Slow Growth Business

Enjoy The Season: A Retail Reality Check

In this episode, Jimmy and Kyle jump back into the Slow Growth Business Podcast to talk about what they’ve been seeing on the sales floor this season. Midline sales are softer, traffic feels different, and holiday buying habits just aren’t what they used to be.
They dig into why that’s happening, what the data actually says, and—most importantly—why December isn’t the month to start panicking or making big changes. Instead, they talk through how to stay steady, keep things positive, and help your team enjoy the season even if the numbers feel a little weird.
From showing bigger pieces to planning ahead for 2026, to simply being a supportive leader during a stressful time of year, this episode is a reminder to take a breath, stay grounded, and let the holidays be what they are.
Sorry for the audio Issues!
 
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jimmy@trainretail.com - kyle@trainretail.com

You Can't Bonus Your Way Out of Bad Pay

Hosts Kyle Bullock and Jimmy DeGroot discuss why money alone is a weak motivator, why incentives work best when they are equitable and shared, and why you can’t solve low pay problems with bonuses. They recommend auditing pay using tools like the MIT Living Wage calculator and ensuring base wages meet basic cost-of-living needs before adding incentives.
The episode shares stories about team incentives (like a trip to Hawaii), the importance of celebration and tradition, and practical steps owners can take to grow profitability so they can afford fair pay.
 
For help and resources - trainretail.com
jimmy@trainretail.com | kyle@trainretail.com

The Four Horsemen of Communication - And How To Stop Them

Not every conflict is caused by bad people — often, it’s caused by bad communication. In this episode, Jimmy and Kyle break down Dr. John Gottman’s “Four Horsemen” — criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling — plus one bonus culprit: sarcasm. They explain how each one poisons relationships and team culture, and why even well-meaning conversations can go sideways.
More importantly, they show you how to stop them in their tracks. You’ll learn practical, real-world strategies for building trust, leading with vulnerability, and creating a healthier workplace — even on the days when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

Retail Relief: Simplify Your Holiday and Save Your Team

Feeling overwhelmed by holiday retail chaos? This episode shows jewelry store owners and leaders how to find relief by simplifying priorities, protecting team culture, and eliminating time-draining products or services that cost more than they earn.
Hosts Jimmy DeGroot and Kyle Bullock offer practical steps: narrow daily focus to one or two essential tasks, support and listen to your people, and radically remove non-essential work to preserve excellence during the busiest season.

Ditch The Chaos

Retail feels like a whirlwind? Jimmy DeGroot and Kyle Bullock break down how to cut through the noise, stop doing the 80% that drains you, and double down on the 20% that actually grows your business. From setting minimums and quitting low-value services to hiring true pros and focusing on your zone of genius, this episode is your friendly shove toward calm, profitable operations.
 
Ask us anything / tell us what you’re quitting:
jimmy@trainretail.com • kyle@trainretail.com
http://trainretail.com

Turn Repairs Into Revenue — Sell, Don’t Just Fix

In this episode of Slow Growth Business, Jimmy DeGroot and Kyle Bullock teach independent jewelers how to turn repair, watch battery, and gold-buying traffic into profitable jewelry sales — or how to treat each service as its own profitable business. They cover customer profiling, asking the right questions, upselling repairs versus offering replacements, and measuring results to decide what to keep or cut.
Practical examples include reshanking, companion bands, and handling low-margin services as charity or separate offerings, plus guidance for training staff to ‘sell’ repairs instead of just clerking them.

Align Their Why: Turning Paychecks into Purpose

Hosts Kyle Bullock and Jimmy DeGroot explore why passion doesn’t automatically transfer from owners to staff, and why pay alone won’t solve motivation problems. They cover practical approaches—paying a living wage, observing time/talent/treasure, asking better interview questions, using tools like Flag Page, and job-crafting roles—to align employee motivations with business goals.
The episode shows how leaders can protect core values, speak each person’s language, and place people in roles that fit their drives so teams feel cared for, stay engaged, and help a business grow slowly and sustainably.

You Don't Have to Give it Away

"The Culture Conundrum: Leading with Love and Intentionality"

Welcome to the latest episode of Slow Growth Business, where hosts Jimmy DeGroot and Kyle Bullock delve into the challenging yet rewarding path of building a sustainable business. This episode takes you through a thoughtful exploration of leadership and culture, emphasizing the necessity of genuine engagement with your team.
Reflecting on their experiences and learnings from a recent trade show, Jimmy and Kyle underscore how vital it is for leaders to truly assess the importance they place on company culture. They discuss popular misconceptions and provide actionable advice on how leaders can prioritize culture in their daily operations, inspired by real-life anecdotes and insightful stories.
Join them as they uncover the profound impact of intentional leadership and the simple yet powerful act of asking, "How are you doing?" Discover the balance of setting a respectful, nurturing environment that naturally leads to business growth and personal fulfillment. Embrace the slow growth mindset and learn how a culture-first approach can revolutionize your business.

Unreasonable Hospitality - Implementing Will Guidara's incredible techniques in your store.

Jimmy DeGroot and Kyle Bullock unpack the transformative ideas behind Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara and apply them to real-world small business leadership. From five-star restaurant service to unforgettable spoons 🍨, we explore how passion, specificity, and unreasonable expectations can turn everyday tasks into brand-defining experiences. Whether you're managing a jewelry store, a coffee shop, or anything in between, this episode will inspire you to: ✅ Stop looking for the “perfect hire” ✅ Start cultivating leadership from within ✅ Assign meaningful ownership to your team ✅ Discover hidden passion that elevates your customer experience