OPEN for Growth Podcast
by Ana Maria Muñoz
Notes on independent retail & the entrepreneurial journey from a former Shopkeeper turned author, consultant, mentor. Always bringing it back to the 💙behind the biz because when we OPEN for business, we also open up to immense personal growth.Read aloud from the OPEN for Growht Substack. openforgrowth.substack.com
Episodes
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When the dream becomes ordinary
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…
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Endings Are Beginnings.
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…
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This keyring says what every small retail business owner is really thinking
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…
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Shopkeeping: a practice in empathy and non-judgement
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...
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Breathe through the tariff storm with an intentional pause
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...
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They’re not a competitor. They’re just another option
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...
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Retail Rookie is now OPEN for Growth ✨
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…
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The Shopkeeper Dream
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...
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Don't be boring. Be bright.
"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…
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You have the vision, but is it viable?
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…
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Taking Personal Inventory
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...
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What your customers really want from you this Christmas
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...
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Say what you mean
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...
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Business is personal. Period.
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…
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What your customers really want from you this Christmas
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…
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Say what you mean
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...
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No profit like Beckham
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...
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Flourish Together
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…
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Please Touch
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
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Generosity is more fun
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…
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Welcome to Retail Rookie
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...
About this show
Notes on independent retail & the entrepreneurial journey from a former Shopkeeper turned author, consultant, mentor. Always bringing it back to the 💙behind the biz because when we OPEN for business, we also open up to immense personal growth.Read aloud from the OPEN for Growht Substack.
openforgrowth.substack.com
Hosted by
Ana Maria Muñoz