Heart on Main Street's Summer Sourcing Series kicks off with a panel discussion about the importance of attending trade shows this summer! Hear from retailers and representatives of Dallas Market Center and AndMore (formerly International Market Centers) about why summer trade shows are so crucial for your business and how to make a plan to get the most out of your time at the market. https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinars

It was eclipse day when I visited Noblesville, IN, and the atmosphere was incredible! Downtown Noblesville has vibrant retailers and unique shopping environments to meet the needs of all shoppers. And the community of retailers has banded together to ensure that everyone's experience in Noblesville is a positive one. https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/main-street-monday

Since it burst onto the scene over the last couple of years, AI has been positioned as a force that can completely change our lives. Yet, most people are still figuring out what AI is and how to incorporate it into their work. For retailers, the potential uses for AI are limitless, but they need to know where to start to take advantage of the possibilities. Crystal Vilkaitis of Crystal Media joins the Main Street Matters webinar to discuss how AI can help make retailers' lives easier! https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/https://www.crystalmediaco.com/

Join us as we explore the resurgent downtown area of Waukon, IA. Located in the Driftless, Waukon is an extraordinary setting that has seen local residents invest in over the last decade. I met with new retailers to see how they're reshaping the town of Waukon, and I interviewed Valeria Reinke the Director of Economic Development in the county to find out what makes Waukon a thriving Main Street community.  Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinars

We resume our conversation with Kara Polyner of Ely Mercantile as Ely, MN, begins its busy season. In this episode, we discuss how Kara has structured her finances to keep everything aligned and the beginning of her social media journey! If you'd like to contact Kara to offer advice or well-wishes, her email address is kara@elymercantile.comYou can also check out her store online at:https://elymercantile.com/https://www.facebook.com/ElyMercantileCohttps://www.instagram.com/elymercantile/

In this episode, we discuss some of the great information shared at the EVOVLE 2024 conference in Denver, CO, and then head out on the road to visit the town of Franklin, TN. Downtown Franklin is nicknamed "America's Favorite Main Street District," so we explore the area, highlight some of its wonderful retail stores, and see what makes it so great. Heart on Main Street is also raising money for retailers who have been impacted by the recent tornadoes throughout the central part of the US. if you'd like to donate to help these retailers please visit https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/donateHeart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinarsBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shop

Imagine that you've just lost your store to a natural disaster like a flood, hurricane, tornado or fire, and then you find out later that the insurance that you thought you had either doesn't cover that type of damage or doesn't provide adequate coverage to help you rebuild your store. This is the case for hundreds of retailers every single year. They all thought it wouldn't happen to them either. Join us to learn about what insurance retailers need to have and how to go about making sure you are covered when disaster strikes. Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinarsBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shopHometown Insurance: https://www.hometowninsuranceco.com/

In today's episode, we explore the historic downtown of Monticello, IL. Despite being a rural community, Monticello has become quite the tourist destination due to its Railway Museum, 14-acre park, and historic downtown. I found myself enamored with the downtown and its retailers, who capitalize on the town's charm to help their businesses grow. I also interviewed the Executive Director of Monticello's Main Street Organization, Shelly Crawford Stock, to learn more about what Monticello is doing to help its Main Street thrive.  Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinarsBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shop

In this episode of Shop Talk, we talk with new retail owner Kara Polyner of the Ely Mercantile in Ely, MN, about what she is doing to establish her brand and what she is doing within her store and with the products that she carries to help create repeat customers for her store. YouTube Link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/B0vCgxx2rRYEly Mercantile: https://elymercantile.com/Heart on Main Street: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/

Transitioning a customer into a repeat customer is an easy way to secure increased revenue. However, it's also easier said than done. Nick McHenry of OneShop joins the Main Street Matters webinar to talk about how to drive revenue by increasing the frequency at which your customers purchase and tips and tricks on how to do this. Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinarsBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shopOneShop Retail: https://oneshopretail.com/EVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44

Come explore of the US's premier downtown destinations, Stillwater, MN. Stillwater has everything going for it: gorgeous scenery, tremendous history, passionate communities, and local pride. It's no wonder that this Main Street and its independent retailers are thriving.  Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinarsBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shopEVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44

Come take a trip down Route 66 to Pontiac, IL. In this episode, Patrick talks about his recent visit to Pontiac and how its history is on display throughout the downtown. Since Route 66 is so integral to the story of Pontiac, we take a little detour to talk about what Route 66 was, what it meant for towns that existed along it, why it's still a cultural icon, and how it plays into the history of Pontiac. Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinarsBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shopEVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44

Meet Kara Polyner! Kara is opening a new store in Ely, MN, called the Ely Mercantile. She has invited us into her store to get a first-hand account of what it's like to open a retail store. We will follow along month-by-month as Kara develops her concept and grows the Ely Mercantile into a staple of downtown Ely's life. This episode focuses on her background, the town of Ely, and the concept of her store. YouTube Link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/V8ayCyDFbJ4Ely Mercantile: https://elymercantile.com/Heart on Main Street: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Friends of Main Street Network: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/partnerships

More Traffic Does NOT Mean More Sales with Cathy Donovan Wagner from RETAILMavensJoin Cathy Donovan Wagner from RETAILMavens as she debunks the myth that more people through your door automatically translates to increased sales. You’ll learn why focusing on more profit rather than more traffic is the solution you’ve been looking for. Register now to:Escape the chaos of chasing after customersEmbrace a calmer, more effective retail mindsetGet the tools to run your store efficiently and profitably. Without sacrificing peace of mindJoin us for an illuminating session that will lift you above the rat race and into the next level of your retail business: Creating lasting success, building wealth, and cultivating personal well-being.RETAILMavens: https://retailmavens.com/Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinarsBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shopEVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44

We're going on a road trip! Come explore the retailers in the historic downtowns of Niles, MI, and Seymour, IN. Both of these towns are rich in history and culture and have fabulous retailers that are making a difference in their communities.  Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/upcoming-webinarsBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shopEVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44

Travel with me to the shores of the Saginaw River and Lake Huron to see how the former lumber industry boomtown is thriving in the modern era. Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/educationBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shopEVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44Win Tickets to EVOLVE: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/win/

In this episode, I take a few minutes to introduce Heart on Main Street and this podcast to our new listeners. Thank you all for joining the Main Street Movement! We also explore our next Main Street Monday community, Geneva, IL! Geneva has a tremendous downtown area with a fun and unique concept that was a delight to visit. Come explore the area with me!Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/educationBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shopEVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44Win Tickets to EVOLVE: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/win/

Continuing our Main Street Monday series, we are visiting Alpharetta, GA! This downtown community has undergone complete revitalization over the past 15 years and has set itself up for success. With a major focus on celebrating local retailers and local artisans, retail is thriving, businesses are growing, and residents love to visit the area. Come explore some of the stores of Alpharetta! #TaylorSwiftHeart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/educationBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shop EVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44Win Tickets to EVOLVE: https://www.crystalmediaco.com/win/

New fashions. New colors. New products. New trends. The beginning of a new year means everything is new again! Erica Kirkland, owner of GiftBeat, joins Main Street Matters by Heart on Main Street to talk about new trends in products, categories, and vendors for the new year!EVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44GiftBeat: https://www.giftbeat.com/ Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/educationBuy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shop

For our next Main Street Monday tour, we visit the downtown area of Carrollton, TX. This is a beautiful downtown area with a terrific town square, gorgeous artwork, and some really tremendous retailers. Carrollton has experienced a lot of growth over the last few decades and its downtown is working to keep up with that change. Despite this, I loved the area as well as the retail stores and the retail owners that I was able to meet. EVOLVE Tickets: https://crystalmedia.ontraport.com/t?orid=28857&opid=44Heart on Main Street Website: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/Register for Upcoming Webinars: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/education Buy Heart on Main Street Merch: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/shop