the next coastal connections conference will be taking place october 22-24, 2023!
the next coastal connections conference will be taking place october 22-24, 2023!
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
MANAGEMENT ONE
Dane brings more than a decade of experience in the fashion, wholesale, and retail industry to the Management One team. Independent retail is in his blood as he formerly led the retail division of the family-owned chain of specialty department stores, Lester’s. Prior to that, he oversaw the global sales relaunch for the men’s collection of Helmut Lang, working with retailers to build distribution channels and growth strategy. Passionate about the new future of retail, Dane is excited to work with retailers and strategic partners to grow the Management One network and help strengthen independent and family-owned retail businesses. As the Business Development Manager, his diverse background in leading sales and retail teams, brand marketing, events, and merchandising provides him a unique and informed perspective for clients.
FOUNDER AND CEO
SAVVY SHOPKEEPER
Kathy has turned her passion for independent retail into a top rated podcast and online education platform to help brick-and-mortar store owners work smarter, profit more and grow. When she’s not helping others build their retail empires, you may find her at the home decor store she co-owns with her sister,
FOUNDER AND CEO
SAVVY SHOPKEEPER
Kathy has turned her passion for independent retail into a top rated podcast and online education platform to help brick-and-mortar store owners work smarter, profit more and grow. When she’s not helping others build their retail empires, you may find her at the home decor store she co-owns with her sister, sipping coffee, spending time with family and friends, traveling, enjoying a beach or working out.
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
CLARKSTON CONSULTING
Dave’s career in retail spans nearly 20 years with roles in both consulting and corporate
environments. His corporate experience includes time at fashion retailers such as Chico’s FAS and L Brands where his work focused on assortment building, store planning and inventory management. As a consultant,
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
CLARKSTON CONSULTING
Dave’s career in retail spans nearly 20 years with roles in both consulting and corporate
environments. His corporate experience includes time at fashion retailers such as Chico’s FAS and L Brands where his work focused on assortment building, store planning and inventory management. As a consultant, Dave and the Clarkston team focus on solving a variety of challenges for retailers
and wholesalers worldwide. Dave and his family live in Fort Myers, Florida where they enjoy all that
coastal living has to offer.
OWNER
RETAIL REHAB
With 30 years of experience in various retail capacities, Michael Hale and his team make retail spaces more functional and productive. Retail Rehab clients include Inis, Princess Cruises, Lowes Resorts and Sheraton Hotels. Retail Rehab designed the new Inis retail store in Huntington Beach, California, which opened in M
OWNER
RETAIL REHAB
With 30 years of experience in various retail capacities, Michael Hale and his team make retail spaces more functional and productive. Retail Rehab clients include Inis, Princess Cruises, Lowes Resorts and Sheraton Hotels. Retail Rehab designed the new Inis retail store in Huntington Beach, California, which opened in March 2022. The Inis showroom immerses guests in the scents and sensations of the sea, with 1,200 square feet of space and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of palm trees and the Pacific Ocean.
FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
HEART ON MAIN STREET
Patrick Keiser starting a role with the wholesale sales and marketing company OneCoast in 2016. At OneCoast, Patrick found his home working with an organization that services independent retailers around the country. He was able to combine his passions of learning and educating to help others
FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
HEART ON MAIN STREET
Patrick Keiser starting a role with the wholesale sales and marketing company OneCoast in 2016. At OneCoast, Patrick found his home working with an organization that services independent retailers around the country. He was able to combine his passions of learning and educating to help others better serve their communities. In 2021, he conceptualized the idea of bringing together the efforts of companies and organizations that relied on Main Street businesses to provide more tools, resources, and education to retailers across the country. Heart on Main Street was born in 2022.
RETAIL CONSULTANT
RETAIL TRAINING TOOLS
With over 30 years of experience in the retail industry, Cathy is a seasoned professional specializing in the training and coaching of retail professionals and managing multiple store operations. Cathy has created RetailTrainingTools.com, and as a WhizBang Training Certified Retail Coach, she works w
RETAIL CONSULTANT
RETAIL TRAINING TOOLS
With over 30 years of experience in the retail industry, Cathy is a seasoned professional specializing in the training and coaching of retail professionals and managing multiple store operations. Cathy has created RetailTrainingTools.com, and as a WhizBang Training Certified Retail Coach, she works with other retail organizations to train them on best practices within the industry. Through intensive online or in person sessions, Cathy endlessly works to ensure that her clients understand just how to perform most effectively and efficiently in a retail environment.
OWNER
CRYSTAL MEDIA
Crystal is a world-class social media expert and powerful speaker who helps retailers shine online and bring their unique brilliance to the local and global masses. Fueling retailers with confidence to grow their visibility and results, Crystal is on a mission to help Main Street businesses thrive. She founded Crystal
OWNER
CRYSTAL MEDIA
Crystal is a world-class social media expert and powerful speaker who helps retailers shine online and bring their unique brilliance to the local and global masses. Fueling retailers with confidence to grow their visibility and results, Crystal is on a mission to help Main Street businesses thrive. She founded Crystal Media in 2012, where she’s worked with thousands of retailers to increase traffic, sales and profits using social media. She’s shared the stage with industry giants like Martha Stewart, Gary Vaynerchuk, Bethenny Frankel, and Jim Kwik, and hosts the show "Rooted in Retail.
OWNER
PAULINE'S GIFTS
Pauline has owned Pauline’s Gifts in Gloucester, Massachusetts for nearly 25 years. Her involvement in the community over the years includes, serving served as chairwoman on city of Gloucester’s tourism
commission, a member of the Board of Directors of the Gloucester Destination Marketing Organization, and volunteeri
OWNER
PAULINE'S GIFTS
Pauline has owned Pauline’s Gifts in Gloucester, Massachusetts for nearly 25 years. Her involvement in the community over the years includes, serving served as chairwoman on city of Gloucester’s tourism
commission, a member of the Board of Directors of the Gloucester Destination Marketing Organization, and volunteering at the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts Visitor Center. She has received many awards in recognition for her community service including, a Starfish Award from Seaside Retailer for the Women to Women Donation Drive she began 6 years ago.
OWNER
THE ISLANDER
Anita is a native Floridian, growing up in Fort Myers. Her professional career began in 1985 when she began working with her parents at The Pier Peddler. In 2003 Anita opened her second store, Local Color and in 2017 she opened The Islander. All 3 stores were lost in hurricane Ian. The Islander will hopefully be reopene
OWNER
THE ISLANDER
Anita is a native Floridian, growing up in Fort Myers. Her professional career began in 1985 when she began working with her parents at The Pier Peddler. In 2003 Anita opened her second store, Local Color and in 2017 she opened The Islander. All 3 stores were lost in hurricane Ian. The Islander will hopefully be reopened by the end of 2023.
Anita is also very involved with her community. In 1995 Anita became the first mayor of the Town of Fort Myers Beach when it incorporated. Anita has served several terms as Mayor, most recently in 2020. She currently serves as chairperson of the Planning and zoning committee for the town.
FOUNDER & CEO
DUNE JEWELRY
Holly is a kitchen table entrepreneur who has propelled her business, Dune Jewelry & Co., from a passion project to a worldwide brand over the past twelve years. She is a talented designer focused on capturing memories to create tangible reminders of life’s most cherished moments, which symbolizes Dune’s line o
FOUNDER & CEO
DUNE JEWELRY
Holly is a kitchen table entrepreneur who has propelled her business, Dune Jewelry & Co., from a passion project to a worldwide brand over the past twelve years. She is a talented designer focused on capturing memories to create tangible reminders of life’s most cherished moments, which symbolizes Dune’s line of handcrafted Experiential Jewelry, which is sold in hundreds of beach, coastal and nautical stores and two Dune Boutiques in Harwich Port, Massachusetts, and Ketchikan, Alaska, that provide unique retail experiences for customers. In summer 2023, she opened her first gift boutique in Norwood, Massachusetts.
DIRECTOR OF RETAIL
ZOOTAMPA AT LOWRY PARK
Elie has been working at ZooTampa at Lowry Park since 2015 in various roles throughout the retail department. Currently, she is buying and managing for 6 retail locations throughout the zoo. Throughout her years at ZooTampa, she has added multiple locations and more
than tripled retail sales.
Elie r
DIRECTOR OF RETAIL
ZOOTAMPA AT LOWRY PARK
Elie has been working at ZooTampa at Lowry Park since 2015 in various roles throughout the retail department. Currently, she is buying and managing for 6 retail locations throughout the zoo. Throughout her years at ZooTampa, she has added multiple locations and more
than tripled retail sales.
Elie recently joined the ZAG
board (Zoo, Aquarium and Gardens independent buyers' group), where she has gained valuable connections with her peers.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
SUNSHINE ACE HARDWARE
Scott has been with Sunshine Ace Hardware since 2016 and is responsible for store operations, merchandising, and marketing divisions, across its 12 stores, including two Crowder's Gifts and Gadgets. Scott’s team develops a unique portfolio of top-shelf products, provides exceptional customer se
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
SUNSHINE ACE HARDWARE
Scott has been with Sunshine Ace Hardware since 2016 and is responsible for store operations, merchandising, and marketing divisions, across its 12 stores, including two Crowder's Gifts and Gadgets. Scott’s team develops a unique portfolio of top-shelf products, provides exceptional customer service, and communicates the company’s value proposition to consistently exceed customers’ expectations. In 2022, the stores received the Gulfshore Business award for Best Place to Work for its people first culture.
RETAIL STORE MANAGER
MARGARITAVILLE RESORT ORLANDO
William has done a complete overhaul of the 1,700-square-foot gift store since he began with the Margaritaville Resort Orlando in June 2022. He brings 15 years of retail management experience to his new role and is taking the store to the next level of upscale resort retail, which includes
RETAIL STORE MANAGER
MARGARITAVILLE RESORT ORLANDO
William has done a complete overhaul of the 1,700-square-foot gift store since he began with the Margaritaville Resort Orlando in June 2022. He brings 15 years of retail management experience to his new role and is taking the store to the next level of upscale resort retail, which includes a robust onboarding program for staff. As the island-inspired resort continues to grow, the retail store is shifting its mix to keep guests and residents in the “5 O’clock” spirit with an engaging store staff to help inspire purchases.
DIRECTOR OF SHOP SHENANIGANS
FLIP FLOP SHOPS
Steve's vast career in footwear spans 49 years, and covers everything from Blue Light Specials to Toes in the Sand. He spent over 20 years with Meldisco, which became the over 2,400 locations of K-Mart, and another 20 years with Famous Footwear. Steve now handles the operations of Flip Flop Shops
DIRECTOR OF SHOP SHENANIGANS
FLIP FLOP SHOPS
Steve's vast career in footwear spans 49 years, and covers everything from Blue Light Specials to Toes in the Sand. He spent over 20 years with Meldisco, which became the over 2,400 locations of K-Mart, and another 20 years with Famous Footwear. Steve now handles the operations of Flip Flop Shops. He's been integral in the new shop design, visual look, POS system and marketing direction of the stores. Under his direction, he has helped franchise owners open 49 shops in the U.S. in just three years and recently signed locations in Canada, Dominican Republic and Antigua.
OWNER
LADY GRYPHON'S COASTAL COLLECTIONS
As CEO and sole shareholder of an award- winning equipment lease and finance firm since 1997, Kim is a longstanding woman-owned business and certified diversity supplier, who understands the importance of giving equal opportunities in the marketplace.
In 2020, she and her team launched an online s
OWNER
LADY GRYPHON'S COASTAL COLLECTIONS
As CEO and sole shareholder of an award- winning equipment lease and finance firm since 1997, Kim is a longstanding woman-owned business and certified diversity supplier, who understands the importance of giving equal opportunities in the marketplace.
In 2020, she and her team launched an online shop committed to working with diversity and small business vendors. Most recently, she opened Lady Gryphon’s Coastal Collections Shop in Tarpon Springs, Florida, developing her reach with more product vendors in the diversity community.
PUBLISHER;
CONFERENCE CO-DIRECTOR
BREAKWALL PUBLISHING
As conference co-director and publisher of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Karen helps connect top beach, coastal and nautical brands with their core audience of retailers. Her over 25 years of experience with award-winning business publications help
PUBLISHER;
CONFERENCE CO-DIRECTOR
BREAKWALL PUBLISHING
As conference co-director and publisher of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Karen helps connect top beach, coastal and nautical brands with their core audience of retailers. Her over 25 years of experience with award-winning business publications helps guide the direction of both magazines and she has won numerous journalism and design awards. Now in it’s fourth year of publication, Seaside Retailer continues to be a leading source for beach, coastal and nautical retailers across the continental U.S., Hawaii and the Caribbean.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR; CONFERENCE DIRECTOR
BREAKWALL PUBLISHING
As conference director and executive editor of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Kristin has a pulse on the beach, coastal and nautical retail community. She brings more than 20 years of award-winning business-to-business media experience to her
EXECUTIVE EDITOR; CONFERENCE DIRECTOR
BREAKWALL PUBLISHING
As conference director and executive editor of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Kristin has a pulse on the beach, coastal and nautical retail community. She brings more than 20 years of award-winning business-to-business media experience to her roles, which include managing the editorial direction and staff for large B2B media company publications and a trade association along with planning leading industry conferences. She attends various trade shows throughout the year and reports on events, products and companies that influence seaside retailers.
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