Episode 30: Working through economic downturns and tips for staying motivated in retail with Chris Crouch of Happy Valley
Happy Valley is one of Fiona’s favourite stores in her hometown of Melbourne, for its curated collection of items, for the experience it offers and the community it has cultivated around it. In today’s episode, she interviews Happy Valley owner, Chris Couch. Listen as they discuss how Chris has successfully managed different kinds of businesses (including Polyester Records, Candle Records and the Tramway Pub), and how he is coping as a small business owner during a pandemic. Chris also goes into detail in how he was able to create a community around his business and also the practicalities of how long it's taken him to get the business to a place that he's really comfortable with and he's happy with.
Topics discussed in this episode:
Introduction [1:20]
About Chris Crouch and Happy Valley [1:57]
Checking in with Chris [6:05]
Describing Happy Valley [7:41]
History [10:22]
Chris' Upbringing [12:19]
The Challenges in the Business [13:43]
On Staying Motivated [16:34]
Choosing The Stock [20:06]
On Brands Featured on The Store [24:19]
On Markets [27:47]
On Having A 9-5 Job [32:03]
Time Management [34:53]
On Boundaries [38:58]
On Saying no [40:07]
The Business During COVID [42:07]
On Books [48:42]
On Doing The Business Differently [51:59]
Tech Tools For The Business [57:44]
On Happy Valley's Achievements [1:03:02]
Connecting With Happy Valley [1:04:27]
Conclusion [1:07:32]
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Episode transcript:
You need each step along the way to make things better. So the shop where I'm at now, it couldn't be the shop when I first started. it literally took so much time and effort to work out what works, what doesn't work, what I like, what the customers like. You can't get that instant gratification. It just doesn't work. Business doesn't work like that. It is literally a step by step by step by step.
Hello and welcome to Episode 30 of My Daily Business Coach podcast. I hope that wherever you're listening to this podcast, you are doing well. You are healthy, you are happy, and you are staying safe and sane. I am coming to you from Melbourne where we're still in lockdown and I am just trying to get through it the best that I can like so many other small business owners. But wherever you are in the world, even if you're in lockdown like me, I know that today's podcast episode is going to be hugely inspiring and insightful. I absolutely loved doing this interview that you're about to listen to.
This was with Chris Crouch. So Chris Crouch is an incredible small business owner. He has been a business owner of so many different businesses in Melbourne. And if you're from Melbourne and you're in the creative scene, chances are, you know, Chris, or you at least know some of the businesses that he has run. So today, predominately, we're talking about his current business, which is Happy Valley, and it is absolutely one of my favourite places to go. It is my go to for gifts, along with a couple other Melbourne stores. But it is just one of those places where their stock and what they have in store is just so well curated that it makes going there an experience in itself. Every time that I go into Happy Valley, and I've been there many, many, many times since they opened seven years ago, I come out feeling just a bit more uplifted, a bit more inspired. I've seen, you know, you go in there and you can't help but see awesome, beautiful pieces like from jewellery to ceramics to other kind of gifting items. And then an abundance of fantastic books, everything from Coffee-table books to, you know, sort of smaller children's books through to, you know, really gutsy art and design and business books as well, including my own. So thank you so much, Chris, again, for stocking it. But yeah, I absolutely love Happy Valley because there's always something in there that I can find for even the most, you know hard to please or discerning friend or family member.
But outside of that, I just love that when you go in there, there's not sort of this push to buy, buy, buy. It's very relaxed. I've actually and I think I mentioned this to Chris in the interview. I do a lot of work in and around Collingwood, which is where Happy Valley is based, and that's in inner Melbourne. And I have often had to meet clients for the first time or kind of pitch myself to certain sort of giant companies where I'm going in as a consultant and often will meet in a cafe that's nearby Happy Valley. Happy Valley is fortunate to be surrounded by so many amazing restaurants and cafes that hopefully will open up again soon. But I have definitely gone into Happy Valley even just to calm myself down, because it's just that environment. Chris has done an amazing job of creating something where people just want to go, they want to be there and just experience it. When I've had friends come in from overseas. I'm definitely like, oh, we have to check out Happy Valley. And they've always walked out of there, you know, buying something that has been just that bit different, just that bit curated.
And so Chris Crouch, who owns Happy Valley and is the man that I'm talking to in today's interview. He's also owned and run so many other businesses. And I think it's amazing to have the opportunity to talk to somebody who has the breadth of experience that he has. Prior to starting Happy Valley seven years ago, Chris Crouch had previously owned Polyester Records, which, you know, again, if you're from Melbourne or if you've ever visited Melbourne, you would have known it was a huge, huge, very popular retail store. Candle Records, which was a music label, and the Tramway Hotel, which is a pub in North Fitzroy along which is the neighbouring suburb to Collingwood. And so he has an abundance of business experience. And I'm really happy that I was able to talk to somebody like him, particularly when we're going through a pandemic, because he was and he talks about this in the interview - He was in business when the global financial crisis hit. And so he's been through an economic downturn and he talks about the kind of tips for keeping yourself motivated, particularly with this incredibly challenging situation that a lot of small business owners find themselves in in 2020. He also goes into detail in how he was able to sort of create a community around his business and also things like, you know, the practicalities of how long it's taken him to get the business to a place that he's really comfortable with and he's happy with. So I really hope that you enjoy today's interview. I absolutely loved talking to Chris. You'll hear that in my voice. Absolutely love what is built. Love the purpose that he has behind his business. Love how he operates it. And I think it's a fantastic example of a small business that is really supporting the creative community. So here you go. I hope you enjoy it.
Welcome, Chris Crouch, I was super excited about talking to you. We are recording this at night. How are you going? I'm super excited. I've told you this personally, but I love your style. I love it. I'm really sad that we're locked down and I can't go and see it. But when I found out you would take my book. I was just blown away because I love, love, love, love your store. But it is 2020. And like I've just mentioned, we are in lockdown. So how how are you feeling with everything that's going on right now? Corona coaster, as they say.
Well, it's really bizarre because I've literally lost track of time like days and months. I know we're in September, but I wouldn't know what day it is. It's usually in business. It's pretty regulated. You don't know where you're at. Yeah, I feel this year is is is really, really surreal is probably the best word to describe it, because I just feel like I know that this is going to end at some stage. But at the moment it doesn't feel like it will ever end. I mean, the idea that we're in September already just blows my mind. Usually you have things, you know, like it's Father's Day, Mother's Day when you open. So it's a little bit although I sort of knew a special calendar does feel different this year because when you're in retail, you really celebrate. So this year, that's why I think everything just feel like it's just rolling to one.
I have worked in retail myself and definitely know all of those markers that you've got the Father's Day, crazy rush and all of sports and the end, you know, in Australia, the AFL Grand Final, and then you move into spring racing. And then as soon as that's over, it's Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. So, yeah, I definitely feel for retailers. And speaking of that, can you tell us a little bit about Happy Valley, which is which is your store? People listening, they would have just heard me rave about it in the intro because like I said, I'm not just saying this is one of my absolute favourite places to lose myself to just I would just buy a whole shop if I had the money. Chris, can you tell people what is Happy Valley? How would you describe what Happy Valley is?
It as a gift store that stocks curated books and vinyl and the gifts, you know, focused on Australian, especially Victorian makers and Victorian designers. I call it an art space. It's really hard to describe. And that's part of the reason why it's called Happy Valley. I didn't actually want to name that to define the space. I really wanted people to come in and discover it. But it's got all those elements. So it's very eclectic. So that's I guess that's in a nutshell.
It is definitely eclectic. Even when I was thinking about chapter tonight and I have to admit, I actually said to my husband, I'm nervous. I really, really like your style. I can't say that enough. But also, like, I used to work in a digital agency around the corner from there. I made a lot of my clients in Collingwood. I feel like Collingwood's like my second home. And a lot of like the gift that I got from the digital agency when I left there was cups from your store. Yeah, I've got one somewhere. A Christmas gift from there, like someone that I just met when I come back from London in Australia. So many different things I've given, you know, friends that are crying because they're going through a divorce next door. I'd like going in there and bought them something before I met them. There were all sorts of people. So it's a huge part of my life.
Well, I guess to when describing it, I guess, too, I mean, this is just in my head, so it's nice to hear that. Is that I just wanted a space where people didn't know exactly what they wanted. But once they're in the shop, hopefully to discover something. So that was that was kind of the main ethos behind the shop. So that's why it does feel like it's not clearly defined because it is a very eclectic shop. I'm not trying to sell you one thing. It's more about you just enjoying the space. And if you can’t find something, people apologise to me when they walk outside like “Sorry, I didn’t buy anything.” That’s totally fine. That's kinda that's kind of what I went in for when I first opened.
And speaking about when you first opened. A lot of people know Happy Valley, but you have been in this small business community and the creative scene in Melbourne, you know, for a long time. Happy Valley is not your first business. So you've previously owned Polyester Records, which was another massive go to destination Candle Records, which the label and the Tramway Hotel, which is the pub in North Fitzroy. What prompted you to start Happy Valley when you’ve been in all these other sort of industries?
Well, I actually thought when I sold Polyester that I wasn't going to do retail again. I was like, I've done that. I really enjoyed it. Had a good run. I mean, nothing was ever going to top polyester. I thought I'll do something totally different. And that's when I bought the Tramway, A week later after walking past the pub and it kind of tick that box of just doing something totally different. But during that time, you know, they had two business partners in the pop. During the time I thought, you know, well what else could I do? So I just started going back to retail. But I thought if I do retail again or want to sort of reinvent for myself, I just don't want to do the same thing again. And so I thought of doing a bookshop, possibly doing a just a design store or maybe even art gallery. I had these sort of all these different ideas. And I thought, you know what? I don't know where I could just stick to one of those. So ultimately, Happy Valley kind of doubt the whole amalgamation of all of those ideas in one.
So what was your upbringing like? Did you grow up in a family where your parents are business owners or your family, you know, like extended family business owners? Is that why you felt, oh, I can stop this and I can stop that? I could do this? Like, what was your upbringing like?
Well, my parents were actually in the airforce, so we actually moved every three or four years, so we were never in one spot. So I think probably that gives you a sense of probably dislocation, but also confidence, because, you know, you never you got to make new friends all the time. You got to move states. We lived overseas. So we're always on the move. So we didn’t have that small business background and the family. But I think my parents really just instilled this idea - If you want to do something, just go and do it. I think when I told them I was going to be a band manager, that kind of threw them because they were thinking, well, you went and studied, you know, a degree in radio. And then I started, you know, involved in the music scene. But that was still very encouraging. So nothing was sort of off the table for them after I did, you know, two or three different businesses. They got all that's just Chris. They just knew that I was never going to have a, you know, nine to five job.
But from the outset, it seems that you've had successful business after successful business after successful business. But, you know, everybody knows that they're not always successful 24/7. So as someone who's owned all of these different businesses, what have been maybe some of the biggest challenges or the hardest things that you've had to work through, and maybe it's right now because it's 2020 and we're all going through it. But can you talk through some of those things, whether they're at Happy Valley or at the businesses prior to that?
Yeah, I think I mean, I think when the GFC in 2007 was seven years into Polyester, I remember that just threw me because at that stage the business was very stable, week in, week out. Business was very stable. I just remember then it totally threw me. An economic downturn can really affect your business when you're still doing all the same things that you have done. I just remember going this just is really bizarre because, you know, why is this week any different to other week. So that economic uncertainty really is a big thing. And I guess during COVID, I do put myself into those poor people that maybe set up a business six months ago and all of a sudden this has hit. You know, I'm lucky that I'll be valley seven years in. So we're pretty well established. So I just think economic uncertainty is probably the hardest thing for businesses about who you are - big or small, because you're not doing anything wrong. You can't necessarily plan for it. You just have to do your best to get through it. I think personally, the hardest thing for me was because this is my fourth business. You know, when you start again, you kind of have to have something that that motivates you. So it's not like just applying for a job. And then next week you've got a new job that it takes a lot of sort of planning and motivation to do the next project. So I really found it hard after selling finished Candle Records, my record label, I closed polyester. I had a had a six month break because I just wanted a break. I just felt like I was working a lot and then started the Tramway.
But I guess the next stage was like, what am I going to do, post the pub? And so that was the hardest thing, because like I said before, I wanted to be as good as Polyester in a totally different way. I needed to be motivated and wanted to get up and out every morning to enjoy it. So that was probably the most difficult thing. So I think, you know, that's probably a good 12 months where I was like, what am I going to do? Or what's this next business is going to do? And then once it's kind of clicked, once I sort of got the outline of it, I was fine. And I was I would sit down day to day and work out exactly what I wanted. I guess that that transition period is probably of the hardest.
And so you've brought up two elements that are very front and centre at the moment for a lot of people. And I know this because even strangers are reaching out to me and sending the DMs on Instagram with this exact question, which is how do I stay motivated right now when, like you said at the start, you don't really know when this whole kind of thing is going to lift, like, properly. And I don't know if I'll ever go back to some kind of norma. But you just talked about the motivation that you needed and also the economic downturn. Obviously, you wrote out both of those and you mentioned, like, you know, I just had to take some time and then I kind of felt it all kind of running into plan or moving parts into place.
What advice would you have for someone who right now is either facing economic downturn that they've never even considered is something that they might have to add or also, you know, tips for staying motivated when perhaps, you know, just it just life in general is a bit hard when you're running a business right now.
Well, to tell the truth, the first 12 months of Happy Valley, I find motivation really hard because I study again. The shop wasn't that busy. People don't know what I was doing. I was used to a very easy label, very busy record shop, very busy pub. And so when you are starting a new shop, especially retail, I guess my motivation tips are very small and simple, just day by day. What can I do today to improve the business? Really small things. And so sometimes there are lists, sometimes obviously in my head. It might not actually create anything in terms of a monetary value, but for me personally, it means the business is improving. Someone outside may not see it, but me personally, I've done something like I’ve updated of the website. I've done some social media. Of course, you if sold books, you know, so very small things. I think if you gained too large, it would just feel like a mountain. So I keep it very small and I try it literally on a daily level - What can I do today to just to make things easier for me or improve the store so that that's that's how I keep motivated. Because some day, especially the first twelve months, as you know, of retail, it could be very quiet. I mean, the first 12 months are hardest because people are find you for the first twelve months. You've got to find out what you actually do and then come back when they need you. And so it's not like food where food can be seen here. You might have a coffee every single day. Retail people might need you two or three times a year. And so the process takes awhile.
In terms of the economic downturn. I mean, I think that, again, kind of back to those things. Everything you do now will mean long term. The business is better. So it's kind of like you can't just consciously things. I'll put that off. I'll do that in 12 months. You kind of just have to try to improve your business every single day, a little by little. There's all those little improvements will actually add up to something long term. And so once you're out of this, your business will be in a stronger position because you've made all the hard decisions and hard things now. Of course, financially, you can't do a lot about it unless you businesses is doing really well online at the moment.
But long term, you've got to think that these these type of events might happen again. So I don't want to think like that. It will, but it might. And so you just sort of, you know, on a day to day situation, just do what's best for you and your business and use this time as a motivating going well. But all these great ideas like how once I reopen to implement them,
I think I've had people sort of say to me, ah, I just I'm just going to go quiet. I don't know. I'm just going to wait until this is over and then I'll start doing X, Y, Z. And I think what you said, I couldn't agree with you more. Let's just start. Just keep going. Just small things. And you mentioned one of those small things was, you know, maybe buying some gifts or buying some new things for the store as just like one of the things you could take off your list to make you feel that you're doing something. Happy Valley is I feel like I like your personal PR, but it is such a go to store for me along with some other Melbourne stores. I like to shop local and support small business, but definitely like I've bought many birthday gifts appartement Father's Day gifts for my husband bought small things to just cheer someone up. I often a meeting somebody, you know, you're surrounded by really great restaurants. And so I'm meeting someone and it's such a great place to offer to buy something for them. And so part of the reason that it's such a great go-to store is that you have such an amazing eye for curating things you don't like this you mentioned before, when people walk out there like, I'm sorry, I didn't buy something because I feel like you have to stop yourself. Look, I know you don't want to hear that as the owner. I feel like I have to stop myself from buying more and more and more things while I'm in there. Selecting which brands to stock can be a hard thing for retailers, particularly when there's so many so many amazing brands coming out. Like you just have to look at Instagram and you can suddenly say, oh, this amazing earing brand. And now this. This one. And this one. And this one. How do you choose what to stock? Because you've been able to choose it. Well, for your business to be so successful and like, what do you say no to what do you have any sort of checklist or like I want to buy things that are X, Y, Z. How do you do that?
Well, I think there's actually two periods at the shop. W I said two periods, when I first started out, I had to buy things for a brand new shop and things now seven years in. So I guess my my number one rule is if I can't get excited about it, how can I expect my customers to? So I see lots of products. I've got to try it first. I see lots of Web sites. But if I don't get excited about it or think of this, this is really what, you know, represents the store very well. I just I just bypass it because like I said, if I need to be able to feel that the customers get excited by it. So I just think there's nothing worse than trying to sell something that you have no interest in.
So it actually makes things a lot easier because all of a sudden, if it doesn't really create that that interest for me, then I'll just I'll just move on. I mean, I get a lot of people selling all this skells really, really well in other stores. And I have no doubt it does. But that to me is not a motivating factor. Like the sales thought of it is actually a very low level indicator for me. It's more. Is this interesting? Is this unique? Is this made locally? Is it mass produce or is it individually made? All those things are way more important to me. And how is it going to fit with the store? You know, especially if it's original. I need something. I mean, something that stands out. I mean, I'll say so much product and I only probably know five percent of it I feel like I haven't seen before. And so it's that five percent that actually stands out very quickly to me. So I get asked that question all the time. And I think think it's so much easy because I do it day to day. It's my job and I've been doing it even though it's different in that prevented me buying gifts. You know, buying is probably the one thing that, you know, I've been doing for a long time. And so I kind of know that's what makes the store strong. And also to on the only buyer, I don't have to work in the committee. I'm not working, you know, even sometimes you have business partners and you know, and I'm not saying it's a problem, but it's so much easier when it's just one person make a decision. And so and also, I always the other main thing is always think of my customers. I just always think, what will my customers like? All my our businesses I've been in within two kilometres of each other, North Fitzroy and only Collinwood. So, you know, on the local level, the customers I've seen at all three or four different businesses and a supported me on the way. So I kind of feel like there's a bit of expectation that I've got to make sure that what I do represents the customers that support what I do.
Yeah, I mean, I think there's so much gold in, but particularly when I'm thinking of is that there's a lot of people that we'll be listening to this podcast and that in my community that are making you know, they're makers of like furniture or do real, you know, lighting design or something. When you said before, you're looking at how is it different? And if I'm looking through, you know, is it made locally? What's the story? Are there things like just practical things that say if you're looking at a website, someone you know, you a day on Instagram or it's like, I'd really love you to stock my earrings, for instance, or my ceramic cups when you go to a website or are you looking for specific things that I'm just thinking if someone's listening to this and they've made the website and what I often say, and especially because I've been a freelance writer for so long, is when I go to about pages and they don't mention anything about the actual owner. It's all written in third person. It's written very distant to, you know, who is, it's all we do this and we do that. And there's no mention of who actually owns it. And as a journalist, that's really frustrating. Like, I'm trying to get, you know, the person behind this when you're looking at a website. Are there things that you're looking for, particularly like are you looking for a brand story or are you looking for things that I'm just wondering if people listening to this are like, oh, okay, cool. I'll add that to my website.
What is funny, I've actually told so many brands to try to be encouraging because, you know, I've met with a lot of small businesses. I talk to a lot of new up and coming brands all the time, know mental, quite a few new businesses and established businesses did a lot of the Happy Valley. And actually, number one rule is I always go to the about me page and say, how is this any different to anyone else? I need you in here. Like, what you just said is 100 percent - It's the first thing I'd check out. I want to know the person behind it. I mean, I've got about 150 different brands I deal with in that prevent, you know, from car designers to jury designers. I know every single person that I deal with. I know the person that makes it manufacture it. So to me, that's the most important thing, because I want to be having a long term relationship with my suppliers. I'm very loyal. There's people in the shop that have been there for seven years. So I guess to answer your question quickly. I guess everything you want. You want to know the background story. You want to know what the products made or if you want to. You want to know what? Look what you're asking me. What's the background to this person? Why are you doing this? What makes this product interesting? What do your customers love about it? And from a retail point of view, I kind of also want to know that they got their act together, because the problem I have now is that most of the things in my shop work. So for me to find something new generally means something has to go. And so that's why I am looking for that new and exciting thing. But it also needs to be a product that has someone that's very organised, knows how to wholesale, keeps coming up with new product ranges. Knows the price point that will work at retail. All those all those important things that are retailers going to ask. So quite often, too, I cited new designers, go to markets first, work out what designs work, what retail price works. All that feedback. Because if you come into a shop like mine, I'm going to ask you all those questions if you haven't done it. It makes it harder for you because I want to be encouraging or you. But my store, as you know, is only one store. You kind of need to have a product that, you know, can work in a lot of different stores.
I love your advice about markets. I often when I'm working with service based businesses and now I'm going to run a workshop and I always maybe try a General Assembly or try and do something at a coworking space or, you know, try it out, because it's the same principle. It's like try it out, test the market, see what will actually work before you invest, say, in a workshop as hiring a venue and getting all the catering done and everything else.
Yeah. And thing is to with markets, which I try to, you know, I get a lot of I mean, that's the hardest thing for me is I get the stationary people every week. I mean, when the shop is open, I was getting probably five, five a week, you know, cards, generally cards, greeting cards. And I don't need any more cards. And I don't want to be discouraging to people just because just because I'm full doesn't mean the shop down the road might want cards. But what I try to say to people about markets is you get the feedback when you put them in wholesale, you're not getting any feedback from the customers. You know, it's just you're getting feedback from one retailer. It's not a really good representation of what you should do with your business. But like you say, with markets, you're getting this real honest feedback from the general public, which is kinda very difficult to get when you - whether you're online or whether you're in retail. It's really the only time that designers and makers can actually get that really important information that you can't get most of the time.
And it and it gets used to talking to people about your business and which will then make it if you're going into a store and trying to sell it a bit easier.
I just have high expectations. And it's not a criticism of anyone. But if you're not prepared that I've kind of. It's very hard for me because I want to help you. I'm not you know, I don't like saying no. I mean, I get probably when the stores open about 20 to 30 emails a week of people wanting to be in the store. So it's very hard for me. I don't want to say no, but I don't want to discourage anyone because it's like one store. There's a whole huge market in Australia. And, you know, I've had people that have said no to. And this is probably I'll think maybe 70, 80 percent. The product's really good. It's just that it just doesn't fit my store or or I'm not ready for it. But I've had products that 12 months later I've contacted people and said, I think we can do it. And I say that in emails, I love your product. We'll put you on a waiting list. So no, it doesn't mean no. It just means not yet. So I'd never want to discourage you want it. But I just think, like you said about your website and getting organised and knowing all those things, that could only mean that the answer will hopefully be more positive in more more opportunities as you keep going on.
Yeah. I mean, you’re not this big scary guy in Happy Valley, but what you've also said is that like reminder to people to just start, like start to contact people. You never know what they're gonna say. I always say my dad used to always say people are people and most aren't mean, you know, like, well, most aren't jerks
When I first I Happy Valley, 90 percent of the brands said no. Who are you? No, no, no. So I know what it's like. I understand. And a lot of it was purely because there was other stores. I didn't realise when I got into the gift buying world that there's rules and brands don't want to be too close to each other, which I totally respect now as a store owner. I get it because I'm like, no, I don't want someone across the road stocking the same things because they walked into my store. Now I want to stock it. I get it. But when I first started, I had no idea. And to answer the question beforehand about buying, I was actually very blinkered. I didn't go into a lot of stores because I just wanted my own voice. I was not I I was really just trued is like this has to be unique. So I stayed away from virtually. I knew what was out there. Generally. The specifics I didn't know. But yeah. So that at the start it was really hard. I was having things I was I was on Kickstarter virtually every single day trying to fly this weird and interesting products from around the world that no one else had because I just couldn't find brands that would let me stock. That's how I first started a store just to get things in there that, you know, because I couldn't get what I wanted in there originally.
Wow. So I think this is fascinating, especially for anyone out there who's got a products business. And they're like, I have these conversations with a lot of businesses that I coach product businesses. And I think it's this is amazing. This is great insight. Thank you, Chris. Obviously, you've talked about the different businesses that you have had and you obviously like being your own boss. And even before you mentioned that, you know, it's good to just be the one buyer, not have to have these committee decisions by committee. But have you ever in your in your existence, have you ever had a normal nine to five? But have you ever been tempted to just throw it all up and be like, you know what, I'm just going to get a job with someone else is paying me like holiday pay, compassionate leave and sick pay. Have you ever been tempted to do that?
No, actually, I made a deal with myself that I was just always going to decide my own fate. And so I had this thing was that obviously I've been lucky because the businesses work, but at least on my own terms.
So I just made the decision very early on. I was studying radio at uni. And then a year later I started then managing and started my own independent record label. So that's kind of how it all started. And from then on, then the label went well. And then I bought Polyester. My friend Warwick. And then, you know, later on. So I've never I've never had to worry about it. And I guess so because I knew that I would never work for anyone else. Nothing motivates you more than having to get your act together. When you decided that, you know, you're you're you're gonna do this. So, yeah. So, look, obviously my whole life. So I guess saying that it's actually just second nature.
I don't ever think about anything else other than what am I gonna lose today. You know, my businesses. So, yeah. So I think, you know, if you're highly motivated, I've always wanted to do it. Just do it as a matter when you want to do it. I mean, I started very young, but I mean, I'm a big fan. But I mean, my my take a lot of time to get it to work. But, you know, I think that's the most important thing about this is it does take on. I mean, you know, even with Happy Valley, I think it took me probably for year five where I was actually actually personally satisfied with the shop. I was always and that's not quite how I wanted to be. It's not quite where I wanted to be. I was always trying to get to that sort of level of perfection, just personally not not from the sales side or marketing side. Just a personal And it took that long. So it just takes time. So I've been fortunate that I've never had to really think too much about, you know, getting an office job, getting an office job. Yeah, but look, I mean, that's just a personal decision I made. I would just be terrible taking orders from other people.
We were chatting before we started this conversation around the fact that you didn't have a phone for a while in your life, which I found fascinating as you had all these different businesses that you didn't have a phone. And one of the things that you mentioned was you just have to have great time management. And I think that I wanted to jump on that during this conversation because time management is such a either not to say not to like downplay it in, you know, people saying I don't have time. You know, I'd love to write a book. I don't have time. I'd love to start a business. I don't have time or I'd like to do this. I don't have time. And I know I hear that a lot from people like, oh, how do you have a podcast and how did you write a book? And you've got a newborn and all of that. And I think you make time for the stuff that you want to do. But can you talk about time management? Because you must have had that down to a T.
If you didn't have to have a phone as someone who has a small business, I mean, the reason one didn't have a phone was, again, because I was a band manager and, so you have calls at three o'clock in the morning, just on the phone a lot.
And, you know, the idea of having meetings all over day every day to me is like, wow, I just don't know whether that's productive for me. I have coffee before work with people as a catch up. That's kinda like if people want to have a one on one and ask me questions, that's what I do. But once I go into work, it's this work I don't have, I just literally don't have time to do anything else other than the job at hand. I mean, I’ve got a very small team, you know, Matthew works for me. We're the two people that run the store. I mean, I do all the buying, you know, the high, all the bills, you know, got to serve customers.
So it just forces you to have good time management. I mean, I think it's probably the most important thing because I just think that we all got the same amount of time. So, you know, you've got to use it really productively. And like I said before, you know, that's why I write little lists of how can I improve the business, because if I don't do that, you know, it's pretty easy to get bogged down in the day to day a business and then the business doesn't improve or change. I mean, I had last Christmas where we had one of our best Christmases ever. Probably our best Christmas. But I just thought that from the gift side of things that I thought was still selling the same things 12 months before then. And so I made this conscious decision to sit down to all of January to just try to find new products and new things and refresh the store. And I did. And, you know, and obviously all those new things went really, really well. So it's just more of a factor is like when you say time management, it sounds like on don't know like a theory, but it's more it's more like you've got to set little tasks for yourself within your day, within your week to make things happen. And part of that is that once you start doing that, yet you get better at it, you get quicker at it, you get smarter at it. And your time gets used a more effective way.
Yeah, I couldn't agree with that more. I often am saying to people, just break it down, break it down into other things. What people can think is, oh, I don't have three hours to do a big chunk of work as opposed to “ I have 20 minutes to sit down and do that.“
This is not me boasting. I don't ever want to sell and boasting. But, you know, I was a person who ran a record shop and managed bands and ran a record label. So my time was just literally thin. I had to do all of it. So it kind of forces you get your act together. It's like, well, if I don't get my act together and use my time wisely, the business will suffer. So I think that the longer you do your business, the better you get at it.. That's all I can say. Anything you keep saying, if you're buying, we'll get better. Your customer service will get better. Whatever. Everything will get better the longer you do it. It's just it's just something that takes time and takes practise.
One other thing that I think definitely takes practise and again, comes up a lot in conversations is around boundaries. And you just mentioned before, when people ask, too, I'm guessing that they like, oh, can I pick your brain about basically what I'm doing? Yes, that's fine.
This is this is great. But like, I have people literally coming with artwork, with unfinished books like just all this. And I want an opinion. And I'm just like, oh, I mean, it's like kind of walking into, you know, a bank and saying, hey, I've got I'm going a mortgage. You got five minutes just to you know, no one would do that because it's retail and on both. And they can't just get the weed is the most interesting. And I'm like, hey, you know, I've got a thing on my website saying, hey, email me first are we'll get back to you. I'll get back to every single person that tells me that to be in the shop. Always do. But, you know, I said sometimes it's a little bit and also to me, the middle of something. And it's a little bit confronting when you're at work and someone wants to, you know, once every five minutes of your time, which is like, you know, my computer just died today and I've got all these other issues that you don't know about, but I've got to get to them, you know? So it's very hard sometimes.
How do you say no? Like, do you literally just say no? Like, oh, how do you have advice for people that I just find it really difficult to say no.
But, you know, the problem is sometimes I try to give advice and I feel like people don't want to hear it. So it's really hard. I mean I mean, this is your day job that you would hear it all the time. You would hear it all the time. I have no doubt that ninety nine percent of what you tell small business owners is on the money. I have no doubt that they'll probably argue with you and say, no, I can't do that. Or should I try? I tried that. That doesn't work.
But the reality is, is that it's just, you know, that's just human behaviour. I'm probably the same to someone, you know. I mean, I used to get a lot of opinions when I first opened the store about what I should be doing. I was like, it's just very bizarre to say, oh, I wouldn't walk into a cafe and tell them to change the whole menu, but you just get better at retail. But now I try to be constructive. I mean, what I said, I always say this to people on money one store. So what doesn't work for me? My work for someone somewhere else. So it's more about people finding their market and who and what they want to be. Do you know I mean, I can probably open up four stores of you know, of all the people that approach me every week of good things. But I just can't. I've only got one hundred square metres, you know. And I don't want to say no to the people that are being who supported me for seven years. So that's the thing. Yeah.
So I don't. I'd never try to be negative. I always like I said, I always try to encourage people because you'd never know where people start today. Their business in three or four years might evolve and they might improve. And, you know, it might go up then. I mean, who am I to say, no, you shouldn't be doing this? I mean, I guess I suggest they do it market so, you know, maybe narrow down their range or look at their price points, just some, you know, one or two small little bits of advice that I just know as a retailer, I could look straight away and go and look, that's too expensive. That will not work at retail. And so I just give them that feedback.
Yeah. I think it's great that you're so willing to give that to people and then give such good advice tonight as well. So you mentioned you have been doing this for seven years and you've had people that supported you the whole time. You have probably not, I'm guessing, experienced a pandemic like anyone else that's going on in the world right now. But what has had to change at Happy Valley? So has there been things I mean, you and I, both in Melbourne and Melbourne, you in severe lockdown. That has been for a lot of this year and it's still going to be in for another couple of weeks or months, hopefully weeks. But what has had to change at Happy Valley, like with the way that you run things and has there been anything that you've done differently or that you've introduced because of lockdown and coronavirus that you think you'll keep when things lift again?
Yeah, well, look, I mean, when was the end of March? It was kind of like this tidal wave coming. You could see it coming. I'm talking as a small business owner. But I'm sure a lot of people's personal lives. But you can see it coming. But you just didn't really know what was coming. It was one of those. You know, we know no one knows how to deal for a pandemic, especially a small business. So the first ten or eleven weeks, that first lockdown was really, really tough for us, because part of what works for us is the space. They will enjoy the space, discovering things in the space, walking around, having that time to look. So that instantly disappeared from us. So we became an online store only. And then when you kind of break it down to online, you know, the gift side of business, people weren't catching up with anyone. So people weren't you know, I think a Mother's Day was I didn't even really notice it from a sales point of view. It felt like any other just sort of quiet week. So that was hard. And in books is a very competitive online space. You know, there's a lot of flow of choice.
So I kind of use that first ten or eleven weeks where where the business went really, really quiet to improve the online store. I guess coming back to my small little list, all these things. I mean, any small business owner would have a list of things in their heads they've always wanted to do, you know, to improve the business. So, you know, small things. I did the floor. There's been seven years. Had you tried to go all the stock out of the shop and did the floor, but from the online side of things, that's where I put all my energy. So I literally, you know, I use Shopify, the Happy Valley Shop, to use Shopify. And I've never really realised that there's all these apps that you use to show more fun. So I do things and things. All these plug ins, I had no idea. So after I finished the, you know, the day, not I would initially Google, you know, top ten plugins, best apps for Shopify and just started going one by one. And this guy, OK, maybe I can do that. Maybe I did. So things like SEO, which I never really thought about. So I've got an app for that. Google ads, abandonment emails, all these these small little business things that I knew existed but I'd never done before. You know, I just thought, well, I'm going to. And like I said before, I didn't really know whether they were going to improve the business, but they just will make the business better from my point of view. And that's kind of how I approached it. And so, yeah, I I initially spent all my effort in that.
So when we reopened the second time, we were extremely busy at the shop level for that month, which clearly blew me away. I had no idea people actually really made a point and they don't usually do this. But hey, I wanted to spend money in your shop. I wanted to make sure that you guys stay open. So the local community was so supportive, people would went out of their way going. I didn't know until you close to ten or eleven weeks how much I would miss, you know, everything around here. So it became really like it was actually really amazing to see from a small business owner think how impactful your business can be. You don't really get that sense of, you know, you just do your job basically day to day. So and then we had to shut again the second time. Luckily, the second time hasn't been as impactful. And I think the website's doing a lot better now. And I think maybe because the interstate is open again. So they're probably working again. And people are finding this on Google, you know, when they went to find something. So we're doing a lot of interstate orders, whereas before hand we’re very localised. So, yeah. So I mean, my view is that long term. I mean, I know I'm talking long term because I don't know how long this is going to impact us, but long term, the business will be in a better shape because as you know, it's forced my hand to make all these important changes to the website.
And I think this is, you know, firstly, congratulations for doing that, because like we talked about, for people can to sort of sit back and be like, well, what's the point? You know, and I think it is it takes a lot of initiative to be like, okay, things are a bit crap right now, but like, what can I control?
I can't control the economy according to control health outbreaks. But yeah, there are. That's exactly right. That's probably the most important thing as a small business, you know, like I'm saying before about Howard and go to other shops and all that, just focus on yourself because you can't be too concerned about everyone else. It just, you know, small business. It takes all your energy. If you start putting your energies in other places, you're going to get burnt out before you know it.
Yeah, completely. Completely. And you did mention before that, you know, I kind of. Well, one of the kind of maybe driving factors to learn more about SEO and Shopify and what it can do and all the apps is that the book landscape is very competitive. And so you have a huge array of amazing books in your store. And I've always, always found books that I haven't heard of or that, you know, might have been not a brand new book. What is that book? And I had never heard of that book, even though I think it had been quite popular. Yeah. Sort of in your shop and ended up buying it. I think of what, two or three copies over time for different people. But you have a lot of great books in your store and you have taken on mine as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I was saying to you before to start because it helps to be a small business owner. I'm fascinated by small business, but there's not enough books, especially from Australian authors. So, yeah. And Mark's put your book in the window.
Oh, thank you so much. Oh, gosh. I need to get out of lockdown. But what I wanted to ask you, Chris, is as someone who runs a shop with a large portion of books. What sorts of books do you love? Firstly, do you take on books? Like you said before, you have to look at things, and I'm assuming that's the same for books like. Does this interest me? Would it interest my customers. But are you a particular? Have you got a particular genre that you'd like to read? What was the last good book that you read?
Yeah, well, I kind of I mean, I tend to read a lot of recent music by a speaker. There's a lot of I'm just fascinated by music. So the music business, the music they're suffering. I probably read every single music book out there. I try to read as much. And I just love because I know that world so and I love probably the creative aspect of it. I've always especially, you know, running a record label. Most of my life I've been surrounded by creative people. So it's just something I can relate to my friends, the people I work with. I read a lot of non-fiction and a lot of lot of coffee table books. Narrative books are very hard for me. I feel like I'm quite time-poor to sit down for hours to read. So, you know, non-fiction, coffee table books, or there's little sections there. They're right up my alley. I mean, I know there's a book that you I mean, we're actually in do you read me which you do an essay for blocks for me. That's the perfect book because it's about business. It's all these bookshops around the world. It's a great book. It's a coffee table book. So I'm really fascinated about what other people are doing around the world. There's another book, The Monarchal Book of Japan, which is not great because it's all about travel. But it's just really interesting. I think they put it there because the Tokyo Games this year. But it's a coffee table book and just all all things Japan. And so I just love those books because it's you know, you just you just don't know what you're going to get. And this is interesting stories as stories and culture, food. So they they're the books that they're the books that interests me from a buying point of view. Yeah. Look, you know, I try to find things interesting. I mean, part of the whole idea of the shop is, you know, you're not going to you're going to discover new things. I don't want to feel like you've seen it all before. So, yeah, I really go out of a way to try to find books that no one else will hopefully have.
And you do that very, very well. I found, like, just just fascinating books. I bought a friend for her fortieth from your store, a beautiful big coffee table book, Unlike Masks of the World.
I guess because I haven't been in the book world for her, you know, my my whole life. It's the same with music. So I'm not mocking book world. But everything in retail seems to be new, new, new, new. So quite often I just love finding books that that might be, you know, five, six years old that are really great books and try to find, give them a bit of life. You know, just because just because they're not the latest and greatest doesn't mean they're not great books. So I'm very conscious of like it doesn't it just needs to be a great book. It doesn't need to be. But, you know, probably in September, October, there'll be a thousand titles getting released. There's a lot of competition in that, as you know, in the book world.
If you could point out one thing that you would do differently if you are starting out now in any of the businesses, I mean, maybe record stores. But what's one thing you would have done differently if you were starting a business so that if people are listening to this, they might take on that device?
This is not the answer you want to hear. I wouldn't change a thing. OK, because the thing is, you need each step along the way to make things better. So the shop where I'm at now couldn't be the shop. When I first started, it literally took so much time and effort to work out what works, what doesn't work, what I like, what the customers like. And you can't get that instant gratification or it just doesn't work. Business doesn't work like that. It usually is step by step by step by step. I mean, I literally took 12 months to find that spot for the shop. I walked for 12 months, five days a week around the neighbourhood trying to work out where the shop was going to be.
I looked online. I looked at so many spaces, I took that much time to get it right. I wanted something that high ceilings that we're trying to floorboard. I had very specific ideas. And so for me, there was kind of the foundation of what the shop was going to be. So I just I know I feel like I was lying by saying all these shortcuts. I should have done this. I should've done that. But I honestly think time is the reality.
If you want to do small business, use that to take your time. You can't rush it. And like I said before, the first four months, they're gonna be hard. And that's what so many businesses don't last after 12 months. But the reality is you have to last longer than 12 months because the first 12 months, you're only just sort of at the starting gate. You know, you're only just yet a new business still. So you just got to take everything in. Learn everything. Yeah. So, I mean, I've been fortunate that Happy Valley, I was able to take all the sort of expertise from other my other businesses.
So I honestly just think that whatever happens, happens. I kind of feel like I said I, I made that decision to put everything in my own hands. So I kind of just take the good with the bad. I can't honestly just think that's just how it is. I wouldn't have changed a thing. I mean, obviously, I would like things to be different day to day, week to week. But overall, you know, I think, you know, I'm happy, happy with that sort of progression.
I think that's an amazing place to be. No, I'm just saying that you can't say, hey, I don't want to work with someone else and I'm going to just do my own thing and not realise that, you know, you can't just have you do this until you do it. Is it like I mean, I can't explain what I do to someone else day to day, you know, until you run a small business, it's very hard to explain unless you're doing it. You know, like this is probably a lot like most other jobs. You know, it's very hard to go home and say, this is what I do. I just think that, you know, I wouldn't change a thing because I feel like I've been very fortunate. I mean, that's the honest truth. I feel like I've been very fortunate to be been able to do exactly what I wanted, when I wanted and the business of success. So for me, I I don’t think I could change a thing because it's like, well, I feel very, very lucky.
Yeah. And obviously, you know, what? If it was that quote, there's a quote that's like the the harder or the more work or the more effort I put in, the luckier I get.
Yeah. And I do subscribe to that. Yeah. It's your time. I'm not saying you want to overwork and be a workaholic, but I mean, as you know, even during this job, you couldn't do this job 20 years ago. So it's a combination of everything that you've learnt yourself talking to other people. And now that you can then help other people, you know, with their business. It's it's the same thing. You know, small business takes time and I mean anything. I mean, I probably would have changed, you know, and this is just from a clinical point of view, not a personal point of use stick to one business, because the longer you're in one business, the most successful. But for me, I have to be happy. So my rule is that if I'm not happy, I just go, you know, I can't. I can't. You know, if I can't get motivated by the day, then it's time to do something different. So but, you know, in a clinical point of view, what makes sense to stick to one business, do that for four decades and then you have a really successful business. So that would be the only thing. But personally, I don't think I would have been happy at the end of it.
You mentioned before you did some work using Shopify, sort of learning the different things. Are there other tech tools or platforms or things that you just couldn't live without when it comes to running Happy Valley?
Well, I guess beforehand I was saying about, you know, mobile technology. I actually try to keep things so simple. I don't know. I know there's probably a million or one tools ways to make things work, but not for me. Shopify and Xero are my two things. I spend 99 percent of my day on the computer. Shopify, because, you know, when I had Candle records, I had a web developer. So I went in and I think I had to update. I would have to go round to his house. We spent three hours making one little change. So to me, you know, I had a very successful website through Candle.
But for me, the idea of having Shopify, where you can put up a product within five minutes, you can change prices, you can put photos. I think we're in a golden age of small business. You know where we've gone from beforehand. Your business was listing in the Yellow Pages and now you really put your whole shop online for the whole world to see. So for me, I just think it's an amazing tool. And I know it's there and it's very common. And people are pointing. Oh, yeah. But for me, I just go, oh, I'm still I mean, obviously there's a lot of other online platforms out there such as Shopify. But from a small business owner, I can tell you it's also got me through this pandemic with that website. You know, it's just amazing to have. So my thing is, if you don't have a website site, I would get one as quick as you could. And zero, because, you know, again, you know, I've always had small businesses and, you know, the bookkeeping side of things is just always like I always had bookkeeper's and it's tedious. And again, it's one of those time management things. But finally, Xero, I've just literally just I'm like, oh, well, this is just an amazing tool. It's just made things so much simpler and easier means that my bass is done by my count and all the info's there. From a day to day point of view, those two things literally do save so much time for them.
Yeah, I'm a Xero fan as well,
Yeah. Just quickly to like I mean, I, I opened up Happy Valley in November, but a week before Christmas. Crazy. So, I mean, I didn't I didn't I had no idea that this was such a big thing. I worked in a record store, you know, where, you know, it's busy for about five days before Christmas. I didn't realise in the whole gifting. Well, I'm so naive just going out the doors.
Well, I guess I guess I'm having a relaxing first twelve months. Then what happened was Broadsheet rang me the day, second day opened and saying we were gonna do a feature on your shop. And I was like, I don't even have a website ready because I just opened the doors. So literally that's why I'm saying Shopify, which we did 24 hours with the research. Well, Shopify, even back then wasn't it was kind of like was a bit of an emerging player, wasn't like as big as it is now.
But I was able to do the whole website in seven days. So I do know the power of that platform.
That's fantastic. And I also love to keep things quite simple. So you have done so much in the business space and you've been doing this for a long time. What are you most proud of from your journey - owning and running small businesses?
I think it was just personally is actually being part of a community. I really feel like I've been able to be, you know, a small business owner, you know, a local small business over. And people have been so supportive people. I feel like I've really embraced the business as I've done. And, you know, ultimately, I don't have a successful business without all the people to support me. So, like, to me, you know, like I said before, I just go to work and do my job to the best of my ability. So the idea that people feel really strongly about what I do know means a lot to me. I mean, you know, I never saw I mean, I thought Happy Valley would do well, but I didn't think we would have this, you know. I don't know, like affection amongst so many people. I mean, we've had write ups all around the world from, you know, publications when I don't know how they find us. I know how that works. But, you know, so I'm just like for me, I just wanted something that I enjoy going to work day to day. So I think that's probably my nice thing that makes me the most proud because, you know, you don't really expect those things when you're opening up a small business.
But, yeah, I mean, a lot of that goes to you as well like that. You've made it attractive for a community to form around you because what you do is so good. So how can people connect with you? So obviously, we'll put all of the links in the show notes and everything else. But is, you know, is Instagram the best way to connect?
I'll say Facebook, Twitter, Instagram at Happy Valley Shop. We're all on the same those platforms. But Instagram works best for our store. Yeah. Just I think because it's the visual element. Yeah. But like I've been saying before, I'd have mobile phone. I don't have a personal Facebook, but I do have for the shop. I don't have a personal Instagram, but I do have a shop. So this shop has forced me to go out of my comfort zone and do things that I wouldn't normally do. So they've been great for us.
And and I should point out as well that you have your online store. So it's that HappyValleyshop.com. And do you sell all over the world? Can people buy it and then ships internationally? Or is it just Australia?
We yeah. We don't actually shop in Australia. Part of the reason why is because if something goes missing or wrong internationally, I. Oh, because I buy the goods from the supplier. It's not me making them. You know, the matter of work and effort. I do get emails every week saying, well, you don't ship to New Zealand or US, but I just find that, you know, logistically and just to be, you know, to provide a good service, I've just kept the online store to Australia. I mean, ironically, when things are open, we have so many visitors from overseas that I see annually.
You know, people from New York, everywhere. So it's a bit odd because I do. But to me, that I always love that because I never quite realised how many international people come by Melbourne, you know, on work or holidays every year. So that's been the only only thing that I've not enjoy with Tony because, you know, he's just not having that day to day contact with people.
Well, hopefully everything lifts soon. And it's such a pleasure to chat with you. And thank you again for taking my book. But thank you for everything that you do because I feel like it's just such a great place to go. And even I've had, like, gone having to have, like, interviews with people. And I've gone in there just to relax with Happy Valley. People apologise for spending an hour in the shop. And I like what I rarely notice because it's like, yeah, I want people to enjoy the store. So that's the part. The whole reason is I want people to relax in the store. That's the whole, you know, sort of ethos. And that's why I even I chose that space. I wanted the nice place to work each day. Yeah. So, you know, I get it.
How good is Chris Crouch? I know I sounded like just a gushing fan of Happy Valley that, but it's because I really am like I genuinely love that store. And I think one of the things that I love about it is that I work predominantly by myself, like I am always talking to people during the day and doing coaching calls and meeting with different people. But predominantly, I work alone in in an office at home, which is, you know, everyone's working at home at the moment. But I have a team, so I have, like, you know, my V.A. I have my amazing podcast editor, Scott. I have all of these people that help me in my business, but I'm alone predominantly most of the time. And so which is, you know, how I want it to be. But I love when I go to places like Happy Valley and Happy Valley in particular, it's just full of just so many creative, you know, brands and little small businesses I haven't heard of. Amazing books that, you know, talk about different parts of the world or different industries or just incredible things that I may not have. You know, I've been on my radar for a while or if at all. And so I think that is part of the reason I love it, because every time I've gone in there, I walk out and feel inspired or motivated or just that I've seen something beautiful or interesting. So I absolutely love Happy Valley. It's such an honour to talk to Chris. What I loved about what he had to talk about. I mean, he had so many great insights, particularly because he's owned so many different businesses.
But two things that I took away from that was, one, you know, things take time. And I know that could be a really frustrating thing to hear, particularly in the middle of a pandemic. But I really loved that he talked about, you know, things take time and that it took the first 12 months how he would approach brands and they'd say or, you know, small businesses and then say, no, and I want to be stopped there or, you know, who are you? And that it's taken him time to build that community. And yet also, at the same time, what I loved was that that community is totally there for him right now. And he said how they sort of all rushed into to show their support when restrictions were lifted for a short period earlier this year.
The other thing they absolutely loved that he talked about was doing the work - as in, you know, he didn't think it's all gone to crap or, you know, he looked at what could I do even before the pandemic when he talked about making those little lists and thinking, like, what can I control? What small thing could I work on today that will help me feel like I'm getting ahead, even though if outwardly it may not look like that to anybody else. What small thing could I do? Could I action? You know, could I update something on my website? Could I do a bit of social media? Could I reach out to, you know, that brand that I'd like to stock or or cheque in with these people that I already stock? I love that he broke things down into, you know, keeping things as simple as possible and not putting this huge, overwhelming, gigantic task in front of him. But just what could I do now? What can I do in this moment that I have in a way, you know, that's going to help my business go forward?
And on that simple note, I loved when he talked about technology that he doesn't have 50 different apps, that he's like, I love Shopify, I love Xero, and that's it. And I don't need to, you know, have sort of confused myself or, you know, make things over, complicate things. And I think that's definitely a lesson for all of us in small business that I mean, I know when people right now people are definitely looking at their cashflow. And one of the things I always say to people when I'm working with them is like, look at your subscription.
And I say that from personal experience because, you know, when you look at my email platform, is this on my website? Is this my extra hosting for e-commerce is this. And they can all add up. And sometimes it's really good to have that reminder from season established in a very successful business owners like Chris Crouch that let's just break it down. What do you actually need? And I think, yeah, it's a really, really great point. So I absolutely loved chatting to Chris. I really hope that you enjoyed that episode as well.
For a full transcript of this episode, including links to everything that Chris mentioned and, of course, links to Happy Valley, their social media channels and their website. You can cheque that out at mydailybusinesscoach.com/podcast/30 as this is episode 30. If you would love to connect with Chris, and I hope you do, you can check him out on all Instagram, Facebook, Twitter - Happy Valley Shop. And the website is also happyvalleyshop.com. Thanks so much for listening. I'll see you next time. Bye.
Thanks for listening to My Daily Business Coach podcast. If you want to get in touch, you can do that at mydailybusinesscoach.com or hit me up on Instagram at @mydailybusinesscoach.
For a full transcript of this episode, including links to everything that Chris mentioned and, of course, links to Happy Valley, their social media channels and their website. You can cheque that out at mydailybusinesscoach.com/podcast/30 as this is episode 30. If you would love to connect with Chris, and I hope you do, you can check him out on all Instagram, Facebook, Twitter - Happy Valley Shop. And the website is also happyvalleyshop.com.
Thanks for listening to My Daily Business Coach podcast. If you want to get in touch, you can do that at mydailybusinesscoach.com or hit me up on Instagram at @mydailybusinesscoach.
