A Friday note from someone who’s been where you are. Every Friday morning since August 2021 — a story from the shop floor, and a point you can actually use. The whole archive is here.
Playing With Someone Better Than You “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” — Billie Jean King I played a lot of tennis growing up. Not so much now — but as I started working with the newest AI model from my fave, Anthropic, it reminded me of playing tennis with my sister, Holly….
The Drawer of Wrong Ribbon “It’s the little details that are vital.Little things make big things happen.” — John Wooden, They Call Me Coach My husband has texted me two Leanne Morgan clips recently. One about being a grandparent. One about the thermostat. Both so relatable for us that I know he could not hold…
A checkout line at Trader Joe’s taught me the one thing about your store no competitor can copy — the thing your customers actually remember.
Don’t Mess With the Egg Casserole “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” — George Bernard Shaw Our family Christmas tradition is brunch at our house on Christmas morning. The whole crew comes — my parents, my siblings, nieces and nephews, in-laws now too, and all three of my sons. Aunt AmyFay…
The Feeling They Carry Out the Door “They may forget what you said — but they will never forget how you made them feel.” — Carl W. Buehner Big successful events happen when what feels like a bazillion pre-planned details come together just right. Our youngest son’s wedding weekend was just that — packed with…
Give the Best of You This weekend, the youngest of our three sons is getting married. Wedding weekends have a way of pulling those closest to us into one room. It’s had me reflecting on family this week, as my husband and I sew up the last details for the rehearsal dinner Friday night. I…
After a big Atlanta market, the question is never only what to add. Marriott stopped handing out a billion plastic straws a year, and nobody missed them. What’s the thing your store does out of habit that you could finally stop?
A tiny glimpse of a fun, busy week at Atlanta market — buyers, displays, and the Tango team, in pictures.
A brand-new AI knows the whole world and nothing about you. The answers that move your store only come after you teach it — on purpose, a little at a time, until it sticks.
Tidbit #251. Your customer didn’t come in to vote — she came in because she trusts your eye, so pick for her. Plus a five-minute tech tip to shop your own store like a customer, and a new Tango line ten years in the making: meet Erin Gray.