Over the past 6 years my companies have made close to €10 million in sales through retail and online channels. In this post I will go over the systems that we have used to make this happen and talk about how I believe companies at different stages of growth should structure their internal tech systems.  What is Required and Why? Retail businesses are complex machines with lots of moving parts which need to be managed accurately to ensure a smooth service to the customer. As a retailer, aside from requiring the classic business functions of finance, HR, CRM we also require specialised inventory management systems and Point of Sale (POS) softwares (and hardwares) to run our businesses.  Here is a breakdown of our current tech stack at La Nostra Ciutat and my thoughts about each area of the system:  POS We are currently using Shopify POS in our retail stores and Shopify Advanced as our online platform. In March 2023 we switched our operations to Shopify having previously used VendHQ in stores (and before that, in the very beginning a stand-alone system from CaixaBank, this one tought us a lot!). We chose Shopify POS for the primary reason of connectivity.

Learning a new skill is an exciting endeavour that involves progressing through different stages of development. The three-phase learning process—cognitive, associative, and autonomous—provides a roadmap for understanding how we acquire and refine skills. In this blog post, we’ll dive into each phase, exploring what they entail and how they contribute to skill mastery. Additionally, we’ll explore how to successfully transition from the autonomous phase to a new phase of higher learning. Let’s embark on this enlightening journey together! Phase 1: Cognitive Phase – Laying the Foundation: Every skill begins with the cognitive phase, where we lay the groundwork for understanding the task at hand. During this stage, it’s normal to feel a sense of novelty and uncertainty as we encounter new concepts, techniques, and challenges. We rely heavily on conscious thought, observation, and trial-and-error to gain a basic understanding of the skill. Mistakes and errors are an integral part of this phase. They serve as valuable feedback mechanisms that guide our learning process. By embracing these mistakes as learning opportunities rather than setbacks, we can refine our mental models and adapt our approach accordingly. The cognitive phase is all about exploration, curiosity, and building a solid foundation for future skill

Hey there, fellow retail business owners! We all know that cash is the lifeblood of our stores, and effectively managing cash flow is essential for success. In this blog post, we’re going to dive into the world of cash flow modelling and explore how it can revolutionise your understanding of your retail store’s finances. I’ll share practical tips, personal anecdotes, and examples to help you harness the power of cash flow modelling and propel your store to new heights. Understanding Cash Flow Modelling: Cash flow modelling involves creating a detailed projection of cash inflows and outflows over a specific period. It’s like painting a picture of your store’s financial future, enabling you to make informed decisions and optimise your cash management strategies. Here’s how you can create a cash flow model for your retail store: 1. Identify Your Cash Inflows: Start by identifying all the sources of cash inflows in your retail store. This includes revenue from sales, any financing activities, investments, and other income streams such as rental income or affiliate partnerships. Be realistic and consider historical data, market trends, and upcoming promotions or events that may impact your revenue. 2. Estimate Cash Outflows: Next, estimate your cash outflows.