The Gray Cat Blog

A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multi-unit operators. 

 
Gray Cat Unleashed Episode 4: Time Management & Life Balance Jun 27, 2024

 What is the quickest way to reduce stress and achieve greater balance in your life? 

In my opinion, it’s developing better time management skills. I know, I know, it sounds "riveting”, but it is tru...

Continue Reading...
 
Gray Cat: Tackling a Project Jun 25, 2024

Recently, I appeared on the Jada Willis Experience Podcast where she asked me how Gray Cat tackles projects.  In part of my response, I outline that I am not your typical "consultant" since I dive int...

Continue Reading...
What it Takes to Franchise your Concept Jun 17, 2024

 

I have worked with many single-store operators that have created a niche brand for their concept.  Some have been in business for several years and seemingly will ask me my thoughts on whether thei...

Continue Reading...
 
Gray Cat Unleashed Episode 3: Leadership Jun 13, 2024

Become an Effective and Ethical Leader

Effective leadership involves a myriad of skillsets that when properly combined and executed creates a dynamic leader that is capable of taking their teams to l...

Continue Reading...
 
Gray Cat: Large Business Experience Applied to Small Business Strategies and Tactics Jun 12, 2024

One of the core philosophies of Gray Cat is “more than consulting, we actually get work done.”  

Part of that implementaion is taking experiences from my multi-faceted corporate background and applyi...
Continue Reading...
 
Gray Cat Unleashed Episode 2: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) May 28, 2024

 

How many of you have heard the old adage:  “You can’t manage what you don’t measure?” 
 
There is a term called Key Performance Indicators (or KPIs) and they are a vital resource to managing your...
Continue Reading...
Creating Customer Experiences, Not Transactions May 14, 2024

I recently created a new presentation called There’s a New Store in Town – Are You Ready for the Disruption?   This presentation covered a myriad of topics – with examples from both

...
Continue Reading...
Transforming your Store of the Future Vision into Reality May 14, 2024

I love to create something from the ground up. 

 As an avid gardener, I have done this many times over – taking a raw piece of dirt and creating a magical paradise creating signature items such as p...

Continue Reading...
Store Design for the Retail Environment May 13, 2024

One of the most important, yet biggest challenges facing a retailer is creating a new store vision for your chain, while simultaneously running your day-to-day business.  There are only so many resour...

Continue Reading...
 
Gray Cat Unleashed Episode 1: Request for Proposals May 07, 2024

 

We select our store locations. We select our staff. We select the merchandise to carry; and along those lines, we select our vendors. 
 
But, selecting the correct vendors – in addition to mana
...
Continue Reading...
 
Are Incentive Programs Effective? May 02, 2024

Recently, I appeared on the Big Pixel podcast where we chatted on a number of business topics including incentives for employees.

Here is a minute-long clip on an incentive program we tied to overall...

Continue Reading...
Developing a Store of the Future May 02, 2024

Change is inevitable. 

We change where we live; we change relationships; and we change our jobs.  Change has been with us throughout time, but the worldwide pandemic seemed to put change on hyperdriv...

Continue Reading...

THE GRAY CAT LEARNING SERIES

Want to improve your business-building skills but don’t know where to turn? 

Fifteen (15) hands-on, business training courses each ranging from 25-to-90 minutes in length.
SIGN UP TODAY!