Ben Borkowski of Marich Music and Taylor Harnois discuss how Ben found a way to take his skills as an instrument repair technician and built a successful business.

They discuss how software solutions helped him focus his business and shed the load of paperwork and other hassles. Ben shared what he learned about how to grow a nearly 50 year-old local music shop into a thriving online business using tactics and strategies that you may not have expected.

-- SPECIAL PROMOTION --
For listeners of this podcast, Music Shop 360 is offering 50% off your start-up costs.
► Visit https://get.musicshop360.com/podcast to schedule a demo and redeem this offer.

-- EPISODE PAGE --
For a transcript, episode summary, and highlights, visit:
► https://musicshop360.com/interviews/start-a-profitable-instrument-rental-program-with-ben-borkowski/

-- LISTEN ON OTHER PLATFORMS --
Apple Podcasts ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail/id1615109715
Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/4NS1n4qCOhmm00GUSyJQ3T
Google Podcasts ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1tdXNpYy1zaG9wLWNvbnZlcnNhdGlvbnMtaW4tbXVzaWMtcmV0YWls
Amazon Music ► https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/13bd7a3b-d56b-4676-bc3f-6831e917dfe4/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail
Deezer ► https://www.deezer.com/show/3519307

Taylor Harnois and Jamie Major, seller engagement manager at Reverb, talk about using the platform at reverb.com to help improve online sales.

They talk about how the Reverb platform can help sellers of any size bring more visibility to their music shop and make more sales.

-- SPECIAL PROMOTION --
For listeners of this podcast, Music Shop 360 is offering 50% off your start-up costs.
► Visit https://get.musicshop360.com/podcast to schedule a demo and redeem this offer.

-- EPISODE PAGE --
For a transcript, episode summary, and highlights, visit:
► https://musicshop360.com/interviews/jamie-major-reverb-selling-music-gear-online/

-- LISTEN ON OTHER PLATFORMS --
Apple Podcasts ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail/id1615109715
Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/4NS1n4qCOhmm00GUSyJQ3T
Google Podcasts ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1tdXNpYy1zaG9wLWNvbnZlcnNhdGlvbnMtaW4tbXVzaWMtcmV0YWls
Amazon Music ► https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/13bd7a3b-d56b-4676-bc3f-6831e917dfe4/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail
Deezer ► https://www.deezer.com/show/3519307

Taylor Harnois and Tara Noble talk about the challenges and rewards of specialization in the retail music industry. Tara discusses the benefits of building lasting relationships based on expertise and the network of drummers she associates with.

Tara also shares some of her insight and advice she learned from years working in the retail industry.

-- KEY INSIGHTS --

• When you do a better job than anyone else, customers will come looking for you.
• Building great customer relationships will pay long term dividends.
• Serving a niche community can be very profitable.
• Identify customers beyond your intense professionals.
• Learn to be adaptable.

-- SPECIAL PROMOTION --
For listeners of this podcast, Music Shop 360 is offering 50% off your start-up costs.
► Visit https://get.musicshop360.com/podcast to schedule a demo and redeem this offer.

-- EPISODE PAGE --
For a transcript, episode summary, and highlights, visit:
► https://musicshop360.com/interviews/tara-noble-dubs-drum-basement-long-term-customer-relationships/

-- LISTEN ON OTHER PLATFORMS --
Apple Podcasts ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail/id1615109715
Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/4NS1n4qCOhmm00GUSyJQ3T
Google Podcasts ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1tdXNpYy1zaG9wLWNvbnZlcnNhdGlvbnMtaW4tbXVzaWMtcmV0YWls
Amazon Music ► https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/13bd7a3b-d56b-4676-bc3f-6831e917dfe4/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail
Deezer ► https://www.deezer.com/show/3519307

Taylor Harnois and Carolyn Iga talk about what started as a love for music developed into an entrepreneurial adventure in music instruction.

Carolyn’s restless nature led her to look for a new way to blend a music school and retail music shop and how she found tools and models to help support her passion for music and her desire to serve and elevate her community.

-- KEY INSIGHTS --
- Let your business be an extension of yourself.
- Find a community that supports your goals.
- Decide what you can do and don’t worry about the competition.
- Support your business with tools and software that take away obstacles.
- Build relationships in your community and it will pay dividends.

-- SPECIAL PROMOTION --
For listeners of this podcast, Music Shop 360 is offering 50% off your start-up costs.
► Visit https://get.musicshop360.com/podcast to schedule a demo and redeem this offer.

-- EPISODE PAGE --
For a transcript, episode summary, and highlights, visit:
► https://musicshop360.com/interviews/carolyn-iga-neighborhood-music-school-fostering-a-cultural-community/

-- LISTEN ON OTHER PLATFORMS --
Apple Podcasts ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail/id1615109715
Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/4NS1n4qCOhmm00GUSyJQ3T
Google Podcasts ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1tdXNpYy1zaG9wLWNvbnZlcnNhdGlvbnMtaW4tbXVzaWMtcmV0YWls
Amazon Music ► https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/13bd7a3b-d56b-4676-bc3f-6831e917dfe4/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail
Deezer ► https://www.deezer.com/show/3519307

David Bozich and Michelle Ventura talk with Taylor Harnois about the challenges of running a music store in a small town. They discuss how going online has enabled them to find audiences outside of the market and better serve local musicians.

They detailed how refining their business processes has helped streamline their business. They also discuss how taking advantage of the tools your store’s software can help you take control of your business and give you insight to help make important decisions.

-- KEY INSIGHTS --

- Use technology to expand your market.

- Take advantage of all the tools you have available.

- Make your revenue drivers things that can not be found online.

- Don’t underestimate the amount of clerical work that needs to be done.

- Work on your business processes.

-- GUEST BIO --

Enumclaw Music is a full-service music store, family owned and run in the heart of Enumclaw, Washington. The store has been open for 35 years. David Bozich bought the store 10 years ago. Michelle Ventura joined Enumclaw music a few years ago and is preparing to take over the store.

-- SPECIAL PROMOTION --

For listeners of this podcast, Music Shop 360 is offering 50% off your start-up costs.

► Visit https://get.musicshop360.com/podcast to schedule a demo and redeem this offer.

-- EPISODE PAGE --

For a transcript, episode summary, and highlights, visit:

► https://musicshop360.com/interviews/enumclaw-music-serving-the-music-community/

Episode Summary

Taylor Harnois and Genevieve Swift of Lashof Violins talk about the history and tradition of running a violin shop with decades of presence in Maryland.

Genevieve tells the story of how she and her business partner met and decided to pursue the manufacturing of fine string instruments. They talk about the importance of accumulating expertise in your organization and communicating that to your clientele to help them understand the value of your craftsmanship.

Key Insights

• Be passionate about the industry.
• Know your business.
• Find tools that enable you to do more with your staff.
• Demonstrate your expertise.
• Be open to change.

-- SPECIAL PROMOTION --

For listeners of this podcast, Music Shop 360 is offering 50% off your start-up costs.

► Visit https://get.musicshop360.com/podcast to schedule a demo and redeem this offer.

-- EPISODE PAGE --

For a transcript, episode summary, and highlights, visit:

► https://musicshop360.com/interviews/genevieve-swift-lashof-violins-providing-a-personalized-experience/

-- GUEST BIO --

Genevieve Swift is one of the co-owners and master luthiers of Lashof Violins. Genevieve has been a luthier at Lashof Violins for almost 20 years and helps direct all aspects of the business while wearing many hats in her additional roles as a repair and sheet music specialist.

► https://www.lashofviolins.com/

In this episode Taylor Harnois talks with Music Shop 360’s data migration experts Neils and Jesse. They talk through common migration concerns for shop owners and how they address data when converting to a new point-of-sale software.

They talk about the solutions they have found to migrate historical data from almost all existing systems. Neils and Jesse also discuss the various types of data that most shop owners want to have in a new system.

-- SPECIAL PROMOTION --

For listeners of this podcast, Music Shop 360 is offering 50% off your start-up costs.

► Visit https://get.musicshop360.com/podcast to schedule a demo and redeem this offer.

-- EPISODE PAGE --

For a transcript, episode summary, and highlights, visit:

► https://musicshop360.com/interviews/migrating-your-data-with-music-shop-360/

-- LISTEN ON OTHER PLATFORMS --

Apple Podcasts ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail/id1615109715

Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/4NS1n4qCOhmm00GUSyJQ3T

Google Podcasts ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1tdXNpYy1zaG9wLWNvbnZlcnNhdGlvbnMtaW4tbXVzaWMtcmV0YWls

Amazon Music ► https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/13bd7a3b-d56b-4676-bc3f-6831e917dfe4/the-music-shop-conversations-in-music-retail

Deezer ► https://www.deezer.com/show/3519307

Casey Green and Taylor Harnois talk about the joy of operating a music shop focused on delivering excellent used gear to musicians. They discuss the importance of focusing your shop’s product mix and looking for ways to differentiate your business.

Used equipment can be a challenge, but if you know what you're try to sell and how to communicate with your customers, you’ll find success.

-- SPECIAL PROMOTION --

For listeners of this podcast, Music Shop 360 is offering 50% off your start-up costs.

► Visit https://get.musicshop360.com/podcast to schedule a demo and redeem this offer.

-- EPISODE PAGE --

For a transcript, episode summary, and highlights, visit:

► https://musicshop360.com/interviews/casey-green-guitarma-creating-a-welcoming-atmosphere/