The founders behind the storefronts you walk past.
Tactical conversations with the people building brick-and-mortar retail. How they signed the lease, found the contractor, priced the menu, and what they wish they'd known before opening day.
What to Expect
An hour, four acts, zero filler
Every episode follows the same arc, so you can pull what you need fast whether you're scouting a location, pricing your buildout, or trying to figure out what the first 90 days actually look like.
The Origin
How they got the idea, what they were doing before, and the moment they decided to actually sign a lease.
The Buildout
Real numbers on space, contractors, permits, fixtures, and the trade-offs they made to open on budget.
The Open
Day one through month three. Marketing, hiring, the first reviews, the first time the rent was due.
The Lessons
What they'd do differently, what they'd do again, and what they'd tell themselves before starting.
Recent Conversations
EP 1 - How to Open 3 Pilates Studios in 1 Year
with Cassie Piasecki — The Full Routine
EP 25 - From Garage Pop-up to a $16mm Grocery Store
with Vincent Finazzo — Riverwards Produce
EP 15 - Reinventing Dentistry to 100+ locations
with Tyler Burnett — Wally Health
Alan Li
Alan is the co-founder of Signs and Mirrors, the premium fabrication studio behind sidewalk signs and retail fixtures for brands like Barry's, Touchland, J.Crew, and Frankies Bikinis. He also operates FotoLab Studio in NYC and Houston.
He started Opening Soon because the conversations he was already having with founders about leases, contractors, pricing, and what nobody warns you about were too good to keep off the record.
Common questions
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How often do new episodes come out?
Every few weeks. Subscribe on your podcast app of choice and new episodes will show up automatically.
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How are guests selected?
We focus on operators running brick-and-mortar businesses with a strong point of view. Past guests have owned coffee shops, nail salons, social clubs, grocery stores, Pilates studios, and pizza shops.
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I'm a founder. Can I be on the show?
Please reach out! We prioritize founders who are willing to be open and share real numbers. Email us at podcast@signsandmirrors.com with some more information about you and why you want to join our show.