Nicole Leinbach Reyhle is an experienced retail and wholesale professional passionate about independent and locally based businesses. Her retail blog, Retail Minded, is considered a “Thought Leader” by Forbes.com. additionally, Reyhle provides consultation support to designers, retailers, vendors and artists throughout the world. [read Nicole's bio here] Nicole is also an Open Studio Visiting Creative and a friend of mine and I’m thrilled to be sharing her BIG NEWS with you!
Nicole has launched a trade publication. Retail Minded Magazine will be unlike anything in the trade marketplace, focusing on the entire lifestyle of retailers and wholesalers versus a specific retail sector. In addition, Retail Minded will look beyond store walls and into the lives of small business owners – from retailers to the wholesalers that sell to them to the service providers that support each of them.
Retail Minded Magazine will deliver retail and wholesale news from leading experts in the retail community, with an Advisory Board of industry pros supporting Reyhle in her 2012 magazine debut. From merchandising to marketing to inventory to employee relations, Retail Minded Magazine will touch on all aspects of what independent store owners deal with in their everyday lives. In addition to offering valuable, real life solutions that can be applied to many types of retail and wholesale business, Retail Minded Magazine will look beyond storefronts and into the lives of small business owners. Everything from financial planning to weekend getaways to common retail related health issues and much more will be discussed. Additionally, there will be lots of retail relief delivered… laughs, connections, stories and fun.
When Nicole told me of her exciting new publication I asked to interview her for my Open Studio Creative Members and she readily agreed! Read about Retail Minded Magazine and how it can help wholesale professionals with their creative businesses!
Andrea: Was Retail Minded Magazine concept a seed of a thought that grew, slowly, or was it an energetic AHA moment for you?
Nicole: As Retail Minded has grown over the last five years, I have been asked a lot about expanding the content I provide on the blog. This combined with the contributions I write for a variety of trade magazines, my general consultation to business owners and my passion for supporting independent businesses led me to developing Retail Minded Magazine. It combines all that I do plus introduces other retail and wholesale experts to support the lifestyle of retail and wholesale professionals – in and out of stores.
Andrea: You work with and coach retail owners as well as wholesalers that create product. In your professional opinion, what’s the one area where small business vendors need help most?
Nicole: I believe small business vendors need the most support in their marketing efforts. From reaching out to stores to communicating with the media to gaining online sales, there is so much to do as a small business vendor beyond creating their product. And for many vendors, marketing is what will set them apart from succeeding or failing. After all, a great product can only do so well if no one knows about it.
Andrea: How does Retail Minded Magazine help wholesalers in this area?
Nicole: Retail Minded Magazine supports all aspects of retail – including the vendors that sell into retailers. Our premier issue takes a look at how showrooms and vendors can maximize their retail relationships, and every issue will gain insight to the daily demands of retailers and wholesalers alike. Knowing both sides of the business is important, which is exactly what we plan to deliver. Step by step action plans will be outlined, how to lists explained and more. Our goal is to educate vendors so that they can truly excel in their unique businesses.
Andrea: What can your magazine teach a small business vendor about retail that can help them in their wholesale business?
Nicole: Retail Minded is for anyone and everyone that has a final product that ends up in retail, reaching consumers. In order to get consumers to purchase your product, you need a retail outlet. Retail Minded Magazine prepares you to reach this goal, as well as helps you keep it growing and staying profitable.
Andrea: What future plans do you have for Retail Minded Magazine?
Nicole: Retail Minded Magazine is currently a quarterly publication. In time, I’d like to see this grow to a bi-monthly publication or even more frequently. Additionally, we hope to grown our online platform as well as interaction with vendors and retailers across the country – both in person, through research, subscriptions and online. We love learning from our readers and retail experts, as well, so you can expect to see more news and stories with real life professionals contributing, as well.
Subscriptions are available now at http://retailminded.com/magazine/, as well as you can gain more details on Reyhle and Retail Minded at www.retailminded.com. All media inquiries should be directed to Reyhle atnicole@retailminded.com.