This week’s episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a west coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.

Patrick Keiser is the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Heart on Main Street. Following a career as a high school educator, Patrick entered the wholesale industry in 2016 with a passion for making a difference in communities.

After several years of learning within the wholesale industry, Patrick believed he could be doing more to help independent retailers. In 2021, he conceptualized the idea of bringing together the efforts of companies and organizations that relied on Main Street businesses to provide more tools, resources, and education to retailers across the country.

With the belief that by supporting the growth and sustainability of independent retailers, you can help create better economic conditions for those in the community, Heart on Main Street was formed in 2022. In its first full year in 2023, Heart on Main Street provided over $60,000 to retailers affected by natural disasters and continues to grow as an organization.

Patrick shares his career journey from a high school teacher to his work with One Coast and Heart on Main Street. He shares how Heart on Main Street grew from just an idea to the organization it is today. Michelle and Patrick also discuss mentorship in the industry and the power of community, how Patrick works with retailers, the story behind his Main Street Monday tours, and what the future holds for Heart on Main Street.

What’s Inside:

• How and why Patrick started Heart on Main Street
• A discussion on mentorship and the power of community
• The story behind Patrick’s Main Street Monday tours

Mentioned In This Episode:
Heart on Main Street on Instagram
Heart on Main Street on Facebook
Heart on Main Street Website
Heart on Main Street on TikTok

This episode is sponsored by Patrick & Company, a wholesale sales agency proudly representing nationally and internationally branded companies. Located in the Dallas Market Center, for over 30 years they have been the go-to source for retailers helping to discover those unique, sought-after, and stylish brands.

Nora’s story began with a pivotal "a-ha moment" in 2004 at her pottery shop just outside of Chicago, Illinois, where she noticed women returning month after month to create platters for various occasions. Curious about where they were storing all these platters, she envisioned a simpler solution—a single
platter for multiple occasions.

Two years later, Nora's brother, Jon, joined her as a business partner, bringing a perfect blend of creativity and development skills to help her grow the company. Family remains the core of Nora’s business, and each member of her team is connected through life’s circle of family and friends.

Nora shares all about her incredible career and personal journey and how it blossomed into her thriving business. She walks through how she came up with her innovative platter concept and discusses the impact of doing signings with customers. Michelle and Nora also chat about how Nora navigates her business since her brother’s passing, advice on building your own brand, and how Nora gives back to the community through her work.

What’s Inside:

• How Nora developed her innovative platter concept
• Advice on building your own brand
• How Nora’s company gives back

Mentioned In This Episode:
Nora Fleming on Instagram
Nora Fleming Website
Nora Fleming on Facebook

This week’s episode is sponsored by Fine Lines, a West Coast wholesale rep agency with showrooms in Las Vegas and Seattle representing over 50 fabulous gifts, fashion + home lines.

In 2023, Nathan Raposo and Spencer Howard of Nathan Spencer Home acquired the Agoura Antique Mart in Agoura Hills, California, after operating locations in San Diego, La Jolla, and Venice. Spencer began selling antiques in the 1990s and operated a design and construction firm in Houston, Texas, that specialized in historic preservation and architectural antiques. After that, he commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps and did construction projects around the world.

Nathan owned a home fragrance shop in Boston, Massachusetts, where he handcrafted candles, reed diffusers, and solid perfumes. Prior to that, he was a private hair stylist for a luxury high rise in downtown Boston. They met in San Diego as Spencer was finishing his last tour with the Navy. Together, they created Nathan Spencer Home to combine their love of antiques, gifts, and home decor.

This summer, they are expanding the Agoura Antique Mart by 25% with an additional 2,300 sq. ft. of showroom space at the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills, California.

Here, Nathan and Spencer share all about their background and how it influenced their business ventures today. They discuss the details on how their furniture painting techniques got them into antiques and what it’s like at the Agoura Hills Antique Mart. Nathan and Spencer also share insights into their merchandising strategy, how they split their work responsibilities, how they design their stores and manage vendors, and much more.


What’s Inside:

• How Nathan and Spencer’s background led them to where they are today
• What it’s like inside the Agoura Antique Mart
• How Nathan and Spencer design their stores and manage vendors

Mentioned In This Episode:
The Agoura Antique Mart on Instagram
The Agoura Antique Mart on Facebook
www.TheAgouraAntiqueMart.com