Shows
The Retail WhoreSTUNNING, STAND-OUT DISPLAYS - SHELF TALK WITH CO-HOST SUSAN ESAYIAN!Susan and Michelle join forces again for another episode of Shelf Talk! Here, they kick things off with a recap of Susan’s recent trip to New Orleans and all the fun shops she explored while there. Next, they share some of their favorite displays found on Instagram and discuss their stand-out design elements and features. Susan and Michelle also discuss how you can recreate these displays in your own store, plans for booking upcoming shows, Mother’s Day display details, and more.Ask Michelle and Susan for Shelf Talk! Michelle and Susan will be co-ho...2025-04-301h 01The Retail WhoreINTRODUCING... SHELF TALK WITH CO-HOST SUSAN ESAYIAN!Welcome to Shelf Talk: a brand new, add-on segment inside the Retail Whore Podcast! In this new once-a-month segment, Michelle and co-host Susan Esayian dive into all things merchandising and design. Both Michelle and Susan have strong backgrounds as buyers and merchandisers in retail and wholesale gifts. On Shelf Talk, you’ll have the chance to submit your burning merchandising questions and get answers straight from the experts!A native of the Pacific Northwest, Susan Esayian has been working in the gift industry professionally for 26 years in a variety of roles. From merchandising Kitchen-Aid mixers, buy...2025-03-2650 minThe Retail WhoreEP 191: CMA MERCHANDISER’S RECAP WITH JESSICA YOUNG, RONALD CARTER, SUSAN ESAYIAN & DAVE SHERRIERRonald Carter likes to think of creative styling as an art form: a masterpiece, carefully crafted by imagination and passion. He fell into his career by accident as a struggling actor in need of a side hustle. Ronald was living in Seattle at the time and recalls asking a friend if she knew of anyone who was hiring, and she kindly suggested checking out Eddie Bauer. From there, his retail career took off. At Eddie Bauer, Ronald started as a greeter, and in the three years that followed, he worked his way up to designing floor plans f...2025-02-261h 31The Retail WhoreEP 178: FALL RECAP - SOLO SHOW WITH MICHELLEIn this solo show, Michelle recaps her 40th high school reunion and what it was like to geek out over retail with her former classmates… without her old insecurities. She catches everyone up on what’s been going on since the move to Oregon and living life at a much slower pace. Michelle chats about burnout and why it’s important to recharge to stay creative, store standards and your role as a merchandiser, and what things look like for the future at MC Design Collaboration.This episode is sponsored by Show Me Your Store. Show M...2024-11-0629 minThe Retail WhoreEP 164: HOW A SIMPLE GIFT BECAME AN EMBROIDERY BUSINESS WITH MICHELLE GALLETTAMC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!A printmaking graduate from the Ontario College of Art and Design, Michelle Galletta is the founder of Kiriki Press. The idea was inspired by Michelle wanting to make her niece Madeleine an embroidered...2024-08-0747 min
The Retail WhoreEP 126: ROOTED IN RETAIL WITH CRYSTAL VILKAITISThis week’s episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.Crystal Vilkaitis is a world-class social media expert and powerful speaker who helps retailers shine online and bring their unique brilliance to the local and global masses. Fueling retailers with confidence to grow their visibility and results, Crystal’s on a mission to help Main Street businesses thrive. She’s spoken on stages around the globe and has shared the stage with industry giants like Martha Stewart, Gary Vayner...2023-11-221h 04