Shows
Main Street Matters5 Game-Changing Lessons from Main Street's Best: Season 1 Wrap-UpJoin host Terresa Zimmerman as she wraps up an incrediblefirst season of Main Street Matters. From featuring inspiring Main Street store owners to connecting with passionate advocates and champions, this season has been filled with powerful stories and valuable insights. Thanks to amazinglisteners like you, the podcast has reached the top 10% of all podcasts!In this special wrap-up episode, Teresa shares the five keytakeaways from Season 1 - insights that are interrelated and self-reinforcing, all centered around what makes Main Street businesses truly special.Key Takeaways from Season 11...2025-07-2506 minMain Street MattersHow to Keep Customers When Your Business Changes Hands: Philip Linkous | EP 22"These people (customers) are very intelligent, bright, and they've done well for themselves. But there's a certain minimalization to their life... they want as few things as possible to get the maximum result.”In this episode of the Main Street Matters Podcast, Terresa Zimmerman interviews Philip Linkous, where he shares the remarkable story of Bill Walker Clothier, a Houston menswear institution founded in 1983, and his journey from employee to owner over nearly three decades. In this candid conversation, Philip reveals how he and manager Shelley successfully acquired the business through a carefully planned six-year tr...2025-05-3053 min
Networking and Marketing Made SimpleHow To Run A Successful Brick and Mortar Business in 2025Terresa Zimmerman is an entrepreneur, author, advisor, and mentor to business owners. Terresa traveled the world for decades working on business and brand strategy challenges with the world’s largest organizations, cross-industry, rooted in B2B, including Fiserv, QUALCOMM, NVIDIA, Brocade, Gerdau, Teck, Medtronic, and more. We can only guess how that led her to become the only female founder of a men’s underwear brand, Wood Underwear®. With Wood, she quickly discovered her love for Main Street and all the small businesses that fuel our communities and neighborhoods. She i...2025-05-0839 minMain Street MattersA Store Full of Stories: The Distinctive Approach at Cave & Post Trading Company | EP 21In this episode, Terresa Zimmerman talks with Patrick Burch about the journey of creating Cave & Post Trading Co., a men's-focused retail store in Phoenix. Patrick explains how he and his wife Mary transformed what was meant to be a "glorified man cave" into a thriving retail business that bridges the gap in men's boutique shopping.The conversation explores how Cave & Post selects inventory with a focus on heritage brands, quality craftsmanship, and products with compelling stories. Patrick shares how they've created a welcoming "Cheers bar" atmosphere where customers are remembered by name, and he...2025-04-1647 minMain Street MattersBeyond Competition: How Peer Networks Are Bolstering Independent Retail | EP 20Episode 20: Beyond Competition: How Peer Networks Are Bolstering Independent RetailWelcome to another episode of Main Street Matters, Terresa Zimmerman speaks with Fred Derring, a true champion of Main Street and principal of DLS Apparel Group. With over 40 years of experience working exclusively with independent retailers across the United States, Fred shares invaluable insights about the power of community in the independent retail space.Fred Derring has been in the retail industry since college, working his way up through independent stores, department stores, and consulting before founding DLS Apparel Group. His passion...2025-04-0429 minMain Street MattersFamily Business Success How Adrian Jules Built a 60-Year Custom Tailoring Legacy | EP 19"When you buy from Main Street, you're buying from the community, you're helping the community."In this episode of Main Street Matters, host Terresa Zimmerman interviews Matthew Roides, Director of Operations at Adrian Jules. Matthew shares the inspiring 60-year journey of his family's custom tailoring business. Founded by his Italian immigrant grandfather who arrived in America with just $33, Adrian Jules has grown into a respected name in luxury menswear with both wholesale and retail operations. Matthew discusses how the business maintains its commitment to American-made craftsmanship with over 70 employees in Rochester, NY, while adapting...2025-03-0645 minMain Street MattersWhy Your Independent Store Needs LinkedIn Today - Growth Strategy with LinkedIn Expert Scott Aaron | EP 18Are you an independent retail store owner who's missing out on connecting with local professionals - your ideal customers - simply because you are not leveraging LinkedIn? You probably didn’t think it was for you. You thought wrong. It’s a big opportunity.This episode is a bit different from the usual episodes we have here on Main Street Matters. We invited an expert who shares his expertise on WHY WE SHOULD and HOW WE CAN increase our REACH, BUILD BRAND AWARENESS, and garner TRUST. Terresa Zimmerman welcomes LinkedIn expert Scott Aaron to show...2025-02-1930 minMain Street MattersBUY Local or BYE Local: Why Shopping Local is Your Community's Lifeline | EP 17When you buy from a chain store or online, the money leaves your community instantly. When you buy local, that same dollar circulates 3.5 times in your community. That's not just business - that's your town's future.In this episode of Main Street Matters, Terresa Zimmerman and Peter Rose, co-owner of Chelsea Group in Wyandotte, Michigan, shares his family's 80-year retail journey and delivers an important, maybe even urgent, message about the importance of shopping local. From his grandfather's humble beginnings as a Boy Scout supplier in 1943 to today's retail challenges, Peter reveals how local...2025-01-291h 01Main Street MattersSmall Town, Big Data: How The Natty Dresser Found Its Fit? | EP 16
From outfitting farmers for their daughters' strawberry festival coronations to helping a cancer patient rebuild his confidence, The Natty Dresser is proving that a men's clothing store can be more than just a retailer – it can be a catalyst for personal transformation in a community.
Host Terresa Zimmerman talks with Oscar Hult, who turned market research into retail success by opening The Natty Dresser in Albany, Oregon. With no prior retail experience but armed with census data and a background in historic preservation, Oscar grew his men's store from a 1,500 square foot startup to a...2025-01-1550 min
Mastering eCommerce Marketing135. How to Navigate Retail Challenges with Terresa ZimmermanJoin Eitan Koter as he sits down with Terresa Zimmerman, the founder and CEO of Wood Underwear. What started as a quest for something meaningful turned into a 13-year journey in the men’s underwear industry, a focus on wholesale, and a deep connection to independent retail.Terresa shares candidly about the ups and downs of running her own brand, from discovering a love for Main Street businesses to the power of using storytelling to engage customers. She also highlights the challenges facing small retailers today and why younger shoppers are still looking for those in-person experiences....2025-01-0335 minMain Street Matters(2024) Why Main Street Matters: In the Words of Independent Retail OwnersIn this special year-end episode of Main Street Matters, we compile the heartfelt responses from our guests throughout 2024 as they answer our signature question: "Why does Main Street matter?" Their responses paint a vivid picture of Main Street's vital role in our communities.
This compilation showcases the diverse yet interconnected perspectives of local business owners and community leaders who shared their thoughts on the significance of Main Street throughout the year.
Here are the shared values that we heard:
1. The Heart of Community
Main Streets serve as the central gathering...2025-01-0303 minMain Street MattersThe People Business: Frank Ventresca on Retail Success and Community Involvement | EP 15In this episode of Main Street Matters, host Terresa Zimmerman sits down with Frank Ventresca, owner of Ventresca Limited, a high-end men's specialty store in historic Doylestown, Pennsylvania. With 43 years in business, Frank shares his journey from a small store, to multiple stores and a consolidated thriving 5,000-square-foot premium menswear destination. Through his experience, he illustrates how independent specialty retailers can thrive in today's market by focusing on exceptional customer service, expert tailoring, and building lasting relationships across generations.
Frank takes us behind the scenes of his successful specialty store, sharing everything from why he chose to...2024-12-111h 00Main Street MattersFrom Tailoring to Technology: How a 50-Year Downtown Business Stays Relevant | EP 14We have another episode that will surely inspire you to continue doing your craft and keep a good relationship not only with your customers but also with other store owners.
Join Terresa Zimmerman and Tony Paranzino in this conversation. Tony, the owner of Tony the Tailor in Charleston, West Virginia, shares his remarkable journey from learning tailoring at age 9 in the family business to running a successful men's retail business for over 50 years. Tony’s father started as a technical designer for the Botany 500 suit. Following in his father's footsteps, Tony has built a re...2024-11-2756 minMain Street MattersHow to Attract Younger Generations to Independent Stores | Are you inviting them in? | EP 13This episode explores how independent retailers can attract and retain younger customers (Gen Z and millennials) to ensure business longevity. Join Teresa Zimmerman as she dives deep into effective strategies for connecting with younger generations in your stores. She addresses where to find these potential customers and how to meaningfully engage with them. Despite concerns about aging customer bases, research shows younger generations are increasingly drawn to independent retail stores, seeking personal connections and unique shopping experiences.Key Topics Covered-Strategies for attracting and retaining younger shoppers-The importance of...2024-11-2011 minMain Street MattersReviving Main Street: Stephanie Knoppe’s Mission for Poplar Bluff | EP 12How’s your Main Street? Is it still the same as when you walked down it with your parents, grandparents, or friends?
In this week’s episode of Main Street Matters, host Terresa Zimmerman has a warm and nostalgic conversation with Stephanie Knoppe, the owner of, newly opened, Joe Lawrence's Haberdashery in Poplar Bluff. With a mission to restore Main Street’s charm and appeal, Stephanie and a handful of enterprising neighbors have taken on the ambitious task of building not just a business, but a true destination for her community - downtown, Main Street...2024-10-3038 minMain Street MattersBeyond the Suit: Whiskey, Wisdom, and a Perfect Fit Suit with Brian Lipstein, Founder of Henry A. Davidsen | EP 11In this episode, Terresa Zimmerman sits down with Brian Lipstein, founder and CEO of Henry A. Davidsen, a Philadelphia-based custom menswear company known for delivering more than just great suits. Over the creation of a perfectly formed, ice ball for a glass of Macallan, Brian shares the unique experience his clients enjoy—complete with a personalized whiskey bar—and the journey he took to build his business from a University of Pennsylvania venture program to nearly 20 years of success.
Brian’s story is filled with passion, from learning the art of tailoring to providing men wi...2024-10-1658 minMain Street MattersFrom Direct Sales to Retail Success: Ron Brodeur and Brodeur Carvell’s Continually Evolving JourneyIn this episode, Terresa Zimmerman sits down with Ron Brodeur, owner of Brodeur Carvell Fine Menswear, an independent men's clothing store in Fort Myers, Florida. Ron shares his journey from direct selling to owning a brick-and-mortar store, the challenges he's faced, and his passion for custom clothing.
Their conversation digs into the world of men's fashion retail, exploring topics such as:
-Ron's 30 years background in the clothing industry, starting with direct selling and transitioning to retail, and his continual learning mindset.
-How Ron established himself in retail 22 years ago, offering ready-to-wear and custom clothing.
-Challenges faced: From multiple stores...2024-09-2535 minMain Street MattersPassion and Perseverance: Danny Reynolds on Running a Retail Business Since 1931 |EP 9In this episode of Main Street Matters, host Terresa Zimmerman sits down with Danny Reynolds, the leader of Stephenson's, a family-owned clothing store in Elkhart, Indiana.
Danny is a passionate advocate for the retail industry, and when he’s not at the store, or working in New York’s garment district, can often be found in Washington D.C., advocating for retailers across the country. He has been an outspoken champion of the recent Credit Card Competition Act, a bill that aims to reduce credit card swipe fees, for retailers of all sizes.
2024-09-1148 minMain Street MattersThe Art of Visual Merchandising in a Small Town Men's Store in West Chester | EP 8Join host Terresa Zimmerman as she sits down with Jaime Weisbrot, owner and founder of Phineas Gage, a men's clothing store in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Jaime shares her journey from visual merchandising in big-box retail to opening her own boutique, offering insights on customer service, community involvement, and the challenges of running an independent retail business.
Here are some takeaways from this episode
-Leverage your industry experience when opening your own store
-Focus on creating a unique shopping experience for your target demographic
-Continuously adapt to customer feedback...2024-09-0442 minMain Street MattersEmpowering Main Street: Cindy Purnell’s Retail Journey and commitment to personalized service | EP 7"No matter what job you're in, whether it's retail or whether it's insurance or whether it is, you've got to have fun in your business. And when you quit having fun, it's time to get out." - Cindy Purnell
In this episode, host Terresa Zimmerman sits down with Cindy Purnell, owner of Post and Rail Men's Shop in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. With a retail career spanning over five decades, Cindy brings a wealth of experience and insights to the conversation. Her story is one of adaptability, community involvement, and a deep passion for personalized customer...2024-08-1440 minMain Street MattersMain Street Magic: How Peer Connections Fuel Andrisen Morton's Success with Lindsay Morton Gaiser | EP6In this podcast episode of Main Street Matters, host Terresa Zimmerman interviews Lindsay Morton Gaiser, the president and second-generation owner of Andrisen Morton in Denver, Colorado. Lindsay shares insights into the history of the luxury men's clothing store, founded by her father and his business partner, Craig Andrisen, in 1979. She discusses the evolution of the business, including a brief foray into women's clothing and the shift towards more sportswear over tailored clothing.
Lindsay highlights the importance of the store's customer base, which includes multi-generational clients and a wide range of occupations. She emphasizes the significance of the...2024-07-3143 minMain Street MattersBuilding Lasting Connections: Davidson's Clothing for Men Through the Years | EP5Do you know of a store on Main Street, in your community, that has been around for a century? even 50 years? This one has.
In this podcast episode, host Teresa Zimmerman interviews Larry Davidson, the third-generation leader of Davidson's Clothing for Men in Roanoke, Virginia. Larry shares the history of Davidson's, which was started by his Lithuanian immigrant grandfather in 1910. The conversation delves into the evolution of the business over the years, highlighting the importance of community involvement and building one-to-one relationships with clients. Larry discusses the challenges and changes in the retail industry...2024-07-1738 minMain Street MattersWhat Makes Jin Frati's Silk Accessories Stand Out in the Menswear Industry | EP4Stay ahead of fashion trends with Jin Frati, who brings his 20 years of design experience and insights into the world of upscale menswear at independent retail.
Join our host, Terresa Zimmerman and guest Jin Frati of Marchesi JinFrati. Jin has been a prominent figure in the fashion industry, known for his exquisite neckwear designs and exceptional craftsmanship. As a believer in and partner to independent retail stores, Jin creates bespoke collections for upscale menswear stores across North America and Europe. Jin shares his journey in the fashion industry, his expertise in creating unique neckwear...2024-06-2625 minMain Street MattersHow Did Alex Hamka go from Dentist Student to Thriving 3rd Generation Tailor? | EP3Welcome to another inspiring episode of Main Street Matters. In this episode, our host Terresa Zimmerman interviews Alex Hamka, a third-generation custom tailor and proprietor of Alexanders Custom Clothiers in Northville, Michigan. Alex shares his journey of taking over his father's tailor shop after his father fell ill, transitioning from being a pre-dental student to tailoring.
Tune in as Alex discusses the evolution of his business, focusing on bespoke tailoring and innovative strategies like membership packages and personalized services. Alex reflects on the challenges and successes during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes the importance...2024-06-2643 minMain Street MattersThe power of customer relationships: A legacy of Ken's Man's Shop | EP2In this episode of the Main Street Matters podcast, host Terresa Zimmerman interviews Kory Helfman, the second-generation proprietor of Ken's Man’s Shop in Dallas, Texas. Kory discusses the shop's history and clientele, as well as his concerns about the future of Ken’s Man Shop and the tailoring business due to a lack of master tailors.
He emphasizes the importance of long-term relationships with clients, community support, and staying relevant through marketing and SEO.
Kory also shares insights into the shop's operations, including the impact of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pand...2024-06-2636 minMain Street MattersTransforming Lives Through Custom Suits with Curtis Holloway | EP1In this episode of Main Street Matters, host Terresa Zimmerman, is joined by Curtis Holloway, the dynamic entrepreneur behind Suitability of McLean, a men's custom clothing establishment located in McLean, Virginia. Curtis shares his inspiring journey from a long-term corporate career, which one day he was just done with, to becoming a successful business owner. Helping customers in career transitions find confidence through clothing, it transforms lives.
Key topics in this episode:
- The personalized consultations Curtis offers to his clients, considering factors such as hair, skin, and eye color.
...2024-06-2645 minMain Street MattersWelcome to Main Street MattersWe are thrilled to announce the launch of MainStreet Matters, a podcast dedicated to celebrating and supporting the vibrant community of independent retail professionals like you.
Hosted by Teresa Zimmerman, an entrepreneur, multi-award-winning author, and mentor, MainStreet Matters is more than just a podcast—it's a platform for sharing stories, insights, and practical advice from those who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of running a small business.
Why Should You Listen to Main Street Matters?
Hear First-Hand Stories: Learn from the experiences of fellow independent store owners wh...2024-06-0601 min
The UnNoticed EntrepreneurWhy a female entrepreneur got into men's underwear, and made it on main street.Ever wondered how a wood viscous fabric feels against your skin? Well, Terresa Zimmerman, founder of Wood Underwear, sat with us to discuss her unique brand that's disrupting the men's underwear market with just that. Her journey from tech PR to entrepreneurship is nothing short of fascinating, and she generously shares her experiences and insights. From her decision to focus on Main Street rather than Amazon, to the creation of the company’s standout brand identity using a distinctive orange color and font, Teresa’s story is a must-listen for budding entrepreneurs and anyone interested in innovative products.Our...2023-09-0524 min
The UnNoticed EntrepreneurWhy a female entrepreneur got into men's underwear, and made it on main street.Get Noticed! Send a text.Ever wondered how a wood viscous fabric feels against your skin? Well, Terresa Zimmerman, founder of Wood Underwear, sat with us to discuss her unique brand that's disrupting the men's underwear market with just that. Her journey from tech PR to entrepreneurship is nothing short of fascinating, and she generously shares her experiences and insights. From her decision to focus on Main Street rather than Amazon, to the creation of the company’s standout brand identity using a distinctive orange color and font, Teresa’s story is a must-listen for budding entrepreneurs and...2023-09-0524 min
Inventive Founder"Measure Twice, Cut Once" Founder's Advice For Entrepreneurs w/ Terresa Zimmerman & Amy Gurske'Measure twice, cut once.' That means making sure you do enough due diligence and planning in the beginning. We are often so excited to get started with something as complex as our project, I kind of wish I had taken more time, in the beginning, to really measure twice, and cut once. But I also wouldn't change our journey at all. It's kind of contradictory because we needed to build it exactly as we did, but still, measure twice, and cut once. It's tough when you've learned so much from those early mistakes to say that you shouldn't...2023-03-2828 min
The Ramble: A Podcast From Joel PrimusEpisode 30: Tequila to Japan, writing books to seriously sage advice for entrepreneurs with Terresa ZimmermanWelcome back to The Ramble. Today Joel talks to Terresa Zimmerman, entrepreneur, advisor, mentor, challenge seeker and Founder of Wood Underwear® about why she moved to Japan after university, the founding of Wood Underwear, the inspiration behind her book Oh Lords and her advice to entrepreneurs. Show Notes:-ohlords.com-LinkedIn -Blog https://joelprimus.com/blog/-Getting Naked: The Bare Necessities of Entrepreneurship & Start-ups by Joel Primus: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Naked-Necessities-Entrepreneurship-Start-ups-ebook/dp/B08SW77H2W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15QWMH596TPDO&keywords=Joel+primus+getting+naked...2022-11-021h 39
Inventive Expert"How To Develop Apparel" Expert Advice For Entrepreneurs w/Terresa ZimmermanThe second you say brand to somebody they are like, oh, I have the greatest logo and name. Hopefully, the conversation we just had shows you that's really not what a brand is. A logo and a name that's a visual and a verbal queue of what your brand is. But that's not your brand. Just because you come up with a great logo or a great name does not mean you have a brand.2022-02-1034 min
Inventive Journey"Keep Good Relationships" The Inventive Journey Podcast For Entrepreneurs w/Terresa ZimmermanDisappointing my customers. So If we get it wrong with our store customers, the ramifications of that are big. Getting it wrong for them can be you, know, it stems from inventory. Do we have the right inventory? Did the inventory come in correctly? We are offshoring so, we don't get to inspect the line and see how things are coming off. We receive it; We pay for it; We put it out there; Yes, there is quality control but, the size and labeling can have mistakes, and if you don't catch it till it's in a store, that...2021-11-1230 min
Inventive Journey"Start Now" The Inventive Journey Podcast For Entrepreneurs w/ Terresa ZimmermanStart. Do it. Just do it. Figure out what your risk tolerances are, leave everything else behind. Give yourself a period of time. Do it. Just do it. Once you put it out there, people are going to rally. It's amazing.2021-05-1936 min
Reinvention Road TripChocolate, Wine or Underwear, Oh, My! Real Talk with Terresa Zimmerman, CEO of Wood UnderwearFrom Global Marketing Agency Executive to Founder and CEO of Wood Underwear; Terresa Zimmerman takes us behind-the-scenes on her journey to...take the leap! So many of us are killin' the game in our professional careers and yet that little voice still nudges us to make a change, take the leap and chase our dreams. Terresa shares what led her to leave her global role in corporate America. She explores who she confided in along the way and how she landed on men's underwear as her next challenge.Terresa leaves us with her tips and t...2020-05-2132 min