135. How to Navigate Retail Challenges with Terresa Zimmerman
Join Eitan Koter as he sits down with Terresa Zimmerman, the founder and CEO of Wood Underwear. What started as a quest for something meaningful turned into a 13-year journey in the men’s underwear industry, a focus on wholesale, and a deep connection to independent retail.
Terresa shares candidly about the ups and downs of running her own brand, from discovering a love for Main Street businesses to the power of using storytelling to engage customers. She also highlights the challenges facing small retailers today and why younger shoppers are still looking for those in-person experiences.
This conversation is packed with takeaways for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone curious about building a brand with purpose.
Website: https://www.vimmi.net
Email us: info@vimmi.net
Podcast website: https://vimmi.net/mastering-ecommerce-marketing/
Talk to us on Social:
LinkedIn Eitan Koter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eitankoter/
LinkedIn Vimmi: https://il.linkedin.com/company/vimmi
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VimmiCommunications
Guest: Terresa Zimmerman, Founder/CEO of Wood Underwear
Creator and Host at Main Street Matters
LinkedIn Terresa Zimmerman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terresachristensonzimmerman/
Wood Underwear: https://www.woodunderwear.com/
Watch the full Youtube video here:
https://youtu.be/lnwUzsLm4j4
Takeaways:
- Terresa's passion for Main Street drives her various initiatives.
- Independent retail offers unique opportunities for connection and community.
- Real-world experience provides lessons that classroom education cannot.
- Balancing operations and innovation is crucial for business success.
- Building a strong company culture starts with leading by example.
- Generalists play a vital role in connecting different aspects of business.
- Brands must evolve in response to market changes and internal introspection.
- Storytelling is a powerful tool for engaging customers and building brand loyalty.
- Independent retailers face staffing challenges but have unique opportunities in the market.
- Wood Underwear was born from a desire to create a unique product for men.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Terresa Zimmerman and Her Ventures
03:05 The Passion for Main Street and Independent Retail
05:47 Lessons from Real-World Experience vs. Classroom Learning
09:06 Balancing Operations and Innovation in Business
11:55 Building a Strong Company Culture and Team
14:54 The Importance of Generalists in Business
17:52 Identifying When a Brand Needs to Evolve
20:52 The Power of Storytelling in Business
23:52 Challenges and Opportunities for Independent Retailers
27:02 The Journey of Wood Underwear
29:48 The Impact of the Podcast and Book on Retail Stories