Sierra Wallis, owner, Odd Bird

As consumers, it’s easy to take for granted all that goes into a retail business, especially independent ones. Evolution, adaptation to customer interest, and rebranding can be part of the process. And this week’s guest has experienced all of that and more. After being a longtime employer of Sq/Ft, a popular gift shop on the downtown Decatur Square in Decatur, Georgia, Sierra Wallis purchased the store and eventually decided to rebrand. The store had morphed from its original incarnation as a primarily a shoe store to a full-fledged gift shop specializing in playfully fun and cheeky gifts, including puzzles, greeting cards, T-shirts, books, housewares, jewelry, socks, and much more. Wallis discusses the process of rebranding, the art of curating inventory, the significance of operating a small retail store, the importance of delegation, and other topics.