highlights the significance of community engagement and supporting local musicians. Hickies' recent award win for the Pride of Reading Business in Action under 50 Employees is a testament to their commitment to excellence and their positive impact on the local community.   TIME CODES 00:25 Intro 00:58 About Lara and her role at Hickies 02:28 What Lara likes about Reading 03:11 Lara's special connection with Hickies 04:22 What did Lara learn being as MD at Hickies 05:36 Hickies' marketing strategy 06:27 Lara's memorable events at Hickies 07:58 Range of products and services Hickies offers 09:07 What's the hardest thing about running a music business? 11:12 How Hickies' are celebrating their 160th birthday 12:28 Hickies' plans going forwards 13:21 Can people go to Hickies for anything to do with music? 14:10 Advice for other independent business 15:15 Key takeaway