by Lindsey Thompson | Sep 30, 2024 | Industry News, Operational Insights
By Gina Schaefer Founder and Former CEO A Few Cool Hardware Stores When I launched our first store in 2003, I knew that managing “the numbers” wasn’t going to be my strong suit. I also knew that it was vital to start off on the right foot—to lay the foundation of a...
by Lindsey Thompson | Jun 1, 2023 | Industry News, Operational Insights
Transition is part of the natural evolution of a business, whether you pass a business to a new leader or the business closes. Two decades ago, Gina Schaefer, founder of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, was new to the independent home improvement industry, but people were...
by Lindsey Thompson | Oct 31, 2022 | Operational Insights
Whether planned or unexpected, every business changes hands at some point, and most make a transition several times in the life of the operation. According to the PwC 2021 Family Business Survey, 50% of family businesses expect to increase the diversification of their...
by Lindsey Thompson | Jan 21, 2022 | Industry News, Operational Insights
Independent hardware store owner Gina Schaefer attended a meeting at the White House this week as a representative for brick-and-mortar businesses. The meeting addressed the challenges entrepreneurs, brick-and-mortar retailers and other businesses face competing...
by Olivia Shroyer | Apr 8, 2021 | Industry News
A new coalition of independent businesses is urging policymakers to rein in monopolies and level the playing field that has long left independents at a competitive disadvantage. Called Small Business Rising, the coalition includes a broad and diverse cross-section of...
