Workshops
 At A Glance

Download Printable Workshops (PDF)

Saturday Workshops
Concurrent Sessions 10:00 AM Concurrent Sessions 11:30 AM
Defining Success: What Does it Mean for You?
There are many ways to be successful in our industry and no one but you can choose your definition. Are you going for a goal you have chosen, or floundering about in the seas of others’ expectation? Perhaps you are closer to your goal than you realize. In this workshop, Kate Holmes of TGtbT and industry icon who is based is Sarasota, FL will help you decide what success is for you, how to go about getting it, and how to enjoy the entire resale journey along the way.		 Promotions That Lead to Media Coverage
Getting media attention can be difficult, frustrating and time consuming. Known for her “shoe box press release,” Sue McCarthy, NARTS secretary, and owner of Womens Closet Exchange in St. Louis, MO will challenge you to create promotions and press releases that will gain great media coverage. Sue is a pro at keeping her store intriguing to the press and her community, and will teach you how to make a big splash with little money and a great idea.
Resale on the Runway
Looking for a new, creative way to market your business? Back by popular demand, style show expert Lina Beth Dorough owner of Lina Beth in Ocala, FL will share her secrets to making the runway a low-cost marketing success. Her knowledge and approach will guide you through all the steps you need to put on your own fashion show, including where to find models, how to keep costs low, and how to write the perfect commentary. Resale on the runway is resale fashion at its best! 		 The Devil Wears Targét!
You don't have a lot of Prada? You may not need it! The trick is learning what sells to your customer, in your market, in your town and displaying it so your customers want it. This fast paced workshop co-presented by Nancy Kneisel of Second Glance in Corvallis, OR and Martha Acquisto of Patti's ReSale in Owensboro, KY will help you discover your "bread and butter" brands. Learn innovative marketing techniques that transform your "target" labels into a profitable bottom line and very satisfied customers! 
YOUR Brand of Customer Service
Nordstrom has a “Way,” Starbucks an “Experience,” Ritz-Carlton has “My Pleasure” and the list goes on. What are these businesses doing so right that we can recite their style of customer service? Robin Burns from The Perfect Piece Consignment in Suwanee, GA has mastered this art and what it takes to bring YOUR store to mind with a single word or phrase. She shares unique current techniques for creating loyal customers and continued success by adopting your own brand of customer service. 		 Ideas That Make Money
Joanne Nusbaum, owner of My Sister's Closet in Chicago, IL for 28 years remembers attending her first Conference and hearing the expression "a $1,000 idea." The speaker explained she would take back an idea that would earn her business over $1000 and therefore reimburse her for Conference expenses. Joanne shares her own and others favorite $1,000 strategies including placement of specific inventory, financial procedures, new product introductions and special sales and events.
ABCs of Employees
Your staff is the face of your business. Whether you have 1 or 100 employees, Kitty Boyce owner of recently renamed Remarkable Resale, NARTS president and seasoned employer will guide you in the successful training of employees while instilling your work ethic in them. Discover the benefits of having employee manuals and distinct training guidelines and handbooks. Explore ways to retain the best employees and how to get the most out of everyone who works for you.		 Furniture—From Their Door to Your Floor
Kimberly Passineau is a wealth of information and her store, Home2Home in Dayton is known as the “largest home furnishing consignment store in Ohio.” She will share her secrets, including how to obtain quality merchandise, process it efficiently, price it correctly, display it beautifully and sell it quickly. Whether your shop is small or large, Kim’s knowledge will help you learn to get furniture “from their door to your floor” and make money along the way!
 
The NFP Challenge…Boards-Budgets-Volunteers
Bonnie Rubin from Triftique in Pittsburgh, PA who is Chief Operations Officer of the Pittsburgh section of the NCJW and Fred Just, founding member of the Alliance of Nonprofit Stores, present this workshop offering strategies to deal with the unique issues of nonprofits including Boards, volunteers, processing, budget constraints and building collaborative partnerships. Fred and Bonnie share their knowledge from years of experience working in the NFP sector to guide you toward similar success. 		 Community Connections: A Lifeline
Social Capital—a term we need to learn and put into practice. The more people you meet, the more "capital" you raise for you and your business. Cathy Yeomans of Volunteers of America in Rochester, NY has become an expert at accruing social capital. Discover countless ways to build it through networking groups, continuing education and community service and involvement. She has used it to increase her client base and bottom line and will show you how you can do it too.

 
 Concurrent Sessions 3:00 PM  Concurrent Sessions 4:30 PM
Social Media: Make it Work for You
Twitter? Facebook? Picasa? Oh my! Everyone loves free, but with so many ways to market your business to potential customers, it can seem intimidating. Through collaborative methods utilizing free and low cost tricks, you can reach customers without breaking the bank. We’ll show you how! Corey DeRoo, co-owner of French Cuff Consignment in Sacramento, CA has mastered this new phenomenon and will help you learn how to successfully develop your own social media strategy. 		 Internet Marketing: Easy, Efficient, Inexpensive
The Internet has become a crucial tool for the expansion of your business success and Melissa Baxter of Back By Popular Demand in Atlanta, GA has mastered the art. You will learn how to take advantage of the Internet by keeping it fresh and interesting as you grow a great customer base. Melissa will share her knowledge and tips on broadcast emails, websites and blogs to give you the edge in promoting your business online, ultimately increasing traffic and profit in your store. 
Just Getting Started… This One’s for You!
This workshop is designed for future owners and those new to the business of resale. Facilitated by NARTS Vice President, Bonnie Kallenberg from Finders Keepers in Atlanta, GA., this class will provide straight forward answers to the vital questions you brought with you to Conference. Bonnie combines basic business strategy and planning principles shared from her 20 years experience in the industry—including both successes and failures—to encourage and mentor you.		 Best Resale Practices
In this business, how important is maintaining your good name and reputation? Patti Acquisto, of Patti’s ReSale in Owensboro, KY, NARTS Treasurer and Past President, will tell you it is necessary above all else. In this workshop, she will challenge you to keep to the high standards of the NARTS code of ethics we subscribe to when we join, even on those small issues -which can lead to huge problems. Ethics and accountability: the two most important recipes for success. 
Creative Compelling Communications
Kate Holmes of TGtbT and industry icon who is based is Sarasota, FL is here to give you her creative and compelling tips of the trade when it comes to written content. What you say and how you say it can turn your shop into a money machine. Learn how to write to sell in your ads, commercials, on your website, your blog and in your shop. Get full value out of media ads. Learn how to make even the quickest message memorable and compel friends and fans to help you spread the word!		 A Second Store… Are You Ready?
So your store is profitable and under control, does this mean you are ready to expand your business? Amanda Rosen of Butterfly Consignment Boutique in Mount Pleasant, SC has 3 stores and a wealth of knowledge on the topic of multiple locations for those who are considering opening another store…or more. Discover the critical elements and strategies that must be addressed and in place before you move ahead with your expansion plans. 
Kids Talk
Wondering how to process all those tiny things? How about displaying it all and keeping it all together? Should you have a play area? How do I know what size this shoe is? CPSIA got you down? So many uncertainties… Kerri Radicella of Childish Things in Boulder, CO will to help you resolve the problems and find the answers to these and other daily dilemmas surrounding children’s resale. Bring your concerns and suggestions to this workshop and share your ideas on all things “kids”.		 Merchandise Like a Pro
Whether new or a seasoned resaler, you know that sales floor presentation can ultimately determine the fate of your merchandise and your store. Learn from Paulette Baker, owner of Name Brand Consignments in Brunswick, GA, how to successfully organize and showcase your inventory to SELL... faster and for more money! She will share strategies to help you create just the right atmosphere, including store layout, displays, presentation and more and equip you to merchandise like a pro.
Formalwear: All that Glitters…
Prom and special-event dresses are big money and present a great opportunity in the resale market. Gail Gill from The Clothes Horse in Orchard Park, NY and Martha Acquisto, Patti’s ReSale in Owensboro, KY, have both sold gowns successfully for years. They team up to provide you with the information and tools to incorporate this profitable department into your store, reach a whole new customer base and increase sales… making your bottom line a little more golden.		 Targeting and Capturing “Generation Next”
Hundreds of Billions of dollars a year are spent by this age group of consumers also referred to as the “Teens and Tweens.” Jessica Kneisel of Second Glance Annex in Corvalis, OR will share her knowledge of and experience with this generation in a workshop designed to dispel myths and clarify the needs of this big spending population. This workshop will prepare you to confidently and consistently reach what could be the “Next” big market opportunity for your store.
 Sunday  Networking
Concurrent Networking Sessions
 8:00 AM		 Concurrent Networking Sessions
  9:30 AM
The NFP Exchange
A sharing of ideas and NFP specifics
Contracts
Pay outs, expired items and no thank yous
Customer Retention
A new economy . . . A new customer demographic
Shopping Events
After hour parties, bus tours and more		 Living with CPSIA
What have you done . . . What more can you do
The Early Years
Where to start and how to succeed
Experience Required
Seasoned professionals share concerns and experience
The Back Room
Merchandise processing—Consignment or buy outright