In this conversation, Donovan Bankhead and Bill Matthews discuss the current state of the instrument repair industry, focusing on the growing demand for repair technicians, particularly among younger generations. They explore the appeal of instrument repair as a career, the challenges faced by technicians, and the importance of fair compensation an…

In this episode of the Music Retail Podcast, Donovan Bankhead interviews John Tarpley from Tarpley Music. They discuss the history and founding of Tarpley Music, which dates back to the 1920s. They also talk about the challenges and benefits of having multiple locations, as Tarpley Music has nine locations. They touch on the importance of culture b…

Summary In this episode of the Music Retail Podcast, Donovan Bankhead interviews Jennifer and Linden Lantz, the owners of Bandwagon Music and Repair in Nashville, Tennessee. The Lantz's background is in music education, with Lyndon specializing in instrument repair. They started Bandwagon as a small repair shop and gradually expanded to include ret…

SummaryDonovan Bankhead and E.J. Dombrowski discuss their friendship and the impact of reaching out to each other. They talk about the challenges of running a music store, being resourceful, and staying competitive in the industry. They also touch on the importance of automation and delegation in order to focus on innovation and growth. The convers…

Donovan Bankhead interviews Michael Santander, General Manager of Instrumental Music Center, about his journey in the music retail industry and the importance of hiring the right people. They discuss the shift in employee mindset from wanting to be part of a 'family' to valuing a team environment. They also emphasize the need for businesses to prio…

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

What a treat it was to get to talk with Sammy Ash about Sam Ash Music, his thoughts on the other national competitor, how he feels about vendors selling direct (here’s looking at you, Fender), and much more! Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. Want help with …

Resharing this interview with Lori, with some brief thoughts from me in the intro. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

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 tr…

Cosmo Music has blown my mind ever since I first heard of them at the NAMM Top 100 Awards! One of the largest interactive music stores in the world - there is lots to learn from this episode. The history of Cosmo Music Pictures of the store --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support…

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 …

Chris shares how he went from a substitute teacher needing a job to the owner of John Keal Music.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

What does it take for a business to thrive for a century? Listen and find out!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

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.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

How has the pandemic affected music studios - specifically those businesses that are primarily focused on teaching? What are their thoughts on the future?--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

Anderton’s history is like many in our industry - but how did they rise up to become one of the MI retail giants?--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

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!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

Jim Hirschberg explains what MI SalesTrak does, how it works, what benefits you get from participating in the program, and how to get started.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

Have a retail question? Want a free coaching session? Go to http://www.musicretailconsulting.com/--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

Voice MessagesHey 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!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spoti…

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! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

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!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support…

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!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support…

Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about me (and then some) in this very special episode.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

In addition to Believe in Music Week, we also talk the highs and lows of our industry, life lessons learned thus far, and more!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

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!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

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!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/p…

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!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support

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.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support…

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!--- Support this podc…

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!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters…

Leslie and I talk about how IMC came to be, the difficulties she has with dealing with all of the COVID stuff, the difficulties of starting a store from scratch, and so much more! Also, now available with video on YouTube! Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.co…

So, what’s it like for someone with only a high school education (and a guitar player, no less) to take over one of the top music retail businesses in Nebraska? What lessons did he learn along the way to pay off millions in debt and keep growing? Take a listen to find out! Now also available on Youtube! Want help with your business? Find Articles, …

Sweetwater is on track to soon be a billion dollar business - one with almost no debt, a terrific reputation in the industry and with customers. How did Chuck do it? And how is he managing his business during the COVID pandemic of 2020? Plus, like a good box of Raisin Bran, there are TWO SCOOPS of new parts of the Sweetwater story unveiled in this …

Candyman Strings & Things was one of the first business in our industry forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How did this NAMM Dealer of the Year award winner handle this crisis? Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com --- Support this podcast: https:/…

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 …

This episode is one of the most insightful and thought provoking episodes yet! Listen up! Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support…

Want to hear of a crazy way to do group lessons? How about how to recruit for new employees? Want to hear embarrassing stories about me? Then stay tuned! Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/m…

Why would you put an $8,000 guitar in a beginner's hands? What's the advantage of group lessons over private? When's the right time to close a lesson sale? Listen and learn! Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. Want help with your business? Find Articles, Reso…

From humble beginnings to a major player in the school music scene in Chicago, Frank Pampenella has guided PM Music Center to annual growth year after year. Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coachi…

This episode we discuss leadership, what to do when you've hit the ceiling, how to get the most out of your video content, and so much more. If you'd like video or marketing help, reach out to gabe at Gabriel@upperhandstudios.com or visit his website Upperhandstudios.com. Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top …

Topics include:Family business succession, college education for retail store owners, rental growth through aquisition and how to keep those new customers, finding road reps, the RTO changes in the 90s, the value of value brands, long range planning, and how to make the most of your NAMM show. Whew! Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfi…

In this conversation with Michael we discuss how to build a thriving lesson program that surpasses the competition. Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musi…

Do you ever feel as if there’s a bottleneck at your store? Your staff is constantly coming to you with questions, complaints and concerns, and you start to develop “decision fatigue.” (It’s a real thing—look it up.) This is one of the biggest reasons businesses fail to grow. Don’t be the lid on your organization! In this presentation, Will Mason of…

Yet ANOTHER interview from a NAMM Top 100 Dealer of the Year! Cindy and Rand Cook share their thoughts, insights, and the challenges they see in our industry and in running their business as it celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary. Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Busin…

Lauren has a great story - she’s a busy wife and mom, NAMM board member, and, of course, music store owner. Her full line music store is beautiful, and she has built a terrific business. Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. Want help with your business? Find A…

Today's conversation with Menzie covers authenticity, competing against big-box stores and franchises, and being involved with the NAMM fly-in for music advocacy. Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and …

In this episode, Tristann Rieck, owner of Brass Bell Music in Milwaukee, WI talks about dealing with ownership transitions in a generational business, coming back from bankruptcy, and why you should be doing more with music advocacy. Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail…

Do you want to know what metrics matter most in your business? Then you will definitely want to listen to this! Randy is one of the smartest people in our industry, and I was delighted to get to speak with him for this interview. Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsul…