In this episode, we speak with Becky Ottery, co-owner of Eclectic Games, a specialist board game retailer in Reading. Driven by a shared passion for gaming and a desire to provide a welcoming space for players, Becky and her husband Daryl founded Eclectic Games in 2006. We delve into their journey, from navigating the challenges of starting an independent business to overcoming obstacles like the pandemic and the rise of online retail. Becky discusses the importance of building strong customer relationships, providing expert advice, and creating a unique in-store experience that complements online shopping. She shares insights on marketing strategies, including community outreach, local partnerships, and the power of word-of-mouth recommendations.   TIME CODES 00:21 Introduction 00:34 Introduction to Becky and Eclectic Games 01:16 What Becky likes about Reading, UK 02:08 Why Becky and Darrell decided to start Eclectic Games 05:38 What advice Becky would give her younger self 07:41 You need to find a work: Life balance! 08:36 How Eclectic Games complements Amazon 11:05 Challenges and how Eclectic Games gives its customers value 15:21 Most popular items 17:30 Becky's favourite games 19:43 Card games Becky and Darrell play together 20:51 Spiel in Essen: the biggest boardgame show in the world 21: 15 Staying up to date with the industry 24:01 Eclectic Games marketing strategy 27:37 My favourite part of running a game shop 28:03 What's next for Eclectic Games 29:55 Becky's goals for Eclectic Games 31:47 Eclectic Games "Retailer of the year 2024" award at Pride of Reading 32:35 Becky's final thoughts

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