Summary Donovan Bankhead and E.J. Dombrowski discuss their friendship and the impact of reaching out to each other. They talk about the challenges of running a music store, being resourceful, and staying competitive in the industry. They also touch on the importance of automation and delegation in order to focus on innovation and growth. The conversation highlights the constant need for adaptation and the role of competition in driving improvement. They share their experiences of starting and expanding their music stores, as well as the lessons they've learned along the way. Creating a culture ..read more

So, what’s it like for someone with only a high school education (and a guitar player, no less) to take over one of the top music retail businesses in Nebraska? What lessons did he learn along the way to pay off millions in debt and keep growing? Take a listen to find out! Now also available on Youtube! Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/sup ..read more

Leslie and I talk about how IMC came to be, the difficulties she has with dealing with all of the COVID stuff, the difficulties of starting a store from scratch, and so much more!  Also, now available with video on YouTube!  Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/support ..read more

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

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

Why would you put an $8,000 guitar in a beginner's hands? What's the advantage of group lessons over private? When's the right time to close a lesson sale? Listen and learn! Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.  Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/s ..read more

This episode we discuss leadership, what to do when you've hit the ceiling, how to get the most out of your video content, and so much more. If you'd like video or marketing help, reach out to gabe at Gabriel@upperhandstudios.com or visit his website Upperhandstudios.com.  Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.  Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com ..read more

Topics include:Family business succession, college education for retail store owners, rental growth through aquisition and how to keep those new customers, finding road reps, the RTO changes in the 90s, the value of value brands, long range planning, and how to make the most of your NAMM show. Whew!  Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.  Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com --- Send in a voice message: ht ..read more

Yet ANOTHER interview from a NAMM Top 100 Dealer of the Year! Cindy and Rand Cook share their thoughts, insights, and the challenges they see in our industry and in running their business as it celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary.  Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.  Want help with your business? Find Articles, Resources, and Coaching/Consulting services at http://www.musicretailconsulting.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicretail/message Support this po ..read more

Do you ever feel as if there’s a bottleneck at your store? Your staff is constantly coming to you with questions, complaints and concerns, and you start to develop “decision fatigue.” (It’s a real thing—look it up.) This is one of the biggest reasons businesses fail to grow. Don’t be the lid on your organization! In this presentation, Will Mason of Mason Music will cover four basic but incredibly effective techniques that will help you better train and empower your team to run the business for you. Mason leads a team of 60 people at four different locations, and he attributes his company’s gro ..read more