Mary Liz Curtin is passionate about independent retail. With over 35 years of hands-on experience in the gift, craft, and home industries, her deep understanding of retailers, vendors, and sales representatives gives her a one-of-a-kind perspective. Known for her “Sales and Marketing Therapy,” Mary Liz is an internationally recognized expert who advises manufacturers on marketing, sales, and management issues. A lively and humorous speaker, she captivates audiences at trade shows and conventions with insights on building a brand, running a business, and staying sane in retail.

She is also the owner of Leon and Lulu, a 15,000-square-foot destination lifestyle store located just outside Detroit in a vintage roller-skating rink, known for its eclectic installations, a greeting card shop, and a restaurant in a former movie theater.

Michael Schultz is the co-owner and creative visionary behind Cursive New York, a brand rooted in cultivating joy. Together with his husband, Douglas Duncan, he operates two West Village stores offering curated gifts, stationery, and home products. After over a decade in Grand Central Terminal and 15 years within ABC Carpet & Home, Michael and Douglas reimagined Cursive’s future post-pandemic, reopening with renewed purpose and expanding into home goods. Their story is one of resilience and creative evolution within the ever-changing retail landscape of New York City.

Andrew Gawdun, along with his partner Bryce, runs curious… in Hermosa Beach, California. Andrew’s journey began in photography before transitioning into retail when he met Bryce at the store in 2012. Together, they expanded curious… to Kauai, only to face setbacks when a truck crashed into their new location shortly after opening. Undeterred, they rebuilt, adopted their daughter Willow, and navigated the challenges of retail during the pandemic—eventually deciding to focus on their Hermosa Beach store while maintaining a love for Kauai and hopes to return one day. Their story embodies creativity, resilience, and adaptability in modern retail.

In this episode, these three beloved independent retailers return for a lively, laughter-filled roundtable conversation about the realities of retail today. From navigating tariffs and shipping nightmares to creative merchandising and keeping customers inspired, they offer a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in an unpredictable industry.

What’s inside:

1. Tariffs, Shipping, and Survival — The hidden costs, customs chaos, and creative solutions small retailers are using to stay afloat.

2. Holiday Merchandising and Magic — How each retailer plans, executes, and emotionally connects customers to their seasonal stories.

3. The Future of Independent Retail — Honest talk about pricing pressures, vendor struggles, and why authenticity still wins in 2025.

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