Leadership – Slark Consulting Group

What Small Business Owners Can Learn from the JCPenney and Forever 21 Merger

Business Development, Business Growth, Revenue Models, Small Business Strategy, Financial Strategy, Business Diversification, Profitability, Business Resilience, Leadership, Management, Partnerships, Retail / Rick Slark

Picture yourself in a mall in 2002: racks of trendy Aéropostale hoodies, Forever 21’s fast-fashion treasures, and JCPenney’s dependable mix of apparel, home goods, and Sephora counters. These brands defined an era of retail, but the world has since changed. Fast forward to 2025, and these mall staples are coming together under one roof. Catalyst […]

What Small Business Owners Can Learn from the JCPenney and Forever 21 Merger Read More »

Celebrating Excellence: Congratulations to Beth Gantz, Lorain County Community College SBDC Director

Business Development, Humanity, Leadership, Partnerships, Uncategorized, Women in Business / Rick Slark

It’s not every day you get to witness someone in your professional circle being recognized for their outstanding contributions, but today is one of those days! I’m thrilled to congratulate Beth Gantz, the dedicated and dynamic director of the Lorain Community College SBDC, for receiving the Individual Award for Best Center Director at the Statewide

Celebrating Excellence: Congratulations to Beth Gantz, Lorain County Community College SBDC Director Read More »

From Struggle to Strength: The Transformative Power of Sitting with Pain

5 Lessons I Learned This Week, Humanity, Leadership, Mental Health / Rick Slark

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” — Kahlil Gibran In business, as in life, we all face discomfort, uncertainty, and pain. When these moments come, our first instinct is often to escape the hurt through distraction or avoidance. But in these periods of profound struggle,

From Struggle to Strength: The Transformative Power of Sitting with Pain Read More »

Stop Watering Dead Plants: Recognizing When It’s Time to Let Go

Business Development, Humanity, Leadership, Professional Development, Quotes, Strategy / Rick Slark

“You can’t water dead flowers back to life.” As business owners, we’re driven by optimism. We see potential in every idea, client, and strategy. But sometimes, that optimism can become a trap. We find ourselves pouring time, money, and energy into things that aren’t delivering results—hoping they’ll turn around. But the truth is, you can’t

Stop Watering Dead Plants: Recognizing When It’s Time to Let Go Read More »

Tupperware’s Downfall: What Small Business Owners Can Learn from an Icon’s Struggle

Business Development, Charts and Trends, Leadership, Management, Marketing / Rick Slark

Remember your first Tupperware container? Maybe it was the one your grandmother used to store cookies or the colorful set your mother kept neatly stacked in the pantry. For many, Tupperware was more than just a container—it symbolized home, family, and the promise of well-preserved leftovers. However, the brand that revolutionized food storage has now

Tupperware’s Downfall: What Small Business Owners Can Learn from an Icon’s Struggle Read More »

Rising Above the Chaos: Winning in Business and Life

Business Development, Humanity, Leadership, Mental Health, Professional Development / Rick Slark

To those striving to achieve greatness in both business and life, The journey to success is rarely a straight path. It’s often filled with obstacles, distractions, and unexpected challenges. Yet, how we navigate these hurdles defines our success. If you want to win—in business, in life—you must cultivate one critical trait: focus. As someone who

Rising Above the Chaos: Winning in Business and Life Read More »

3 Myths About Learning That Are Holding You Back

Humanity, Leadership, Professional Development, Quotes, Time Management / Rick Slark

Standing still isn’t just risky—it’s a recipe for getting left behind. The most successful business owners understand that what got them here won’t get them there. They must continually evolve, adapt, and, most importantly, learn to stay ahead. Continuous learning isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the secret sauce that transforms challenges into opportunities and good

3 Myths About Learning That Are Holding You Back Read More »

Is Your Manufacturing Business Prepared for the Future?

Business Development, Charts and Trends, Leadership, Management, Manufacturing, Strategy / Rick Slark

“The manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of the American economy, but it’s currently standing on shaky ground,” says Timothy Fiore, Chair of ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. Despite substantial investments, the US manufacturing sector is experiencing a downturn. The sector contracted for the fourth consecutive month in July, with factory orders falling by 3.3% in

Is Your Manufacturing Business Prepared for the Future? Read More »

7 Tips For Escaping The Planning Trap: Turning Your Plans Into Action

Humanity, Leadership, Podcast, Professional Development, Quotes, Strategy, Time Management / Rick Slark

Introduction “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” – Winston Churchill As a business consultant, I’ve seen firsthand how the fear of starting can cripple progress. One of my clients, Sarah, had a brilliant podcast idea. She spent months planning, tweaking, and revising but never hit the record button. Sarah’s story is not unique; many entrepreneurs

7 Tips For Escaping The Planning Trap: Turning Your Plans Into Action Read More »

Stress-Busting Techniques Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

Humanity, Leadership, Mental Health, Professional Development / Rick Slark

Running a small business is exhilarating but often comes with high-stress levels. While a bit of pressure can fuel innovation, chronic stress can sabotage your health and hinder your success. Let’s explore what stress does to your body and how you can manage it to stay on top of your game. The Stress Response: Friend

Stress-Busting Techniques Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know Read More »