than to be that conduit for your commu- nity — whether it’s pros, collectors or kids, it doesn’t matter. People always can use advice on whether they need to safeguard something that they have with a repair or an appraisal, or getting a kid started to get the next generation interested in being creative with instruments.” For Bell, staying relevant in an ever- evolving industry demands active partici- pation. That’s where gatherings like The NAMM Show become essential. What be- gan as a search for something new quickly became the heart of how he approaches the business.
“I went to NAMM and it blew my mind,” Bell said. “I started to find out about dif- ferent pieces of gear that would fit in my community. That’s where I discovered all the tips and tricks about marketing, social media, workshop setup techniques and fos- tering lesson programs. It is invaluable, and you can’t read about it. It’s an investment in yourself, in your company, and unfortu- nately, if you don’t go, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of information and an opportunity to connect with people and companies and be proactive about solv- ing your problems that are continuing at your store.” MI
directly into the day-to-day rhythm of local businesses with less foot traffic. “My customers are noticing there’s corporate greed in there,” Bell said. “The economic uncertainty from inflation or wars with Iran or ICE coming into a community and really being disruptive and causing confusion and chaos was strategic on the current administration’s part, and it had huge ripple effects in our community, which were disastrous. It also banded us together and gave us some sort of a community to rally around.” Bell said there’s economic uncertainty, especially on the dealer side, where the effects were felt from late August to December 2025. “When I probed, people were saying, ‘$100 doesn’t buy a bag of groceries,’” Bell said. “People are very preoccupied and worried about global disruption from not just tariffs, but from war and aggression, and escalat- ing prices of commodities like oil and food. It feels like we’ve been trying to figure out where that plays a part in this industry since this administration took over.” INDUSTRY OF INCLUSION For most retailers, success is defined by the experience they create, whether it unfolds online or across the counter. At Twin Town, that experience ensures customers walk away with exactly what they came for, with staff serving as guides shaping a transaction around the player’s vision. “This is an industry of inclusion, an industry where we like to celebrate and share,” Bell said. “There’s no better way “I have never missed a NAMM show. I’ve discovered so many tips and tricks about marketing, social media and fostering our lesson program. This is where I bump into people who had solutions to humidity is- sues or workshop setup techniques. It’s an invaluable experience, and it’s an investment in yourself and in your company. So, my No. 1 tip would be: Go to The NAMM Show. Sign up. Go every year.” — Andrew Bell, Twin Town Guitars owner Twin Towns Guitars’ Pro Tip:
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