By the end of Independents Day, Jeff Care had received a wealth of knowledge from retailing experts to take back to his store-Gospel Gifts in Port Charlotte, Fla. He said the "conference does a good job" but said he also gained much insight from a breakout session, which allowed for "one-on-one time with retailers."

"We want to take the enthusiasm and ideas we have and transfer them to our own situation," he said, also referring to his wife, Sherry, co-owner of the store. The Cares' situation is a little different from many of the retailers in attendance.

They still are recovering from being closed for weeks last year during Florida's hurricanes. The store was poised for a 15% increase in sales until the hurricanes came, the Cares said.

Jeff Care was cautious about whether he would try to implement any of the ideas shared by Leiter.

"We'll see what happens," he said.

Linda Rogers, who plans to open Hebrews Inspiration and More Bookstore in Memphis, Tenn., said she gained encouragement by attending Independents Day.

"I will go in much wiser," she said in reference to opening a store in the future. "It's important to get encouragement. I think you just get so much information" from the CBA sessions.

Her first CBA experience was last June in Atlanta, attending the prospective retailers class.

• Prev
• Next