Episode Details

Chris shares how Happy Valley grew from a hyperlocal Collingwood book, record and gift store into a thriving bricks-and-mortar and online business, and why knowing exactly who his customer is continues to shape everything from the products on the shelves to the experience people have when they walk through the door.

You'll learn:

• Why Chris made the enormous decision to buy Happy Valley’s new premises
• What makes a retail business become a genuine destination
• Why what you choose not to stock can be as important as what you do
• How getting the fundamentals right can matter more than constantly creating social media content
• Why community, word of mouth and supporting other local businesses remain so important
• Chris’s advice for anyone considering taking a big leap in business

Chris also shares why successful retail isn’t about finding one “special sauce”, but continually paying attention to the customer, the space, the product mix and all the small details that make people want to come back.

Need help with your own business strategy, impact, visibility or personal brand ? Get in touch: hello@mydailybusiness.com 

Connect with Chris and Happy Valley:

• Instagram: @happyvalleyshop
• Instagram: @happyvalleyvinyl
• Website: happyvalleyshop.com
• Address: 347 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC 

Resources mentioned:

• My Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses

Special thanks to HoneyBook for sponsoring this podcast. HoneyBook helps independent businesses manage everything from enquiries and contracts to invoices and payments, all in one place. Use this link and code FIONA to receive 30% off until the end of September 2026.

Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026/ 27? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching.

Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA. We also love Descript.

Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.