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Keep up on the industry news and information that will help you keep your business moving forward.

podcasts

  • How to Grow Sales With pop up shops

    A lot of product-based businesses enjoy working in pop-up shops to get visibility for their products and to get quick cash in the door.

    Today on the podcast, I spoke with Nicole Simms, CEO of Creative Visual Solutions. Nicole is a retail design expert and had a lot to share on the podcast.

    On today's podcast, you'll walk away knowing:

    The benefits of doing pop-up shops and how you can grow your sales instantly by doing them.

    Learn about places that let you set up pop-up shops to exhibit your products.

    Discover the ins and outs of pop-up shops, so you do them correctly for the best sales.

    Learn why your booth shouldn't be to cluttered.

    We share why you should group your products by category or department.

    We discuss why signage is essential, as well as the kinds of signs you should use and where to get them made up.

    Find out why lighting is essential for showing off your products in a pop-up shop environment and so much more.

  • How To Wow your retail and wholesale customers

    Are customers even buying right now?

    Are retailers looking for new products?

    In this episode of the FastTrack Your Fashion Brand Podcast, I sat down with Nichole Simms, a retail and visual merchandising expert with experience across multiple big brands like Gap, Ann Taylor, and Forever21. Nichole’s experience in fashion management and virtual merchandising gives her a unique insider perspective on what buyers are actually looking for. Nichole’s specialty is helping retailers create a mission and message that backs their products and keeps customers and buyers interested in their brand.

    Social media and e-commerce are becoming more popular during COVID and as fashionprenuers, we need to adapt to how customers are buying and what's encouraging them to return.

    This episode is packed with incredible wisdom and tips on working with buyers and keeping your business adaptable. Get out your pens and pencils because this episode is packed with creative ideas and tools to help you and your business thrive!

  • 3 Merchandising Must Have's for Successful Pop Up Shop

    In this powerful and insightful interview, Nichole uses her 30+years of retail and visual merchandising experience to give her top 3 visual merchandising must-haves for having a successful Pop Up Shop.

    Nichole feels

    Learn what you really need to do to have your next Pop Up stand out and the things you really don’t need to focus on.

  • A Retail Conversation

    Nichole Simms shares her insight on retail store management, with a focus on employee team building, leadership, and customer engagement. She stresses the importance of clear communication around strategy, goals, and expected outcomes.

  • Merchandising Secrets For Boutique Success

    In this episode, we visit with Nichole Simms, the CEO & founder of Creative Visual Solutions - a Sales and Merchandising agency specializing in helping boutique and small retail owners build & expand their brands.

  • Fashion and Branding Convo on Black Fashion World Foundation

    A real and in-depth conversation all Fashion and Retail Brands should hear. We discuss in detail what a Fashion brand needs to know and have to create a Fashion Brand that is both sustainable and profitable. This conversation with Carla the Founder of Black Fashion World covers everything from branding, marketing, and how to truly scale a fashion brand.

    This is a must see conversation!

Articles

4 Key Strategies Small Retailers Need for a Healthy Business

Chief among them: Know who you are and have a plan.

By Nichole Simms August 26, 2020


3 Ways Visual Merchandising Is a Retailer's Secret Weapon to Win The Holidays

Engage more with customers, solidify your brand presence and make your sales goals as you round out 2020.

By Nichole Simms Updated: December 21, 2020




The Lack of Diversity in Retail: How Being an African-American in the Retail Industry Gave Me a Competitive Edge

I stopped being distracted by being the minority and started using the unique perspective it gave me.

By Nichole Simms March 17, 2021


3 Reasons the Future is Still Bright for Small Retail

Brick and mortar retail will survive and thrive post-pandemic. Here's how they can compete with the e-commerce market.

By Nichole Simms September 9, 2021


4 Ways to Have a Successful Winter Season

Build a comprehensive sales and marketing plan to set your business up for success even after the holidays.

By Nichole Simms December 24, 2021

4 Ways Black Female-led Retail brands Changed The Game

Black women have pioneered numerous successful strategies that all small retailers could learn from.

By Nichole Simms March 8, 2022

retail and small business articles

4 WAYS USING TECHNOLOGY IN RETAIL CAN INCREASE SALES

Technology can help tell your brand’s story, create an overall mood, direct and highlight where your customers should go, and help you be creative with how you communicate ideas to your customers.

Below are 4 ways in which your store can use simple types of technology to create an enhanced customer experience which in turn will boost your sales.





4 WAYS VISUAL MERCHANDISING IMPROVES CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ENGAGEMENT

With the amount of competition out there, retailers are looking for new and better ways to stand out in the crowd. Most are looking at bigger and better ads, having a great online store, and a growing presence on Social Media.

Your Visual Merchandising strategy is the key to ensuring your customers enjoy their time in your store, have engagement with your brand, and are encouraged to buy from you. 

Here are 4 Visual Merchandising tips that will help boost your store’s Customer Service and Engagement (and ultimately your sales).



Four Tips On Executing A Profitable Pop-Up Shop

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 BY PUBLISHER

by Nichole Simms

Pop-up shops have become a growing trend for boutiques and retailers to expand their customer base and business revenue over the past couple of years. Not only do they drive lots of sales, but pop-ups are also a great way to grow your brand and increase exposure to target customers.

If you haven’t heard of this new trend or are unsure how you can set up a successful one for your type of retail business, here are four tips on setting up your own pop-up shop and ensuring that it is a success.

linkedin articles

How the Challenges of Being a Black Women in Tech Led This CEO to Carve Out Her Own Pathway to Success

Meet the CEO of Capitol Consulting Group LLC, Claudia Pilgrim. She is a true trailblazer because she is one of the few Black Women who heads a successful Tech Firm. Get the behind the scenes look at how she became successful and by navigating through the crazy and low diverse world of Tech.