In the second part of this two-part series on Stories from the River, Heather Greenwood welcomes Memory Makers from the recent Sleep Summit held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The conversation brings together insights from various Memory Makers, who share how the summit has influenced their approach on the sales floor, deepened their product knowledge, and enhanced their confidence in connecting guests with the perfect sleep solutions. Memory Makers discuss specific takeaways that challenged or energized them, how sleep training translates into improved guest experiences, and the role ongoing education plays in boosting both individual success and company growth.

Hear from:
-Cristina Shields, Sales Manager, VIP, The Hype
-Isaiah Taylor, Home Furnishing Consultant, Flagship Enterprise
-Brett Farmer, Home Furnishing Associate, Rock Hill Raiders
-Jaylon Fisher, Sales Manager, Sleep, Albemarle Aces
-David Boyd, Sales Manager, Sleep, Hub City Hive
-Melanie Pratt, Home Furnishings Professional, Hub City Hive
-Kota Bennett, Sales Manager Expert, VIP, Port City
-Jefferson Lizaire, Sales Manager Expert, Sleep, Augusta Annihilators

Beyond product expertise, the episode delves into the unique culture at Broad River Retail. Memory Makers reflect on the importance of connection, collaborative learning, and the company’s investment in their growth—citing moments of genuine care and camaraderie, from knowing each other’s names to celebrating personal milestones. Many mention how the Sleep Summit reinforces the family-like environment and support system that sets Broad River apart, inspiring them to pioneer new levels of performance and leadership as they look ahead to 2025. The episode closes with reminders to tune in for upcoming special segments and to engage with the Stories from the River community across platforms.

Part One of the Sleep Summit series:
Grid, Grit & Guest Experience: A Summit to Remember - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lBGUfKMt2I

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Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com

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In this special two-part edition of Stories from the River, Heather Greenwood guest hosts to spotlight the highlights of the recent Sleep Summit held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The episode features eight Memory Makers from various Broad River Retail locations, sharing their unique experiences, key takeaways, and the powerful "aha" moments that made the event memorable.

Hear from:
-Cristina Shields, Sales Manager, VIP, The Hype
-Isaiah Taylor, Home Furnishing Consultant, Flagship Enterprise
-Brett Farmer, Home Furnishing Associate, Rock Hill Raiders
-Jaylon Fisher, Sales Manager, Sleep, Albemarle Aces
-David Boyd, Sales Manager, Sleep, Hub City Hive
-Melanie Pratt, Home Furnishings Professional, Hub City Hive
-Kota Bennett, Sales Manager Expert, VIP, Port City
-Jefferson Lizaire, Sales Manager Expert, Sleep, Augusta Annihilators

Each Memory Maker, representing various sales and sales management roles, reflects on how the Summit broadened their perspectives, enhanced their knowledge of innovative sleep products like Purple, Tempur-Pedic, and Sealy mattresses, and inspired new ways to connect with guests. Their collective enthusiasm underscores the Summit’s value as an opportunity for learning, growth, and genuine connection.

Throughout the episode, Memory Makers discuss not only the fun and interactive energy of the Summit, but also the practical techniques and product demonstrations that sparked their excitement to bring new ideas back to their showrooms. Memorable anecdotes include trying out the latest mattress technologies, engaging in sales demonstrations like "float the grid," and sharing personal stories that highlight the importance of guest comfort and finding the right sleep solutions. The episode concludes with a strong sense of passion for delivering life-changing experiences through thoughtful product recommendations and a consistent dedication to guest satisfaction.

Come back on Thursday for part two!

Watch this episode YouTube: https://youtu.be/9lBGUfKMt2I

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Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com

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Welcome back to Stories From the River, where Charlie Malouf continues his conversation with Bradley Sullivan, the General Manager of the award-winning Albemarle Aces, for an in-depth discussion on leadership, motivation, and what it takes to build a high-performing retail team at Broad River Retail. Against the energetic backdrop of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bradley shares how his obsession with performance metrics, consistency in routines, and a deep investment in the growth of his Memory Makers have been the driving forces behind his team's repeated successes, including multiple top store awards and coveted cheeseburger trophies for sleep sales excellence. He highlights the importance of embodying the business, emphasizing the motto "be the business," and fostering a culture that values both results and personal connections.

Bradley delves into the unique culture of the Albemarle Aces, describing it through the metaphor of poker—where patience, strategy, and embracing the hand you're dealt are essential to winning. He reflects on meaningful moments, like witnessing Memory Makers achieve personal financial milestones and seeing them feel at home in the store's nurturing environment. Motivated by the desire to create a legacy of excellence, Bradley stresses the importance of passionate leadership, the impact of teaching others to surpass their own expectations, and a love for "playing the game." The episode wraps up with Bradley sharing personal anecdotes about family, literature, and the comeback journey that's defined his return to Broad River, leaving listeners inspired to lead with heart and a competitive spirit.

Additional resources:

The Motive: Why So Many Leaders Abdicate Their Most Important Responsibilities by Patrick Lencioni - https://www.amazon.com/Motive-Leaders-Abdicate-Important-Responsibilities/dp/1119600456

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - https://www.amazon.com/Outsiders-S-Hinton/dp/014240733X

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - https://www.amazon.com/Count-Monte-Cristo-Wordsworth-Classics/dp/1853267333

Marry the Process, Divorce the Outcome: Lessons on Success with Keith Jones - https://youtu.be/z3autMe8m3Y

Broad River's Original Purpose Summit, Purpose 8:28 (held on 8.28.2019) - https://www.purpose828.com

Watch this episode YouTube: https://youtu.be/4qfkK_n6mD4

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Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com

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In this episode of Stories from the River, host Charlie Malouf sits down with Bradley Sullivan at the Charlotte Motor Speedway to dive into Bradley's unique journey as a Memory Maker at Broad River Retail. Bradley, affectionately known as Sully, recounts his path from his early days in the furniture business, his meaningful recruitment experience at the transformative Purpose 8:28 event (Bradley's 'Day Zero' in Fort Mill, South Carolina, on August 28, 2019), and his rise through various leadership roles within the Company—from his start in Cary as an AGM with Michael Childers, to taking on the GM role in Bull City, to revamping the culture at the Ashley Outlet in Charlotte, N.C., on South Boulevard (which changed its identity during Bradley's tenure from the Boulevard Bulldogs to the "Boulevard Believe"), and now leading the Albemarle Aces to success. Bradley's remarkable story is marked by resilience, personal growth, and a knack for seeing potential in the underdog.

Throughout the conversation, Bradley emphasizes his love for developing people, not just selling furniture. He highlights how culture is the cornerstone of thriving stores and shares heartfelt stories about the Albemarle Aces' journey to becoming a top-performing memory-making group, including winning the North American Ashley Store of the Month a record-setting three times within the past five months. The discussion also explores the importance of confidence, overcoming setbacks, and the challenge of consistency in retail. Bradley gives a special shoutout to the individual Memory Makers who make the Albemarle Aces shine, reinforcing the deep bonds and connections that drive success within Broad River Retail.

Additional Resources:

Broad River's Original Purpose Summit, Purpose 8:28 (held on 8.28.2019) - https://www.purpose828.com

Watch this episode YouTube: https://youtu.be/3irD0s0Rpic

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Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com

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In this episode of Stories from the River, host Charlie Malouf sits down with Jose Blanco, the General Manager of the Glenwood Gladiators, as part of the GM Series. Coming to you from the Charlotte Motor Speedway during a week of special events, the two dive into Jose’s extensive 11-year leadership journey at Broad River Retail. Jose shares stories from his beginnings in liquidation furniture sales prior to joining The River and then through his progression through nearly every possible leadership role across many store locations—including Hickory, Arden, Asheville, Matthews, University, Columbia, Northeast Columbia, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, and now at the Raleigh Outlet (a/k/a the "Glenwood Gladiators"). With each move, he highlights his adaptability, focus on sales growth, and a deep commitment to leading by example. Jose credits much of Broad River’s evolution to the adoption of consistent processes, like the C4 playbook, and emphasizes how these have shifted the Company from a store-by-store approach to a unified operational culture.

Jose opens up about understanding the analytics of the business and those learnings that he gained during the preparation from the Orange Crush tours.

Jose opens up about the importance of building trust, showing genuine care for other Memory Makers, and creating a family atmosphere in every store he leads. He discusses the rewarding aspects of being a GM, from celebrating high-performing Home Furnishings Consultants achieving the elite Home Furnishings Expert status, to fostering cultures where everyone feels supported and heard—regardless of age or background. Jose’s story also touches on his personal challenges, including being legally blind, and expresses gratitude for the Company’s support.

As the General Manager, Jose discusses how he constantly wants to be the lead learner and drops the mic when he says that 'Learning is an everlasting gobstopper.'

Throughout the conversation, Charlie highlights Jose’s resilience, service-driven leadership, and the perspective on growth at Broad River that is driven by its leaders like Jose: growing as far as their Memory Makers will take them. The episode concludes with advice for top sales professionals who may be contemplating a leap into leadership, underscoring the performance-driven, transparent, and deeply supportive environment that makes Broad River’s GM role unique.

Watch this episode YouTube: https://youtu.be/Rg_dzfjKxMQ

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Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com

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In this episode of Stories from the River, host Charlie Malouf welcomes Alexis Strafuss, the General Manager of the Augusta Annihilators, during the GM Rx and the Mission Possible Sleep Summit at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Alexis shares her journey from food and beverage management into the furniture retail world with Ashley, starting in 2020 in Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic. She describes her growth from a Rookie Sales Associate to various leadership roles, including her first General Manager position in Inverness, Florida, and later at flagship locations with Ashley Global Retail (AGR) in Florida, highlighting her successes such as winning Rookie of the Year and Top Gun awards, and even earning a vacation to Napa Valley as part of various incentive programs.

The conversation dives deep into Alexis's leadership philosophy, especially her focus on culture and the well-being of Memory Makers. She discusses the rebranding of their Augusta store to the Augusta Annihilators, complete with the vulture mascot "Vinny," chosen for representing loyalty, passion, teamwork, and drive. Alexis emphasizes the importance of listening and connecting with her Memory Makers, fostering a competitive yet uplifting environment where everyone feels heard and motivated to excel. Her thoughtful and intentional approach to leadership, grounded in her competitive sports background and previous management experiences, shines throughout the episode, as she shares her ambitions to continue growing—setting her sights on a regional manager position by 2027.

Watch this episode YouTube: https://youtu.be/nbMqOnA-l4E

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Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com

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In this episode of Stories from the River, host Charlie Malouf takes viewers and listeners on a behind-the-scenes journey through Broad River Retail’s 2nd Quarter Companywide Town Hall that took place on Friday, May 16, 2025. He explains the origins and purpose of the quarterly Town Halls, highlighting how they have become a crucial channel for transparent communication and engagement with Memory Makers across the company. Charlie walks through the meticulous planning and collaborative preparation that goes into these events, emphasizing the blend of important companywide updates, recognition of recent promotions, the celebration of new leaders, and shout-outs for outstanding achievements—like high retention rates and major awards for the Company or specific departments. The Town Hall is packed with insights on organizational performance, business goals, and the values that unite everyone at Broad River, all delivered over 113 slides and an engaging live Zoom chat with hundreds of Memory Makers tuning in.

The episode also captures key business highlights and initiatives, such as progress towards sales goals, store remodels and conversions to the Ashley 7.0 format, and the launch of new product lines like Ashley Luxe. Charlie and other leaders discuss continued innovation, operational efficiency, and the company’s growing community impact, including Founders Scholarship awards and charitable giving milestones. There is a special focus on the Company’s major projects like Project Cascade—Broad River’s expansion into Spokane, Washington—and operational successes like record-low return rates in home delivery. The episode wraps up with encouragement for all Memory Makers leading into the busy Memorial Day retail weekend, a reminder about the meaning behind the holiday, and a look ahead to future episodes and possible summer updates from The River.

Watch this episode YouTube: https://youtu.be/xpKABVpQ0R4

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Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com

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This episode marks the fifth and final installment in the Ashley's 'Right to Win' Boot Camp series on Stories from the River, hosted by Charlie Malouf. The focus of this series is a four-day intensive training held across eight host locations, aimed at elevating the product knowledge and confidence of Broad River's Memory Makers. Charlie interviews Kensley Phillips, Jim Walker, and Josh Hatchell from the Flagship Enterprise, along with Angel Santana from the Rock Hill Raiders, as they reflect on their biggest takeaways and practical insights from the Boot Camp. The Memory Makers emphasize how the training dramatically increased their understanding of Ashley's product quality, manufacturing processes, and competitive advantages, inspiring pride and confidence in representing the brand.

Throughout the discussion, the Memory Makers share how the training went beyond typical product information, delving into the benefits behind each feature and offering new strategies to help customers connect with Ashley's story of quality, sustainability, and innovation. They highlight the value of continuous learning, the impact of intentional investment in their growth, and a deep sense of belonging within Broad River. The Boot Camp not only revitalized their passion for customer interaction but also equipped them with new language and knowledge, empowering them to stand out on the sales floor and contribute to Broad River's ongoing success.

There's enthusiastic anticipation for future sessions, with the group agreeing that ongoing education is vital for personal and professional growth in a Memory Maker's journey.

Previous episodes in this Ashley's 'Right to Win' Boot Camp Series:

Product Smart, People Driven, Purpose Fueled: Mobilizing Ashley's 'Right to Win' Boot Camp - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owyi81Q9dOU

Ashley's Right to Win Boot Camp is a Force Multiplier - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHhcdcNEG4o

Power in Preparation: Inside the Product Knowledge Boot Camp with Chris Berrier: https://youtu.be/MLKum9AwskI

Memory Makers On Sustainability, Innovation and Product Quality at Ashley’s 'Right to Win' Boot Camp - https://youtu.be/0hNtGoNLAZU

Watch on this episode YouTube: https://youtu.be/R03T17gq1OE

Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.

Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail