A Q&A With Reyhle About New Magazine

There’s been a lot of buzz and excitement surrounding Retail Minded’s announcement of launching a publication to support retailers and wholesalers. One question that keeps popping up is “why”. Retail Minded’s Nicole Leinbach Reyhle answers some popular questions regarding the new magazine and more.

Why are you introducing yet another magazine to the trade marketplace?

There are many amazing publications for retailers and wholesalers alike, however I never felt there was something that truly catered to the lifestyle that many independent retailers live. From in their stores to out of their stores, the business of retail surrounds them in so many aspects of their lives. I wanted to create something that is both business savvy and personally fun for retailers and wholesalers to enjoy.

Who is your target audience?

Independent retailers – both brick and mortar and e-commerce – as well as the service providers and wholesalers that support them are my target audience. Retail Minded Magazine is all about “boutique” businesses and living, so modern day mom & pop shops are truly my audience. Whether they have one store, ten stores or sell into 100 stores, they are my audience. The key is wanting to relate, understand and embrace boutique business ways.

Why is Retail Minded Magazine just a quarterly magazine and not a monthly or bi-monthly publication?

Just like much of our retail audience, Retail Minded does a lot alone. In other words, I am a one woman show with some amazing contributors to help support all aspects of my business. In launching the magazine, I wanted to focus on creating honest, informative content with time for practical retail research – in the field and with real communities. This meant I needed cushier deadlines, so quarterly just made sense. Additionally, I did not want Retail Minded Magazine to be driven by advertisers, so this also meant a tighter budget and a fuller work plate.

$39.95 for four magazines may seem high to some. Why this rate?

Advertisers are great, and we plan to have some great sponsors who we believe in and likewise, they believe in us. But it’s not our intention to solicit advertisers just to get the magazine fuller (plus, we’d rather be in the field doing research!). Our price simply covers production and shipping, offering our readers an amazing resource that they can archive for future reference.

You mention “fun” when describing Retail Minded Magazine. How do you plan to deliver “fun” through Retail Minded?

What I always love about many independent retailers and wholesalers is their sincere interest in what they do. They actually enjoy going to work, which is rare in today’s world. This is where the fun comes in. I want to highlight these experiences, as well as enhance them. I also want to help others who don’t love what they do learn how to achieve this in their own lifestyles.

You take a big approach towards educating retailers – which reflects in your blog – and believe constant education is important. Can you explain?

I love to learn and feel that there is always a lot to learn in life and in business. My strengths may be another person’s  weaknesses, and vice versa. By sharing, educating and teaching through Retail Minded, it’s my hope someone from a background that isn’t retail can still become retail savvy. And even with a retail background, I still believe there will always be more to learn. (Editors note: Reyhle is also part of the Adjunct Faculty at Columbia College Chicago in their Retail Business Department)

Have more questions for Reyhle? Let us know! Please email Reyhle directly at nicole@retailminded.com or post your comments or questions below. Thank you.

To learn more about Retail Minded Magazine, visit www.retailminded.com/magazine.