Leadership, Longevity, and Success I Danny Kole, Kole Imports & Closeouts Artwork

Let's Talk a Little Shop | ASD Market Week

Welcome to Let’s Talk A Little Shop, a podcast created by ASD Market Week. Let’s Talk A Little Shop aims to help small retailers navigate the rapidly changing digital and real world landscapes. Whether you own a brick and mortar store or an etailer, we’ll provide tangible strategies to keep your cash register ringing.

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Let's Talk a Little Shop | ASD Market Week

Leadership, Longevity, and Success I Danny Kole, Kole Imports & Closeouts

July 31, 2023 • ASD Market Week - The Largest Wholesale Merchandise Trade Show in the U.S. • Season 2 • Episode 8

In this episode, Stephanie talks to Danny Kole, Co-President, Kole Imports & Closeouts.

1:47: How Two Brothers started a business at swap meets using wait lines to source merchandise before the meets started.
3:35: The Pivot - from swap meets to selling promotional, new merchandise.
4:36: Sourcing - Diving to LA and using sourcing wholesale merchandise from import businesses in downtown Los Angeles.
7:55: Trade Shows - If you build it, they will come. How trade shows laid the foundation for Kole Imports & Exports.
8:30: Re-packaging existing products to develop items that could retail for .99 stores.
11:00: You need to find and sell merchandise that customers recognize in order for it to sell well.
13:55: Lessons from family, be impeccable to your word. Show up and be authentic to your customers.
15:00: Longevity and retention is important. Having your employees stay with you is critical to your success.
17:15: Creating a team with an entrepreneur mindset. People don’t work for us, they work with us.
20:38: Defining leadership and adapting with shifting environments.
23:00: Focus your energy on what you can influence. Find the positive in all situations and focus your attention on progress.
24:30: Learning to pivot with the industry and being a considerate leader.
27:00: Building grit and learning to problem solve for personal success.
31:00: The importance of generational family-owned business and how family members play key roles in the future of the company.
33:46: Balance your booth merchandise, Kole Imports carries 50% closeouts and 50% imports.
34:00: Closeouts allow retailers to create excitement in their stores with consumers! Trending now - closeout buys are at an all time high.
35:04: ASD Market Week is an order writing, high volume, show.