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Music Retail Podcast

Music Retail Podcast

By Donovan Bankhead

A podcast dedicated to instrumental music retailers, featuring interviews with the best retailers in our industry, as well as other leaders.

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Ernie Williamson Music - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.
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Currently playing episode

Jeff Bertrand - Bertrand’s Music, San Diego, California - Growing your biz amongst tough competition

Music Retail PodcastJul 03, 2020

00:00
01:30:59
Building a Business that Lasts! Hickey's Music -130 Years and Counting, with Dave Zimet

Building a Business that Lasts! Hickey's Music -130 Years and Counting, with Dave Zimet

Hickey's Music is a 130+ year old business in Ithaca, NY. Dave has owned in since the 1990s, and shares the lessons he's learned along the way.

Jan 03, 202401:17:43
Remembering Sammy Ash - Sam Ash Music. What is it like to be the largest family owned music chain?
Sep 18, 202301:16:11
Remembering Lori Supinie - Senseney Music, Wichita, KS

Remembering Lori Supinie - Senseney Music, Wichita, KS

Resharing this interview with Lori, with some brief thoughts from me in the intro.
Jul 14, 202301:20:53
Just What the Dr. Ordered: Effective Marketing Tips for the Holidays and During a Recession - with Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor.

Just What the Dr. Ordered: Effective Marketing Tips for the Holidays and During a Recession - with Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor.

What's the point of doing marketing that checks a box if it doesn't move the needle?
Bob gives us excellent, expert advice on how to connect to our customers.
Oct 21, 202238:50
Lee Coats - owner of Springfield Music, Inc from 1986-2020. Growing to Transition.

Lee Coats - owner of Springfield Music, Inc from 1986-2020. Growing to Transition.

This was recorded off the cuff using my cell phone, so please excuse the poor audio quality. But I think you'll hear the love, respect, and gratitude we have for one another in this episode. This is a bit of a trip down memory lane for Springfield Music, but for those interested in our history or growth, or those who are considering an ownership transition, it's totally worth a listen.
Jan 06, 202201:07:31
Mark Hebert: Cosmo Music - Ontario, Canada & The Musical Instrument Superstore!
Nov 19, 202155:21
Crystal Morris (CEO of Gator) on Getting Women in Leadership, Building a Business, and Outsourcing.

Crystal Morris (CEO of Gator) on Getting Women in Leadership, Building a Business, and Outsourcing.

I know I got LOTS of useful things from this conversation that I needed to hear NOW, and I’m sure you will too. Learn how to be proactive in getting women in leadership roles in your organization, design products and programs to meet your customers desires, building culture, growth through acquisition, making key hires, how to do all the marketing things through outsourcing, and so much more! Grab a notepad, listen, and LEARN!
Oct 06, 202101:11:22
Chris Trombley - John Keal Music. Just EMBRACE It!

Chris Trombley - John Keal Music. Just EMBRACE It!

Chris shares how he went from a substitute teacher needing a job to the owner of John Keal Music.
Jun 28, 202145:49
Wanna Know How to Build Your Business to Last 100+ Years? Nick & CJ Averwater (Amro Music) Share!

Wanna Know How to Build Your Business to Last 100+ Years? Nick & CJ Averwater (Amro Music) Share!

What does it take for a business to thrive for a century? Listen and find out!
Jun 14, 202101:03:23
Beth Houlihan - Kidder Music (Peoria, IL). The 2nd Generation Family Music Store.

Beth Houlihan - Kidder Music (Peoria, IL). The 2nd Generation Family Music Store.

Beth shares the history of Kidder Music, how it was founded by her parents, and her experience growing up and taking over the day to day.
May 31, 202152:55
Lesson Studio Update: Mason Music, Resonate Music School, San Diego Music Studios

Lesson Studio Update: Mason Music, Resonate Music School, San Diego Music Studios

How has the pandemic affected music studios - specifically those businesses that are primarily focused on teaching? What are their thoughts on the future?
May 20, 202101:23:23
Lee Anderton - Anderton’s Music, How They Became a Youtube Super Star!

Lee Anderton - Anderton’s Music, How They Became a Youtube Super Star!

Anderton’s history is like many in our industry - but how did they rise up to become one of the MI retail giants?
May 03, 202101:36:07
Retail from the other side of the counter - Jon Kluiter shares observations from the rep’s view.

Retail from the other side of the counter - Jon Kluiter shares observations from the rep’s view.

Jon is not only an MI industry rep, he also represents products in the powersports industry as well. And, fun fact, he used to own the store that I purchased in KC!
Apr 19, 202101:03:19
MI SalesTrak is one of the best, easiest, quickest things you can do. And it’s FREE!

MI SalesTrak is one of the best, easiest, quickest things you can do. And it’s FREE!

Jim Hirschberg explains what MI SalesTrak does, how it works, what benefits you get from participating in the program, and how to get started.
Apr 05, 202130:28
Mike & Miriam Risko - Risko Music. You need to improve your virtual lessons - this episode will help
Mar 22, 202101:34:03
I Want to Hear from You!

I Want to Hear from You!

Voice Messages

Hey Friends! I want to hear from you! If you have thoughts on today’s episodes, have a suggestion for a future guest, or just have something you want to ask or share, look in the show notes of your podcasting app and click the link to send in a voice message. I’d love to hear from YOU!
Mar 18, 202100:26
Whitney Brown Grisaffi - Ted Brown Music. Adapt to thrive in an everchanging marketplace!

Whitney Brown Grisaffi - Ted Brown Music. Adapt to thrive in an everchanging marketplace!

Whitney gives us a quick history of Ted Brown Music and how she came to be President, and then we have some fascinating conversations about adaption, adoption, and more!
Mar 08, 202101:19:05
Cris Behrens - Summerhays Music Center. Listen and learn to the best marketing promotion ever!

Cris Behrens - Summerhays Music Center. Listen and learn to the best marketing promotion ever!

Cris shares not only his best marketing promotion, but also talks about what it’s like working in a family business when the patriarch and CEO passes, plus some GREAT ideas on staff development that you can put in to place today!
Feb 22, 202101:24:31
Jen Tabor, owner of Souldier Straps, talks about starting a company from scratch, and more!

Jen Tabor, owner of Souldier Straps, talks about starting a company from scratch, and more!

How did one of my favorite strap companies get started? What bit of happenstance changed Jen’s life and the life of her employees? Why did she go work for Gator cases, and is she glad to be back at the helm of Souldier? Listen to find out!
Feb 08, 202101:23:16
Guest Host Robert Christie (A&G Central Music) Interviews Me (Donovan Bankhead, Springfield Music!)

Guest Host Robert Christie (A&G Central Music) Interviews Me (Donovan Bankhead, Springfield Music!)

Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about me (and then some) in this very special episode.
Jan 25, 202101:02:56
Zach Phillips - NAMM’s PD Director, tells you what to expect for the upcoming Believe in Music Week!

Zach Phillips - NAMM’s PD Director, tells you what to expect for the upcoming Believe in Music Week!

In addition to Believe in Music Week, we also talk the highs and lows of our industry, life lessons learned thus far, and more!
Jan 09, 202101:05:01
Larry Noto - Music Land (Bel Air, MD) NAMM Best Store Turn Around Winner 2016!

Larry Noto - Music Land (Bel Air, MD) NAMM Best Store Turn Around Winner 2016!

A second generation business is always a challenge - even more so when the first generation was a local LEGEND that ran the entire business from his head!
Sep 18, 202001:19:58
Laura Penrose - the New Owner of Nick Rail Music! Being a new retail owner, and sexism in MI?

Laura Penrose - the New Owner of Nick Rail Music! Being a new retail owner, and sexism in MI?

Today’s conversation was really interesting. Laura purchased Nick Rail Music in the fall of 2019, right before the global pandemic. We discuss how things are going, her background, and we had a really interesting and honest conversation about sexism in MI - you’ll definitely want to tune in!
Aug 27, 202001:19:21
What is Clienteling and why is it the most important thing you could be doing for your store?

What is Clienteling and why is it the most important thing you could be doing for your store?

Maureen Doron, from women’s fashion retailer Skirt, shares with us what is clienteling and how it can dramatically grow your revenues. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE INTERVIEWS - IT’S A MUST LISTEN!
Jul 26, 202001:04:43
Jeff Bertrand - Bertrand’s Music, San Diego, California - Growing your biz amongst tough competition

Jeff Bertrand - Bertrand’s Music, San Diego, California - Growing your biz amongst tough competition

Bertrand’s Music - an eight-location school music dealer based in San Diego, has grown their business despite a lot of tough competion. In this episode, Jeff shares lessons learned, leadership advice, and so much more.
Jul 03, 202001:30:59
Joel Menchey - Menchey Music. Growing your business through more locations & affiliate stores...

Joel Menchey - Menchey Music. Growing your business through more locations & affiliate stores...

Joel found himself in a difficult position - how do you continue to grow your regional music business when there is lots of competition? Joel also shares his thoughts on whether it’s better to buy our build, his thoughts on the best Point of Sale & E-commerce for School Music Dealers, thoughts about this fall, and so much more!
Jun 21, 202001:30:15
Third Rock Music Center - Cincinnati, OH. When life gives you lemons, you open a NAMM Top 100 store!

Third Rock Music Center - Cincinnati, OH. When life gives you lemons, you open a NAMM Top 100 store!

When the music store that Greg was working for decided to get out of combo, he and his wife, Angela, decided to go their own way and open their own guitar shop! Since that fateful day, Third Rock Music Center has been a NAMM Top 100 Dealer, a nominee for Best Merchandising and Store Design, and much more!
Jun 06, 202001:13:45
Leslie Faltin - Instrumental Music Center - Tucson, AZ. A great chat with the cool mom of MI!
May 20, 202001:31:35
Tim Pratt - President of Dietze Music in Nebraska. How to pay off debt and keep growing!
May 07, 202001:35:10
Chuck Surack - Sweetwater. How does one build a business that lasts - all starting from home!
Apr 23, 202001:26:43
What do you do when your business is shut down by a global pandemic? Featuring Rand & Cindy Cook
Mar 29, 202057:35
Palmer Music. Life of a new(er) music retailer, dealing with the Corona virus, fast track to success

Palmer Music. Life of a new(er) music retailer, dealing with the Corona virus, fast track to success

I’m publishing this episode early due to the conversation about the Corona virus. While we share our thoughts about the hysteria behind the virus, this is not intended to downplay it’s importance, rather we are sharing our desire for people to remain calm and take reasonable precautions. I wanted to air this episode right after the previous one as kind of a book end - the end of one business and the beginning of another... We also discuss how he tripled his lesson program over the last two years, his thoughts on hiring, and why and when you should look at hiring a consultant.
Mar 13, 202001:18:03
Gerson Rosenbloom - How did one of the industry’s top stores close? MUST LISTEN!
Mar 03, 202001:12:41
Robin Jean & Kimberly Deverell - San Diego Music Studio. Get ready to laugh and learn!
Feb 19, 202001:26:41
Jonathan Shue - Dusty Strings. Group lessons, store culture, and more!
Jan 06, 202001:30:38
Frank Pampenella - PM Music Center. A former upstart becomes a major player in Chicago!
Dec 23, 201901:17:48
Gabriel O’Brien - the Retail Rebel! This is an MBA in Retail Marketing. You’re Welcome. :)
Dec 07, 201901:30:51
Pete Sides - Robert M. Sides Family Music Center. This episode is an MBA for School Dealers.
Nov 17, 201901:16:57
Michael Cathrea - Resonate Music - How to build a thriving music lessons program.
Oct 13, 201901:46:23
Will Mason - Mason Music. Simple Ways to Motivate and Empower Your Team
Sep 15, 201901:30:17
Cindy & Rand Cook, Candyman Strings & Things, Sante Fe, NM. NAMM Dealer of the Year!
Jul 19, 201901:17:37
Lauren Haas Amanfoh - Royalton Music Center.
Jul 02, 201901:01:08
Menzie Pittman - Contemporary Music Center - 2016 NAMM Dealer of the Year
Jun 25, 201901:01:00
Tristann Rieck - Brass Bell Music. Managing transitions in a generational family busines
Jun 18, 201901:12:43
Randy Shayler - Zeswitz Music. Metrics That Matter!
Jun 11, 201953:21
Lori Supinie - Senseney Music (NAMM 2011 Dealer of the Year)
Jun 04, 201901:08:08
Robert Christie - A&G Central Music. How Service Can Truly Set You Apart
May 28, 201901:10:50
Tim Spicer - Spicer's Music a.k.a. The Dream Team
May 27, 201901:16:21