Looking back on my career, the best advice I ever received was from business guru Brian Tracy back in the early 90s. He said, “If you want to be the best at anything, study it for 60 minutes a day. One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years, you’ll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do.”

We’re beginning to fully appreciate just how crucial our microbiome is for whole-person health, especially in preventing and managing chronic disease.

In this column, Ellen introduces you to Tawnya Ritco. Tawnya Ritco, RHN, is director of marketing at Health First Network. With over 20 years in natural health, she leads initiatives that empower independent retailers and strengthen healthier communities across Canada.

I think I’ve told this story a hundred times now. Maybe a thousand.

The column is led by Ellen Wheeler, vice president of partnerships for Alive Publishing Group and associate publisher of CNHR. In this column, Ellen introduces you to Deb Larocque, national sales manager at Assured Natural Distribution with 26 years in sales and marketing.

Imagine strolling the aisles of your local natural health retailer and spotting foods and supplements proudly displaying a “feeds your microbes” badge. I believe if that were to happen, chronic-disease curves would finally begin trending downward.

Each of us is different—but in many ways, we’re the same. That’s the tricky part when it comes to health and healing. We all need a personalized approach, but one that still speaks to our shared human experience.

Did you know that mass market stores spend most of their marketing dollars on inside-the-store promotions, aka merchandising?

That said, merchandising actually starts outside the store. The store sign, lighting, parking, window displays, sandwich boards, entryway, posters, and such contribute to the feeling the prospective customer gets to either come in to shop or walk/drive by.

In this column, Ellen introduces you to Mona Jagota, a dynamic and accomplished business leader with a passion for innovation, community engagement, and empowering others.

 With over two decades of experience at Nature’s Source, Mona has established herself as a trailblazer in her domain, blending entrepreneurial vision with operational expertise to drive success and inspire those around her. Since joining Nature’s Source in 1998, Mona has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and success.

When I was growing up, local health food stores were the undisputed pioneers of wellness. Long before modern medicine began noticing and discussing the preventative benefits of micronutrients, our local health shops were educating the public about their value, supporting the idea that providing the body with proper nutrition is the key to vibrant living.

In this column, Ellen introduces you to Tracy Creighton, national sales director at Bioforce Canada (A.Vogel). She has over 30 years of experience in the health and wellness industry as a sales executive and business leader. Tracy has successfully managed high-performing sales teams, developed effective sales strategies, and fostered strong collaboration with retail partners.

Let’s face it—life is more complicated than ever. Many of us feel pressed for time, overstimulated by digital media, and undernourished both physically and emotionally. We seem to have lost our buffer against stress, and, at the same time, our sense of connection has slipped away. When that happens, our well-being—mental, physical, and even environmental—suffers.

There are only two ways to increase sales:

• Attract more customers.

• Sell more to your current customer base.

Simple to say! Harder to remember.

In this column, Ellen introduces you to Brenda Kirk, senior vice president of operations and merchandising at Pattison Food Group. During her 45 years in the grocery industry, Brenda has honed her reputation as a dynamic, strategic and committed leader who’s focused on achieving results and doing what’s right for her team and customers.

Trade show season is the perfect opportunity to discover new trends, connect with key partners, and fine-tune your store’s strategy. Are you prepared to make the most of it?