Retailing Insight

RetailingInsight Connecting the Best in Body-Mind-Spirit

MAGAZINE

Vol32 32| | Issue31| 2018 | 2018 Vol Issue

INSPIRED LIVING MINDFUL PRACTICES

VISUAL MERCHANDISING

A stage of your brand

Conscious living retail business

GOOD FOR THE PLANET PRODUCTS

Green and sustainable products for your store

Chakras & Colorful Healing Gems, Stones, and Minerals

POINT-OF-SALES

Winner and Losers

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Inspired Living

MAY/JUNE 2018

In Every Issue 4 | EDITOR’S NOTE 12 | BUSINESS & MARKETING Visual Merchandising: A stage for your brand 32 | INSIGHT When obsession is good for you 58 | FINE PRINT New and notable books for body, mind, and spirit 62 | PLAY LIST Reviews of great music to sell and enjoy 66 | TAKE FIVE Inspirational websites 68 | ADVERTISER INDEX

18

Features 6 | MINDFUL PRACTICES Conscious living retail business

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14 | MEET OUR VENDORS OHM THERAPEUTICS 18 | POINT-OF-SALES Winner and Losers 26 | BEST TRADE SHOW TIPS For your next trade show trip 34 | ANNUAL DIVINATION DECK ROUNDUP What does the future hold?

42 | CHAKRAS & COLORFUL HEALING GEMS, STONES, AND MINERALS How colors can influence your sales

52 | 2018 TRADE SHOWS – 2ND SEMESTER A comprehensive list of trade shows to plan your buying trip

14

Products

24 | FRESH! A Galleria of NEW Products

58

(Special Advertisement Section)

48 | GOOD FOR THE PLANET PRODUCTS Green and sustainable products for your store

2 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

62

The Trade Show for Conscious Retailers!

FEATURED SPEAKERS Keynote Speaker at the Opening Breakfast

Alana Fairchild

Author/ Speaker at the Author’s Breakfast

Author/ Speaker at the Author’s Breakfast

Sara Wiseman

Don Jose Ruiz

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editor'snote retailing insight magazine

Spring is here. We can already see the flowers blooming, birds singing, colors popping everywhere again… I love how nature has its way to renew and regenerate itself every time in a simple and beautiful way. My favorite season of the year!

is published exclusively for independent retailers of unique and meaningful products for the body, mind, and spirit. Our purpose is to nurture retail store success by providing excellent business advice, honest product reviews, advertisements from leading wholesale companies, and outstanding coverage of the dynamic body, mind, and spirit market.

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In this issue, Margaret Ann Lembo tell us more about chakras and colorful healing gems, stones and minerals, and Kim Perkins shares some inspirational websites for quick messages and self-help ideas. Also, we have some green and sustainable product reviews – good for the planet always – and if you’re looking to update your POS system, we have great tips on selecting the right system for your store written by Jacki Smith.

Furthermore, we had the opportunity to interview Ohm Therapeutics to learn more about the beneficial use of tuning forks for the physical and energetic body.

In addition, we have trade show tips for you, mindful practices on how to have a conscious living retail business, how to attract more customers by displaying the right merchandise, and we couldn’t miss the annual divination deck roundup by Anna Jedrziewski – what does the future hold?

editor copy-editor graphic design contributors

circulation sales

Joe Mount Roberta Gazzarolle Sean Ruck Stephanie Biddle Jacqueline Adamany Bill Binkelman Anna Jedrziewski Megy Karydes Jenny Rose Lara Margaret Ann Lembo Royce A. Morales Kim Perkins Jacki Smith Katie Slocombe Karen Johnson

Inspired Living – the best way to start the season with a great and green edition!

Retailing Insight® magazine is published by Continuity Publishing Inc.

Have an insightful reading,

Roberta Gazzarolle Roberta Gazzarolle, Editor, Retailing Insight Magazine

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©2018 Continuity Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 2372-7977. Volume 32/Issue 3/ Year 2018. The magazine is published bimonthly/ six times a year (Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sept, Nov)

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M P

indful ractices:

6 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Conscious Living Retail Business

M

by Margaret Ann Lembo

indfulness is a practice. It requires paying attention in the present moment and being focused on the task in front of you while being aware of what’s going on around you. This is known as situational awareness. You are being an observer of yourself and your surroundings. Applying and integrating mindfulness behavior into your life takes conscious repetition until proficiency is achieved.

Mindfulness in your personal life requires focus and grounding to keep all your awareness on a specific task. Consider mindful walking, for instance: When you walk, place all your thoughts on the process of walking. How does it feel to put your feet on the earth? Do you feel the air swirling around you and the sun (or the rain) touching you?

And when you eat, place your awareness on chewing, the flavor, and digestion of food for nutrition and well-being. Being mindful of these ordinary daily tasks is conscious living.

When doing business, conscious living practices are implemented for the highest good of the customers as well as for the staff and the bottom line of the business. Awakening consciousness within your business practices requires objective observation. This means that you are able to describe and identify exactly what is happening as events are happening without making judgments. In other words, being an objective observer requires neutral or impartial perception. For example, if it rains, the unbiased, or objective, view is, “It’s raining,” whereas the subjective perception is, “It’s bad weather.”

The practice of objective observation applies to everyone involved in the business—from the owner and managers to the staff and the customer. (Yes, customers are participating in this practice, often unknowingly.)

I recently made a business decision to include the tagline “Conscious Living Store” with the name of my store. The majority of the books, gemstones, jewelry, and other products offered at The Crystal Garden are intended to awaken the consciousness of the person who is enjoying the treasures on our shelves and perhaps taking them home. Everyone plays a part in awakening awareness for themselves and others, and I find that this is especially evident at The Crystal Garden. Though you may not have the same tagline for your business, instituting some mindful practices can benefit your staff and customers, and improve your business. All that’s necessary is consciously enhancing the daily routine at your store. Here are 10 practices to consider implementing:

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 7

Greeting Customers at the Door When a customer comes through your door, I recommend giving them a warm reception.

Try out simply saying, “Welcome!” Acknowledging the customer with mindful attention is the first step of the greeting; engagement is the second step. Ask the customer if they have been to the store before and, if not, how they found out about your store. This is beneficial not only for authentically connecting with a new customer, but also provides you with marketing insights. Most customers are happy to engage and help.

The most common response will usually be that they did a Google search. Ask what keywords they searched, and you’ll have a better understanding of your business’s demographics. Word of mouth is also a common response. Or maybe they saw an advertisement. In that case, if you advertise in more than one place, ask them where they saw the ad. Consider keeping a log with the various ways customers find out about your store to refer to when you are planning

your marketing next quarter. Let your new customer know you appreciate the insight they offered with a statement such as “That’s so nice to know. Thank you!”

When you personally interact with your customers, you and your store will stand out among the crowd of businesses as a caring boutique shop. So, take a moment to describe your store’s layout. Let them know where they will find the various “departments” within your shop. At The Crystal Garden, we have rooms and specific areas to find jewelry, aromatherapy, personal-care products, wall hangings, CDs (yes, we still carry them), greeting cards, incense, sage, candles, books, statuary, and so much more.

Ask the Customer if They Need Attention or Have a Question Once your customer has been browsing the store for a while, ask them if they need any attention or have a question. I enjoy using the phrase, “Do you need any attention?” because it often brings a smile and a fun reply, which opens the

opportunity for engagement and a chuckle. After asking this question, pause and stay nearby. It is interesting to observe that often the immediate response is no or “I’m just looking.” Move a few things on the shelves or dust to stay around for a few moments. You will often find that the same people who said they didn’t need attention actually do have questions and want attention.

Be mindful enough to ask, and be mindful enough to give them space to contemplate and realize that they do have questions. Sometimes they don’t, so be mindful of that too.

Remembering and Cultivating Repeat Customers It is always endearing to enter a store and have a friendly staff member greet you by name.

There is a deeper connection with a store when it’s less of an “in-your-face” retail store and more of a place where you feel known and familiar. In a study published in Brain Research magazine, certain parts of our brain light up when we hear our own name. Almost everyone wants to be known.

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If you don’t remember a customer’s name, perhaps another person on the staff will remember. One of my staff members asks repeat customers she recognizes for their name by asking directly and kindly, “Remind me of your name, please.” This lets the customer know she cares about them enough to want to use their name.

Mindful practice is to be present when you hear the customer’s name and make the intention to remember it. Use the customer’s name while talking to them without overusing it, which can be perceived as insincere. Eventually, when you mindfully take note of your customers’ names and use them in a sincere and natural way, you and your staff will remember many of them. Aside from making your customers feel welcome and valued, this helps build customer loyalty.

Remembering people’s names can be a bit of a challenge for most people. Benjamin Levy, the author of Remember Every Name Every Time, provides the F.A.C.E technique to aid in the process of memorizing and connecting with a customer and their name.

According the Levy, here are the tools:

F is for Focus. Mindfulness training includes being in the present moment and focusing on the customer. Release extraneous thoughts, and be present with the customer.

The first 20 seconds of learning their name is the only task you have to focus on. Give them that 20 seconds by being totally present.

A is for Ask. Repeat the customer’s name

and ask them if you have it right. Inquire about the proper spelling. This is imperative in my store because we put all our customers into our point-of-sale system to set up their account and frequent buyer program (Crystal Points), which you’ll read more about later.

C is for Comment. Bring something to

mind that you can correlate with their name and comment on it. Perhaps their name reminds you of a relative or a song. Make a decision that you will end your conversation with that customer by saying “thank you” along with their name. This will trigger your mind to remember it for the gratitude part of your encounter.

E is for Employ. Use their name during your

conversation. This reinforces your memory and enforces your connection with that person. These customers of ours are human beings. For some, their interaction with us might be the only pleasant or kind experience they have that particular day. Mindfulness and kindness go hand in hand.

How to Break Through to Awesome

The Last Conversation As your relationships with certain customers grow and develop, be thoughtful and fully present with them when they visit your store.

Being present means that it’s time to put down that merchandising chore, clear your mind of extraneous thoughts, and spend time with these customers. Ask about their family or pick up on your last conversation.

This practice is one of compassion, mindfulness, and caring. Remembering and maintaining a connection with people cultivates community and loyalty. The key is to recognize how much time is appropriate and maintain awareness of how many other customers are in the shop at that time. Keep in mind that situational awareness is key in all aspects of store interactions. Remember, as mentioned earlier, situational awareness is your ability to perceive your environment and all that is happening around you while still being present in the activity you are currently focused on.

Everything is Energy A basic principle of life is that everything is energy. Thoughts, feelings, and even inanimate objects hold a vibration. Everything has a vibration. This vibration travels like a sound wave and comes back around because of the circular flow of all things here on this planet. The foundation of the expression “What goes around comes around” is based on this principle. This basic principle is a very important facet of mindfulness at work. The basic understanding of the laws of cause and effect applies to every aspect of life. Therefore, the intention and vibration are carried in every object on your store’s shelves.

Put a practice into place that everything you do within your business is done with the overlying and underlying intention of love and well-being. Every box of merchandise you open, every piece of merchandise you handle, handle with mindfulness and attention on

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Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 9

love and well-being. When you and your staff merchandize and arrange displays – even dusting – do it with the mindfulness of love and well-being as the core intention.

Use this same practice while creating posts on your online store or putting a new product in your webstore. It’s energy. Where your attention and intention is placed, the energy flows. Your customers will feel the difference, and they will want to buy your merchandise because it is not only priced right and looks good, but it feels good, too!

This practice of energy awareness and mindfulness is a perfect tool for personal selfawareness and development that goes beyond the walls of your store or online presence.

Practice mindfulness while preparing food, cleaning your home, driving, and going on about your day.

Opening Procedures Further practice to instill well-being into your store starts with the moment you arrive on the premises. After settling in and doing

the basics to prepare the store for opening, establish a practice. Put out a petition for the day, pray, and call in positive energy. The practice of calling in the guides, guardians, and angels of your store makes a significant difference in the flow and sales for the day. I know this is true from personal experience.

As a store owner, you can do this from afar if you are off premises. Using your imagination, visualize your store in a bubble of light and well-being. Place your intentions into that bubble of light for projected sales, harmonious customer interactions, safety of the store, and excellent staff participation and productivity. Make an intention that your store feels positive and nurturing so that shopping becomes an experience of well-being. (You can use this practice if you are on-site, too, of course.)

Depending on your spiritual outlook, create your own ritual or opening ceremony to establish your intentions. Train your staff to do the same so they have a good and happy day serving your customers.

Establishing your financial intentions at the start of the day is also beneficial. In my store, if we “make the day,” I provide a $5 commission in the paycheck of each staff member who worked that day. To make the day, the end of day sales need to be 15% over last year’s sales on the same date. The dollar amount needed to reach that goal is pasted inconspicuously on the cash register. By engaging in this practice, both my staff and I are establishing a mindful intention to meet the day’s predetermined goal.

Staff members enjoy an extra challenge and the small commission. It is worth it for the financial well-being of your business.

Thank You Goes a Long Way Gratitude is powerful. Authentic gratitude is even more profound. Yes, it is important to thank the customer for their purchases, but taking the thankyou deeper is even better.

Consciously thanking the customer for their purchase while feeling true gratitude energetically strengthens the connection between you and that customer.

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As established earlier, everything is energy. It’s easy to say thank you.

It takes a bit more focus and emotional awareness to establish a vibration of gratitude that travels with the customer and their purchase after they leave the store. Also, it is beneficial to feel gratitude for customers who didn’t buy anything or just came in to pass time. Help them feel welcome and refrain from trying to sell to them. Most will come back when they have the time and the money. Some customers just browse before coming back to make a purchase.

Try on a few more ways to say thank you. Use phrases like, “We really appreciate your business” and “Thanks, we are grateful for your purchases.” It’s always nice to invite customers to come back soon.

Encouraging a return with words are great but add another layer to your gratitude with a frequent buyer program. Read on.

Frequent Buyer Program A rewards program is a way of thanking your customer and “putting money where your mouth is.” A rewards program, or a frequent buyer program, is also a marketing tool based on the principle of reciprocity.

The energy of doing something or giving something to someone psychologically establishes a feeling of wanting to give something back when something is received. It is used as a marketing tool in the acquisition of new customers as well as the cultivation of relationships with existing customers in-store and online.

Customer loyalty deserves a reward. Loyalty shows a customer’s willingness to buy from your store or your brand again and again.

This is a result of customer satisfaction based on value of the product and satisfaction with the customer service and the feeling they experience from dealing with you, your staff, and your store, whether online or in person. This allegiance converts to your customers spending more at your store and offering word-of-mouth referrals.

They will tell their friends and family how much they enjoy you and your products.

Most likely, your point of sale (POS) program or online shopping cart plugin has this function so the systems keeps track and issues a certificate when the customer’s sales reach a certain level. If your POS program doesn’t offer this function, a punch card might do the trick for brick-and-mortar sales.

At my store, we offer $10 off the next purchase after a customer has spent $100. My POS (BookLog) tracks customer sales, automatically issues the certificate, and keeps the information in the customer’s file so the customer doesn’t have to keep track of a piece of paper. Effectively, this is 10% off after they’ve already spent the money. They must wait to use the reward, which I refer to as a “thank-you gift from us” on their return visit on another day. Only one $10 gift certificate can be used per visit.

There are many ways to create rewards programs. With a little research, you will find the one that best fits your store and finances.

and publicity opportunity, place your logo with contact info on a label affixed to the box and/or wrap. The rolls of paper, rolls of labels, bows, and your time are well worth it to upgrade your store with this service.

Offer Free Events While we are talking about reciprocity and gifting, consider offering a free event in your store. This sets up reciprocity for your customers’ patronage. The event can offer insights, training, or understanding of a product, books, and goods you offer. Depending on the genre or your store, create a reason to bring your community together on premises and online.

One of many ideas is to offer a half-hour free class and broadcast it on your Facebook page as a Facebook Live Event. By doing this, your event continues to be available long after the event is over.

Save the video and upload it to your YouTube channel to broaden the scope of your audience. This can drive customers into your store and onto your website. They will be grateful for the information, your time, and your energy, and the law of reciprocity will naturally evolve. *** As you continue to practice mindfulness and implement consciousliving activities into your store, you will discover what works best for you, your staff, and your business. The key takeaway here is that it does take practice. When approaching your intention to establish mindful behavior in your life, stay conscious of this key takeaway—and practice, practice, practice. Every day in every way you will improve your ability to be in the present moment. Apply and integrate mindfulness into your life and business, and you will improve your life and the lives of those around you. Your business, your reputation, and your financial bottom line will improve as well. Stand out and shine.

Margaret Ann Lembo is the author of Chakra Awakening; The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals and Stones; Crystal Intentions Oracle; The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing; and Animal Totems and the Gemstone Kingdom. Find out more at www.thecrystalgarden.com and www. margaretannlembo.com.

Free Gift Wrap Would you like to stand out in the sea of many shops? Free gift wrap is a great gift to the customer. Many customers will purchase gifts at your store because they know it will be ready to give when they leave the store. Practice mindfulness while wrapping, sending good vibes into the product and the wrap. To capture a marketing

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 11

business&marketing Visual Merchandising: A Stage for your Brand

by Megy Karydes

Robin Flaherty knows a retail store’s window and merchandising displays are among the most important ways to draw in customers. As an interior stylists and co-founder of Chicago-based North & Madison, she focuses on creating spaces that are comfortable, welcoming, and reflects the owner’s personal style, whether it’s a retail shop or their home.

“Visual merchandising is about more than just creating a pretty display,” says Flaherty. “When you show customers how the products fit into a lifestyle, the result is an increase in sales.”

While most shop owners think about the merchandise first, Flaherty suggests working backwards. Prior to creating a display, consider your customer’s aesthetic and goals as well as advancing your own store’s brand.

Work Backwards By keeping your brand and customer in mind, the visual concepts will fall into place and be that much more effective, according to Flaherty.

“From there, we like to create store concepts that are constantly changing based on seasons and trends,” she adds. Creating a temporary over-arching theme (for example, back-to-school) will help give displays direction. Flaherty suggests retailers pull it all together by carrying that theme throughout the entire store: from your windows and product display to marketing and promotions.

Flaherty also recommends changing displays frequently, as in every time new product arrives.

“Move shelving, add shelving, move displays from one side of the room to the other,” she recommends. “You will have your best customers looking at things you have had in the store for a while as though they are brand new. Rearranging products help your store look like you always have fresh inventory without doing a full overhaul.”

Merchandising to Baby Boomers and Millennials Retailers are noticing that baby-boomers and millennials are starting to eschew “stuff” so a store design should feel highly-curated and selective.

In our last issue, Sean Slater, principal at Retail Design Collaborative, recommended it’s better to leave a good bit of the merchandise unseen and have it presented to the customer rather than overwhelm them with an array of choices in a small space. How can retailers put this recommendation to practice?

“You don’t want to overwhelm your customer with products,” Flaherty agrees. “You want each product to feel special and to be able to shine. The idea of leaving some merchandise unseen and having it 12 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

presented is a great way to help convey the uniqueness of the product. I love the idea of placing a ‘teaser’ product in your merchandised display.”

Merchandising as Experiential Slater also noticed that we are seeing an unprecedented effort to create value-added experiences in retail spaces. Shinola offers customers branded cola as soon as they enter. The manager at one of my favorite boutiques often greets me with hot tea in a handmade ceramic mug (both of which they sell, of course). I feel like the owner is saying, “I’m happy you’ve arrived. Come, relax, browse,” he said.

How can retailers approach their merchandising and offer valueadded experiences while also telling a story through their displays?

“Visual merchandising is about showing a lifestyle and how your products fit into it,” says Flaherty. “A value-added experience is just another part of your visual concept.”

Start by setting a theme for your visual displays that fits into your store’s concept for that season. If your store sells higher-end gift and housewares, you could create a French theme by creating a Frenchinspired window and highlighting products that fit into that theme such as lotions, dishware, and candles, in a display at the front of your store.

“Then, offer a French wine tasting and macaroons to help draw attention to your spotlighted product offerings,” suggests Flaherty. “You don’t have to take a lot of valuable display space to add an experience.

Think of the experience as an interactive aspect to your visual concept.”

Encourage Social Interaction Instagram and other social media avenues are a great way to showcase your visual brand.

If you want your store photographed, let your customers know.

“Instagram users are always looking for great scenes or backgrounds to take pictures for their profiles,” Flaherty shares. “You can add tonguein-cheek signage that encourages your customers to take pictures.

For example: If you are a clothing and/or accessories store, give your customers a space to pose in your clothes. Take a small wall or corner of your store, have it wallpapered in a bright colored print, add a small shelf of accessories next to it, and add a sign that says, “Selfie Wall” or “You look great, but don’t take our word for it, ask your Instagram followers!”

Megy Karydes is a marketing and communications consultant. She’s also an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University. Megy is currently working on a book about how businesses can better market themselves. Sign up to get her monthly marketing tips at MegyKarydes.com.

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MEET OUR VENDORS: OHM THERAPEUTICS

by Roberta Gazzarolle Ohm Therapeutics represents the clinical experience and works of Sound Healing pioneer Marjorie de Muynck (1952-2011), a multi-instrumentalist, composer and author of two textbooks about vibrational healing with tuning forks1. In addition, her musical works include four CDs in the key of Ohm™ – healing music that harmonizes with Ohm Tuning Forks, enhancing their effectiveness.

A practitioner of holistic healing modalities and a world-touring jazz musician and composer, de Muynck deeply understood the musicmedicine connection. During a workshop on compassionate care for the terminally ill, she met Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, who strongly influenced de Muynck to combine her musical skills with her gifts as a healer. The Ohm Therapeutics system is the culmination of de Muynck’s lifetime interest in music and the healing arts.

In the world of Sound Healing, there are many tuning forks available for body and soul healing. To learn more about what sets Ohm Therapeutics apart, and the beneficial use of tuning forks for the physical and energetic body, we interviewed Linda Marie Waller, de Muynck’s business partner and publisher of her educational and musical works.

14 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Retailing Insight – Call you tell us a little more about Ohm Therapeutics and the mission behind your work?

Ohm Therapeutics – Our mission is to provide high-quality tuning forks and easy-to-follow instructions for individuals and healthcare professionals to explore the healing power of sound. Our precisioncalibrated tuning forks are manufactured in the United States and fully guaranteed to stay in tune.

I’d like to share the three main qualities that set Ohm Therapeutics apart. The first is our clear focus on a single tone – the therapeutic frequency of Ohm, and octaves of this fundamental. I’ll come back to this shortly. Second, Ohm Therapeutics is a harmonious healing system in the true sense of the word. And third, each tuning fork package we offer provides easy to understand instructions and treatment applications for common ailments. Photos demonstrate how to hold, activate and apply a tuning fork. Treatment suggestions address, for example, low back pain, tension headache, and muscle strain. Energetic body treatments address balancing and

harmonizing the chakras, clearing unwanted resonance, working with crystals and space clearing.

In the past, tuning forks were most often paired with a velvet storage bag. Unless you already knew how to use a tuning fork, you were out of luck without instructions. Ohm Therapeutics began to commercially package tuning forks for retailers 15 years ago. Today, we have distribution throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. We offer a focused and harmonious healing system featuring Ohm, and easy-to-follow directions for selfcare and professional use.

Some of your readers might remember us as Lemniscate Music. Our first tuning fork packages were identified by our music publishing label. As we grew, the brand Ohm Therapeutics developed and now includes a full range of self-care and professional grade tuning fork packages, instructional manuals and DVDs on tuning fork application, and complementary Sound Healing music. It is exciting to see how mainstream tuning forks have become in the holistic marketplace over the last 15 years. Our first tuning fork package was introduced around 2003 – the Mid Ohm Kit. This Introductory Kit includes instructions plus an Activator.

The Activator also functions as a stand for keeping the tuning fork when not in use. I’d like to mention that we did quite a bit of research to find a material that was odorless and latex-free, while providing a good activation.

was essential that Ohm Therapeutics provide individuals and professionals with tuning forks that had a clinical track record of safe and effective use. Many of the healing applications presented are based on acu-points and the energetic pathways of the body. Grounded in traditional Chinese medicine, and other integrative therapies, de Muynck was careful to include known contraindications when suggesting therapeutic applications. For example, in acupuncture and vibrational healing with tuning forks, there are placements to be avoided during pregnancy and for those with pacemakers.

OHM FREQUENCY – To better understand Ohm Therapeutics, one might ask, what is “Ohm” and why is this the frequency of choice?

The fundament tone of Ohm is based on the earth’s rotation around the sun over the course of four seasons - a solar year. Intrinsic to Ohm are the cycles and seasons of our planet, the rhythms of day and night.

To resonate with Ohm is to harmonize with the natural world that surrounds us.

De Muynck was researching the manifestation of this frequency in indigenous cultures at the time of her passing. She felt there was sufficient evidence to support the premise that Ohm was our collective musical and spiritual center.

Many recognize the iconic OM symbol as it has come to represent all things spiritual in contemporary Western culture.

A deeper look at Ohm takes us on a journey, one that yoga practitioners and those who chant mantras and meditate well know. Ohm is thought to be the original sound of the Universe, from which all other sound emanates. This primordial vibration, with all its beautiful overtones, is the “music of our sphere” planet earth. One can easily see why it is a choice frequency to work with in the healing arts. What defines Ohm Therapeutics is our focus on the root tone of Ohm, the Ohm-Earth relationship, and the healing potency of the octave.

RI – How about the beneficial use of Ohm tuning forks for the physical and energetic body?

Can you tell us a little bit more?

Our aim was to provide a ready-to-use tuning fork, with an eye to eco-friendly packaging. We explored alternatives to shrink wrap but, in the end, decided it was important for the customer to be able to see the tuning fork, to pick it up and feel it before purchasing. Our packaging allows for this in all but our latest boxed sets. We chose not to color or anodize the tuning forks, a very toxic process, for environmental reasons. In all other aspects our company is green.

The founder of Ohm Therapeutics, Marjorie de Muynck (pronounced de Monk) was a Master of Music and an Honorary Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. An educator, she understood that people wanted to learn how to use tuning forks, so she focused on therapeutic application, providing specific and easy to understand tuning fork treatments. It

OT – The beauty of the tuning fork is its versatility and unique ability to direct vibration. Apply to muscle groups, trigger, reflex and acu-points, as well as to the chakras or energy centers of the body. Tuning forks effectively move stagnant energy and blockages, relieve tension, reduce inflammation and pain, and promote healing. Vibration activates the Qi, thereby awakening and nourishing the body’s vital energy.

Tuning forks with the weighted ends are designed for use on the physical body. The weights allow for a longer sustained vibration. Use to reduce swelling and promote healing of strained muscles, tendons and ligaments; relieve bone and joint pain; relax adrenals; relieve stress and alleviate blockages to equilibrate the whole body. The un-weighted tuning forks are for use in the subtle body and are effective tools for ceremonial or shamanic work. Use to open the energetic pathways; move stagnant energy and promote the flow of Qi. The high frequency tuning

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 15

forks (unweighted) effectively release and disperse unwanted resonance; balance and harmonize the chakras; and assist in meditation.

De Muynck describes Ohm as a “full-spectrum” frequency, one that contains all sound, just as white light contains all colors. Working with Ohm allows the body’s natural healing intelligence to take in the frequencies it needs from the source tone of Ohm. Adding octaves encourages movement, which in turn helps loosen and dispel stasis or blockages. Ohm Therapeutics features four octaves of Ohm, two for the physical body and two for the energetic body. Our best-selling Ohm Octave Package features the Mid and Low Ohm Tuning Fork plus Activator.

Instructional packaging opens to 8-panels, loaded with color photos, illustration of lower back treatment, and covers all the basics of how to use, plus an overview of Sound Healing,

octaves and overtones.

In addition, we offer a unique approach to chakra balancing, one that requires fewer tuning forks. The Chakra Balancing boxed set, includes three high-frequency Ohm Tuning Forks (two octaves), plus the CD, In the Key of Earth, for a more expansive attunement.

Here, the aim is not to treat each chakra individually, but rather to treat all the vital energy centers of the body holistically. By creating a balanced and harmonious environment, the body’s innate healing intelligence can take in the frequency it needs. The aim is to facilitate homeostasis and to empower the body to optimize its natural healing abilities. To create equilibrium within the body (think chakras, organs, etc.), and all its interdependent parts, is very beneficial for healing. De Muynck chose to work exclusively with Ohm and Luna Tuning Forks, representing the earth and its moon. The deeply spiritual and timeless qualities of the Ohm, with its intrinsic relationship to the earth, impart a familiar home tone for healing.

RI – What common health conditions benefit from the use of Ohm Tuning Forks?

OT – Because sound travels so well in the body, the benefits are often felt immediately, especially when working on cramping, sore or tight muscles. Use to relieve discomfort from repetitive

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16 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

stress injuries like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and tennis elbow as well as symptoms from sinus and chest congestion due to colds and allergies. Applied vibration can help reduce inf lammation, loosen phlegm and clear passageways. For those who clench, the tuning forks provide quick relief to tight jaw muscles and ease tension headaches.

Many integrative therapies, acupuncture, Ayurveda, Reiki, Shiatsu, and massage to name a few, can easily incorporate sound into their treatments. We are seeing an uptick in holistic veterinary clinics using tuning forks to assist in their treatments too!

RI – Any tips or suggestions on how to live a healthy life in harmonic balance with planet earth?

OT – Experiencing the elements through our senses—the warmth of the sun, the feel of the earth beneath our feet—is relaxing and energizing. It is the healing power of Nature.

We can freely access the vibratory presence of Ohm by using our voice (chanting, mantras) and through physical activity (yoga, tai chi), and meditation practices. Listening to music in the key of Ohm is an easy way to relax and resonate with the earth. Our latest CD, Ohm - A World in Harmony, features the Ohm drone.

A drone is a sustained tone often featured in indigenous music.

Think of a Shruti box, harmonium or didgeridoo. The organic

drones in each of de Muynck’s recordings are a blend of acoustic instruments and field recordings. No synthesized sounds. The elliptical and vibrational nature of Ohm – A World in Harmony, make this recording ideal for meditation and aligning with the natural world.

Anytime we resonate with the earth it connects us to a transcendent healing energy. It helps restore and stabilize our bioelectrical circuitry, benefiting the organs and overall physiology. Explore the many healing benefits of Ohm through music, sound and applied vibration.

Harmonizing with the rhythms and cycles of our home planet empowers the whole body to heal. Sound Healing music and Ohm Therapeutics tuning forks are great self-care tools. Plus, they are fun to use, safe and interactive for the entire family.

Thank you, Linda, for sharing your story with us. *** We believe that every company has its own unique story to tell about their brand.

Connections are all around! Stay tuned for another great Meet Our Vendors. To know more about Ohm Therapeutics, visit www.soundhealingtools.com.

1 Medical Disclaimer: Information and products are provided for informational and educational purposes only and not for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your physician or health care provider for professional advice.

™

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 17

Point-of-Sale Winner and Losers

by Jacki Smith

18 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 19

T

his summer, I will be updating my store’s poi nt- of-s a le system. I thought I was going to make the easy decision and just upgrade the system I already had. Then I decided to check my options one more time. It was then I fell down the rabbit hole of POS system research and then got lost in the warren of options and apps and features. I read at least 20 articles on the 10 best POS systems of 2017 & 2018 and felt like they were paid ads for the same top-five systems. I even fell for the survey of what options I was looking for in a system and ended up getting 20 sales calls in 24 hours from all over the world. There had to be a better way of figuring out what POS systems are winners, and which are losers.

I started calling around to the store owners I know and work with. I posted on Facebook, I asked the question in LinkedIn and searched for independent reviews. I learned one important thing. There is no consensus.

Every store owner I spoke with that uses a POS system has a unique set of needs and their own version of a comfort zone. One business owner sang the praises of a POS and the next one had a horrible experience with that same POS. I still felt lost in the rabbit hole. I thought maybe I should just go back to a Casio cash register from the office supply store and call it a day. That would have been an easy out, but wouldn’t solve the issue of tracking my inventory, creating an easy loyalty program or telling me when my best store hours are.

After 20 hours of research, I finally understood. There is no simple list of POS winners and losers. Every system has its own merits and I have to find the fit for my store.

I turned the maze of features and options into a decision tree. I made my list of needs to run my business and turned that into a comparison matrix allowing me to find a system that fits for me.

POS or Cash Register About 25% of the stores I spoke with still use a cash register and a standalone credit card terminal. This certainly is a viable option if you are a one-person show and have a small amount of inventory that you can visually inspect. What you don’t get with a cash register are the nuances and details of the

20 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

items being sold. You don’t get a quick read on your inventory level and you can’t monitor your shrinkage to theft. A manual customer loyalty program is bulky and awkward and tracking gift certificates a challenge.

A good POS is more than just a cash register on steroids. A good POS system can track the information that will help you grow your business. It’s as crucial of an investment as your street sign or website. A POS can help you manage your customer data, it can interface with your website, import into your accounting software, create automatic purchase orders for your vendors and even connect with your social media. You get as much complexity as you need or as little.

There are a few middle ground solutions you can try, even free POS systems like EHopper, but remember, you get what you pay for. Typically, enough crucial features are restricted that you end up buying the full version in the end.

another app you have to subscribe to. Not all are free, or the free ones may not be ad free. It reminds me of all the apps on a smart phone.

You have many customer service centers to talk to with any issue. Will they blame each other or you for the issues you may have to resolve? Yet, with Clover, you can keep the POS options to your comfort level and you can access the software from your laptop or PC anywhere.

Square, QuickBooks, PayPal, Shopify are all merchant accounts that have proprietary POS software. Once you invest the money, setup and training in their system, you are stuck with their credit card processing. You can work around their merchant account, but it requires you to have a separate credit card terminal and the cash out process slows way down.

If you love your merchant account, there are lots of POS systems that will interface in varying ways. Non-integrative payment

I turned the maze of features and options into a decision tree. I made my list of needs to run my business and turned that into a comparison matrix allowing me to find a system that fits for me.

Your Merchant Account Before you jump into a new POS system, check with your merchant account provider.

Clover is the POS of choice for many of the local banks that use First Data for their merchant accounts. Even Sam’s club is in the merchant account business and they are promoting Clover. First Data is one of the largest traditional style merchant account providers and have upped their game to compete with the new players like Square and Shopify. Before you jump all in with Clover, know that most of their extra options like inventory management, reporting, customer management and loyalty programs are

means you need your own credit card terminal equipment. Integrated card payments include the credit card processing in the software and hardware. The top guys like Vend and Lightspeed give you merchant account flexibility. Don’t forget to make sure Apple Pay, PayPal, Google Wallet and the other newer payment systems will work on your POS. These payment options are growing in leaps and bounds.

Cloud or PC The difference between Cloud and PC is where your data lives. PC systems are resident on your computer, Cloud systems are acces-

sible over the internet. There are pros and cons with both and it all comes down to the interface and how technical you want to be with your software.

Cloud POS systems are subscription based and are 90% of the top POS systems. You don’t ever have to pay for an upgrade, yet, if the internet goes out, can you still ring up sales? You don’t own the software and your data is stored in a server outside of your business. If you decide to change POS systems, you have some work to do to download and capture all the info you need before you stop paying the subscription.

According to PC Mag1 the top-rated Cloud based systems for retail are: Square, Vend, NCR Silver and Shopify. Other articles for the top POS systems for small business bring Lightspeed and Shopkeep to the top. Many retailers in the spiritual industry have gone with MindBody, yet they complain about the inventory integration.

Most PC POS systems are a onetime purchase and you will have to buy it again with every upgrade. You own it and if it keeps running as you expect, you don’t have to upgrade if you don’t want to. However, if something goes wrong, you are on the phone with a help desk who has to dial into your computer. If you don’t upgrade, you may lose the software support. Yet, you possess all the information. If the software supports it, you can network several stations together as needed.

PC POS systems are not as easy to find, and QuickBooks POS leads the pack. RetailPlus is a free customizable PC based POS. It requires lots of back-end programming. This may be a dream for some and a nightmare for others. PC based systems are usually customized systems from local companies specializing in retail or restaurant point of sale systems.

your inventory to Amazon to expand your online reach. Most POS systems generate an inventory report to be uploaded to your website for daily inventory integration.

Connecting your POS with your web store needs patience and professionals. Lightspeed has in interface to help you build your site right from your POS.

What Features Do You Really Want?

Each store has a unique combination of needs. You may have a wide range of products that you make and want to track. You may want a connection with Amazon and social media. You may have the perfect setup with your merchant account and don’t want to change. You may want to schedule services or manage all purchase orders through your POS. When you start ticking off the options you want for your store, the choice becomes clear. This allows you to find a POS that fits you instead of your changing your business to fit the POS.

There do seem to be leaders in the POS world; Square, Clover, QuickBooks, Lightspeed, Shopify, Vend and ShopKeep. Once you get through the bigger decisions, the rest start to look alike. These top seven are very similar, yet have enough specifics that make them unique. I usually start with the deal breakers then move to the dealmakers in my decision matrix. Below is a comparison in options and prices that will help narrow down the systems you want to demo. Once you get to your top three, trust me, you will want to a demo of each. The user interfaces vary greatly, and the logic used in the visual interface can make your POS life a dream or a living hell. I know that I am partial to the Windows, QuickBooks type screens and another store owner wants something that works in a more Mac, iPad logic.

You are almost there! Make a wish list of your store needs and then start comparing.

Once you have this first layer of info, a phone call, email and demo are in your future.

Phone: 800.215.8705 www.kheopsinternational.com Item#89334 & 89335

Connect with Your Website Do you wa nt in sea mlessly integrate with your online store? Omni-channel and eCommerce features are what you want to review. The cloud-based systems, Lightspeed, Square and Shopify lead that pack on Omni Channel connections. This is where your inventory is live in your brick and mortar and website at the same time.

Lightspeed and Vend can also connect

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 21

Feature

Pricing

Cloud- Proprietary PC/ Based Hardware Laptop Cost

Merchant Apple Gift Sync with Multi Employee P.O. and Prints Customer OmniOff Customer/ Employee Account Play, Cards Accounting Locations Tracking Vendor Barcodes Management Channel Site Technical Time Specific Google Software (Security) Management ECommerce Selling Support Clock Wallet, PayPal

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22 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

What Are the Hidden Costs Before you buy, look and ask about any hidden costs to operate, upgrade and support the POS. This is more than the software.

How much equipment will you need? What’s the conversion time for your inventory and customer database? Is converting your data an extra fee? How long will it take to train and master the new program? Are there any add-on applications that make it work to the level you want? At my little shop, we also asses the cost of an internet outage and test the system to see if it will work offline. Lost sales are a real issue when your system is down. The pain of turning away customers with credit cards can make a grown business owner cry.

The cost of future upgrading is a consideration too. Cloud systems are automatically upgraded like apps on your phone, but will the software upgrade cause a hardware upgrade? According to Retail Info Systems2 the typical lifecycle of a POS system is 5.5 years.

Five years ago, several of the current top POS dogs were just bit players in the field. Think about where you want to be in three and five years. If the system cannot grow with you to the next step, it’s not the right one for you.

What Did I End up Buying?

As of this article, I have not made a choice on my new POS yet. We have demos, reviews and tests to conduct. This is such an important decision we are having the whole crew weigh in on this purchase. I made the decision about the last POS I bought because there was a lot of free stuff that came with it that I needed. It was a panic decision and not a good one. The POS before that was from the bank and they financed it with the hardware. It was OK, but you needed a PhD to make it work. Once the lease was up, we had to give up the all the goods and start over. I have learned a few big lessons and am going into this with eyes open.

There are several of the top seven that don’t fit me and I don’t want to change my merchant account because it will cause cost issues with my websites and digital security.

I currently use QuickBooks and was going to upgrade that but looking at the extras with Lightspeed and Vend, I am intrigued with what I can do to grow my business with these new options. I also stumbled across Harbor

Touch that is quickly rising in the ranks of a great fit.

Yet, If I was to start all over from scratch, Square looks like a powerful and flexible system that the vendors in my area are in love with. Clover, on the other hand, is being promoted by banks that use First Data as their merchant account provider. Some are even offering great deals on the hardware to convert to them. This brings me full circle to a place of too much information! Take your time and don’t get pressured into changing how to do things to fit someone else’s model.

This is a big decision and you are the decider!

1 https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2498216,00.asp 2 https://risnews.com/new-pos-lifecycles

Jacki Smith is the co-owner of Coventry Creations (coventrycreations.com) and they are celebrating their 25th year in business. Her passion of personal empowerment and small business has been the driving force in her success and her journey of lifelong learning. Jacki is a regular contributor to Retailing Insight and loves sharing her experience, successes and cautionary tales.

Links to POS systems: • Harbortouch www.harbortouchpossoftware.com • Vend www.vendhq.com • ShopKeep www.shopkeep.com • Shopify www.shopify.com • Lightspeed www.lightspeedhq.com • Square www.squareup.com • Clover www.clover.com • QuickBooks www.quickbooks.intuit.com • eHopper www.ehopper.com • Retail Plus www.retailsoftware.com • MindBody www.mindbodyonline.com

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24 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

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BEST TIPS TRADE SHOW

by Jacqueline Adamany

26 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Y

ou are planning your next trade show, maybe even your very first one, and you begin to wonder how you can make yourself stand out among all the other wonderfully talented makers. How can you create a booth that is not only eye-catching, but also informative to the buyer?

Not only does your work need to be consistent and unique, your booth needs to highlight your signature line.

Walking aisles at a trade show is a daunting experience for even the most seasoned buyers. What are they looking for and how can you create a booth and an experience they won’t forget while bringing in orders? It starts with planning.

Let’s start with booth design. When designing your booth, select every feature which will enhance and complement your product line.

You never want your booth to steal the spotlight, rather your booth should highlight your line and pull the show buyers in. PJ Carroll, owner of Lit Up Illuminations in Decatur, GA says, “You may only have one chance when buyers walk by to engage with them. Your booth design should mesh well with you and your company branding. Our line of products is made in an upcycled glass beer bottle. When designing our booth, we went with a bar look - refinished whiskey barrels and wood bar top with faux brick hard wall.”

Diane Quarles owner of Aspen Light Studios in Montrose, Colorado, also works with glass. She recommends a great lighting plan. “Glass always presents challenges and if the lighting is insufficient, the work will not be properly showcased. It has to shine, but not blind and glisten without losing color.” Diane also suggests artists consider maneuverability when designing booth layout. “You want potential buyers to be able to engage with your work from all angles but do so safely without feeling crowded or uncomfortable around your products. Then think about the view lines. You want the buyer to be able to see as much of your product from any angle or vantage point outside of the booth. This is done by staggering pedestal heights and groupings and by eliminating as may walls as possible”.

Think about the transporting of your booth, setup and breakdown.

Can you do this yourself, will you need assistance in your booth with setup and breakdown? PJ learned over time designing a booth is more than aesthetics, it’s about ease of transport and setup. She remembers, “When we first built our booth, there wasn’t much information out there that I could find for building hard walls, so I built them like you would frame out a wall in your house using 2x4s, plywood sheets and panelboard. They worked great, but the weight of them was so heavy one person could never set them up and they would add a ton to shipping costs. Currently, our walls are built with a 1x3 frame and panel board, so they are as light as they can be while also being able to stand on their own”.

Days can be long at a trade show so have a plan on how to keep yourself focused and productive. During quiet times, PJ enters any contact information she has received, enters orders, and plans her production schedule for post-show. She also encourages all artists to network. “Engage with your fellow exhibitors, ask questions about different shows, ways to save money and even finding people to collaborate with are all invaluable. You never know when you’ll be setting up and realize you forgot some tool and need a friendly face to borrow from.”

Diane suggests, “During down time, I work on keying orders into the computer along with scheduling to make sure I am not overbooking.

I also begin the materials ordering so that the glass will arrive as soon as I get home. I also use downtime to reorganize, straighten up and make any minor adjustments to the booth arrangement that needs addressing.” All great ideas all artists can benefit from!

Show Conduct o Be a good neighbor o Smile, it’s contagious o Don’t feel compelled to share sales info with curious vendors. Say

“I’m meeting my expectations” or “I’m doing ok” o Never, ever complain in front of anyone, customer, or vendor o Never begin to pack up early o Understand that each show is different, and crowds will vary – don’t

freak out, stay calm o A nalyze show and sales at the end of the day not during the show o Bring bite sized snacks that are tidy to eat. Crackers, grapes, granola

bars, trail mix. Hard to make a sale when your mouth is full of a messy peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

Show Tips from seasoned exhibitors & attendees o Have great lighting! o Wear comfortable shoes and stand, don’t sit o Consider foam flooring o Drink lots of water to stay hydrated! o Stay off your phone o Make sure your prices are clearly visible to buyers o A nd make sure your prices listed are wholesale o If a buyer gets your contact information, be sure to get theirs o Stay IN your booth, not in the aisle, do not make buyers look for

you; they will just move on if the booth appears empty o If you need to sit, get a tall chair so that it is easy to stand up or you

can “perch” on it to get off your feet for a few minutes o Make a list...check things off...keep updating it and keep it with you o Don’t spend too much money on your first booth; learn and take

notes of what you want to change, look at other booths for inspiration o Have a Show Book, jot down items forgotten, random thoughts,

comments heard, sketches of new booth layouts o Bring your booking calendar so you properly provide shipping times to your buyers o Write the date on the back of the business card of a shop along with any item the buyer may have been interested in, helps to keep track of how busy you were on any particular day As the show wraps up you will find yourself analyzing the show attendance and your sales. Measuring success from both a show perspective and a personal one can be daunting and downright upsetting. Each person attending has a different view and a different need. Before the show write down what goals you wish to meet while exhibiting. Setting clearly defined goals will help you stay focused. You can have more than one goal, but the point to writing goals down is that you need to be clear about what your participation in the trade show is going to achieve. Walking into the show, keep an open mind and realize that

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 27

all your goals may not be met, and some may only be partially met. Staying focused on networking and learning, while working to meet your goals is key.

Keep in mind the amount of traffic at a show may not indicate if it’s considered a great show or a dismal one. Quality buyers placing multiple orders is key to a successful show. PJ explains how she determines a shows success, “I look at the interactions with the buyers and exhibitors. While the number of people you see walk by is an easy way to gauge how busy a show is, that doesn’t mean there is quality there. If the buyers aren’t engaging with you or other exhibitors around you, then the sheer number of people means little. One of the smallest and slowest shows we do is also one of our best. This place is honestly a ghost town for the first two hours and even after that, there isn’t a tremendous amount of people. The people that are there are engaging and interested and write orders. We write just as many orders there as any large show that we do.”

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28 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

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Personal success at any trade show should not be calculated until months after the show ends. Remember that buyers have open-to-buy seasons – scheduled times during the year they make their purchases. Their open-to-buy may not coincide with the show dates, resulting in the buyer walking a show, gathering information, and shopping months later. PJ’s experience, “While it can be hard not to call a show a loss if you don’t write enough orders to cover your costs, it isn’t always the case. Waiting a good six month period to see what happens with contacts you’ve made at the show is a good timeframe.

Sometimes, it’s the slow season for their business and they aren’t allocating any money to purchasing - you have no control of it. We’ve received plenty of orders well after the show from leads that contacted us out of nowhere.

Plus, if you write one order for a store that does well with your product the reorders alone can make it a successful show.”

Diane explains her view, “Success is a function of both exposure and total sales.

Trade shows can be a significant investment and the goal of course is to cover expenses with show sales. If I can book sales for a full year, then it is a very successful show. If I can pick up reorders from existing clients and add new buyers as a measure of expanding the business, then I have been successful as well.

I am always looking for greater exposure in markets where I have a limited presence.”

After the show provides a time for you to reap more benefits from attending. You gathered a lot of business cards, shook a lot of hands, smiled, and chatted with many people.

Now what? Now you follow up! Remember that open-to-buy season? Use it to your advantage. Make a post-show plan and a timeline to follow up with all the buyers you met.

Use social media to connect with any exhibitors and attendees you met at the show. Like their Facebook pages, follow them on Instagram and connect with them on LinkedIn. Create a mailing list from the business cards you collected, email everyone thanking them for visiting your booth, let them know you are available to answer any questions and offer to follow up with them in a few weeks.

PJ shares her plan, “Getting people their orders out within the period promised is one of the first things we focus on. Follow up with

your potential buyers, you do not want to put this off and have your warm leads go cold.

Planning out how you are going to handle the process before the show really helps. You want to stay fresh in people’s minds, but also not pushy. A thank you for stopping by email with a picture of you in your booth immediately after the show is a good start. Something I’m planning to do at the next round of trade shows is setting a follow up date with them before they leave your booth and asking if that works for them. Then you both know it’s coming and it takes the guesswork out of it.”Diane’s post-show plan includes making sure her booth and her product are packed securely and transported properly. “The first order of business post-show is to get home safely with all of my product and booth intact.

This includes the glass that I carry with me on the road and keeping track of the crate in transport with all the booth set up. Once back in my studio, I start production immediately.

I try to have worked out the kiln rotation schedules during my downtime at the show.

If I have another show behind that one, then I start production of any work sold so that I am fully stocked again for the next one.”PJ has some final advice for planning, preparing, and managing your attendance at a trade show.

“If you can walk the show beforehand and get feedback from fellow exhibitors on their take of the show, do it. Talk to as many people as you can because every show is one person’s best show, and another’s worst. Budget out more money than you think you’ll need because there are always last-minute costs you won’t expect. Understand that this is a long-term investment, the price of a booth can be extremely hard for some people. You may not get a great booth location and will have to wait until the next show for it. Some buyers also will not buy from you until they’ve seen you at multiple shows. They want to make sure you’re going to be around for them to reorder from and not be out of business in six months. And please invest in foam floor tiles.

They help with the body fatigue of standing on concrete all day. I can’t recommend foam tiles for your booth enough!”

Diane suggests you, “start conservative in the beginning until you have a good sense of what and how you want to display. Don’t hesitate to rent booth equipment for your initial show and get ideas when you are there

Showcase Edition | retailinginsight.com 29

Prepare Considering a new show? Start by researching the show, whether that means walking the show or simply asking fellow artists about their experience at the show.

Returning to a show? Evaluate your experience by looking at sales both at show and post-show, review your costs involved and look at what changes the show management might have made to booth costs.

Plan Begin planning months in advance. Create a calendar with key dates including dates to order booth equipment, shipping dates, etc. Stay connected with the show’s website and social media. Order printed material well in advance, create a list of what needs to be purchased or packed. Stay focused on the plan and you will be much more relaxed while you design and create new products for the show.

Manage Lit Up Illuminations

by walking the aisles and see how others are arranging their product. It’s also important to understand the huge cost of shipping your booth these days, so even though rentals are not cheap, it may pose a less expense alternative than freight expenses. Do your homework. Research the show to make sure it is a good fit for your product and that there are generally good returns on investment. Finally, pace yourself. I did way too many shows the first year and was nowhere near covering my costs with sales. I now strategically stagger my shows and plan based on where I want to expand my presence or where I need to show new product.”

Exhibiting at a trade show is expensive, time consuming and can be one of the best choices you make for your business. Planning and preparing for the show puts you in a position to get a strong return on your investment.

30 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Have a plan for keeping active and productive at the show. All shows have quiet times, use them to your advantage. At the show connect with fellow artists, networking can be invaluable at the show and after it.

Create a post-show plan. Having one will minimize stress at the show and after the show. Try to learn something at each show, write down your thoughts in your show book and refer to it often.

Artists Interviewed: Diane Quarles, IndieMe Artist #27243 www.aspenlightstudio.com, and PJ PJ Carroll, IndieMe Artist #96976 www.litupilluminations.com Jacqueline Adamany is a seasoned artist and the author of Going Wholesale, a step-by-step approach for artists & craftspeople. Jacqueline has mentored many artists preparing them for the world of wholesale while readying them for trade shows. She has been a columnist for Smart Retailer and Handmade Business magazines. She is Vice President of IndieMe, Inc. an online marketplace and virtual trade show for wholesale artists and buyers to connect.

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insight

When Obsession is Good for You

by Jenny Rose Lara

Last spring, I gave my undergraduate students an unusual assignment. Their project for the semester: stop worrying about what you are supposed to do, and do something you want to do. My students—bright, motivated, talented people—were mystified. They are used to worrying a great deal about the many things they are supposed to be doing. This is, in fact, the primary job of a college student, next to scouting for used textbooks. But there was a caveat: instead of writing papers or memorizing data, each student was to choose an activity they genuinely wanted to spend time doing, and pursue it wholeheartedly for the entire term. Their job was to pick a pursuit—no matter how impractical, unattainable, trivial, or even silly— and become creatively, productively, and passionately obsessed.

I have experienced true creative obsession only in brief flashes, lasting hours to weeks. But even that is enough for me to understand the power it holds, and the reasons to cultivate it.

This idea didn’t come out of nowhere. I’ve had my own experiences with obsession, most recently a few years earlier when designing and marketing a clothing line. As usual when I’m in a phase of concentrated production, ideas turn into brainstorms and brainstorms become all-consuming obsessions. Colors and designs were all I could think about. I’d fall asleep exhausted after a 16-hour day of drafting, then bolt awake at 3 a.m. with a new idea. I’d slip out of bed quietly, and, with the euphoric sense that I was somehow stealing time, that I was actually creating time that normally didn’t exist in the world—because smart, sensible, normal people were sleeping—flee to my downtown studio and get to work. I worked until I barely had the energy to drag myself home, and after a few restless hours of sleep, I would start again.

Forgetting to eat, unable to sleep, isolated in a workroom, losing all sense of time: on paper, this sounds like madness. It opposes every word of sensible advice from your doctor, your therapist, your mom—to eat well, exercise every day, get eight hours of sleep, not take your work home with you. And they’re correct: it’s entirely unsustainable, physically and mentally. It quite likely is a form of madness.

32 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

It’s also quite likely a good thing. I’m not alone here: lately, there’s been a resurgence of new research pointing toward the positive role of obsession in the quality of one’s experience of life and work. Athletes talk about ‘the zone’; psychologists refer to ‘flow state’; Liz Gilbert even helpfully looked up the early etymology of the word ‘genius’ (once thought to be actual genies temporarily inhabiting the minds of artists) for us in a recent TED Talk. And of course, the familiar archetypes of the eccentric painter and mad inventor exist for a reason. What the research is finding is what we probably already know: that some degree of genuine obsession with our work correlates directly with our joy in that work, and even with our ability to create at all.

A clarification: I don’t mean obsession in the harmful sense; those compulsive fixations on people, objects or ideas that we have learned, rightly, to steer clear of. Obsessive disorders are devastating. But they are also not what I am describing here. I’m lucky to have a few people in my life who were apparently born with the rare gift of being both productively obsessed and consistent about it, living their life’s work wholeheartedly. These visionary people seem profoundly in touch with their deepest creativity, harnessing the motivation to achieve self-imposed, often formidable goals and managing to balance their enormous output with rest periods.

They are highly productive, startlingly creative, and often brilliant.

Many are artists, composers, and performers, but others are entrepreneurs, gardeners, carpenters. What is clear is that the ability to harness genuine obsession with our pursuits is indeed a kind of creative genius, and it isn’t reserved for ‘creative types’. Nor is it something that is beyond our power to cultivate, even if we’ve never experienced it before.

It seems the chance to live wholeheartedly isn’t defined by the vocation we pursue, but by how we pursue it.

I have never been one of those consistently obsessed people, and I’ll admit I hold them in the sort of awe some reserve for unicorns—magical creatures, possibly with superpowers. I have experienced true creative obsession only in brief flashes, lasting hours to weeks. But even that is enough for me to understand the power it holds, and the reasons to cultivate it. If we aren’t at least a little obsessed with the path we have chosen—be it running a store, a marathon, an orchestra, or an adding machine—then do we really love it enough to keep pursuing it? And if we do love what we are chasing after, it seems it deserves, if even for those brief flashes, our fullest attention.

Jenny Rose Lara is an editor at the literary journal Psaltery & Lyre. She teaches creative writing and humanities in the Pacific Northwest.

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What Does the Future Hold?

The Annual Divination Deck Roundup showcases the cards that your customers will want to own!

By Anna Jedrziewski

Oracle card decks (especially tarot decks) are becoming more and more popular every year.

Whether they are seasoned card readers looking for new tools, nonpractitioners who are captivated by the intriguing images, or novices inspired by the ongoing popularity of supernatural/metaphysical entertainment, people are buying divination decks. We’ve been keeping track of what’s new. Here’s a look at our favorites for this year:

Mystical Shaman Oracle Alberto Villoldo, Colette Baron-Reid, Marcela Lobos Jena DellaGrottaglia, illustrator $39.99 I ISBN 978-1-40-195250-1 Hay House I www.hayhouse.com

The creators of this amazing oracle deck followed universal sacred symbols deep into the collective unconscious of humanity to produce this 64-card deck and comprehensive 142-page guidebook.

DellaGrottaglia captured the agelessness of the teachings represented here with illustrations that are layered with rich detail and broad-ranged appeal. The package design is exquisite.

34 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Eight Coins’ Tattoo Tarot Lana Zellner $29.95 I ISBN 978-1-57-281919-1 U.S. Games Systems, Inc. I www.usgamesinc.com

Anchored in the traditional Rider-Waite format, Zellner’s 82 card illustrations move forward from there without looking back. While leaving a career as an architect to become a tattoo artist might not sound like progress to many, it definitely was for Zellner. The 188-page full-color companion book chronicles her journey and these unique, non-digital cards speak to her success.

Eagle Bear

The Animal Allies and Gemstone Guardian Cards

It’s easy for me to go within and know the truth.

I take time for inner reflection.

Contemplative thought helps me reveal and process thoughts and feelings.

I awaken my awareness through quiet time and meditation.

I am a clear channel, and my filters allow me great mental clarity.

Margaret Ann Lembo Richard Crookes, illustrator $15.99 I ISBN 978-1-84-409741-8 Findhorn Press I www.innertraditions.com

When creatures from nature appear in our lives, they bring messages of hope, healing, and self-knowledge. The devic forces associated with gemstones add energetic assistance for utilizing these messages.

Wisdom teacher and gemstone maven Lembo has paired animal messengers with closely-related gemstone energy in 44 powerful cards that will help readers face challenges and achieve their goals.

I am awakening every day in many ways.

I enjoy seeking connection with my higher self and observing myself from a higher perspective.

I have great clarity.

I am a catalyst to awaken awareness of all beings.

I see clearly now and become aware of profound spiritual truths.

Window Quartz

Cat Magnetite Octahedron

Bear.indd 2

1/11/18 8:50 AM

I canEagle.indd comfort myself and feel nurtured.

2

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Goldfish

I am calm.

I am tranquil.

My intuition is strong.

It is easy for me to feel, sense, or know how others feel.

I can tell the difference between my feelings and the feelings of others.

I am compassionate and kind.

I am so incredibly lucky!

I have many blessings in my life.

I am fortunate.

I have excellent business skills.

I earn an unlimited income doing what I love.

Abundance and prosperity are constantly flowing in my life.

I embrace joy, harmony, and inner peace on all levels.

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Golden Topaz

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The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck and Guidebook Kim Krans $39.99 I ISBN 978-0-06274-286-5 HarperOne I www.harperone.com

Elegantly packaged in a keepsake box, this 63-card deck and 208-page handwritten guidebook continues in the groundbreaking style which Krans developed for The Wild Unknown Tarot. Her magically-crafted drawings of real and mythical animals create a highly emotional oracle to help readers journey through nature in pursuit of the deepest, inner meanings of the circumstances of their lives.

White Witch Tarot Maja D’Aoust $24.99 I ISBN 978-0-76-435367-3 RED Feather I www.schifferbooks.com

This dramatic gold and black series of 22 Major Arcana cards asks the reader to go deep within to search for meanings, resolutions, and enlightenment. The White Witch finds her magic in the darkness of her own shadow-self and D’Aoust has created a roadmap for that journey. The 56-page companion book describes the protocol and provides the tools for using it. The highly-charged surreal line drawings point the way.

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 35

Zodiac Reading Cards

Mystical Manga Tarot

Patsy Bennett Richard Crookes, illustrator $21.95 I ISBN 978-1-925429-25-1 Rockpool Publishing I www.redwheelweiser.com

Rann Barbara Moore, text $29.99 I ISBN 978-0-73-875353-9 Llewellyn I www.llewellyn.com

This 36-card deck relies on the basics of astrology as a starting point for gathering metaphysical information. However, Richard Crookes’ beautiful and intriguing illustrations will inspire intuitive interaction whether your customers know the basics of astrology or not. The 120-page, full color guidebook fills in the blanks for those who want that extra information.

Combining the traditional 78-card Rider-Waite format with the innovative dynamism of Japanese graphic novels, French author and illustrator Rann adds a touch of whimsy and lyricism as she takes readers on a feet-first journey through the magical world of tarot. Tarot expert Barbara Moore explains the what and why of it all in a 216-page full color companion book.

Oracle of Mystical Moments Catrin Welz-Stein $22.95 I ISBN 978-1-57-281920-7 U.S. Games Systems, Inc. I www.usgamesinc.com

Collage artist Welz-Stein has created 52 snapshots, each capturing one moment in a wisdom story. The 44-page guidebook briefly explains the story she believes is behind each card but Welz-Stein suggests that readers hear their own story as they interact with her illustrations. Oracle decks tend to speak to our inner child and this one will be particularly attractive to her/him.

36 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

NEW BOOKS

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Greek Mythology Reading Cards $19.99 • Boxed Set

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The Animal Allies and Gemstone Guardians Cards $15.99 • Boxed Set ISBN 978-1-84409-741-8

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Spirit Within Tarot Steven Bright $24.99 I ISBN 978-0-76-435388-8 RED Feather I www.schifferbooks.com

Artist Steven Bright began creating tarot images as a natural outgrowth of his tarot teaching. The culmination of that work is this powerful deck which translates the traditional Pamela Colman Smith illustrations into bold silhouettes which perform against simple, almost architectural backgrounds. The Fool’s Journey is performed on a new stage. The deck comes with a 96-page, full color guidebook.

Greek Mythology Reading Cards Alison Chester-Lambert Richard Crookes, illustrator $19.99 I ISBN 978-1-84-409748-7 Findhorn Press I www.innertraditions.com

Timeless images from artists of the past help bring the wisdom of ancient Greece forward for modern seekers in these 50 richly-designed cards. The ancient Greek divinities, and the human aspects which they reinforce, are still deeply embedded in our society today. These cards and their 112-page instruction book will help readers reconnect with those aspects and the energy and wisdom they contain.

Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot Deck Matt Hughes $23.95 I ISBN 978-1-57-281925-2 U.S. Games Systems, Inc. I www.usgamesinc.com

Distinctive Art Nouveau style, highlighted by gold foil stamping, elegantly frames Hughes’ 80 softly-rendered, non-digital illustrations for this traditionally based tarot deck. The imagery is drawn from his own inner journey with the tarot. He has added two new Major Arcana cards. A 48-page booklet sums up basic card correspondences for this beautiful and nostalgic treasure.

Celtic Tarot Kristoffer Hughes Chris Down, illustrator $29.99 I ISBN 978-0-73-874476-6 Llewellyn I www.llewellyn.com

Hughes submits this deck as a divination tool, but that doesn’t negate the fact that it is filled with the symbology of the Celtic mysteries. Based on the traditional 78-card Rider-Waite format, the deck lets Celtic gods and goddesses lead readers through the Major and Minor Arcana to the enchanted world of Celtic lore and wisdom. The 336-page full-color book holds a wealth of knowledge and insight.

38 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

JOIN US AT THE REIMAGINED

May 30 - June 1, 2018 Javits Center | New York City, NY

You’ve spoken and we’ve listened: based on your feedback, we reimagined BookExpo as the platform to lead our industry to success in a new marketplace. BookExpo has been re-designed to offer “BookExpo Chats” that connect booksellers with editors and authors from a diverse mix of publishers.

These chats will enable the valuable recommendations readers seek at bookstores. New this year, we will deliver one-on-one meetings with booksellers and publicists to facilitate author appearances. We’ve added unique opportunities for booksellers and exhibitors to use BookExpo to generate powerful PR and all new events to inspire you about our great industry.

CHATS WITH AUTHORS, EDITORS & PUBLICISTS

DRIVE BOOKSTORE SALES

BE INSPIRED

Facilitated “chats” to power

PR for bookstores, new

Share and hear success

in-store recommendations

titles and business driving

stories to grow your

and author appearances

education sessions

business

Guardian Angel Reading Cards Debbie Malone Amalia I. Chitulesco, illustrator $21.95 I ISBN 978-1-92-568216-8 Rockpool Publishing I www.redwheelweiser.com

Debbie Malone has tapped into her acclaimed other-worldly abilities to create 36 cards, each representing a specific angelic energy, which will aid readers in connecting with those guardian helpers for guidance and reassurance. Amalia Chitulesco applied her special light-against-dark illustration technique to give each card a surreal and magical quality. An 84-page full color guidebook is included.

Zillich Tarot Christine Zillich $18.95 I ISBN 978-1-57-281924-5 U.S. Games Systems, Inc. I www.usgamesinc.com

Zillich’s modern watercolor artistry is a perfect complement to the Thoth-style 78-card tarot format. Carefully thought-out symbolism is woven into the cards.

Your customers will discover more nearly-hidden astrological, kabbalistic, and mythological symbols each time they revisit the cards. The 60-page booklet includes a basic tarot overview along with instruction about the deck.

Anna Jedrziewski is a new consciousness author and consultant and creator of tarotwise.com.

40 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

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Chakras & Colorful Healing Gems, Stones, and Minerals

by Margaret Ann Lembo

42 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

T

he use of color and crystals as therapy is a truly holistic, non-invasive therapy which dates back thousands of years. Evidence of this can be found in ancient texts from India, China, and Egypt. Chakras are circular petal-shaped fields of energy lying across seven different points on the human spine. The energy associated with each chakra has an effect on the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual levels of consciousness.

There is nothing new about chakras though the trend continues to expand and so does consumer awareness. Due to increased awareness of yoga practices, the word “chakra” is no longer that unusual. Chakras and the need to balance them goes hand in hand with healing gems.

Chakras are the energy centers of the body, mind, and spirit. These centers hold the vibration of well-being or out-of-balance conditions that affect the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of consciousness. To improve or balance chakras, gemstones are a beautiful tool to restore well-being.

Colors Have Meaning and an Effect on Moods and Your Sales People like color. Bright, pastel, jewel-tone, muted, earth-tones – all have a vibration that amplifies or brings out thoughts and feelings. Colors affect people - your customers - on all levels. With or without conscious direction, colors and the rainbow of gemstones are an unexpected energy that has the ability to bring balance to out-of-balance conditions.

Start by learning how colors affect you and those around you. Then it’s easier to build upon the knowledge of colors by an understanding of the chakras and then apply that knowledge to how a gemstone can assist you in your life.

Do you know about the power of bright pink? In Adam Alter’s book, Drunk Tank Pink, he explains about the “miraculous tranquilizing power of bright pink” used in correctional centers and in public places.

It was discovered through several color experiments that holding cells painted bubblegum pink brought a sense of calm and peace. Detention centers and correctional institutes place agitated and aggressive new prisoners into a bright pink cell and they emerged calmer after about fifteen minutes. County jails started putting the violent drunks into pink holding cells and that’s when these cells were named Drunk Tank Pink. For close to 30 years, the event room (The Angel Room) at my store, The Crystal Garden, has been painted this shade of pink though the studies of Drunk Tank Pink was unbeknownst to me! Customers have marveled at how much better they felt after spending time in The Angel Room. Based on what Adam’s research uncovered, combined with the energy of the angels, it’s no surprise customers felt at peace after a visit in our pink room.

Even if your store’s primary focus is on other areas, it’s a good idea to incorporate a shelf or a department that relates to the body, mind, and spirit community. The associated principles are becoming more mainstream every day.

Healing Gemstones and Merchandise for All Chakras Chakra products are available in almost anything you can imagine.

Crystals and gemstones are more commonly incorporated into many products from wind chimes to pottery. It is helpful to organize the displays in chakra color order when possible.

There are so many choices of gems to carry in your store. Quartz crystals including amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, and smoky quartz, are the most commonly recognized stones; however, there are a vast array of gemstones. They include azurite, beryl, chalcedony which includes agate and jasper; corundum which includes ruby and sapphire, diamonds, garnet, and so many more. They relate to the chakras and various emotions, thoughts, and situations, which also vibrate at different frequencies. The choices are many.

Each of the seven chakras has an associated color, and this color can be represented by various crystals. An understanding of the meanings of color and the chakras, will enable to know the basic qualities of gemstones and crystals. Pair color and gemstones with intentions to amplify the ability to design your own reality. Product knowledge for you and your staff is beneficial to assist customers.

A Journey Through the Chakras and Color The human body is multi-dimensional with subtle bodies. While you are very aware of your physical body working with the energy of colors and chakras helps you get in touch with your mental, emotional and spiritual body. These other bodies comprise your thoughts (mental body), your feelings (emotional body) and your connection with spirit (spiritual body). Even though you can’t see your thoughts, feelings and your spirit, you do know they exist. Within all four bodies there are seven chakras —the crown, the third eye, the throat, the heart, the solar plexus, the navel, and the root, each associated with a specific color. The lower three chakras are related to the physical part that connects you with the more mundane aspects of living here on planet Earth – food, shelter and water. The upper three chakras are the spiritual chakras helping you remember your Divine connection with your spiritual nature or the heavenly connection. The heart chakra is the bridge between the upper three and the lower three chakras, bringing Heaven to Earth and Earth to Heaven. Here is a little synopsis of the chakra system with a few key words and gemstones to get you started.

Root Chakra Color: Red The foundation of your physical nature is located here which include basic survival needs like food, shelter, and water includes financial success and abundance as well as physical vitality. Motivation, focus and grounding are key elements of this chakra.

Associated Gemstones: garnet, ruby, hematite, black tourmaline Sacral or Navel Chakra Color: Orange Creativity, the ability to take action and manifest and your gut feelings of intuition reside here. This is the center where your energy gives birth to your reality.

Associated Gemstones: carnelian, orange calcite

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 43

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Solar Plexus Chakra Color: Yellow Self-esteem and the courage to live to your full potential are key for this chakra. Digestion of food and the digestion of life are important aspects of the energy here and how you integrate life.

Associated Gemstones: Citrine, golden topaz

Third Eye Chakra Color: Indigo Blue The third eye, located in the center of your brain, is the place of intuition and the ability to pay attention to your inner knowing.

Associated Gemstones: lapis lazuli, sodalite, amethyst

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Heart Chakra Colors: Green & Pink Love, kindness, tolerance, compassion are the main focus of the heart chakra. This chakra is the bridge that brings heaven to earth and your connection with blessings and well-being.

Associated Gemstones: green aventurine, jade, emerald, rose quartz, pink calcite.

What Is Intention and What Are Affirmations?

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Crown Chakra Colors: White, Gold, and Purple Mental clarity, spiritual connection, and your personal connection with the Divine is the energy of this chakra.

Associated Gemstones: amethyst, apophyllite, clear quartz, pyrite, selenite

Throat Chakra Color: Light Blue or turquoise Communication is the main focus here at the throat and your ability to express yourself, be heard, and to listen well. This center helps you align with intuition and divine timing.

Associated Gemstones: angelite, blue lace agate, blue topaz, turquoise

An intention is simply a plan, a goal, or a focus. It is the starting point to anything and everything. Everything we do, from the simple or mundane to the extraordinary, starts with an intention. Thoughts create reality and using gemstones help to focus on what you want to create to live the life of your dreams.

Gemstones are tools to focus your intention on what you do want versus what you don’t want. It is likely many of your customers are aware of this and that is why gemstones – tumbled rocks as well as specimens – sell so well. These beautiful tools can help you in your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical realignment and personal development.

Crystals, minerals, rocks, metals, and gemstones are tools from the earth that can be used to assist you in staying focused on your intentions to create and maintain positive change in your life. All of your conscious thoughts and feelings—as well as the subconscious and unconscious ones—create the life you are currently living. This basic principle is at the heart of most universal laws, including the law of attraction and the laws of physics.

When a gemstone is paired with a daily affirmation, the stone amplifies that intention. It is a tool that helps you maintain your focus on what you do want. In my work with color and crystals over the course of three decades, I’ve found that to use a stone most effectively, it is best to associate an intention with it. And the more information you provide to your customers about the qualities associated with certain stones, the more stones you will sell and you’ll be helping them by providing valuable tools to improve their life while improving your bottom line.

Six Areas of Life Usually the questions most people have are regarding how to change their reality. The only way to change reality is to realign our thoughtforms and then take the matching action necessary to create the desired reality.

People want to improve six main areas of life and each one has colors and gems that partner well with each category. It is through focus and intention that these questions are answered, and results are actualized.

• L ove, Friendship and Romance • Health and Well-Being • Money and Motivation • Safety and Protection • Happiness and Self-Confidence • Intuition and Communication

Matching Gemstone Vibration with Intention Gemstones are a tool for meditation, inspiration, creation of reality, and transformation.

Crystals, minerals, and stones are simply tools that provide you and your customers with a

reminder of intentions and goals. Just as you might light a candle to help you focus on an intention or tie a string around a finger to remember something, a gemstone can provide that same nudge. These sparkling treasures from deep within the earth can help distract you from any troubling thoughts that might be getting in the way of your progress. The following provides you with a short guide of a few gemstones to get you started with crystals and minerals to carry in your store:

1 Love, Friendship and Romance

• Rose quartz, pink calcite and other pink stones to open your heart to give and receive love. Pink-colored gems are perfect stones to help attract romance and love into your life. They aid in attracting your soul mate. The soothing pink color of the rose quartz crystal is perfect for situations when you need to feel comforted. Use it when you need to amplify your own feelings of unconditional love.

The Miracle is always Within

There are miracles inside everyone just waiting to appear, and the step-by-step guidelines in Shortcut to a Miracle will bring them to life. The principles are universal, but the application is individual — based within. Start from where you are and learn to head towards a richer, fuller, more rewarding life filled with wondrous opportunities as you allow the miracles to transform your life.

“It has been said that in order to be a realist we must believe in miracles.

Miracles are a fact of life . . . Shortcut to a Miracle will help anyone understand the central place of the miraculous in every human being.”

— LARRY DOSSEY, MD Author of Prayer is Good Medicine

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Originally published in 2005, the authors have over 40 years of experience as students and teachers of the Science of Mind philosophy. Trade Paperback 320pg ISBN: 9780875169002 $15.95

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 45

• Garnet and ruby in zoisite amplify love with

• Hematite and tiger’s iron removes scattered

romance. These gems vibrate with the energy of spiritually aligned romantic love. Use them as a magnet to attract the perfect life partner.

Allow it to help you open your sacred heart to a higher vibration of loving and being loved.

energy from your energy field and repels negative thoughts from your mind as well as from the minds of others. Hematite works wonders in shifting negative feelings by calming and relaxing your attention on the source of the emotional challenge.

2 Health and Well-being:

• Ruby’s hardness and red energy aligns you with your core inner strength. Red rocks are beneficial to rev you up with the fuel required to live life to the fullest when used with conscious intent. Keep red stones on your person when you are healing to encourage vitality and endurance.

• Green aventurine and other green gemstones like jade, serpentine, and peridot help you stay focused on eating healthy and exercising regularly to maintain a healthy heart. Use green gems to align you with the right health care and practitioners. Use it to maintain focus on the fact that you are in optimal health.

3 Money and Motivation

• Emerald is the stone of extreme wealth. With your health and vitality intact, use this stone to attract financial success through your focused actions. Green tourmaline and all green stones including green aventurine and jade mentioned above are excellent tools to remind you to that there are plenty of people with plenty of money who want the goods or services that you offer.

• Use red calcite and other red gemstones to integrate new core beliefs into your mindset surrounding money, wealth, and prosperity. Use this stone to activate your “millionaire mind.” Red jasper, garnet, ruby, red aventurine and all red gems are beneficial for motivation and as an anecdote for procrastination. The vibrant red vibration promotes well-being and inner strength. The red energy also increases endurance.

4 Safety and Protection

• Black obsidian, black tourmaline, jet, and all the black gemstones are beneficial to release negative energy and increase feelings of safety and protection. They are perfect to ground you and keep you focused. If you have a tendency to get easily distracted or off center, use this stone to keep your mind on the task at hand. It is also beneficial for maintaining a positive outlook by keeping negative thoughts at bay.

46 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

5 Happiness and Self-Confidence

• Citrine, golden topaz, golden calcite and yellow gems are helpful to activate selfconfidence and joy. Use yellow stones to help you out of depression and relieve any feelings of inferiority or unworthiness.

These gems help you remember your magnificence, to sparkle and shine, and to live to your full potential.

• Sunstone and goldstone offer mental clarity.

These gems connect you with positive thoughts. Use these stones with the intention to shed light on obstacles and brings luck and good fortune. Sunstone and goldstone are helpful for manifestation and the power of the mind to create reality. Sunstone reminds you of your own personal brilliance.

6 Intuition, Spiritual Connection and

Communication • Selenite and clear quartz align you with your spiritual nature and clarity. They are helpful during meditation. Use the clear or white stones for help with situational awareness. With this stone in hand, allow your intuitive nature to meld with your intelligence, combining your knowledge with spiritual connection.

• Turquoise, blue lace agate, angelite and all the light blue and turquoise colored stones are the stones to help you to know your truth, speak your truth, and live your truth. They are good gems to keep nearby when you need assistance with the timing of things.

Stocking Your Store with an Array of Gemstones Regardless of whether you have a small section or a fairly large selection, gemstones are trending and customers buy them like candy. Tumbled stones are favored by people because they can be easily carried in a purse or pocket. They are reminders of their goals and intentions. These gems are amulets and good luck charms to help them focus on the positive.

Include a ‘stone sign’ in the bowl of each type of rock with a little description, price, and the code to ring it up in your point-of-sale

system. The ‘stone sign’ is easy to create. The logo and the website are included on the ‘stone sign’ so customers will remember where they purchased the stone and it encourages a return visit. Some customers take a photo of the stone with the ‘stone sign’ and keep an album of their tumbled stone purchases in their phone or computer to enable stone identification.

How to Choose a Gemstone Customers will ask for a stone that will help them with these areas of life listed above.

You can direct them to choose based on your recommendations or you can empower them to use their own inner knowing to pick the right stone. For example, you can say something along these lines: As you are looking through the tumbled stones (and the larger stones, if you wish), think about what you want to attract or change in your life—in other words, what do you hope to accomplish by working with the crystal you will choose? Contemplate what you will think about every time you touch or look at the stone. Continue looking at the various stones.

Allow your higher self to be naturally attracted to one of them. Choose the stone by color and how attractive it is to you. If you think a stone is pretty or if it piques your interest in some other way, pick it up and see if you like the way it feels in your hand. Ask yourself, “How does this stone make me feel?” Begin your work by using your intuition and feelings about the chosen stone without searching out its description. Then, look it up in the books we have available to find out why you were attracted to it and the many ways you can use the stone.

Crystals and gemstones make a great addition to your product mix. Visit the warehouse of a gemstone dealer or find them online. My favorite gemstone dealers include The Gemstone Factory, Craftstones, Oceanic Linkways, Raiders of the Lost Art, and Vicion.

Regardless of the reason someone is attracted to having a stone on their desk or their nightstand, the bottom line is they are pretty and the sale of these sparkling treasures make a positive impact on your profits.

Margaret Ann Lembo is the author of Chakra Awakening; The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals and Stones; Crystal Intentions Oracle; The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing; and Animal Totems and the Gemstone Kingdom. Find out more at www.thecrystalgarden.com and www. margaretannlembo.com.

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Good for the Planet PRODUCTS Product Reviews by Royce A. Morales

SugaMat – Yoga Mats Suga www.sugamats.com

Ever wonder what could possibly be upcycled from a worn-out wetsuit? This company figured it out, turning them into highquality, cushy yoga mats! Suitable for even the most adventurous yoga poses, these dense mats offer total protection for high-compression downward dogs or even drop-and-give-me-100 push-ups. They are elastic, durable, and, of course, water resistant. If they do get a bit sweaty, customers can hose them down in the shower or use a diluted mixture of vinegar with lavender and tea tree oil. Although the mats are currently only available in black and charcoal, the company will soon be offering additional colors. If the SugaMat misbehaves during the first 30 days of regular yoga practice, they offer a free replacement. However, if it’s your dog that misbehaves and inadvertently makes a snack out of one, send back any clean leftovers and they’ll happily give a 10% discount off a future Suga purchase. Also available is SugaMat C2G (Cradle to Grave) which is the same as the SugaMat but more of a lifetime investment. If it ever wears out, customers will get a brand new one at the company’s expense, no questions asked. Available in two sizes, regular 72” x 25” and 5mm thick, or extra-large 75” x 26.5” 5mm thick. Contact company for wholesale pricing.

Bread Bags ONYA www.onyalife.com

Your customers can now say no to single-use disposable bread bags with these snazzy, vintage-style bags. By bringing them to their local bakery, they’re taking one more action to save a tree and not add plastic to ever-expanding landfills. Each reusable bag is created from up to 10 recycled drink bottles. The permeable bags are woven from BPA free, food-safe plastic. These double-lined bags can be put directly into the freezer to protect bread for up to three months without freezer burn. The bags are large enough to hold even high-top loaves and are particularly great for the home baker. Customers can simply roll and clip as bread gets eaten to ensure maximum freshness. To clean, just pull out the inner lining and dispose of any crumbs. Or, hand wash in lukewarm water. The clever clip closure also acts as a handle when shopping to make it easy to carry. They are 100% recyclable and come with a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty.

Even their packaging is sustainably made from post-consumer material, printed with water-based inks! Price $7.76 48 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Plantable Pencil with a Seed Sprout www.sproutworld.com/us

What on earth do you do with a pencil that’s too short to write with? Plant it, of course! This company’s global vision is waste reduction. How? By developing innovative, sustainable products with an original, creative, and fun second incarnation. Simply putting these pencil stubs into a pot of soil allows the nontoxic capsule at the end to biodegrade, releasing non-GMO, pesticide-free embedded seeds that then grow into herbs, flowers or vegetables. The pencils can be customized with your store’s logo or that special message a customer has in mind. What a terrific teacher gift, or great for anyone who still appreciates the simple act of using a pencil! Prices can vary according to the purchase order, so please contact company for wholesale pricing details.

Surfer’s Barrier Stick Sun Screen Avasol® www.avasol.com

Ever think about what happens when you take a dip in the ocean after slathering yourself head-to-toe with sunscreen? AVASOL believes active people deserve healthy skin protection that doesn’t harm their bodies or the planet. Their products are small batch, handcrafted, responsibly manufactured in the U.S. with the finest, non-toxic ingredients sourced from around the world. They utilize high-end, raw, natural, wildcrafted, ethically sourced, organic ingredients made using environmentally and socially-conscious methods. Everything is clean, simple, without the greenwashing and unneeded packaging found in other so-called “natural” skin protection. Customers will love that the Surfer’s Barrier Stick is all-purpose, non-greasy, water resistant, and available in SPF 30 of SPF 50+. There are no GMOs, parabens or petrochemicals, and the container is plastic-free and bio-based. The product has been clinically tested on humans and is allergy safe. Available in a choice of light, tan or dark shades, it is ideal for all skin types and any age demographic. Customers can cover anything that’s exposed knowing they’re using safe, cutting edge, healing green chemistry. Of course, the ocean loves it too! Price $10

Self-Watering Herbal Tea Kit Modern Sprout www.modsprout.com

Thinking of adding or expanding a spring planting area your shop?

What tea-lover wouldn’t appreciate this beautiful and consumable gift!

These self-watering seed kits are outfitted in a reusable glass canning jar, thoughtfully chosen with organic, non-GMO herb seeds. Simply open the container, add water and watch them grow… indoors! The sustainably grown hemp wick pulls water into a biodegradable coconut husk pot. Once the seedlings are ready, they can be transplanted outside into a patio container or directly into the garden. Seeds take 5-18 days to sprout, depending on the seed type. Each kit has instructions providing specific planting times revolving around your region’s spring frost time. Starting seeds indoors gives them a jump on the growing season that results in an earlier and larger harvest. It also allows growing a greater variety of plants than what is commercially available at garden centers. Price $15 Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 49

Pollinator Push Garden – Set of 3 Modern Sprout www.modsprout.com

Woods Sock Recover www.recoverbrands.com

Sock it to customers with socks made from 100% recycled materials. They’re made from a combination of cotton scraps from textile factories along with six plastic bottles in each pair. The color comes from the upcycled cotton scraps, eliminating the dyeing process all together. This nine-inch, medium weight crew is cushioned enough for long hikes, active sports, or just lazing on the couch. The flat knit top allows breathing during any sweaty activity.

The recycled plastic bottles are put through an extensive washing process, chopped into flakes, then melted down into pellets. The pellets are extruded and combined with the upcycled cotton to create the yarn. The yarn is knitted and sewn into the resulting socks. Each pair is manufactured locally, everything made within 150 miles of their Charlotte, North Carolina headquarters. Plus, they can be customized adding any design you or a customer may have in mind. Price $8.50 per pair.

It’s time we all to do our part to save the imperiled pollinators of the world! Each Push Garden set includes a curated selection of perennial wild flower seeds, nutrient rich organic growth medium, and instructions for planting a beautiful, one-square-foot garden patch. The company selects seeds that will attract pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds and butterflies, who all play an integral role in our food supply. The fate of these essential creatures is tenuous due to modern agriculture practices and increased use of pesticides. The need to protect pollinators cannot be understated, so help your customers be part of the solution by planting a beautiful garden! 10% of proceeds are donated to the Pollinator Partnership, the largest group in the world dedicated exclusively to the protection of pollinators and their ecosystems. To learn more about the organization and pollinator crisis, visit www.pollinator.org. Price $9

Shopping Bag with Attached Compact Pouch I Was a SarI www.iwasasari.com

Whether your city mandates bringing your own shopping bags, or simply because it’s the eco-right thing to do, customers will appreciate toting something beautiful and earth friendly! These collapsible bags are not only convenient, they’re one-of-a-kind creations made from upcycled saris. The company’s lofty objective is to achieve high-impact social change by employing disadvantaged Indian women, giving them a sustainable and independent income. Each bag is handcrafted in Mumbai, and the attached inner pouch is coordinated from the same sari. Price $2.30

50 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Joyce Ultralight Sunglasses Panda www.wearpanda.com

If your shop has thought about carrying a line of sunglasses, these are the earth-friendly ones you never thought existed! With retro-stylish, rounded lenses, these understated cat-eye glasses are made from Mosu bamboo, one of the most renewable resources on the planet. They are so light, your customers may forget they’re wearing them. They have polarized lenses and UVA/UVB protection and are available in black, brown or natural as well as other cool styles. They also come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. For every pair of sunglasses sold, Panda gives the Gift of Vision which provides a pair of prescription glasses and an eye exam to someone in need, as well as funding optometry schools and clinics worldwide. Price $60

“Save The Waves” Limited Edition iPhone Case Pela www.pelacase.com

Upcycled Fire Hose Toiletry Bag oxgut hose company www.oxgut.com

Do your customers crave tough, versatile, earth friendly and oh-sounique gear? This small company recycles decommissioned fire hoses and bravely turns them into durable bags, firewood totes, wine bottle carriers and even outdoor furniture! They’re handmade in the U.S.A. and are so strong they can be used, but never be too abused. This handsome toiletry kit is made from the white fire hose liner and then hand-sewn with bright orange thread into a strong, practical piece that’s naturally waterproof. Each creation shows signs of its previous life with scuffs, markings and even words making them one-of-a-kind conversation pieces. Besides keeping these heroic hoses out of landfills, this company also has a “second service” approach by giving back to their community. A portion of each sale goes to help kids at the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. Contact company for wholesale pricing.

Who doesn’t care about the ocean or own a cell phone?

These limited edition, hand-engraved smartphone cases will help customers make a personal splash, knowing they are 100% compostable at the end of their very long lifespan.

Pela cases are meticulously designed, flexible, with high shock-absorbency, protecting cell phones from drops and scratches. Unlike most tech accessories, these won’t add to the staggering amount of plastic in landfills and oceans.

Why? They’re made from an innovative, plant-based material called flax shive, or Flaxstic, an annually renewable agricultural waste byproduct from the flax oil seed harvest.

This natural product produces no toxic residue, reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production. Farmers also receive an additional source of revenue (and cleaner air) by selling this end-ofseason leftover rather than burning it. Made in Canada, these beautiful, yet functional cases are sold globally in plastic free-packaging (of course. Available in many colors and with different quotes as well. The company collaborates with Save the Waves to help protect coastal ecosystems around the world. They’re also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating a portion of their annual sales towards non-profit environmental organizations. Their idea of success is putting the planet first, creating long-term, positive impact, safe practices and ethical fair wages to workers.

Contact company for wholesale pricing.

Royce Amy Morales is the director of Perfect Life Awakening coaching. She has also published the book Know: A Spiritual Wake-up Call. Morales is the former owner of Harmony Works, a soul-nurturing shop in Redondo Beach, CA. Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 51

2018 TRADE SHOWS

2nd SEMESTER use our comprehensive list of trade shows to plan your buying trips for the second semester of the year.

For a continually updated list of trade shows, visit www.retailinginsight.com.

Retailing Insight strives to assure the accuracy of show schedules listed here, however, please contact the show promoter directly to confirm dates, times, and locations prior to making travel plans.

MAY ► WEST COAST GEM & MINERAL SHOW Dates: May 18-20 Location: Santa Ana, CA www.mzexpos.com Featuring 80 retail and wholesale dealers from all over the U.S. and abroad, offering a variety of items related to earth sciences. ► INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY AND MERCHANDISE SHOW Dates: May 17-20 Location: New Orleans, LA www.helenbrett.com This cash-and-carry and order-writing show features 700 booths showcasing fine jewelry, semi-precious and precious stones, trendy costume jewelry, accessories, and more. Next Show Nov 16-19. ► NATIONAL STATIONERY SHOW Dates: May 20-23 Location: New York, NY www.nationalstationeryshow.com The world’s most comprehensive collection of stationery and related lifestyle products. Over 800 exhibitors of greeting cards, invitations, giftwrap/ribbons, stationery, and more.

52 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

► NORTHEAST MARKET CENTER Date: May 21 Location: Hudson, MA www.northeastmarketcenter.com More than 1,000 gift and decorative accessory product lines, including home décor, bath and body, jewelry and accessories, and more. Next Shows Jun 11, Jun18, Jul 15-18, Aug 13-14, Aug 27, Sept 16-18, Sept 24, Oct 15-16, and Nov 5.

► NORTON’S APPAREL, JEWELRY, AND GIFT MARKET Dates: Jun 2-4 Location: Gatlinburg, TN www.nortonshows.com Featuring 500+ exhibitors of apparel, jewelry, candles, fragrances, gourmet food, cosmetics, stationery, gift wrap, and more. Next Shows Sept 8-10 and Nov 10-12.

► BOOK EXPO AMERICA Dates: May 30 – Jun 1 Location: New York, NY www.bookexpoamerica.com The premier North American publishing industry event featuring books in all formats, gift merchandise, and other nonbook products, technology, and services for retailers.

► BUYERS CASH & CARRY Dates: June 5 Location: Oaks, PA www.marketsquareshows.com The Buyers Cash and Carry features unusual gift items, handcrafted furniture, gourmet food products, jewelry, and handcrafted reproductions, all for immediate delivery. Next Show Jun 25.

JUNE ► JCK LAS VEGAS JEWELRY SHOW Dates: Jun 1-4 Location: Las Vegas, NV www.jckonline.com Shop with ease for fine fashion and bridge jewelry at JCK. More than 100 exhibitors offering affordable collections to help customers make every day a special occasion.

►DALLAS APPAREL & ACCESSORIES MARKET Dates: Jun 6-9 Location: Dallas, TX www.dallasmarketcenter.com A home to thousands of emerging and established women’s apparels, fashion accessories, and footwear product lines across dozens of categories.

► MISSISSIPPI MARKET WHOLESALE SHOW Dates: Jun 7-8 Location: Jackson, MS www.mississippimarket.org The South’s premier order-only wholesale show featuring Mississippi companies. Decorative and garden accessories, gifts, jewelry, spiritual and inspirational products, and more. ► INTERNATIONAL FASHION JEWELRY & ACCESSORY SHOW (IFJAG) Dates: Jun 8-11 Location: New York, NY www.ifjag.com More than 200 lines of fashion jewelry and accessories. No cash and carry permitted.

Open to wholesalers and volume buyers only. ► NORTHEAST MARKET CENTER Dates: Jun 11 Location: Hudson, MA www.northeastmarketcenter.com More than 1,000 gift and decorative accessory product lines, including home décor, bath and body, jewelry and accessories, and more. Next Shows Jun 18, Jul 15-18, Aug 13-14, Aug 27, Sept 16-18, Sept 24, Oct 15-16, and Nov 5. ► WORLD TEA EXPO Dates: Jun 12-14 Location: Las Vegas, NV www.worldteaexpo.com An annual trade event with 250 exhibitors dedicated to specialty tea. ► INTERNATIONAL NEW AGE TRADE SHOW (INATS) Dates: Jun 15-17 Location: Denver, CO www.inats.com The only trade show of its kind in the U.S. exclusively featuring spiritual, metaphysical, upcycled, inspiring, Fair Trade, and magical books and gifts. ► NORTHEAST MARKET CENTER Dates: Jun 18 Location: Hudson, MA www.northeastmarketcenter.com More than 1,000 gift and decorative accessory product lines, including home décor, bath and body, jewelry and accessories, and more.

Next Shows Jul 15-18, Aug 13-14, Aug 27, Sept 16-18, Sept 24, Oct 15-16, and Nov 5.

► DALLAS TOTAL HOME & GIFT MARKET Dates: Jun 20-26 Location: Dallas, TX www.dallasmarketcenter.com More than 20,000 gift items, home accessories, textiles, furniture, holiday and seasonal items, gourmet food, stationery, toys, and jewelry/ fashion accessories. ► MINNEAPOLIS MART GIFT, HOME & ACCESSORY SHOW Dates: Jun 24-26 Location: Minnetonka, MN www.mplsmart.com More than 5,000 lines of home, décor, accessories and apparel merchandise in 140 showrooms.

Next Shows Aug 3-7, and Sept 30 – Oct 2. ► COLUMBUS MARKETPLACE Dates: Jun 24-26 Location: Dublin, OH www.thecolumbusmarketplace.com The newest and finest lines of gifts, home décor, accessories, stationery, and more in an easy-to-shop, single-floor layout. Next Shows Jul 22-24, Aug 17-21, Sept 30 – Oct 2, and Nov 3-5. ► BUYER’S CASH & CARRY Dates: Jun 25 Location: Madison, WI www.marketsquareshows.com The Buyers Cash and Carry features unusual gift items, handcrafted furniture, gourmet food products, jewelry, and handcrafted reproductions, all for immediate delivery.

JULY ► ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL GIFT & HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET Dates: Jul 10-16 Location: Atlanta, GA www.americasmart.com This major show features categories such as general gift, gourmet/housewares, gift and resort, living and entertaining, tabletop and accessories, and children’s. ► JA NEW YORK SUMMER Dates: Jul 15-17 Location: New York, NY www.ja-newyork.com More than 500 major designers and manufacturers from around the world will showcase the latest jewelry designs, with an easy-towork marketplace. Next Show Oct 28-30

► NORTHEAST MARKET CENTER Dates: Jul 15-18 Location: Hudson, MA www.northeastmarketcenter.com More than 1,000 gift and decorative accessory product lines, including home décor, bath and body, jewelry and accessories, and more. Next Shows Aug 13-14, Aug 27, Sept 16-18, Sept 24, Oct 15-16, and Nov 5. ► TRANSWORLD’S SUMMER JEWELRY, FASHION & ACCESSORIES SHOW (JF&A) Dates: Jul 19-22 Location: Rosemont, IL www.jfashow.com A showcase of the latest fine and fashion jewelry, giftware, beauty products, accessories, and more. An independent, on-site laboratory offers professional appraisals. Next Shows Oct 25-28, and Nov 29 – Dec 2. ► LA MART SUMMER MARKET Dates: Jul 19-23 Location: Los Angeles, CA www.lamart.com Permanent showrooms featuring 7,000+ lines, national brands, and local artisans in a range of categories: gift, home/garden décor, holiday/ seasonal, fashion, toys, stationery, personal care, gourmet, tabletop, textiles, and more.

Next Show Sept 23-25. ► COLUMBUS MARKETPLACE Dates: Jul 22-24 Location: Dublin, OH www.thecolumbusmarketplace.com The newest and finest lines of gifts, home décor, accessories, stationery, and more in an easy-to-shop, single-floor layout. Next Shows Aug 17-21, Sept 30 – Oct 2, and Nov 3-5. ► ASD MARKET WEEK Dates: Jul 29 – Aug 1 Location: Las Vegas, NV www.asdonline.com A destination wholesale buying event. With 2,800 vendors in gift and home, jewelry/cash and carry, value and variety, fashion accessories, health and beauty, and toys and novelties. ► LAS VEGAS SUMMER MARKET Dates: Jul 29 – Aug 2 Location: Las Vegas, NV www.lasvegasmarket.com An international furnishings showcase featuring thousands of leading manufacturers and lines in furniture, lighting, decorative accessories, gift, home textiles, tabletop, and more.

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 53

AUGUST ► AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL PUBLIC SHOW Dates: Aug 3-5 Location: San Francisco, CA www.craftcouncil.org This show features original works by more than 1,500 of the country’s top contemporary craft artists, with wholesale-buying opportunities at all four locations. ► MINNEAPOLIS MART GIFT, HOME & ACCESSORY SHOW Dates: Aug 3-7 Location: Minnetonka, MN www.mplsmart.com More than 5,000 lines of home, décor, accessories and apparel merchandise in 140 showrooms. Next Show Sept 30 – Oct 2. ► ATLANTA JEWELRY SHOW Dates: Aug 4-6 Location: Atlanta, GA www.atlantajewelryshow.com With more than 500 booths, this show features new and best-selling jewelry in a range of price points, including the Handcrafted Studio, which highlights oneof-a-kind artisan pieces. ► BILOXI WHOLESALE GIFT SHOW Dates: Aug 4-6 Location: Biloxi, MS www.wmigiftshows.com More than 300 booths with manufacturers from 22 states featuring new and trendy merchandise: holiday, home décor, tabletop, garden accessories, jewelry, apparel, and more. ► EAST COAST GEM, MINERAL & FOSSIL SHOW Dates: Aug 10-12 Location: West Springfield, MA www.mzexpos.com Featuring 200 dealers from the U.S. and abroad, offering a variety of items related to earth sciences. Door prizes, guest speakers, museum quality exhibits, and a large wholesale section. Next Show Sept 8-15. ► MID-SOUTH JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES FAIR Dates: Aug 10-12 Location: Southaven, MS www.helenbrett.com

54 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Cash-and-carry and order-writing show with 350 booths featuring fine jewelry, semi-precious and precious stones, trendy costume jewelry, accessories, gifts, and more. Next Show Nov 1-4. ► ST. LOUIS GIFT SHOW Dates: Aug 12-13 Location: Saint Charles, MO www.stlouisgiftshow.com More than 100 exhibitors offering thousands of products from around the world, including giftware, gourmet foods, jewelry and accessories, and made-in-the-USA crafts. ► Toronto Gift Fair Dates: Aug 12-15 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.cangift.org With 1.3 million square feet of display space, this show is North America’s largest temporary trade gift show. Featuring 1,000 exhibitors, it is Canada’s largest one-stop buying venue. ► NY NOW Aug 12-15 Location: New York, NY www.nynow.com Drawing 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and 80+ countries, NY NOW hosts 2,800 exhibitors showcasing the very best lines across the home, lifestyle, and gift spectrum. ► NORTHEAST MARKET CENTER Dates: Aug 13-14 Location: Hudson, MA www.northeastmarketcenter.com More than 1,000 gift and decorative accessory product lines, including home décor, bath and body, jewelry and accessories, and more. Next Shows Aug 27, Sept 16-18, Sept 24, Oct 15-16, and Nov 5. ► NEW ORLEANS GIFT AND JEWELRY SHOW Dates: Aug 16-19 Location: New Orleans, LA www.helenbrett.com Cash-and-carry and order-writing show with no admission fee for qualified buyers.

Features fine jewelry, semi-precious and precious stones, costume jewelry, accessories, and apparel.

► COLUMBUS MARKETPLACE Dates: Aug 17-21 Location: Dublin, OH www.thecolumbusmarketplace.com The newest and finest lines of gifts, home décor, accessories, stationery, and more in an easy-to-shop, single-floor layout. Next Shows Sept 30 – Oct 2, and Nov 3-5. ► DALLAS APPAREL & ACCESSORIES MARKET Dates: Aug 22-25 Location: Dallas, TX www.dallasmarketcenter.com A home to thousands of emerging and established women’s apparels, fashion accessories, and footwear product lines across dozens of categories. ► ROCKY MOUNTAIN GIFT SHOW Dates: Aug 22-27 Location: Denver, CO www.rockymountaingiftshow.com The Rocky Mountain region’s premier wholesale buying event for gift, home, jewelry, resort and related industries. The largest showing of imprinted sportswear in the country. ► ALBERTA GIFT FAIR Dates: Aug 26-29 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada www.cangift.org The largest show in Western Canada features more than 500 exhibitors in five product categories: living, style, gifts, gourmet fare, and Made in Canada. ► LOUISVILLE GIFT SHOW Dates: Aug 26-27 Location: Shepherdsville, KY www.louisvillegiftshow.com Features more than 100 order-writing and cash-and-carry vendors in giftware, Kentucky handcrafted, jewelry, scarves, handbags, candles, seasonal merchandise, and more. ► NORTHEAST MARKET CENTER Dates: Aug 27 Location: Hudson, MA www.northeastmarketcenter.com More than 1,000 gift and decorative accessory product lines, including home décor, bath and body, jewelry and accessories, and more. Next Shows Sept 16-18, Sept 24, Oct 15-16, and Nov 5.

SEPTEMBER ► DENVER INTERNATIONAL WESTERN/ENGLISH APPAREL & EQUIPMENT MARKET Dates: Sept 7-9 Location: Denver, CO www.denver-wesa.org The trade show for the equestrian wholesale and retail industry, featuring over 750 exhibitors of Western and English apparel, accessories, leather goods, and equestrian-related décor and gifts. ► COLORADO MINERAL AND FOSSIL FALL SHOW Dates: Sept 7-15 Location: Denver, CO www.coloradomineralandfossilshows.com Retail and wholesale dealers specializing in fossils, meteorites, amber, petrified wood and related items. Held in conjunction with the Denver Gem & Mineral Show. ► NEW ENGLAND MADE GIFTWARE & SPECIALTY FOOD SHOW Dates: Sept 9-10

Location: Sturbridge, MA www.nemadeshows.com A juried, wholesale show featuring manufacturers of unique, quality, New England made giftware and specialty food products. ► NORTON’S APPAREL, JEWELRY, AND GIFT MARKET Dates: Sept 8-10 Location: Gatlinburg, TN www.nortonshows.com Featuring 500+ exhibitors of apparel, jewelry, candles, fragrances, gourmet food, cosmetics, stationery, gift wrap, and more. Next Show Nov 11-13. ► NORTHEAST MARKET CENTER Dates: Sept 16-18/Sept 24 Location: Hudson, MA www.northeastmarketcenter.com More than 1,000 gift and decorative accessory product lines, including home décor, bath and body, jewelry and accessories, and more. Next Shows Oct 15-16, and Nov 5. ► LA MART FALL MARKET Dates: Sept 23-25

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Location: Los Angeles, CA www.lamart.com Permanent showrooms featuring 7,000+ lines, national brands, and local artisans in a range of categories: gift, home/garden décor, holiday/ seasonal, fashion, toys, stationery, personal care, gourmet, tabletop, textiles, and more. ► LAS VEGAS SOUVENIR & RESORT GIFT SHOW Dates: Sept 25-28 Location: Las Vegas, NV www.lvsouvenirshow.com The national meeting place for the souvenir and resort gift industries featuring more than 1,100 booths and representing thousands of lines—all under one roof. ► MINNEAPOLIS MART SEASONAL SENSATIONS SHOW Dates: Sept 30 – Oct 2 Location: Minnetonka, MN www.mplsmart.com The Minneapolis Mart is a wholesale permanent showroom facility, featuring over 5,000 lines of gift and accessory merchandise in 200 showrooms.

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► COLUMBUS MARKETPLACE Dates: Sept 30 – Oct 2 Location: Dublin, OH www.thecolumbusmarketplace.com The newest and finest lines of gifts, home décor, accessories, stationery, and more in an easy-to-shop, single-floor layout. Next Show Nov 3-5.

OCTOBER ► MIDWEST BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION HEARTLAND FALL FORUM Dates: Oct 3-5 Location: Minneapolis, MN www.Heartlandfallforum.org This members-only conference gathers booksellers, publishers, distributors, reps, vendors, authors, librarians, teachers, and other book business colleagues in the heart of the literary Midwest. ► ABC KIDS EXPO Dates: Oct 9-11 Location: Las Vegas, NV www.theabcshow.com With nearly one million square feet of exhibit space, this wholesale show ranks 38 out of the 100 largest trade shows in North America.

Free admission to qualified buyers. ► PANAMA CITY BEACH GIFT SHOW Dates: Oct 10-12 Location: Panama City Beach, FL www.panamacitygiftshow.com This show caters to the Gulf Coast tourist trade with a wide range of products, including: souvenirs, beach items, resort wear, T-shirts, general giftware, logo products, fashion accessories, shell items, coastal and nautical themed products, toys, games, and more.

more. Professional Gem Sciences Laboratory, Ltd. Is on site to give professional appraisals.

Next Show Nov 29 – Dec 2. ► CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS MARKET Dates: Oct 26-28 Location: Pasadena, CA www.craftsource.org The West Coast’s premier event for one-of-akind functional and decorative jury-selected crafts: jewelry, glassware, ceramics, handpainted textiles, mixed media, and much more. ► NW TREND SHOW Dates: Oct 28-30 Location: Seattle, WA www.nwtrendshow.com Brings the latest in fashion from women’s apparel, accessories and jewelry, to children’s, men’s shoes and gift items. ► JA NEW YORK DELIVERY Dates: Oct 28-30 Location: New York, NY www.ja-newyork.com More than 700 major designers and manufacturers from around the world will showcase the latest jewelry designs, with an easy-towork marketplace.

NOVEMBER ► MID-SOUTH JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES FAIR Dates: Nov 1-4 Location: Southaven, MS www.helenbrett.com Cash and carry and order writing show with free admission to qualified buyers. Fine jewelry, semi-precious and precious stones, trendy jewelry, accessories, apparel, gifts, and more.

► NORTHEAST MARKET CENTER Dates: Oct 15-16 Location: Hudson, MA www.northeastmarketcenter.com More than 1,000 gift and decorative accessory product lines, including home décor, bath and body, jewelry and accessories, and more. Next Show Nov 5.

► COLUMBUS MARKETPLACE Dates: Nov 3-5 Location: Dublin, OH www.thecolumbusmarketplace.com The newest and finest lines of gifts, home décor, accessories, stationery, and more in an easy-to-shop, single-floor layout.

► TRANSWORLD’S FALL JEWELRY, FASHION & ACCESSORIES (JF&A SHOW) Dates: Oct 25-28 Location: Rosemont, IL www.jfashow.com The latest in fine and fashion jewelry, giftware, beauty products, watches, handbags, and

► NORTHEAST MARKET CENTER Date: Nov 5 Location: Hudson, MA www.northeastmarketcenter.com More than 1,000 gift and decorative accessory product lines, including home décor, bath and body, jewelry and accessories, and more.

56 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

► ATLANTA FALL IMMEDIATE DELIVERY SHOW Dates: Nov 6-8 Location: Atlanta, GA www.americasmart.com The latest in gift, home furnishings, fashion accessories, fine jewelry, and more are not only on display-they’re ready to take back to your store. With no-minimum buying and markdowns across all categories. Cash-and-carry only. ► NORTON’S APPAREL, JEWELRY, AND GIFT MARKET Dates: Nov 10-12 Location: Gatlinburg, TN www.nortonshows.com Featuring 500+ exhibitors of apparel, jewelry, candles, fragrances, gourmet food, cosmetics, stationery, gift wrap, and more. ► INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY AND MERCHANDISE SHOW Dates: Nov 15-18 Location: New Orleans, LA www.helenbrett.com This cash-and-carry and order-writing show features 700 booths showcasing fine jewelry, semi-precious and precious stones, trendy costume jewelry, accessories, and more. ► TRANSWORLD’S HOLIDAY JEWELRY, FASHION & ACCESSORIES (JF&A SHOW) Dates: Nov 29 – Dec 2 Location: Schaumburg, IL www.jfashow.com The latest in fine and fashion jewelry, giftware, beauty products, watches, handbags, and more. Professional Gem Sciences Laboratory, Ltd. Is on site to give professional appraisals.

DECEMBER ► BATON ROUGE JEWELRY AND MERCHANDISE SHOW Dates: Dec 7-9 Location: Baton Rouge, LA www.helenbrett.com This cash-and-carry and order-writing show features 475 booths showcasing fine jewelry, semi-precious and precious stones, trendy costume jewelry, accessories, and more.

Compiled by Retailing Insight Team For future updates of 2018 Trade Shows please visit www.retailingInsight.com

“We have sold over 2,000 Kamibashi String Dolls since November, 2014.

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Your customers will be more assertive than usual. Don’t try and market to them. Follow their lead. If a title doesn’t catch their eye, you’ll have a very difficult time selling it to them. Put books that are action-oriented front and center. The title should tell the story, or at least trigger a compelling question. The masses are claiming their power and they are serious about it. Be ready to give them a leg up.

Dodging Energy Vampires: An Empath’s Guide to Evading Relationships That Drain You and Restoring Your Health and Power Christiane Northrup, MD $24.99 H, ISBN 978-1-40-195477-2 Hay House I www.hayhouse.com

Northrup describes energy vampires as “master manipulators, getting what they want from others without giving anything in return.” She tells readers that these people are extremely good at targeting those who will try to help them, generally people who are very empathic. The good news is that the mental health professions are finally pinpointing the behavior of these energy sappers and developing strategies for helping people remove them from their lives. Northrup has combined research in this field with her personal experiences to help your customers recognize unhealthy, life-force-draining relationships, to get out of them, and to heal from the trauma. Many highly sensitive people are so in tune with other people’s suffering that they have trouble putting their own needs first. They are sitting ducks for energy vampires.

Fortunately, there is a movement afoot in the mind/body/spirit world to make self-care a top priority. I see reminders about that every day on Instagram. This book moves that trend to a new level. Northrup shows off her clinical background with lots of facts and specific information, but she does it in keeping with the style of the title. The book is not only clearly understandable, it is fast-paced and interesting to read. It is also rich with references to other books related to the topic. This one is the beginning of a conversation that needs to be had before the body count gets any higher.

58 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

New and notable books for body, mind, and spirit by Anna Jedrziewski

Marketing to Gen Z: The Rules for Reaching This Vast—and Very Different— Generation of Influencers Jeff Fromm & Angie Read $24.95 H, ISBN 978-0-81-443928-9 AMACOM I www.amacombooks.org

Gen Z will be the last white-majority generation. Rather than fighting to hold on to the past, they are already embracing that future reality. They were born into a world overshadowed by terrorism. Black presidents, same-sex marriage, and the possible collapse of the U.S. financial system are commonplace in the world that they inhabit. They expect 24/7 digital access. It is the only reality they have ever known. Their eight-second attention span doesn’t mean they’re getting dumber. It means that it only takes them four seconds to determine whether or not the information you’ve sent them has value. As a Baby Boomer, I’m thinking that Gen Z has absorbed the Baby Boomer legacy of free-spirited limitation busting and filtered it through a very pragmatic lens with a full awareness that anything worth achieving requires hard work. But how do you sell to them, you ask? By listening to them—and by reading this book.

No Recipe: Cooking as Spiritual Practice Edward Espe Brown $17.95 P, ISBN 978-1-68-364054-7 Sounds True I www.soundstrue.com

This is a book about spiritual practice. It uses interaction with food as the spiritual teacher. It offers your customers an antidote to our competitive, disempowering, and isolating world. This is not in contradiction to accomplishment in the world. This is an expansion of activity in the world to include manifestation of our innermost being. It is the component that is up to us. We can choose habitually, or we can choose thoughtfully. Whether they are cooking, eating, or both, your customers will welcome this encouragement to engage their five senses on their own terms (in the privacy of

their own homes) and welcome food into their lives as a partner, rather than an adversary. In a world full of diets, rigid cooking instructions, and the search for the most perfect ingredients, Edward Espe Brown offers your customers a chance to relax and enjoy the simple act of cooking in tandem with the Divine (as they understand It). The bonus is renewed connection to, and acceptance of, our bodies as a gift from God. Untwisted: How to Use the Power of Love to Straighten Out Your Life Dr. Ted Anders $16.95 P, ISBN 978-0-75-700453-7 SquareOne Publishers I www.squareonepublishers.com

Combining elements of A Course in Miracles, developmental/transpersonal/ cognitive psychology, Buddhist mindfulness, and just a touch of physics, Untwisted seeks to take us through the mire of misbelief most humans accumulate in childhood so that we can reconnect with the spiritual/light/ love core of our beings. At about eight months of age, human beings begin to gather information about their caregivers in an attempt to ensure that those caregivers continue to care for them. For many of us, that means that we learn to work around the defense mechanisms of fear-based people and then apply those strategies to the rest of the world. We begin the pursuit of what Anders calls “shadow love”, reinforcing the false sense of separation that has been instilled in us. The real purpose of enlightenment is not to make us “happy.” It is rather to help us give up the fear-based pursuit of pseudo-happiness. After a very understandable description of the above process, Anders carefully spells out the steps he uses in his seminars to help clients approach the door to release from self-imposed limitations. He then lets us know what we need to do to walk through that door into a world of freedom and sustainable peacefulness. There are lots of books talking around this subject today. This one stands out for its directness, brevity, and loving direction toward a less stressful life that also contributes to a world which empowers, rather than enslaves.

The Headache Healer’s Handbook: A Holistic, Hands-On Somatic Self-Care Program for Headache and Migraine Relief and Prevention Jan Mundo $16.95 P, ISBN 978-1-60-868513-4 New World Library I www.newworldlibrary.com

This book is first and foremost a testament to the mind/body connection and how an awareness of that connection can literally change your life. It begins by dealing with the physical. It contains an analysis of headache triggers, cutting-edge diet suggestions, and a detailed section on keeping a Headache Diary. Moving toward the world of mindfulness, it next offers a whole chapter on breathing. Finally, the book arrives at mindfulness/meditation practice. This down-to-earth, comprehensive discussion is followed by sections on touch healing and connecting with core issues like trauma and embodied wisdom. Let your customers know that if they only get as far as the mindfulness chapter, they will have gotten their money’s worth. The rest of the book is icing on the cake, and very special icing it is.

The Age of Overwhelm: Strategies For The Long Haul Laura van Dernoot Lipsky $17.95 P, ISBN 978-1-52-309473-8 Berrett-Koehler Publishers I www.bkconnection.com

The truth is that there is almost no place left to hide from overwhelm. The media is constantly asking us to be upset about something new. Our neighbors attempt to relieve their stress by making nerve-shattering noise all night. If you move to an unpopulated rural area to escape the overstimulation, the next thing you know they’re building a high-density housing development next door, or illegally dumping toxic waste in your backyard, or using eminent domain to take your home and put a superhighway through. Overwhelmed is becoming the definitive problem of our age. This book asks readers who are overwhelmed to begin their recovery process by believing in change (individual and collective change). But before you cross this book off as just another “change yourself, change the world” musing, consider the real-world applications which Lipsky has created. Building on her cutting-edge work with trauma exposure (Trauma Stewardship), she has developed clear-cut guidelines for digging out from under overwhelm and reclaiming a sense of balance and empowerment. Let your customers know that she’ll help them learn how to recognize what they can and can’t control, how to take a moment to recalibrate, and how to remember that they are ultimately responsible for responding appropriately to their situation. With examples, from the segregated south to The Gates Foundation, she shows how seemingly small individual actions, ripple through people’s lives with ongoing manifestation. Lipsky shows us that we can do this if we are willing to try.

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 59

fineprint

Anna Jedrziewski

The Little Book of Saturn: Astrological Gifts, Challenges, and Returns Aliza Einhorn $16.95 P, ISBN 978-1-57-863628-0 Red Wheel-Weiser I www.redwheelweiser.com

This lively, nostalgic, easy-going introduction to the planet Saturn begins with a synopsis of astrology. It probably won’t be necessary for most of your customers, but better safe than sorry, and it serves to give us a personal glimpse of the author. Einhorn writes in the concise, get-to-the-point style created by social media.

Beginners will find the essence of astrological science in a nutshell.

Experienced readers will find a quick review with some surprising insights. When she gets to Saturn, Einhorn’s competency really becomes clear. Saturn tends to scare young people, to instill respect in those approaching thirty and their first “Saturn return,” and finally, to inspire gratitude for those who have recognized Saturn as the powerful teacher it is. Saturn isn’t warm and fuzzy; Saturn is the planet that looks you in the eye and tells you the truth regardless of the consequences. Saturn isn’t the one that has the most fun at a party; Saturn is the one that’s still there when things have taken a turn for the worse and everyone else has bailed. Just ask Einhorn. She’ll walk you through it.

QUICK GIFT PICKS FOR YOUNG SUMMER FUN! My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor Michelle Polizzi, illustrator $17.99 H, ISBN 978-0-06-268776-0 Harper Collins I www.harpercollins.com/childrens

Designed as an entry-level mindfulness tool for preschoolers, this carefully thought-out book, with its dynamic illustrations, is sure to become a favorite for mindful adults and the children in their lives. Breath and emotion are not easy things to draw, especially for a young audience, but Polizzi has not only captured the joyful, calming exhale of mindful breathing and the power of emotional states, she has also made the pictures captivatingly dynamic. Her sophisticated choice of colors adds to the engaging quality of the book. The illustrations of children are inclusive, and the story line guides readers through breathing in response to a range of emotion without judgement or spiritual dogma.

60 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

I Am the Rain John Paterson $8.95 P, ISBN 978-1-58-469616-2 Dawn Publications I www.dawnpub.com

Paterson’s rhyming story begins with a child looking out through a raincovered window and ends with a pair of lime-colored boots in a puddle. It perfectly bespeaks Dawn Publications’ commitment to getting children out into the world to explore nature firsthand.

It’s a large task to steer young children through the cycle of condensation-precipitation-collection-evaporation. Paterson’s spacious illustrations and animated narrative do a brilliant job of just that. As usual, Dawn has included follow up activities for teachers and parents and online links for further study.

Yoga Friends: A Pose-by-Pose Partner Adventure for Kids Mariam Gates and Rolf Gates Sarah Jane Hinder, illustrator $17.95 H, ISBN 978-1-62-203816-9 Sounds True I www.soundstrue.com

The creators of Good Night Yoga and Good Morning Yoga have done it again. This time they’re showing young readers how to do yoga in pairs: sitting back-to-back, locking arms, and balancing against each other. Hinder’s inclusive drawings once again capture the physical and mental essence of the poses, while the imaginative surprises to be found on each page will keep fidgety readers engaged. There is a page of “instructions” for adults, but I’m guessing the kids will just dive into the book and take off before adults have a chance to help them. It’s an important step, learning to maintain concentration while working with a partner. Mariam Gates enlisted the help of her husband Rolf for this one. Don’t let the playfulness of the illustrations and the simplicity of the narrative mislead you. This is serious yoga instruction, perfectly formatted for a very young audience. If you read the review of Selling to Gen Z above, this is a perfect example of getting the message across in the first four seconds.

ANNA JEDRZIEWSKI is a new consciousness author and consultant, as well as founder and director of Spirit Connection New York, Inc. SpiritConnectionNewYork.org

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playlist

Reviews of great music to sell and enjoy by Bill Binkelman

On the Edge of a Dream

Liquid Mind XII: Peace

Spirit Wheel

Robin Spielberg playMountain Music www.robinspielberg.com

Liquid Mind Real Music www.realmusic.com

Terra Guitarra Earthsign Records www.terraguitarra.com

It seems fitting that in these times fraught with terror, mistrust, bigotry, and ignorance, Chuck Wild (Liquid Mind) would turn his musical eye toward something as important and vital as the quest for Peace.

While it is naive to think that music can literally change the world, it can change a person, and in his liner notes, it is this concept of “engendering person-to-person peace” which is the driving force behind this, his thirteenth release. Lush strings, soft-as-a-feather synth pads, subtle twinkling tones, and soothing melodies wrap around the listener like well-worn flannel, creating a source of comfort for the soul and the body.

Terra Guitarra (Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli) switch things up a bit on their latest recording, Spirit Wheel. While their tasty, tuneful Latin guitars and percussion are still present, the energy level is significantly toned down and a new ingredient, chill-out rhythms and beats, has been added to the mix. Still present are their beguiling melodies, but rather than revving you up, they are now tilting toward encouraging you to just melt into the sensuous and languid nature of the music. Instruments include guitars, cedar flute, bass, keyboards, drums and percussion, all played with abundant talent by Bruce or Julie.

These fourteen improvisational piano tone poems from acclaimed pianist Robin Spielberg, are just the ticket for winding down at the end of a stressful day and ushering young and old alike to the land of Wynken, Blynken and Nod. With titles such as “Calling All Dreamers,” “Nightfall,” and “Stargazing,” you know you are in for some wonderful, soothing piano pieces, courtesy of one of the genre’s best artists. In fact, Spielberg has never sounded better, as these delicate miniatures emphasize her exquisite control of nuance and subtlety. A true must-have for both longtime fans and novices, as well as all lovers of music for quiet times.

62 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

The Essential Collection

Kiss the Quiet – Meditations on Life & Love

Eugene Friesen Fiddletalk Music www.celloman.com

Michael Whalen Michael Whalen Music www.michaelwhalen.com

You can’t call yourself a fan of instrumental music and not know of cellist Eugene Friesen. His career spans multiple decades and he is a highly sought after guest artist for many folks. This album collects some of his most requested songs from four solo recordings he has released over the years. Many of the tracks feature other musicians and the songs themselves are quite varied, some being mellow and others being just the opposite, e.g.

“Shadowplay,” a lively jazz duet with pianist Tim Ray. When an artist with the pedigree that Friesen has refers to these tunes as “essential,” you can bet on them being just that!

Michael Whalen is one of the most versatile piano/keyboard artists on the music scene. His latest release is a sublime collection of gentle piano and keyboard instrumentals that are ideally suited for when you are trying to release the stress from the day and relax before heading off to bed. Obviously, the album is also a perfect fit for massage or the healing arts as well.

Suffused with an air of warmth and romance, some of the pieces flirt with minimalism, but others are quite tuneful. Whalen’s subtle and masterful use of electronics contributes mightily, but never intrudes on the core piano melodies.

Perspective Mosaic

Helen Jane Long Self-released http://helenjanelong.com

David Wahler Self-released www.davidwahler.com

Helen Jane Long is a highly talented pianist and orchestral music composer/arranger. Her list of credits composing scores for TV and film is formidable and she has also released six albums, this being her latest. Here, she is joined by an orchestra (uncredited in the liner notes, except for conductor Stacey Watton). The music (both piano and orchestra) is brilliantly performed, gorgeously recorded, and expertly mixed and mastered.

The various songs feature elements of classical, cinema soundtrack, and pop, but always with a unique “something else” that makes Long’s pieces truly special. Some tracks pulse with power and energy and others flow with warm melodicism.

Pianist/keyboardist David Wahler just keeps getting better with every album. On Mosaic, he paints sonic landscapes by combining a sizable variety of keyboard sounds. However, but no matter whether he’s employing piano, synth strings, twinkling tones, angelic chorales, or ambient textures, Wahler’s rich warmth and unmistakable sense of well-being are present in each melody. On Mosaic, he elevates his musical talent to a higher level, approaching the artistry of Kevin Kendle (who I have considered the best New Age keyboard artist for years). Perfect for playing while daydreaming by the window, Mosaic will leave everyone who listens to it feeling refreshed and renewed.

CHECK OUT OUR FULL CD CATALOG IDEAL FOR SPA, YOGA, MEDITATION AND THE HEALING ARTS.

Available through MVD Entertainment MVDEntertainment.com | NewEarthRecords.com

Inspired Living | retailinginsight.com 63

Music with Vision

playlist

Bill Binkelman

DAVID & STEVE GORDON #1 AT NEW LEAF OVER A YEAR!

Alive Inside the Tank Mysteries of The Night Silver Wave Records www.silverwave.com

CHAKRA BALANCE

Healing Music for Meditation & Yoga The most popular chakra Music CD — stock up!

TOP SELLING MUSIC & NATURE CD OF ALL TIME!

From one of the most storied labels in the history of New Age/Native American music, Silver Wave, comes a recording that epitomizes the term “haunting.” Mysteries of the Night are James Marienthal (flutes and percussion) and Sarah Gibbons (vocals, hand drums, percussion). Their album was recorded inside “The Tank” (Center for Sonic Arts). Truly amazing sounds flow throughout the recording due to the reverberations which occur when Marienthal’s flutes and Gibbon’s wordless vocals rebound off the walls of this cavernous structure. Ethereal, mystical, yet also primal at times, you simply have to hear this album. My words cannot do it justice. A must-have album!

GARDEN OF SERENITY The most used healing music by massage therapists worldwide.

“Our #1 selling label is the Gordons’ Sequoia Records.” – New Leaf Distributing “David & Steve Gordon create the music customers want and their CDs are top sellers at White Swan.” – Selena, Sales Mgr, White Swan

ORDER TODAY! CALL 800.519.9078

ASK ABOUT FREE DEMOS SequoiaRecords.com

64 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

Beautiful Song Anne Trenning and Friends Shadetree Productions www.annetrenning.com

Pianist Anne Trenning invited a host of folks to accompany her on Beautiful Song—too many to list here. Some notables include Bill Leslie (Celtic

flute), Ciro Hurtado (guitar), and Jeff Oster (flugelhorn) but everyone featured “brings their best stuff” on the album.

Trenning specializes in piano music that offers up sincere feelings of nostalgia, innocence and romance, evoking a more genteel time in the world. Featuring six originals and five covers, the artist’s taste in the latter is certainly eclectic, running from Neil Young’s “Helpless” to Maurice Jarrè’s soundtrack for the film Witness (“Building the Barn). Trenning and her many friends delight at every turn.

Rising Vicente Avella Pandora’s Boombox Records www.vicenteavella.com

Every now and then a recording crosses my desk that defies easy categorization, presenting a particularly unique musical vision. Pianist Vicente Avella’s Rising is one such album. It’s overly simplistic to label it neo-classical (although the Eclipse [string] quartet features prominently throughout), because the album also embraces orchestral pop, cinema, chill, New Age, and perhaps a few more genres. Despite a myriad of musical flavors, the album’s cohesion stems from Avella’s performing, composing, and arranging talents. Many songs on Rising are bursting with dramatic tension, grabbing the listener’s attention with gentle forcefulness. The title track is a stunner but every song is an out-and-out winner!

Bill Binkelman has been reviewing New Age, ambient, and world music since 1997. Email him at bill@retailinginsight.com.

Retailing Insight 3-2018_Layout 1 2/28/18 4:44 PM P

Vernon Howard

Books, MP3 CDs & More Esoteric Encyclopedia of Eternal Knowledge

This book features a complete encyclopedic course in esoteric knowledge. Be guided toward the lofty life your heart desires.

$13.95 ISBN 978-1-943362-37-0

The Mystic Path to Cosmic Power

Vernon Howard’s classic best selling book. Over one million copies sold. Packed with practical answers for daily living.

$11.95 ISBN 978-1-934162-63-7

More titles available from:

DeVorss ▪ 800-843-5743 New Leaf ▪ 800-326-2665 New Life Foundation ▪ 800-293-3377 (Publisher) Order Today!

“I’m thrilled to carry Vernon Howard books and booklets.

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Cannabis for Seniors

by Beverly A. Potter, Ph.D.

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Pot is becoming the “pill alternative” for Seniors—the fastest growing group of cannabis users in USA—for pain, inflammation, chemo recovery, and avoiding opioid addiction.

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takefive

Inspirational Websites

by Kim Perkins

Where do you get your juice? Running a business can be a solitary venture with the primary focus on managing, problem solving, and planning. It’s easy to forget the very important step of refilling your internal coffers and allowing time and space for quiet reflection and rejuvenation. Listed below are a few websites that provide a quick inspirational message or self-help idea to set a positive tone for the day.

1

Zen Habits www.zenhabits.net Zen Habits, a site created by author Leo Babauta, is about finding simplicity and mindfulness in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter to focus on what’s important, creating something amazing, and finding happiness. It was named one of the Top 25 blogs by Time Magazine and has over a million readers. Mr. Babauta sends inspirational messages to your email inbox twice a week, free of charge, and has a treasure trove of useful archives to peruse.

2

DailyOm ww.dailyom.com DailyOm offers Inspirational messages that change regularly. If you arrow down to the bottom of the page, you can click on the “Inspirations” tab and see the last 10 or so recent inspirational messages. These writings are geared more towards personal inspiration than business, but they are wellwritten and definitely offer something to think about. And if you click on the “Manifesting and Money” tab, you will find inspirational messages focused on money and success that you can read for free. The site also offers online courses, such as the Art of Spiritual Business with Marc Allen, successful author and publisher, which you can take for a very reasonable fee with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

3

Huffington Post Community Kindness www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/community-kindness If reading about good deeds and helping others inspires you, try the Huffington Post Community Kindness site. You will find an array of stories including one about a woman who created Food Pantry boxes,

66 May/June 2018 | retailinginsight.com

placed in front of churches or community centers, to share groceries and staples with those in need, another about a community that raised money to purchase a wheel-chair friendly van so two paralyzed brothers could travel together, and a video about a 9-year-old girl who took it upon herself to provide hand-made cloth bags filled with toiletries to homeless women in LA. It’s definitely a feel-good site and can inspire us to do even more to help our brothers and sisters.

4

Calm www.calm.com Calm.com is designed to bring more calm, clarity and joy into our lives. And to help let go of stress and anxiety. Begin with the 7 days of mindfulness and move onto 21 days of calm. Daily segments are 10 to 14 minutes long and well worth the time investment. Both are free programs that only require your first name and email to participate. If you like what you hear, there are other free offerings or you can pay a $12.99 monthly fee (or the yearly plan at $59.99) and enjoy all the site has to offer.

5

Eckhart Tolle Weekly Present Moment Reminders www.eckharttolle.com Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual teacher and author who was born in Germany and educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge. At the age of 29, a profound inner transformation radically changed the course of his life. He is the author of two of my personal favorites – Power of Now and A New Earth. At his site, you can sign up for free weekly Present Moment Reminders – inspirational quotes to remind us that it is our resistance to life that creates most of our discomfort.

Kim Perkins is a business consultant, author and national speaker. She was co-owner of Elysian Fields, Books & Gifts for Conscious Living, an award-winning store in Sarasota, FL, for over 20 years. As a consultant, Kim specializes in helping small businesses achieve financial health and excellent employee relations. She can be reached at Kim@kimberlykperkins.com.

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