Get your business off the ground with a killer brand and get the sales you want!

It's a great time to be an independent retailer! Whether you're a novice or seasoned professional, this practical how-to guide shows you how to start and run your business in today's marketplace -- from your original dream and the day-to-day operations to establishing a connection with customers and increasing your sales, both on the Web and at a brick-and-mortar shop.

Get lessons from real-life experience -- the author shares his expertise in retail business (from his mistakes to his triumphs) and reveals what it takes to be successful

Master all the basics of launching and growing a retail business -- from writing a business plan and finding a great location to hiring and keeping great staff

Meet and exceed the expectations of today's consumer -- discover how to create positive shopping experiences, provide top-notch customer service, and earn customer loyalty

Spread the word without going broke -- find out how to differentiate your business, generate word-of-mouth advertising, and plan effective sales and promotions

Bonus CD Includes

Forms, templates, and samples to simplify your business, from managing employees and inventory to tracking financial performance, creating sales and marketing tools, and adding signage to your store

See the CD appendix for details and complete system requirements.

Open the book and find:

The 10 keys to retailing success

How to design stores that work

Where and how to buy merchandise

The best ways to make your business memorable

Expert tips for building your Web site and selling online

Advice for handling legal and accountingissues

In-the-trenches, proven management practices

A crash course in the art of selling

This book is a collection of Rick's favorite business and life quotes from the famous to the infamous, to the everyday person who utters those memorable words that we never forget. Many of these quotes are words to live by, thoughts to ponder or just brief moments of enlightenment or discovery.

Why does a retailer opt for one vendor over another? It's not about cost cutting. Generally, it comes down to the "R" word: relationships. The better your relationship with a retailer, the more likely she is to give you her business. In this deeply informative book, retail expert Rick Segel offers a wealth of ideas, tactics, and concepts you can use to become a valued "must-have" resource to your retail customers. You'll learn how to: Educate your retailers while positioning yourself as an expert in your industry Create retailer friendly, store-focused co-op advertising Work with your customers to hold promotions that pay Help your retailers create and maintain a web presence Use tradeshows as powerful relationship-building events "Rick nailed it His book is right on the mark. I have been selling to retailers for 30 years; I just wish I would have had this book when I first got started."- Steve Lang, Chairman of the Board, Mon Cheri Bridals "Just when I thought I knew everything about servicing my retailers, Rick comes out with this book that makes me rethink everything I am doing. Thanks, Rick " - Sal Macaluso, CEO, EFashion Central

Rick Segel and Matthew Hudson, PhD have simplified the retail selling process into a user-friendly book filled with concepts that are memorable, easy to master, easy to use and will become a part of the salesperson's persona almost immediately. In this book you will learn The G.R.E.A.T. Selling System, which is an acronym for the 5 stages of selling Greeting, Researching, Experimenting, Add-ons and Tethering a customer to the store Ways to increase every sales associate's ATS, Average Transaction Size Ways to increase every sales associate's UTS, Units Per Transaction The greatest opening line ever written with proven results The four words that increase a retailer's sales by 4 to 7 percent almost immediately The five most powerful words that will engage the customer in conversation, learn the customer's true wants and needs and can establish trust instantly

Break the rules of traditional business for the sake of the most important bottom line. Yours This collection of tools and stories will serve as a blueprint for business success while you enjoy the process. Improve your organization by understanding inclusionary humor and other principles that will become part of your life. Humor, it's not just for advertising anymore Learn "HOW TO" strategically use humor to: - Build stronger client & employee relationships - Differentiate yourself from the competition in any industry - Sell more - Decrease employee turnover REAL STORIES Behind the Laugh & Get Rich Philosophy - A company that went from zero to $6 million in six years - An HR expert who hires with humor - Furniture + Fun = $$$ - A small business built with a porcelain pig