Breathe through the tariff storm with an intentional pause

When the dream becomes ordinary

This episode is for entrepreneurs who've felt the shift—from the pinch-me moments of "I can't believe I'm doing this" to the ordinary Tuesday mornings when unlocking the door feels automatic. It's for business owners who remember when gratitude came easily but now find themselves running on empty, wondering where their spark went. Ana Maria Muñoz, author of "OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream," knows this journey intimately. From her early days of mindful backroom sessions—palms pressed together, setting intentions for each day—to the brilliant burnout that followed when routine replaced reflection, she's lived the full spectrum of entrepreneurial seasons. --- This is an audio version of the Substack, OPEN for Growth [https://openforgrowth.substack.com], by Ana Maria Muñoz Explore more … My book: OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream [https://www.openforgrowth.co] Let's work together [https://www.anamariamunoz.com/work-with-me/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit openforgrowth.substack.com [https://openforgrowth.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Endings Are Beginnings.

I know I speak to small retail shops, but so much of what I share can, and does, apply to any customer-facing business with a door and welcome mat ... ... Empty retail space creates an opportunity for another entrepreneur to share their passions, interests, and expertise with the community. It’s an opportunity for the entire ecosystem. How can we create and offer value to our customers and streetscape so that we stick around as long as we choose to? So that it’s our decision to make … to stay or close, and be loved or missed either way? Endings are beginnings, and beginnings are endings. Sometimes both feel obvious but when it comes to entrepreneurship, we actually get to choose how we begin and end each day, week, month, and year in more ways than we’re aware of. We get to choose how we nurture our passions, interests, and expertise and how we share them with our community. Let my ramble be a reminder of the time you have right now with your dream, whatever stage it’s in. Do your best. Don’t take it for granted. Make your own opportunities every day. --- This is an audio version of the Substack, OPEN for Growth [https://openforgrowth.substack.com], by Ana Maria Muñoz Explore more … My book: OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream [https://www.openforgrowth.co] Let's work together [https://www.anamariamunoz.com/work-with-me/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit openforgrowth.substack.com [https://openforgrowth.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

This keyring says what every small retail business owner is really thinking

If you've ever put up a "back in 5 minutes" sign and felt like you were letting everyone down ... or walked up to a shop only to find the door closed with said sign, this episode is for you. ----- This is an audio version of the Substack, OPEN for Growth [https://openforgrowth.substack.com], by Ana Maria Muñoz Explore more … My book: OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream [https://www.openforgrowth.co] Let's work together [https://www.anamariamunoz.com/work-with-me/] If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy my book: OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream “As a fellow boutique shop owner, I believe this book is a gift to those who plan to start a retail shop. Ana Maria honestly reveals her experience as a shopkeeper. It’s a case study full of lessons learned and great tips for running a shop. She also describes the evolution of the business as it grows from sole owner to a business with staff and a community that embraces them.” — Kelly Wohlgenant Owner Retro Modern Furnishings This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit openforgrowth.substack.com [https://openforgrowth.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Shopkeeping: a practice in empathy and non-judgement

Shoppers come into our stores for different reasons and with many different perspectives and lived experiences. From the joys and celebrations that prompt purchases, to the heavy stresses of life that call for a form retail therapy … we have no idea what’s going on in their world as they browse what’s on the shelves. It is the Shopkeeper’s job to welcome them in and practice Non-JAR. What in the world is “Non-JAR”?? Listen to find out. --- --- This is an audio version of the Substack, OPEN for Growth [https://openforgrowth.substack.com], by Ana Maria Muñoz Explore more … My book: OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream [https://www.openforgrowth.co] Let's work together [https://www.anamariamunoz.com/work-with-me/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit openforgrowth.substack.com [https://openforgrowth.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Breathe through the tariff storm with an intentional pause

I’m no longer a Shopkeeper and I don’t have to make incredibly hard choices about products, prices, overhead during these time. I’m not in those shoes anymore but I still care — deeply. I want to offer something. And since I don’t know who’s listening to this, and your particular business and situation, I offer these words that really landed for me during a recent yoga class ... --- This is an audio version of the Substack, OPEN for Growth [https://openforgrowth.substack.com], by Ana Maria Muñoz Explore more … My book: OPEN: Big Lessons in Small Retail and Living the Shopkeeper Dream [https://www.openforgrowth.co/] OPEN For Growth on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/openforgrowth] Let's work together [https://www.anamariamunoz.com/work-with-me/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit openforgrowth.substack.com [https://openforgrowth.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]