Strategizing for the 2020 Holiday Retail Season with Morgan Johnston


Morgan Johnston, artist and small shop owner in Birmingham, AL, joins Carrie on The Localist this week to talk about going into the holiday season as a small business owner during a pandemic. Morgan catches us up on what’s going on with her business, and how her art career has expanded the past few months. Morgan and Carrie touch on the elusive concept of balance that we all strive for, and how you have to know yourself (and your limits!) to even attempt balance. Morgan describes their strategy for helping people shop this season, and Carrie shares an idea for making a wishlist using Instagram. Community is an important part of Morgan’s shop’s mission, and she tells us how they’re maintaining community when gathering is difficult. Morgan and Carrie wrap up with reasons to shop local-ish, some projections for gifting this year, and how you can get your hands on some of Morgan’s art. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

Club Duquette 

@ClubDuquette on Instagram

Morgan Johnston’s first episode on The Localist 

Javacia Harris Bowser on The Localist 

Susan Rollwagen on Homeschooling on The Localist 

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler  

The Boxcar Children

Charm on 2nd 

The Velveteen Rabbit 

When I Was Small by Sarah O’Leary 

@RuggedandFancy on Instagram 

Great Bear Wax Company 

Seasick Records 

Perry Computer 

The Cartiers

Birmingham Museum of Art 

@crollwagen on Instagram

CarrieRollwagen.com 

The Local List Google Form 

About Carrie

Carrie Rollwagen is host of the Localist podcast and cofounder of Church Street Coffee & Books. Currently, she works as Vice President of Strategic Planning at Infomedia, a web development company in Birmingham, Alabama. Find the Localist at @thinklocalist on Instagram and follow Carrie at @crollwagen.

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