Most entrepreneurs think finance is about numbers—it’s really about decisions. In this episode, Pete Mohr talks with Dorothy Zubel, Co-Founder of The Finance Group, about the power of fractional finance and why clarity in your books directly impacts confidence, growth, and exit value.

Dorothy shares how her team supports businesses with CFO-level insight, KPIs, and financial strategy without the full-time cost. Learn how clean financial records, proper reporting, and strategic forecasting can turn stress into momentum.

You’ll Learn:
→ What fractional finance is and why it matters
→ How to use KPIs to guide smarter decisions
→ The difference between a bookkeeper, controller, and CFO
→ Why clean financials boost your exit valuation
→ How to find and work with the right finance partner

Connect with Dorothy Zubel:
Email: dorothy.zubel@thefinancegroup-global.com
Website: www.thefinancegroup-global.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

Letting go of a longtime team member is one of the toughest leadership challenges a business owner will ever face. In this episode, Pete Mohr explains why misalignment happens, how to recognize it, and the respectful steps you can take to transition employees without breaking culture or trust.

You’ll discover a 5-step framework for releasing employees gracefully:
→ Acknowledge misalignment
→ Communicate with honesty and empathy
→ Offer support during the transition
→ Plan a smooth handoff for your team
→ Realign and inspire the future

This episode will leave you with the clarity and courage to make tough calls while protecting both your business and your people.

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

In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with Daniel Tadros of 360 Retail Management to explore how independent footwear retailers can leverage automation, AI, and smart systems to save time, reduce costs, and boost profits.

Daniel shares how his team helps retailers streamline operations through POS integration, automated product uploads, improved online listings, and outsourced back-office tasks — all while maintaining full control. They also cover overcoming fear of change, protecting margins with AI pricing tools, and creating a better customer experience without increasing staff.

If you’ve ever felt bogged down by manual processes or worried about losing your edge in a competitive market, this episode will show you how to work smarter, not harder.

Connect with Daniel Tadros:
Website: www.360retailmanagement.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/360-retail-management/
Email: info@360retailmanagement.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

Pickleball isn't just a sport anymore—it's a retail movement.

In this episode, Pete Mohr sits down with Steven Greenstein, VP at PB5Star, to discuss how their biomechanics-first approach to footwear is turning heads—and turning inventory.

You’ll hear how PB5Star grew from concept to sellout, what makes their court shoe different from rebranded tennis models, and why their success is tied to deep retailer support and community activation.

Whether you run a comfort store, a running shop, or a sporting goods location, this episode breaks down:
→ Why the pickleball customer is different—and rapidly growing
→ The mechanics of the game that impact footwear design
→ How PB5Star supports retailers with the Five Star Success Plan
→ Creative ways to attract and engage your local pickleball community
→ Why independent retailers are perfectly positioned to own this space

From apparel to paddles to recovery sandals, PB5Star offers more than just shoes—they offer opportunity.

Connect with Steven:
Website: https://pb5star.com
Contact Steven Greenstein: sgreenstein@pb5star.com
Become a retailer: Wholesale inquiry form at pb5star.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

In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with John and Mark Cronin, the father-son team behind John’s Crazy Socks. What started as a mission to find employment turned into a 4,000-SKU business, a national brand, and a movement for inclusion and joy.

They get real about what happens when viral success overwhelms your operations, how they rebuilt from the chaos, and why giving back is baked into their bottom line.

If you’re a footwear retailer, impact-focused entrepreneur, or a business owner who believes values matter, this episode is a must-listen.

What You'll Learn:

→ How they scaled fulfillment from 40 to 1,000+ orders/day
→ Why giving back upfront became core to their growth
→ How they grew a B2B and wholesale arm
→ What they’re building next with Abilities Rising

Guest Info:
Website: https://johnscrazysocks.com
Speaking/Consulting: https://johnandmarkcronin.com
Social: @JohnsCrazySocks

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

What makes a customer want to stay, browse—and buy?
In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with retail strategist Lyn Falk of RetailWorks to talk about the psychology behind great store design. With over 30 years of experience helping independent retailers create high-converting spaces, Lyn shares what actually works when it comes to layout, signage, lighting, scent, and customer flow.

Whether you're opening a new location or just need a fresh perspective, this episode will help you see your store through your customers' eyes—and make smarter decisions that drive more sales.

Topics covered:
→ The biggest mistakes in independent retail design
→ How store flow impacts customer behavior
→ The right way to use scent and lighting
→ Why signage is often overlooked but crucial
→ Quick wins for a weekend refresh
→ When and how to consider a full redesign
→ The role of emotional and sensory engagement in buying decisions

Connect with Lyn Falk:
Website: https://RetailWorksInc.com
Email: lfalk@retailworksinc.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

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