NAMM YP I BY TIM SPICER Lessons from Spicer’s Music
S picer’s Music in Auburn, Alabama, began as a family-run business built on a simple belief: music retail should feel personal, welcoming and rooted in community. From the beginning, our focus was on creating a space where all people felt supported. As the business grew and evolved, it became clear that long- term success in independent retail isn’t driven by one big idea or standout year, but by consistent decisions, strong values and a focus on people. That foundation is what allowed Spicer’s Music, now led day to day by our COO Jonathan Hendrix, to grow into what it is today: NAMM’s 2026 Retailer of the Year.
systems allow it to grow in a healthy, sustainable way. Clear processes cre- ate consistency. Empowering team members to identify and improve systems builds ownership. Empathy. Music retail is, at its core, a people business. Sales and profitability matter, yet strong relationships are what sustain a company over time. THRIVING AS AN INDEPENDENT Consolidation and convenience continue to shape the landscape. Competing on price, speed or con- venience alone can be challeng- ing for independent retailers, but experience, connection and how customers feel are still powerful differentiators. Indie retailers are uniquely positioned to create en- vironments that feel personal and human. When someone walks into a store, asks a question or brings their child in for lessons, how they feel in that moment stays with them. BUILDING SOMETHING THAT LASTS The real measure of success is whether a business can continue to serve its community, grow its people and adapt over time. Look- ing back, I’m most proud of the team we built and the culture we protected along the way. The brand, systems and growth followed. For anyone building or lead- ing today, especially those early in their leadership journey, my encouragement is simple: Invest and trust in your people. Stay deeply customer focused. Build systems that support long-term health. And trust that consistent, value-driven decisions will com- pound over time. MI
PEOPLE FIRST, ALWAYS: WHY TEAM GROWTH DRIVES LONGEVITY A significant portion of our work over the years has focused on team member growth, not just helping people do their jobs better, but supporting them as individuals. Inside the store, that meant developing leadership, confidence and ownership. Outside the store, it meant recognizing our people have lives, needs and responsibilities beyond work. Businesses don’t grow on their own. People do. When team members feel supported, trusted and chal- lenged in healthy ways, they show up with purpose. That energy is immediately felt by customers. This approach takes patience and long-term focus. It’s slower than chasing short-term results, but it builds something durable. When you invest in your people,
you create a culture that can outlast any one leader. Strong teams create companies that last. CUSTOMER FOCUS MUST LIVE EVERYWHERE A relentless focus on the customer, especially on how you make people feel, should be reflected in everyday decisions at every level of an organiza- tion. Every policy, process and strategic decision
Inspiration from the NAMM 2026 Retailer of the Year.
should begin with a simple question: how does this affect the customer experience? In practice, this means listening closely, watching for patterns and being willing to change. SKILLS AND MINDSETS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS For emerging professionals in today’s retail environment, especially within the MI, a few skills and mindsets stand out as essential. Adaptability. The way people shop, learn and engage with music continues to change. What worked five years ago may not work today or tomorrow. Stay curious and open to change. Humility. Strong leaders listen, learn and aren’t afraid to admit mistakes or when something isn’t working. Openness from the top down builds better teams and stronger businesses. Systems. Hustle can help start a business or launch a new idea, but
Tim Spicer is the owner of Spicer’s Music in Auburn, Alabama, and the co-founder of Riff Music Academy in Westminster, Colorado.
26 I MUSIC INC. I APRIL 2026
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