EP 257: WHEN GREAT RETAIL GOES BEYOND THE MERCHANDISE WITH MARC & RICK
Marc and Rick are husbands and owners of nook in Mt. Juliet, TN. Marc's first store, also called nook, was located in Rochester, NY and was phenomenally decimated by the recession of 2008. Marc is a trained scientist, former librarian and current hospice nurse who has worked at Entertainment Weekly and People magazines, taught at the University of Michigan and worked as a Senior Content Strategist at a global digital ad agency. He loves helping new wholesale vendors get their feet wet and is ...
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YouTube Marc and Rick are husbands and owners of nook in Mt. Juliet, TN.
Marc's first store, also called nook, was located in Rochester, NY and was phenomenally decimated by the recession of 2008. Marc is a trained scientist, former librarian and current hospice nurse who has worked at Entertainment Weekly and People magazines, taught at the University of Michigan and worked as a Senior Content Strategist at a global digital ad agency. He loves helping new wholesale vendors get their feet wet and is all about supporting the local community and creating a safe space for all that enter nook.
Rick and Marc have been married for 8 years. Rick’s role at Nook focuses on business operations and management, product research and customer service. Rick has an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown and is a retired Air Force JAG. Rick is in love with tabletop + Marc loses it over stationery and books. They are most proud of being the home of Wilson County's Pride, holding the first ever pride event in the county in 2025. They also host art shows for school age kids in the county and produce a handmade goods show twice a year that benefits the band program at Green Hill High School.
In this episode, Michelle sits down with Marc and Rick to talk about rebuilding nook after the 2008 recession, curating unique products from independent makers, and creating a retail space where everyone feels welcome. They share their experiences navigating the challenges of independent retail, sourcing products from around the world, and supporting their community through meaningful events. From hosting Wilson County's first Pride celebration to investing in local organizations instead of traditional advertising, Marc and Rick show how staying true to your values can shape a retail business.
What's Inside:
- Rebuilding a retail business after the 2008 recession and creating a store with purpose.
- Finding unique products, supporting independent makers, and navigating wholesale sourcing challenges.
- Building customer loyalty through community events, inclusivity, and giving back.