I guess I would call myself an author now, as I have a blog called retailrichz.com I've also published my first book called, "A Line Out The Door", which is aimed at helping small and medium size retailers to be better at what they do. I don't claim to be any genius at all, but I do have 40 years of sales and retail management experience, including over 24 years of direct retail experience. I really do wish I had owned this book back when I first started. It's full of ideas, strategies and reminders of ways to build the business and separate your business from the competition. I'm proud to say my book has also been endorsed on the rear cover, by Maxine Clark, CEO of Build-A-Bear.
I am also a public speaker and consultant on the subject of customer service and retail. My experiences have taken me through a variety of retail management, merchandising, design, training and buying roles working in the Fortune 500 world, as well as working with smaller retailers. I've also been in the trenches with my own business which I built to 4 locations.
For me, it all started back in 1974, when I left the University of Missouri to accept an entry-level management position with Venture Stores, a former division of May Company (St. Louis, MO). At the age of 21, I was chosen to start an experimental department for the major mid-west mass merchandiser. After almost 10 years, I left to accept an offer to work for one of the original Apple computer rep organizations that served as Apple’s marketing and sales arm during the company’s early years. In our 4+ state territory, I worked with all of the Apple dealer base to improve merchandising and help with other retail issues including advertising, co-op money, training and store design. While serving in this capacity, I was fortunate enough to be able to help introduce the original Macintosh and Apple 2C computers to the world. I later started my own specialty store operation; retailing and manufacturing gourmet popcorn, along with fine candies and high-quality ice cream. I was able to create a wholesale component to my business as well as the retail side with four locations.
I've been married for over 27 years to my very supportive wife Ellen. I have two children, Lindsey who is a Nuclear Pharmacist and Weston who is a student at St. Louis University.
Today I spend most of my time hosting my website, RetailRichez.com, while working with area Retail Mastermind groups, and coaching small retailers. I am also an amateur painter and photographer. I collect Coca-Cola memorabilia and love to work in my yard. Basically I just love to be creative! Whether anyone else thinks I'm creative or not, is the real question!
Please let me know what you think about any of my articles.
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