What happens when the next generation returns to the family shoe store — not just to help, but to lead? In this episode, Pete Mohr is joined by Abba Carmichael (Abba Dabba’s), Jake Humphreys (Humphreys Bootery), and Keegan Keel (K&D Shoes) — three independent retailers shaping the future of footwear.

They get honest about:
→ Why they left the business — and what brought them back
→ Challenges of stepping into leadership while earning team trust
→ How they’re balancing legacy with innovation
→ Their vision for independent footwear retail in the next decade

If you’re part of a family-run business or considering a leadership handoff, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and ideas for how to do it right.

Connect with the Guests:
→ Abba Carmichael: abba@coolshoes.com | abbadabba.com
→ Jake Humphreys: jake.humphreys@humphreysbootery.com | humphreysbootery.com
→ Keegan Keel: keegan@kndsafetyshoes.com | kndshoes.com

Connect with Pete Mohr:
→ Website: simplifyingentrepreneurship.com
→ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/petemohr
→ Podcast: thefootwearretailer.com

PLUS: Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you move from the Operator’s seat to the Owner’s seat in your business:

1. Take the Value Builder Assessment to better understand the areas of your business that add the most value to your business - Click Here

2. Uncover your Kolbe. Whether just for you, or for your full team, better understand leadership strengths and ways you can advance your People - Click Here.

3. Listen my other podcast Business Owner Breakthrough podcast as well for quick tools and tips - Click Here

If you’re tired of flying blind in your business, this episode is your cheat code. Pete Mohr is joined by Dan Holman—retail coach, POS expert, and founder of Retail by CRS—for a no-fluff conversation about the metrics, tools, and systems that independent retailers need to grow. From breaking down what your POS system should really be doing, to tracking the few numbers that move the needle, this episode gives you actionable insights you can apply today.

Learn:
→ How to know if your inventory is helping or hurting you
→ What to track weekly (even if you're not a numbers person)
→ The simple question that boosts team accountability
→ How to move unsold stock without “losing” money
→ Why most point-of-sale systems miss the mark

📍 Guest: Dan Holman
Website: https://www.retailbycrs.com
Email: dan@retailbycrs.com
Instagram: @retailbycrs
Facebook: Retail by CRS
Linkedin: Canadian Retail Solutions Inc.
Podcast: The Wealthy Retailer® Podcast

🎙 Host: Pete Mohr
Website:https://simplifyingentrepreneurship.com
Podcast: The Footwear Retailer Podcast
Instagram: @petesmohr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifyingEntrepreneurship

PLUS: Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you move from the Operator’s seat to the Owner’s seat in your business:

1. Take the Value Builder Assessment to better understand the areas of your business that add the most value to your business - Click Here

2. Uncover your Kolbe. Whether just for you, or for your full team, better understand leadership strengths and ways you can advance your People - Click Here.

3. Listen my other podcast Business Owner Breakthrough podcast as well for quick tools and tips - Click Here

In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with Terry Schalow, Executive Director of the Running Industry Association (RIA), to explore how independent run specialty stores continue to grow—even amid inflation, tariffs, and supply chain uncertainty.

Terry shares the three pillars of RIA's support strategy:

→ Elevating retailers through tools like freight savings and product data systems

→ Strengthening the channel through collaboration and peer groups

→ Attracting new customers by helping stores build diverse, connected communities

They also cover:

→ What defines a true run specialty store

→ Why the run channel has never seen negative growth in 25 years

→ How stores can prepare for the impact of upcoming tariff increases

→ Why community and communication are more important than ever in retail

Whether you're a footwear retailer or a specialty store owner, this episode offers real-world tactics to improve margins, increase connection, and survive in a changing landscape.

Learn more about the Running Industry Association: https://runningindustry.org

Contact Terry: terry@runningindustry.org

Connect with Host Pete Mohr:

Website: https://simplifyingentrepreneurship.com
Podcast: https://www.thefootwearretailer.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petermohr/

PLUS: Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you move from the Operator’s seat to the Owner’s seat in your business:

1. Take the Value Builder Assessment to better understand the areas of your business that add the most value to your business - Click Here

2. Uncover your Kolbe. Whether just for you, or for your full team, better understand leadership strengths and ways you can advance your People - Click Here.

3. Listen my other podcast Business Owner Breakthrough podcast as well for quick tools and tips - Click Here