Harmony, Hustle, and the Loneliness of the ‘Front of the Check’ Life
Owning a music store can be one of the greatest things in the world — and also one of the loneliest places to stand. I’ve been one of 100,000 people…
Veddatoria: Making. Music. Matters
I’m grateful for the opportunity to share some thoughts with you here. After over 20 years writing the Veddatorial in the pandemic-departed Music & Sound Retailer, time, business, and the…
No Matter the Business, Certain Principles Apply
Since starting my consulting business, Hospitality Works, in 1987, I have come to realize something: Most of what I’ve learned can be applied to almost any business in almost any…
Many Happy Returns? For Customers, Yes; For MI Businesses, Not so Much: In-kind Donation Can Ease the Burden of Returns on Warehouses and Make Beautiful music
U.S. retail sales during the 2023 holidays rose 3.1 percent over last year, according to figures from Mastercard – which isn’t bad considering consumers are still feeling the pinch of inflation. But…
COVID-19 Creativity
April of 2020, Schmidt’s Music was one of the nonessential business that the government closed following the school closures at the end of March. Though normal store business was put…
Selling Flutes in the Time of COVID-19
As for so many in the Music Retail Industry, the past many months have been a severe challenge and game-changer for Flute Pro Shop. Buoyed by PPP and EIDL, Flute…