Marketing Tips, Tools & Consulting for Natural Product Retailers
askDebby.com People ARE Talking
"We have worked with Debby many times over the last 5 years. WE have three Vitamin and Natural Food Stores in Florida and Debby has guided us through our steady growth. With thoughtful and innovative marketing, branding, signage, staff training, social networking a store remodel/re-birth, name change, and so much more...there isn't anything that we've asked for, that Debby hasn't been able to provide a workable solution to.
She is a marketing wizzzzzzz and fun to work with, too."
Karen Greenway & Laura DeWitt - Owners, Get In Get Healthy
"Thank you for your webinar this week. We had several of our team members join. We appreciate the information and the tools available for our staff to share with their retailers in the field. You did a fantastic job!"
Monique McCurdy - V.P. of Operations, Maximum Marketing
"askDebby.com is a godsend for independent retailers. It's like having a marketing and promotions specialist on staff that many stores in our industry can't afford. The resources are tremendous and a real time saver. The depth and breadth of knowledge is awesome."
Doug Bean - V.P. Marketing and Communications, Raisin Rack Natural Food Market
You are a valuable asset to my business and me. I have learned a lot about marketing from you and obtain really great ideas from you and your website. The “Go Organic” shelf talker works so well because my e-commerce site is www.OrganicHerbalStore.com and I sell organic herbs, spices, food source supplements and organic personal care products. Now that I know you don't mind that I convert the shelf talkers to web banners I will be using others throughout my web-store to highlight special product features. Thank you again Debby and please don't even think of retiring yet. I seriously doubt I could ever find an equivalent source of inspiration or valuable marketing resource.
Clara Thomas - www.organicherbalstore.com
“Debby has more enthusiasm and energy than any 10 people I know. When you combine that with her experience in retail marketing (and I've known her for over 2 decades) she offers more tips, tricks, common sense, and innovative solutions to retailers in the Natural Products Industry than they can find anywhere else. She has partnered with some of the largest manufacturers and distributors to produce educational and promotional programs for retailers and is a sought after speaker at the major shows. Debby is a tireless worker, very dedicated to her retailers, and never seems to stop creating new ways to help them grow their business. If you are a retailer - you need to go to askdebby.com. I too am a consultant for the Natural Products industry, and I can honestly say that if something is happening in the industry Debby already knows about it. She is very connected - a very good person to know.”
TJ Miller, Creative Director | Brand Specialist, Graphic Jam
“So you are thinking of spending some time with Debby Swoboda. Two pieces of advice: 1.) Wear your seatbelt! With Debby, enthusiasm, energy and excitement are very common! 2.) Take notes! She is full of ideas - and very practical ideas that build relationships and grow sales! Over the past seven or eight years, I have seen Debby take her successful background as the Marketing Director for a chain of natural food stores and build it into being the "Retail Marketing Guru" for the entire natural products industry. She possesses great insight into how to connect with customers for both your benefit and theirs. ANY time that you get a chance to hear Debby speak in person, to log-in to one of her webcasts, or to catch up on the latest posts to her blog, it is going to be well worth your time. You will come away with not just one, but a handful of practical things that you can put to use right away to further your business!”
Bill Crawford, Director of Retail Publishing Programs, New Hope Natural Media
“Debby possesses two valuable strengths, proven creative marketing skills and an in-depth understanding of the needs of the independent natural food retailer, possessed by few others in the Natural Products Industry. Those attributes, along with her passion for the success of these retailers, make her a tremendous asset when developing new programs designed to serve these customers.”
Greg Leonard, SR V.P. Natural Sales, Tree of Life
“Debby is a creative tour de force! She has come up with the most amazing and effective programs to help Natural Foods Retailers grow their businesses. She is as enthusiastic as she is tireless in her work to make marketing work for all concerned. Her smile is contagious too!” April 12, 2009
Laura Pestel, General Manager, Blue Moose Consulting
“Knowing and working with Debby Swoboda and Debby Swoboda Marketing Solutions is a pleasure. Through askDebby.com I have gained many new clients. Debby is dedicated in her work and extremely knowledgeable. Debby has been a mentor for me. I am so happy to have come to know Debby. She is so enthusiastic in all she does and helpful in all aspects of gluten-free. Debby Swoboda Marketing Solutions is the way to go.”
Pat Libling, PatsyPie Gluten-Free Bakery, Montreal Canada”
“Debby is a passionate individual who cares deeply about the independent natural foods retailer. She's a dynamic resource for effective, hands-on merchandising and marketing tips for retailers. As a writer, it's sometimes been a challenge to edit her infinite flow of ideas, but we somehow manage to get it down to the nitty gritty! Very well respected in the industry, Debby's years of experience and continued involvement at every level give her a perspective that is invaluable to retailers.”
Candy Cohn, Writer, Candy Cohn Freelance Writing
“Debby is extremely committed to helping natural products retailers grow their business. Her presentations are very informative, real-world and timely. Debby's enthusiasm is infectious! Don't miss her popular seminars.”
Dot Boyd, Executive Director at Natural Products Association West
"I wanted to send you a quick thank-you for all of your information and tips you have given us. Your talk was the most inspiring out of the whole weekend, and I can't wait to put everything into play here. I am excited to start on your website also. Thanks again!"
Trent Hurley, Manager - No Name Nutrition Market West - Omaha, NE (after attending the Tree of Life Customer Appreciation Weekend in Dallas, TX Sept. 2008)
"Working with Debby Swoboda has not only been a pleasure but one of the best business decisions that ALL ONE has made. She has a tremendous amount of knowledge, history, and energy. I would say she is one of the most informed individuals in our industry and I learned a lot from her and continue to do so. Every time that I talk to Debby or see her in one of her seminars, I walk away with some 'jewel'. She is the best retail marketer that I have every met. She helped us bring the various amounts of support materials we had together into one impressive package to support the retailers that carry our products. We look forward to a long and prosperous future together."
Jenai Huff, VP of Sales - ALL ONE/Nutritech Corp.
"We want you to know that it was through your “new eyes” from our original consultation that we have made all the positive changes that have helped us to maintain a viable business in these harder economic times. We THANK YOU."
Sarah Weiner & Gail Holt, Owners - Living Waters Health Food Store - Ormond Beach, FL
"Debby Swoboda had an uncanny ability to see what changes needed to be made in a business and since following her advice, our business is the best it has been in 28 years. She has been able to pull together many loose ends that were compromising and limiting our future growth. The money I spent with her company was the best investment I have made in years."
Ed Jones, Owner - Nutrition World - Chattanooga,TN
"Debby has brought into Nutrition S'Mart not only her experience and knowledge of our industry, but most importantly, her love and dedication for something she's so passionate about: helping the Natural Food Retailers achieve their dreams, however dreams may be defined. Very seldom we find people of Debby's character and professionalism in any industry. I have always considered Debby to be "Priceless"; a "Diamond" waiting to be discovered. And not a day goes by, that I don't recognize how fortunate I am to have "discovered" Debby. Our Company grew beyond anything I thought possible in the first four years in business, in part due to Debby's approach to "hand shake marketing", a phrase she so often quotes and is so apropos to the importance of Networking within our Community and making a difference in the lives of our customers. Her knowledge of our Industry; her relationship with Vendors, Sales Reps, Brokers, Distributors and her impeccable credentials, make Debby a most incredible asset to any Company. Few words can convey my appreciation for everything she's done and continues to do for Nutrition S'Mart. Thank you for being part of our growth and most importantly, a dear friend."
Ed Gruvman, Owner - Nutrition S'Mart - 4 Florida Locations
"Hiring Debby as the marketing director of Village Health Market has been extremely beneficial to our store. Her knowledge of the natural products industry combined with her creativity, gives our store the professional look that every business should have. Debby is in charge of anything to do with marketing and web site management of our store and everything is done in prompt and timely manner."
Roni Levy, Owner - Village Health Market, Tampa, FL
"I just wanted to write and thank you for the superb job you did on our signs. They really make a difference to the image of the store, and of course enable customers to browse much more easily than before. The magnetic holders are amazing and work really well on the central gondola. I will gladly be passing your name on to others with a recommendation for prompt personal service and an excellent product."
Gill Birch, Former Owner - Discount Vitamins, Hallandale Beach, FL
"My time spent with Debby was very productive, efficient and invaluable to the growth of our company over the last year. She brings expert experience in marketing, especially within the natural foods industry and her enthusiasm spills over into all aspects of the business. She's a pleasure to work with!"
Laura Pennell, Former General Manager - Garners Natural Market & Cafe, Greenville, SC
"I have worked with Debby Swoboda for many years. From her days at Chamberlin Natural Foods to her current business, Debby Swoboda Marketing Solutions, I have utilized her many talents to help create brand images and deliver an effective message. Her professionalism, positive attitude and promptness has always been a pleasure to work with and her boundless energy is contagious. Her many years of experience give her the perspective of what retailers and vendors need to be successful. I would recommend a call to Debby before you begin any marketing project."
Gurukirn Khalsa, National Sales Manager - Soothing Touch, Altamonte Springs, FL
"I am the former owner of the Chamberlin Natural Foods stores, a seven store chain in the Orlando, Florida area.This letter is to introduce Debby Swoboda. Debby was our Marketing Director for 12 years and I am very pleased that I can write this letter of recommendation for her. Debby's responsibility was to develop the overall marketing program for our stores, including budgeting, public relations, coop advertising, television and radio commercials and all print media. Debby also developed a very successful training program for our employees. Debby has been in the industry for many years which gives her a great knowledge of our industry and has made many contacts through out the Natural Foods community. She developed a very strong and effective coop program which included the Manufacturers and Distributors. She was able to create many coop dollars which doubled our marketing budget year after year. If you are looking for someone to develop an effective marketing program that will increase your business, develop your image in your community and add to your bottom line, them Debby Swoboda is a person that you want on your team."
Dale Bennett, Former Owner - Chamberlin Natural Foods, Orlando, FL
"The strength of any business or organization is how well it utilizes partnerships and alliances to help grow their business. Ms. Swoboda has definitely achieved that with her client Nutrition S'Mart. Nutrition S'Mart has become a household and business name in our community. They have partnered with the Chamber and with area schools to provide funding and fund raising opportunities to enhance the schools programs for the children. Ms. Swoboda has definitely given her client an edge against the competitors by bringing their passion for children and for helping others into their marketing and promotional efforts through their partnerships. As Chamber President, I know how important it is to have alliances in the community as well as partnerships for programs and services. No one company can do it alone. Hats off to Debby and her marketing achievements."
Louise Murtaugh, Aprp - JTJB Chamber of Commerce, Jupiter, FL