Coastal Connections Conference Speakers

OWNERRETAIL MAVENS As the founder of RETAILMavens and host of The Richer Retailer podcast, Cathy Donovan Wagner is on a mission to assist store owners in mastering independent retail strategies that can help them become million-dollar retailers while enjoying lives they love. The Richer Retailer initiative is centered around 5 core systems and rooted in the belief that when retail store owners grasp their numbers and harness the power of clear goals, they transform their businesses and their lives, ultimately becoming richer in every way. This commitment to retail consulting is also echoed at events like the Coastal Connections Conference, where valuable insights and strategies are shared.

CEO / FOUNDER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR RETAIL REHAB Michael Hale is a retail design executive specializing in experiential store design, strategic space planning, and impactful visual merchandising across travel, hospitality, and specialty retail environments. As CEO of Retail REHAB, he transforms brand vision into immersive, high-performing retail spaces—integrating sales analytics, operational flow, and fixture design to create environments that engage guests and drive results. With his expertise in independent retail strategies, he also collaborates with businesses at events like the Coastal Connections Conference to enhance their retail consulting efforts. Spanning a career that includes cruise, airport, resort, and specialty retail, Michael brings a proven ability to align design, display, and business strategy from concept through completion.

OWNERTHE CONFIDENT ENTREPRENEUR    Jennifer Johnson is the creator of The Confident Entrepreneur, a proven framework designed to help small business owners implement independent retail strategies for growing profitable companies without sacrificing their well-being. As a sought-after coach and retail consulting expert, she is the author of the Amazon bestseller Grace & Grit: Becoming a Confident Entrepreneur. Additionally, Jennifer hosts the award-winning The Confident Entrepreneur podcast, which ranks among the top 100 female-hosted shows nationwide. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, she is also the founder of True Fashionistas, Florida’s largest lifestyle resale store, where she successfully built a thriving retail brand from the ground up, making valuable connections at events like the Coastal Connections Conference.

CO-OWNER BAILEY'S GENERAL STORE Richard and his wife, Mary Mead Johnson Bailey, own and operate their 127-year-old family business, originally opened by her grandfather in 1899. After a 30-year career in Information Technology, Richard joined the family business alongside Mead and their kids, adopting independent retail strategies to enhance operations. In 2006, Mead and Richard purchased the Sanibel Packing Company (dba Bailey's General Store) from her father. Their adult children—Calli, Bailie, and Dane—now own and operate the Captiva Island Store. Following the devastation of Hurricane Ian in September 2022, which destroyed the flagship Bailey’s General Store, the family has successfully reopened the Captiva location and currently operates A Bit of Bailey’s while the main center is being rebuilt. Richard's insights from his previous role in retail consulting have been invaluable in navigating these challenges, demonstrating a significant commitment to their legacy during the Coastal Connections Conference and beyond.

FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of HEART ON MAIN STREET, Patrick Keiser began his journey with OneCoast, a wholesale sales and marketing company, in 2016. At OneCoast, he discovered a fulfilling career focused on servicing independent retailers nationwide. Patrick combined his passions for learning and educating, helping others implement effective independent retail strategies to better serve their communities. In 2021, he envisioned a collaborative effort among various companies and organizations to support Main Street businesses by providing more tools, resources, and education in retail consulting. This vision culminated in the creation of Heart on Main Street in 2022.

CO-FOUNDER BLUE BUTTERFLY Patricia Norins is a retail strategist and co-founder of Blue Butterfly, a consultancy that helps retailers and property owners drive growth through innovative concepts, store optimization, and leasing strategies. With over 30 years of experience in retail consulting, she is also a partner at IndERA, where she supports brands with digital marketing, social media, and community-driven education. As a fourth-generation retailer, Patricia founded two leading trade publications, authored the Ultimate Guide to Specialty Retail, and launched SPREE, the world’s largest specialty retail conference. She is a global speaker and former Small Business Saturday spokesperson, specializing in independent retail strategies and storytelling-driven marketing to build loyal, engaged customers. Patricia will also participate in the Coastal Connections Conference, sharing her expertise to foster growth in the retail sector.

OWNERONE AMAZING FIND / GIFTED Casey Smith operates two retail locations in Tarpon Springs, Florida, One Amazing Find and Gifted. After building her career in healthcare technology, she transitioned to small business ownership in 2016 by implementing independent retail strategies. Following the purchase of an existing shop in 2019, she expanded to a second location in 2024. Just three weeks after opening Gifted, Hurricane Helene impacted the area, forcing Casey to shut down her store for seven weeks. As an active member on the TSDD Main Street board, she is working to reorganize as a Florida Main Street while also pursuing retail consulting opportunities. Her next venture includes a boutique hotel in downtown Tarpon Springs, which aligns with her current studies in tourism and hospitality management at St. Petersburg College. Additionally, Casey looks forward to participating in the Coastal Connections Conference to further enhance her expertise in the retail industry.

Ciara Stockeland is the founder of Inventory Genius, a consulting program designed to help inventory-based business owners increase profitability and cash flow with clarity and confidence. Recognized for her expertise in independent retail strategies, she is a sought-after speaker and author of Inventory Genius and Profit Genius. Ciara equips retailers and wholesalers with practical financial strategies that drive measurable results. As a serial entrepreneur, she has built, franchised, and sold multiple businesses, including a first-to-market wholesale subscription box. Ciara has testified before two U.S. Senate Committees and represented small businesses at White House economic summits. A 4x Ironman, she brings endurance and discipline to every stage and strategy within retail consulting, sharing her insights at events like the Coastal Connections Conference.

OWNER Waikiki Christmas Stores Karen Sotomura has established a robust retail presence in Hawaii, with year-round stores in Waikiki and other popular resort destinations. As the founder of Joseph K & Company, a prominent designer of personalized ornaments for the gift and resort retail market, she has contributed significantly to independent retail strategies. Since the launch of her business in 1981, she has transformed it from a one-woman operation into a nationally recognized brand, providing retailers with customizable products and turnkey merchandising programs. Following the devastating wildfires that impacted her Lahaina, Maui, store in 2023, Karen has shown remarkable resilience and a dedication to retail consulting, not only for her employees but also for the community affected by the disaster. In this challenging environment, her commitment to the industry remains strong.

PUBLISHER;CONFERENCE CO-DIRECTOR BREAKWALL PUBLISHING As conference co-director and publisher of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Karen plays a pivotal role in connecting top beach, coastal, and nautical brands with their core audience of retailers. With over 25 years of experience in award-winning business publications, she expertly guides the direction of both magazines. Her impressive track record includes numerous journalism and design awards. Now in its fifth year of publication, Seaside Retailer remains a leading source for independent retail strategies, supporting beach, coastal, and nautical retailers across the continental U.S., Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Furthermore, through initiatives like the Coastal Connections Conference, she provides invaluable retail consulting insights to enhance industry collaboration.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR; CONFERENCE DIRECTOR BREAKWALL PUBLISHING As the conference director and executive editor of Seaside Retailer magazine and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine, Kristin possesses a deep understanding of the beach, coastal, and nautical retail community. With over 20 years of award-winning business-to-business media experience, she oversees the editorial direction and staff for major B2B media publications and a trade association, as well as curating the Coastal Connections Conference, which focuses on innovative independent retail strategies. Kristin also engages in retail consulting and attends various trade shows throughout the year, reporting on events, products, and companies that shape the industry for seaside retailers.