What happens when mentorship, grit, and a love for community collide? Brian joins us to share how a summer job at a natural products store became a 20‑year journey to ownership—and how that path is shaping a smarter, stronger future for independent retail. From surviving cancer to chairing SENPA’s Emerging Leaders, Brian brings a rare mix of empathy and execution that turns big ideas into daily wins.
We dig into the playbook: hire young and train deeply, bring staff to trade shows, and treat education as your edge. Brian explains how to convert TikTok trends into real guidance, why waiting for trustworthy suppliers protects your standards, and how one weekly video can be repurposed across email, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for outsized reach. He breaks down practical budgeting—stop printing flyers, boost posts to non‑followers nearby—and shares scripts for pivoting from “we don’t carry that” to “what result are you after?” That shift builds trust, loyalty, and word of mouth.
Events take center stage. Brian outlines how in‑person workshops, demos, tastings, and smart merchandising reignite community after COVID. You’ll hear the strategy behind a 30% off “Christmas in July” blowout with Secret Santa giveaways, why the next week’s sales stayed strong, and how limited‑time offers attract new shoppers who stick. We also talk pricing with purpose—aligning to MAP and manufacturer sites instead of chasing Amazon—and using grocery as a basket lift while curated supplements anchor margins.
The heart of this conversation is the future: SENPA’s Emerging Leaders. Brian shares a vision for mentorship, targeted training, and real seats at the table so the next generation can lead with courage and creativity. If you’re ready to protect the roots—education, quality, community—and evolve the reach with modern marketing and bold events, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a fellow retailer, and leave a review to help more independents grow strong together.
Connect with us:
Email: info@naturalproductsmarketer.com
About Tina Maddock
Since 2014, Tina has worked with multiple natural products businesses, discovering how to market their CBD products online, without having their payment processor shut them down, to letting customers talk about their health issues those products have helped them solve. She knows first hand how experts like you offer the best products and a superior customer experience, that is why she is committed to helping you find an easy way to grow your natural product business.
