Are you tired of feeling like your store is the "best kept secret" in town? In this bonus episode, Crystal Vilkaitis, dives deep into the "hellscape" of Meta Ads Manager to show you why Facebook and Instagram ads are the ultimate irrigation system for your business. Crystal explains how to move beyond "hoping for rain" with organic posts and instead take control of your visibility, foot traffic, and sales through strategic amplification.

This high-level guide provides the clarity you need to turn up the volume on your brand and become "15-mile famous."

[1:45] The Hamilton Metaphor: Why ads are the "lighting and sound" of your retail stage.

[5:10] The 1-7% Rule: The harsh reality of organic reach and why you can't rely on "rain."

[8:30] Success Metrics: Why looking for sales alone is tunnel vision and what else to track.

[12:15] The Power of the Pivot: How ads grow your email list and drive event attendance.

[16:40] 15-Mile Famous: Leveraging local awareness to become a community legend.

[20:10] Old School vs. New School: Why targeting is dead and "Creative" is the new algorithm driver.

[24:35] The Importance of Clean Data: Why Meta needs good signals to optimize your spend.

[27:15] AI in Ads: Why you still need a human in the loop to avoid "lazy" brand damage.

[28:50] Ad Strategies for Brick-and-Mortar vs. E-commerce.

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers

Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch!

Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Are you chasing trends or building a brand that feels like you? In this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis chats with Tori Dahl, founder of The Dahl Farmhouse, about the power of staying true to your unique vision—even if that means breaking all the retail rules. Tori shares her incredible journey from working on the opening team of Anthropologie to launching her own lifestyle boutique and fragrance line. She reveals the serendipitous "Actor Story" that led to her storefront, her philosophy on why you should "sell the pink pants" if you love them (regardless of trends), and how to create a sensory experience that makes customers feel right at home.

If you’re a retailer feeling the pressure to do it all or look like everyone else, this episode will inspire you to set boundaries, trust your instincts, and grow with intention.

[0:40] Tori’s background: From the airport gift shop to the opening team of Anthropologie

[2:15] The "Pink Pants" Philosophy: Why you should sell what you love, regardless of trends

[4:30] The origin of the fragrance line and the problem with candles

[6:45] The "Actor Story": A chance gym encounter that led to a storefront

[11:15] Grow with Intention, Not Imitation: Why you shouldn't worry about trends

[15:00] Authenticity in action: Refusing to carry popular items (like patchouli or leopard print) because they don't align with the brand

[18:00] Learning to "color outside the lines" and building self-trust

[22:30] Battling burnout: Why The Dahl Farmhouse is only open 4 days a week

[28:00] Sensory retail tips: How lighting changes the emotional experience of a shop

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers

Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch!

Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

It’s the beginning of the year, and for independent retailers, knowing what consumers are buying is half the battle. In this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis sits down with Anjarae Hamilton, Head of Retailer Sales and Account Management at FAIRE, to break down the highly anticipated 2026 Faire Forecast.

Anjarae reveals the four major data-backed trends shaping consumer behavior this year, all centered around the theme of "self-expression". From the rise of "Well-Read" retreats to the maximalism of "More is More," this conversation provides a roadmap for what to stock to stay relevant. Beyond the trends, Anjarae shares crucial strategies for staying profitable amidst economic uncertainty, the importance of agility in buying, and how FAIRE is leveraging AI to simplify the search process.

This episode is your ultimate guide to a successful year.

[2:19] Anjarae’s journey from small-town Tennessee to leading sales at FAIRE

[4:43] The 2026 Forecast theme: Investing in the truest self

[5:56] Trend 1: Well-Read—Why books and reading retreats are booming

[6:00] Trend 2: Fanfare—Preparing for the Olympics and World Cup watch parties

[7:08] Trend 3: More is More—The return of maximalism and bold prints

[8:50] Trend 4: Witching Hour—Magic, manifestation, and astrology

[14:53] How successful retailers are adjusting buying habits to stay profitable

[18:08] Using AI and Natural Language Search to find the perfect inventory

[22:25] The "iTunes model" of wholesale: Testing consolidated shipping

[23:44] FAIRE Direct: How to get commission-free orders with existing brand relationships

[26:12] "Point of Slay": Saving time with POS integrations

Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers

Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch!

Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt