About the Founder

Nicole Leinbach Reyhle is an experienced retail and wholesale professional who has a passion for small businesses. After graduating with a degree in Retail Business Management from Columbia College Chicago, Reyhle worked within the buying offices of Sears Corporation. Within the following years, Reyhle began working in the wholesale environment with such companies as Franco Sarto Footwear, Via Spiga Footwear and Accessories and Adidas America. Holding both regional and national marketing roles, Reyhle worked with retailers that included Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, and Dillard’s. In addition to her work with national retailers and brands, Reyhle communicated with major media outlets that included Vogue, O Magazine, Lucky, and more. During this time, however, Reyhle preferred working with small to mid size businesses and often offered her professional experience to them to advance their recognition, sales, and overall position in the marketplace.

In 2007, Reyhle founded Retail Minded in an effort to support small businesses throughout the United States. In addition to her work with Retail Minded, Reyhle is an instructor at Columbia College Chicago, teaching various retail and writing courses. Reyhle also routinely contributes to a variety of professional retail trade publications that  include Earnshaw’s, Baby Shop Magazine and various online sites such as Nolcha.com. In addition, Reyhle is part of the International Academy of Design and Technology’s Fashion Merchandising Advisory Board while also frequently guest speaking at various retail trade shows and workshops for retailers and designers. Her writing for her professional blog, The Blog by Retail Minded, is also recognized by Forbes.com as a “Thought Leader” in the business sector of retail.

Reyhle resides in Chicago, Illinois with her husband, two young children and their weimaraner dog. Contact Reyhle directly by emailing her at nicole@retailminded.com.