08/08/2026
// RETAIL //
I had a conversation earlier this week about the general state of retail. It was great, and inspiringā¦but we also talked about a trend of what I can only describe as complaining and blaming. Small businesses upset over bigger retail moving in, economic changes, landlords etcā¦ I am of course sympathetic to all those things but more so, it reminded me just how far we have come.
When we started in 2013ā¦we were online only and our āworld headquartersā was a spare bedroom (pre having kids).
A LOT has changed these past 13 years, but we still love thisā¦the same (if not more)! Instead of online onlyā¦online is only 3% of our business. Itās all in-personā¦experience based nowā¦feeling the fabricsā¦and most importantlyā¦creating a space that customers can come and gather. We have changed and adapted so many times over the years it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.
The conversation about retail ended with us both agreeingā¦retail is ALIVE and wellā¦but retailers have to be willing to listen to what the customers want and shift if needed. Staying still never works, and being a small business is one of the biggest advantages you can have right now, as you are able to adjust and pivot a lot easier than big brands can.
For my fellow small businessesā¦keep doing great things and remember to focus on the great things YOU are doing and CAN doā¦not on what everyone else is doing or the negative side of things!
Best,
- Brad
