BOOK US

With over 25 years of frontline experience Tom Shay is America's leading small business management expert. He's a "Must Have" for your next event.

Associations, magazines, trade shows and companies that Tom Shay has had the privilege of working with and presenting to

Appliances, Consumer Electronics, Furniture:
BrandSource
Cantrex
Great Plains Distributing
Nationwide
Noble Distributing
North American Retail Dealers Association
Northern Plains Distributing, Inc.

Retailer Now

Art:
Art Materials Retailer
NAMTA - The International Art Materials Association

Automotive:
Aapex
Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance
Association of Diesel Specialists
Auto Parts Headquarters
Auto Trim & Restyling News
Auto Trim Dealers Group
Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Southeast
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
Automotive Oil Change Association
Automotive Parts & Services Association
Automotive Wholesalers of Texas
AutoSense
Auto Value Parts Stores
Auto Wares
Bell Industries
Cap World Truck Accessories
Carparts Distribution Center
Chesapeake Automotive Wholesalers Association
Custom Automotive Network
Detail Mafia
GE Consumer Finance
Hahn Automotive Warehouse
Hot Rod & Restoration Show
International Carwash Association
International Detailing Association
International Trucking Show
Keystone Automotive
Merrill Company
Michigan Auto Parts Association
Midwest Auto Parts
Mid-State Automotive Wholesalers
Moog Louisville Warehouse
Mobile Tech Expo
NAPA Canada
National Association of Truck Stop Operators
Oklahoma Arkansas Automotive Aftermarket Association
Performance Racing Industry
Performance Racing Industry magazine
Performance Wholesalers Association
Parts Plus
Precision Auto Tune
Restoration International
Specialty Equipment Market Association
Star Automotive
Sunrise National Distributors
TireCraft
Tire Industry Association
Truck & Auto Accessories Expo
Truck Cap & Accessory Association
Trucking Times
University of the Aftermarket
United Automotive Supply
Western Canada Tire Dealers Association
Wisconsin Automotive Parts Association

Automotive Service Providers:
All Pro/Bumper to Bumper
Automotive Association of Service Providers
Automotive Oil Change Association
Detailing Success
Mobile Tech Expo
Precision Tune
UCI of Richmond

Awards:
Awards and Recognition Association

Beverages:
Beverage
Alcohol Retailers Conference
Beverage Dynamics
Cheers Beverage Summit
Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association
National Alcohol Beverage Control Association
North Carolina Association of ABC Boards

The Municipal Liquor Store
United Beverage Retailers of Arkansas

Booksellers:
Canadian Bookseller
Foreword

Christian Retailers:
Catholic Marketing Network
Christian Retailing
Marketplace

Christmas:
Independent Retailer Buyers Association
National Christmas Tree Association

Clothing:

Accelerating Retail Performance
Atlanta International Western Wear Association
Baby Shop Magazine
B
etter Bridal Group
Billings Market Association
Dance Retailer
Hopper Expo
Ontario Fashion Exhibitors

Tack n Togs Merchandising Magazine
Tease Magazine
Uniform Retailers Association
WAVES Magazine
Western & English Sales Association
Women's Wear Daily

College Stores:
College Stores of New York
College Stores of New England
Louisiana College Stores Association
MEGA Group
Middle Atlantic College Stores Association
Middle States Association of College Stores
National Association of College Stores
Northwest College Bookstore Association
Rocky Mountain Skyline College Bookstore Association
Southwest College Bookstore Association
Tri-State College Bookstore Association
University Spirit of America
West Coast Expo - California Association of College Stores

Construction:
International Roofing Expo

Convenience stores:
Gulf Coast Food & Fuel Expo
Fuel True of Kansas
New England Convenience Store Association

Craft & Hobby:
ACCI
American Quilt Retailer
Contemporary Ceramic Studio Association
Craft & Hobby Association
Creative Retailer
Yarn Retailer News Conference

Diving Equipment:
Diving Equipment & Marketing Association

Electronics:
Mobile Electronics Retailers Association
Stillwater Design

Equestrian:
Atlanta International English & Western
Farrier Industry Association
Hopper Expo
Stanley Expo
Western & English Sales Association
Western & English Manufacturers Association

Farm Equipment:
Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association
Minnesota - South Dakota Equipment Dealers Association
Ohio Equipment Distributors Association

Farm Stores:
Alabama Farmers Cooperative
Central Farm & Pet Company
Co-operative Feed Dealers
Tennessee Farmers Cooperative

Floor Coverings:

Belknap White Alco
Carpet One
Ceramic Tile Dealers Association
Coverings
Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association
Flooring America
Flooring Plus
Mohawk Industries
NRF Distributors
Shaw Industries
Starnet Commercial Flooring
Stone Expo
Surfaces
United Carpet
World Floor Covering Association
World Floor Covering Association - Central Florida Chapter
World Floor Covering Association - Middle Tennessee Chapter
World Floor Covering Association - Minnesota Association
World Floor Covering Association - Nebraska Iowa Chapter
World Floor Covering Association - New Mexico Chapter
World Floor Covering Association - Redwood Empire Chapter
World Floor Covering Association - Southwest Florida Chapter

Floral:
Florist's Review
FTD
Ohio Florists Association
Society of Iowa Florists & Growers

Foods:
Associated Grocers - Baton Rouge
Associated Grocers - New England
Florida Gift Fruit Shippers Association
Gourmet Catalog
Great Lakes Ice Cream and Fast Food Association
National Dipper
New England Ice Cream Restaurants Association
Piggly Wiggly Grocery Stores

Sangster's Health Foods

Furniture:
ABC - All Baby and Child Expo
Antique & Collectible Dealers Association
Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers
Chicago Casual Market - The Merchandise Mart
Home Furniture Stores
International Casual Furnishings Association
International Furniture Representatives Association
International Home Furnishing
National Association of Casual Furniture Retailers
North American Home Furnishings Association
Patio and Hearth Products Report
Retailer Now

Garden Center, Nursery, Landscape, Hardscape:
Alabama, Nursery and Landscape Association
Arkansas Green Industry Association
Arett Sales
Bedding Plants International
Belgard
Birdwatch America
BWI Companies
California Association of Nurserymen
Canadian Greenhouse Conference
Central Farm & Garden
CISCO
Ewing, Inc.
Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association
Foster's
Garden Centers of America
Garden Centers of Colorado
Garden Center Merchandising & Management
Garden Center Symposium
GroSouth
Gulf States Exposition
Hort East
Idaho Nursery & Landscape Association
Independent Garden Center Show
Independent Nurseries of Arizona
Indiana Nursery & Landscape Association
John Deere Landscape
Kentucky Nursery & Landscape
Landscape Alberta
Landscape Manitoba
Landscape Ontario
L & L Nursery
Manchester Products
MANTS
Masters Nursery Garden Centers
Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association
Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Short Course
Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show
Minnesota Nursery Association
Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association
Mosaic
New York Nursery & Landscape Association
Nursery Retailer
NWREC - Far West Show
Ohio Nursery Association Short Course
Oregon Association of Nurseries
Pennsylvania Nursery & Landscape Association
Pennsylvania Nurserymen's Association
Prince Corporation
Seimer Enterprises
Sheridan Nurseries
South Carolina Nursery Association
Southern Nurserymen's Association
Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association
Texas Nursery & Landscape Association
Tropical Plant Industry Expo
Utah Green
VG Supply
Voluntary Purchasing Group
Washington Association of Landscape Professionals
Washington State Nursery Association
Wetsel, Inc

Gift Industry:

Alberta Spring Show
AmericasMart
Canadian Gift & Tableware Show
Country Business
Designer Greetings

Gift & Tableware
Gift Basket Review
Giftware News
Grupo de Salve
International Miniatures & Collectible Exposition
Jubilee!
Miniatures Industry Association of America
Minneapolis Gift Mart
Monogram America
The LA Mart

Golf:
Association of Golf Merchandisers
Baltimore County Parks Department
National Golf Course Owners Association
National Golf Sales Representatives Association
PGA - Alberta Zone
PGA - British Columbia Zone
PGA - Chattanooga Chapter
PGA - Connecticut Section
PGA - Fall Expo by Reed Expositions
PGA - Georgia Section
PGA - Indiana Section
PGA - Michigan Section
PGA - Minnesota Section
PGA - Pacific Northwest Section
PGA - Saskatchewan Zone
PGA - South Central Section
PGA - South Florida
PGA - Southern Ohio Section
PGA - Sun Country Section
PGA - January Merchandising Show
PGA - Wisconsin Section
PGA of Canada

Hardware:
Ace Hardware
Bostwick Braun Hardware
Canadian Retail Hardware Association
Do It Best
Eastern Retail Hardware Association
Florida Hardware
Handy Hardware
Hardware Age/Home Improvement Market
Hardware & Home Centre
Home Hardware
Horizon Distribution
House Hassen
Illinois Retail Hardware Association
Inside Australian Hardware
Midwest Retail Hardware Association
National Retail Hardware Association
Orgill, Inc.
Pennsylvania & Atlantic States Hardware Association
PRO Hardware Group
ServiStar Hardware
Southern Association
Southwest Association
TruServ of Canada
United Hardware
Wallace Hardware
Wright & Wilhelmy Hardware
W.R. Case and Sons Company

Hearth, Patio & Barbecue:
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Mid Atlantic Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Mid Central Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Middle States Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Midwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
National Chimney Sweep Guild
North Carolina Chimney Sweep Guild
Northeast Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Northern California / Nevada Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Northwest Hearth Patio & Barbecue Association
Oregon Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Outback Heating
Rocky Mountain Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
South Carolina Chimney Sweep Association
South Central Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Southeast Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

Home Decor:
Home Lighting & Accessories
Western Home Furnishings Association

Hospital Gift Shops:
American Society of Directors of Volunteer Service
Branches
California Association of Hospitals
Idaho Hospital Association
Illinois Hospital Association
Iowa Hospital Association
New Jersey Hospital Gift Shop Association
Minnesota Hospital Gift Shop Association
Ohio Hospital Gift Shop Association

Southeast Healthcare Volunteer Leaders
Texas Association of Directors of Volunteer Services

Holiday:
Halloween & Party Expo

Hotel and Resort:
Four Seasons Resorts

Jewelry:
Atlanta Jewelry Show
Centurion Jewelry Show
Independent Jewelers Organization
Jewelers of America
Michigan Retailers Association
Southern Jewelry Travelers Association

Lumber Dealers:
Construction Distribution
Empire Building Products
Michigan Lumber & Building Materials Association
National Home Center News
Northeastern Retail Lumber Association
Southwest Building Materials
West Coast Lumber and Building Material Association
Wisconsin Retail Lumber Association

Main Street Programs, Chambers of Commerce, SBDC:
America's SBDC
Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce
Downtown Frederick, MD Partnership
Downtown Sanford, NC
Downtown Sylva, NC
Downtown Waynesville, NC Association
Ellensburg Downtown Association
Florida Main Street
Florida SBDC
Franklin, NC Main Street
Grand Central District St. Petersburg
Henderson, NV Water Street District
Iowa SBDC
Kansas Main Street
Louisiana Main Street
Main Street Now
Main Street Ripon, WI
Meredith, NH Main Street
Morganton, NC Main Street
National Main Street
National Main Street News
North Carolina Main Street
Pennsylvania Downtown Center
Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce
Texas Gulf Coast SBDC
Wisconsin Main Street
Wyoming SBDC

Marine Industry:
Barclay Marine
Bell Industries
Boat & Motor Dealer
Boating Industry
Lake Erie Marine Trade Association

Merchandise Mart:
Atlanta Merchandise Mart
Dallas Market Center
Denver Merchandise Mart
Los Angeles Gift Mart

Merchants Association:
Michigan Retail Association
Texas Retailers Association

Museum Stores:
Canadian Museum Association
Museum Magazine
Museum Stores Association
Museum Stores Association - Florida

Music:
National Association of Music Merchants
National Association of School Music Dealers
Music, Inc
Veritas Instrument Rental

Office Supply:
Dealer Communicator
Image Source
Instant & Small Commercial Printer
Management Portfolio
Office Dealer

SP Richard Company

Outdoors:
America Outdoors
Eastern National Cape Hatteras Region
Eastern National Midwest Region
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
Professional Paddlesports Association

Paint:
Paint & Decorating Retailers Association

Pet Industry:
Central Pet
Coastal Pet Products
Groom & Board
HH Backer
Kent Nutrition Group
Pet Age
Pet Industry Distributors Association
PIJAC - Canada

Pharmacy:
American Associated Pharmacies
American Pharmacy Cooperative
American Pharmacy Services
AmeriSource Bergen
AmeriSource Bergen - Alabama Division
AmeriSource Bergen - North Region
Arkansas Pharmacists Association
Cardinal Healthcare
Carolina Pharmacy Network
Diversified Healthcare
Drugstore Canada
Epic Pharmacies
Florida Pharmacy Association
Georgia Pharmacy Association
Heartland Pharmacy Association
IPC/Servall
J.M. Smith Corporation
Legend Pharmacy, SouthWest
Louisiana Pharmacy Association
Maine Pharmacy Association
McKesson
Michigan Pharmacy Association
Minnesota Pharmacy Association
National Community Pharmacy Association
New Mexico Pharmacy Association
Northeast Pharmacy Service Corporation
Oregon Pharmacy Association
PBA Health
Pharmacy Buying Group of America
Pharmacy Franchisees & Owners Association
Pharmacy Group of New England
Pharmacy Services, Inc.
Rx Plus
Washington State Pharmacy Association

Photography:
Photo Marketing Association International

Pool & Spa:
APSP - Midwest Region
APSP - Houston Region
AQUA
AQUA Magazine
AquaTech
Arch Chemicals
Arctic Spas
Bio Lab
Hydropool Industries
IPSP Expo
National Spa & Pool Association - Region IX
Northeast Spa & Pool Association
Pool & Spa News
United Aqua

Power Equipment:
Ex-Mark Power Equipment
Green Industry Pro
Ohio Equipment Distributors Association
Outdoor Power Equipment
Outdoor Power Equipment & Engine Service Association
Power Equipment Trade


Rental Stores:
American Rental Association
Rental Product News

Service:
Mobile Tech Expo
National Pest Management Association
Northeast Laundry Association

Sewing:
Bernina
Monograms America
Tacony

Sporting Goods:
AcuSport
Big Rock Sports
Billiard Retailer Magazine
Del Mar Distributing
Farris Brothers, Inc
Giant Bicycles
Health & Fitness Business
Health & Fitness Expo
icast
National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers
National Bicycle Dealers Association
National Rifle Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
Outdoor Retailer Magazine
Outdoor Retailer Trade Show
Raleigh America Bicycles
Retail Focus
SHOT Business
SnowSports Industry of America
Specialized Bicycle Components
Sportman Magazine
VNU Health & Fitness
YaYa! Bike

Stationery:
Party & Paper Retailer

Toys, Hobbies, Games:
American Specialty Toy Retailer Association
Hobby Manufacturers Association
Model Retailer

National Retail Hobby Stores Association
Toy Industry Association

Variety:
Variety Distributors, Inc.

Window Coverings:
Draperies & Window Coverings
G & W McNamara Publishing Companies
Hunter Douglas Companies
Window Fashions

MARCH 2024
Have the Small Business Conversations, Advisories and News sent to your inbox. Subscribe HERE

Small Business

Conversations

We are taking a break with the Small Business Conversations programs. However, we have the many years of the program cataloged by date on the website.

Small Business

AdvisorieS

The March Small Business Advisory remembers a line from many a western movie; "They went that a-way" and expressions similar to that distract from a business giving great customer service.

Small Business

News

Top Story

The big news item on November 30, 2022 was the advent of ChatGPT; Artificial Intelligence applications which many believe are used exclusively by big businesses.

This does not have to be true as there are many applications we share that have usage in a small business.


Article of the Month

"No plan B"; the subtitle to Van Morrison's Born to Sing album. The idea of no plan B also applies to a small business when you think (or is it when you don't think) about when the time, or opportunity, comes that you can sell your business. Generally speaking, a small business owner gets less money when they decide to close their business.


Book of the Month

"Escape from Cubicle Nation" is the March book of the month. While directed towards those working a corporate job and wanting to become an entrepreneur, we remind readers about utilizing their gut feeling to make decisions in their business.

After all, you did use your gut feeling when you decided to open or purchase your business.

BOOK US

With over 25 years of frontline experience Tom Shay is America's leading Small Business Management Expert. He's a "Must Have" for your next event.

Small Business

Conversations

We are taking a break with the Small Business Conversations programs. However, we have the many years of the program cataloged by date on the website.

Small Business

Advisories

The March Small Business Advisory remembers a line from many a western movie; "They went that a-way" and expressions similar to that distract from a business giving great customer service.

Small Business

News

 

Top Story

The big news item on November 30, 2022 was the advent of ChatGPT; Artificial Intelligence applications which many believe are used exclusively by big businesses.

This does not have to be true as there are many applications we share that have usage in a small business.


Article of the Month

"No plan B"; the subtitle to Van Morrison's Born to Sing album. The idea of no plan B also applies to a small business when you think (or is it when you don't think) about when the time, or opportunity, comes that you can sell your business. Generally speaking, a small business owner gets less money when they decide to close their business.


Book of the Month

"Escape from Cubicle Nation" is the March book of the month. While directed towards those working a corporate job and wanting to become an entrepreneur, we remind readers about utilizing their gut feeling to make decisions in their business.

After all, you did use your gut feeling when you decided to open or purchase your business.