Retail Checks & Balances

Hosted by Kevin Spencer

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Latest episode

Apr 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Retail Checks & Balances! I'm your host Kevin Spencer and this podcast takes you behind the scenes of the bustling world of commerce and culinary delights to help you grow your business and WIN! For the past 22 years I've been helping retail businesses with maximizing their profitability along with process deliverables and I would like to share my expertise and what I've learned along the way. In each episode, we'll bring you captivating interviews with industry experts, passionate chefs, epic restauranteurs and inspiring retailers, as they share their insights, experiences, and the recipe for their achievements. So join us as we explore the fascinating stories, trends, and challenges that shape the retail and hospitality industry, from cozy corner cafes to sprawling shopping malls. If you want to star in your own episode reach out to bookings@retailchecksandbalances.com

Listen to episodes

51 recent

April 27, 2026Episode 5043 min

Fix Your Belief System with Dr. Greg Pursley

In episode 50 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer interviews Dr. Greg Pursley, a mindset coach, author, and successful entrepreneur, as he shares his incredible journey from being a chiropractor to running multiple businesses that thrive without his constant oversight.Tune in for valuable insights on mindset and resilience in the retail and hospitality industries.TIMESTAMPS[00:01:30] Dwarfism and family challenges.[00:05:41] The five A's of actualization.[00:08:38] The five pillars of life.[00:12:10] Growth appreciation in business.[00:16:30] Alignment of company and individual.[00:19:12] AI in coaching programs.[00:24:42] Success is movement toward goals.[00:29:40] Work-life balance is a myth.[00:34:15] New information and new actions.[00:37:22] Understanding personal growth changes.[00:40:56] Control over your emotions.QUOTES"Happiness lives in the movement toward that goal." -Dr. Greg Pursley"Success isn't reaching the goal. Success is simply movement toward the goal." -Dr. Greg Pursley"The more things that you do that inspire you and get you excited and lift your spirit, the better your life is." -Dr. Greg PursleySOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/Dr. Greg PursleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgregpursley/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgregpursley1/ WEBSITERod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

March 23, 2026Episode 497 min

AI at the Front Door -Retail and Hospitality Redefined

In episode 49 of Retail Checks and Balances, witness the journey of a leader who has navigated rapidly evolving landscapes—leveraging data-driven strategies, spearheading customer-centric innovations, and adapting teams to embrace the new era of AI.Tune in for actionable insights on leadership, goal-setting, and mentorship to help you elevate your business.TIMESTAMPS[00:00:02] Welcome to Retail Checks and Balances & intro from host Kevin Spencer[00:00:32] How AI is reshaping retail and hospitality: Transformation overview[00:02:09] Predictive inventory, personalization, and smart store technology[00:02:54] Hospitality innovations: AI phone agents, hyper-personalized guest experiences, robotics[00:04:41] The experience revolution: Moving from transactional to experiential[00:05:23] Challenges—balancing authenticity, privacy, and job disruption[00:05:53] The next 2-5 years: AI as first contact, autonomous stores, future trends[00:06:28] Defining success: Creating human experiences with AI[00:07:11] Closing remarks and takeawaysQUOTES"AI is moving from being a nice-to-have to becoming core infrastructure." "The winners won't be the businesses with the most technology. They will be the ones who use AI to create the most human experiences." "People don't remember transactions. They remember how you made them feel."SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/WEBSITERod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

August 18, 2025Episode 4841 min

THE AMAZON BELLAVIX WITH WILL HAIRE

In episode 48 of Retail Checks and Balances, join Kevin Spencer as he dives into the world of e-commerce with special guest Will Haire, Co-founder of Bellavix, an Amazon and Walmart marketplace advertising agency, as he shares his journey in helping brands scale on major marketplaces through effective marketing and advertising strategies.Tune in to learn about the intricacies of marketplace advertising and how it influences consumer behavior.TIMESTAMPS[00:01:46] Influencing consumer purchasing behavior.[00:05:42] Misconceptions about advertising expectations.[00:09:01] Affiliate marketing program strategy.[00:14:09] Marketplace strategy for e-commerce.[00:15:34] Amazon's dominance in e-commerce.[00:20:34] Premium product marketing strategies.[00:25:44] AI in brand management efficiency.[00:27:42] Developing future leaders.[00:34:35] The importance of co-founders.[00:36:26] Work-life balance challenges.[00:39:25] Family time versus work balance.QUOTES "AI has just helped us do a lot more with less." -Will Haire "Every person that you hire needs to be better than the last." -Will Haire"I love influencing people's behavior, which makes me an advertiser." -Will HaireSOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/Will HaireLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willhaire/ WEBSITERod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/Bellavix: https://www.bellavix.com/

August 11, 2025Episode 4745 min

Agentic AI & Commerce Transformation with Natalija Pavic

In episode 47 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer welcomes back Nat Pavic from KIBO, as she discusses how KIBO is leveraging cutting-edge technology to empower both small and large retailers, making it easier to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of commerce.Tune in for valuable insights that can help grow your business and navigate the complexities of commerce.TIMESTAMPS[00:01:40] Agentic commerce and AI agents.[00:05:55] AI agents in online shopping.[00:07:18] Guided shopping experience evolution.[00:12:55] AI agents in immersive experiences.[00:16:15] AI handling irate customers.[00:19:36] Retail jobs and technology impact.[00:22:34] Reverse logistics in e-commerce.[00:27:06] Dropshipping and marketplace integration.[00:29:11] Marketplace opportunities for renovations.[00:35:49] Decentralization of the purchasing process.[00:38:55] Next-gen transformation in commerce.[00:40:06] AI empowering smaller companies.[00:44:20] AI in e-commerce improvement.QUOTES"I think the possibilities are endless, but I think that there's a lot of benefit, a lot of low-level lift that agents can do right now." -Nat Pavic"They're more likely to interact with something that's AI because they know that they won't be judged." -Nat Pavic"AI is going to change everything. AI is going to make it so that smaller companies can operate as if they're bigger companies." -Nat PavicSOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/Nat PavicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natpavic/ WEBSITERod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/KIBO: https://kibocommerce.com/blog/author/nat-pavic/

July 28, 2025Episode 465 min

CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARIES

In episode 46 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer dives into the significance of celebrating business anniversaries in the retail and hospitality industry. Whether you're marking your first year or your fiftieth, anniversaries are more than just milestones—they're opportunities to deepen customer loyalty, reflect on your journey, and show appreciation to those who have supported you along the way.Tune in to discover how to make your anniversary a memorable event that not only celebrates your brand but also honors the community that keeps it thriving.TIMESTAMPS[00:00:51] Anniversary celebrations for businesses.[00:05:01] Community building in branding.QUOTES"An anniversary is more than just a number. It's a chance to say thank you, deepen the loyalty, generate that energy.""Celebrate not just your brand, but the community that keeps it alive."SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/WEBSITERod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

July 23, 2025Episode 4538 min

THE AMAZON JUNGLR WITH ELIZABETH GREENE

In episode 45 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer interviews Elizabeth Greene, Co-founder of junglr.com, as she shares the unique relationship between Amazon ads and sales growth, highlighting that leveraging these ads can enhance organic rankings without compromising customer experience.Tune in to discover how effective advertising strategies can drive success for retailers in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape.TIMESTAMPS[00:01:10] Amazon ads agency growth strategies.[00:03:42] Ad strategy based on goals.[00:09:14] Ad strategy and goal alignment.[00:11:46] Bid optimization strategies.[00:15:20] Ads audit for brand evaluation.[00:18:42] Amazon growth equation.[00:20:59] Product launch strategies and budgets.[00:25:50] AI innovation in advertising.[00:28:25] AI limitations in decision-making.[00:34:40] Legacy and impact in business.[00:36:49] Legacy through shared knowledge.QUOTES"For me, the most interesting thing in legacy is definitely going to be impacts I can have in my specific circles." -Elizabeth Greene“Trust is a really big factor, obviously, you know, if you're handing over ad budgets to somebody, you want to make sure it's deployed strategically by somebody who, like, knows what the heck they're doing.” -Elizabeth Greene"Ads become quite lucrative if you know how to do it well." -Elizabeth GreeneSOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/Elizabeth GreeneFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethatJunglr/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-greene-junglr/ Twitter: https://x.com/Junglr_LLC WEBSITERod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/Junglr: https://junglr.com/

May 12, 2025Episode 4441 min

Red & Blue Customers with Chris Peterson

In episode 44 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer interviews Chris Peterson, the Co-Founder of Lifemind and the Author of Red and Blue Customers, as he shares his extensive background in marketing and his journey into understanding the distinct values and purchasing behaviors of liberal and conservative customers. Tune in to discover valuable insights that can help grow your business in the ever-evolving world of retail and hospitality.TIMESTAMPS[00:02:31] Customer buying behavior differences.[00:04:12] Market values and consumer behavior.[00:08:16] Liberal vs. conservative customer satisfaction.[00:12:41] Business values and customer alignment.[00:16:35] AI shaping customer communications.[00:20:58] Celebrity endorsement strategies.[00:26:12] Customer preferences: liberal vs. conservative.[00:28:02] Customer worldview and marketing strategy.[00:32:32] Retail and franchise insights.[00:38:07] Customer analysis without sensitive data.[00:40:29] Understanding customer beliefs.QUOTES"It's not about waving some issue in front of people and polarizing them. It's about understanding how to make a product fit better into a customer's life based on how they see the world." - Chris Peterson"There's a misconception today that businesses are neutral and there's no such thing because every business will always project probably a little bit more of a liberal set of values or conservative." - Chris Peterson"I think this is where AI is, that dispassionate voice that can help you shape your business in a manner that creates a greater fit between your product and your market." - Chris PetersonSOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/Chris PetersonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispetersonsf/WEBSITESRod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/Lifemind: https://www.lifemind.ai/SUBSCRIBE AND AVAIL THE BOOK HERE!Red and Blue Customers: https://redandblue.substack.com/

May 5, 2025Episode 438 min

Ransomware

In episode 43 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer delves into the critical and alarming issue of ransomware in the retail sector. He discusses the widespread impact of cybercrime on businesses of all sizes, from major brands to local shops, emphasizing that ransomware is not just a concern for Fortune 500 companies. Tune in to learn more about safeguarding your retail operations in an increasingly digital landscape.TIMESTAMPS00:00:00 - Introduction to Retail Checks and Balances00:01:50 - What is Ransomware?00:02:34 - Why Retailers Are Prime Targets00:03:54 - How Ransomware Attacks Happen00:04:39 - Protecting Your Business00:05:57 - Importance of Cybersecurity for Small Retailers00:06:51 - The Evolving Nature of Ransomware00:07:14 - Personal Cybersecurity Measures00:07:47 - Final Thoughts and RecommendationsQUOTES“You have to do some employee training to protect your business, make cybersecurity awareness part of onboarding and ongoing training for everybody in the organization.”"Retailers often think they're too small to be a target, but that's exactly what makes them vulnerable."SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/WEBSITERod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

March 24, 2025Episode 4236 min

Beyond Omnichannel Commerce with Natalija Pavic

In episode 42 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer interviews Natalija Pavic, the Marketing Director of Kibo Commerce, as she discusses her diverse roles in sales, product marketing, and development, highlighting her passion for all aspects of the industry. Tune in to learn more about her insights on the retail and hospitality industry and the exciting trends shaping its future.TIMESTAMPS[00:02:27] Product marketing and communication.[00:04:29] Composable e-commerce solutions.[00:09:35] Incremental innovation in business.[00:13:32] E-commerce transformation and consumer expectations.[00:20:22] Sustainability in product lifecycle.[00:25:22] Work-life balance challenges discussed.[00:30:03] Legacy and career reflection.[00:32:43] Finding your Ikigai.[00:35:44] Podcast subscription and reviews.QUOTES"Some people just buy something based on the brand. They don't really investigate the product." - Kevin Spencer“Work isn't everything. Work is really a sum of interesting challenges and interesting problems to solve, but definitely not identity-driven in that manner." - Natalija Pavic"Once you align things that drive you with things that you're interested in and with things that you're good at, then that's the like magic Venn diagram." - Natalija PavicSOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/Natalija PavicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natpavic/WEBSITERod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/Kibo Commerce: https://kibocommerce.com/

March 17, 2025Episode 419 min

Cashless Chronicles

In episode 41 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer dives into the fascinating world of digital wallets and explores how they are revolutionizing the way we handle money.Tune in to learn how these innovations are shaping the future of commerce and what they mean for your business.TIMESTAMPS[00:01:45] Digital wallets and their evolution.[00:05:49] Future of digital wallets.QUOTES“AI-powered wallets, imagine your digital wallet doing more than just storing cards. It can help you manage your money. AI wallets are emerging, offering budgeting tools, automatic savings, fraud detection.”“Digital walls are just about payments anymore. They're becoming financial ecosystems. It's going to shape how we interact with money and identity.”SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSKevin SpencerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/WEBSITERod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

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