Retail is a vibrant, ever-evolving industry that offers numerous opportunities. 

No one knows that better than Laura Merlo, owner of Reach Yoga in Glencoe, Illinois. Her welcoming boutique yoga studio offers classes catered to all levels of experience, ranging from gentle and restorative to power flow and meditation. 

Her journey is a powerful testament to the pros of building a career in retail. She’s created a space where personal growth meets professional freedom, with room to experiment, innovate, and truly connect with her community.

If you’re unsure about why you should consider retail as your next career move, here are seven reasons that show how retail ownership can lead to a fulfilling and flexible career. 

1. You’ll Discover Your “Happy Place”

When Laura was first asked to take over Reach Yoga, she was apprehensive. She started as a teacher and didn’t know if she had what it took to run the studio officially. Now, with passion and grit, she leads the studio with confidence. She’s made a space that energizes her and makes her feel fulfilled. It’s been stamped as “her happy place,” where she can come in, relax, and feel ready to take on the day. 

This is why you should consider retail, especially if you crave purpose in your work. It’s one of the few career paths where your passion directly feeds your professional performance. Retail ownership lets you design a business that truly reflects who you are. You’ll have the ability to build a space that feels as good to run as it does to walk into.

2. You’ll Have Freedom & Flexibility 

For Laura, one of the greatest gifts of retail ownership is the ability to shape her schedule around her life. She has crafted a business model that prioritizes her time, family, and energy on her terms. Every day, she arrives at the studio at 4 am to get organized for what’s ahead. It might seem unorthodox, but it works for her and her staff.  

The freedom to make decisions that align with your lifestyle is a major reason why you should consider retail. As you advance in your retail career and become a retail owner, you’ll get to design your days how you want without the pressure of punching a clock. 

Some of the best perks of retail flexibility include:

• Creating a work schedule that fits your personal life.
• Planning events, promotions, and store hours around what works for you.
• Closing on slow days or focusing on weekends to match your audience.
• Making time for rest, travel, or family without asking for permission.

This autonomy supports a healthier work-life balance in retail and often leads to greater long-term career satisfaction. Not having to wait for approval to make your life work for you is a significant added benefit.

3. You’ll Create a “Home Away From Home”

For Laura, community is everything. She was determined to make Reach Yoga a place where people feel comfortable, welcomed, and cared for, and she accomplished this goal by taking the time to learn students’ names, ask about their lives, and celebrate their milestones.

“To me, it is not work. It is my home away from home, and so many of our students feel the same,” Laura explains.

If human connection matters to you, you should consider retail ownership. No matter if you own a boutique, bookstore, or local market, retail businesses often become emotional landmarks in people’s lives. As a retailer, you’ll become a familiar face, a source of joy, and even a friend. It’s a powerful feeling to know that you can make someone’s day just by opening your doors. 

4. You Can Be Creative

What keeps Laura inspired is the ongoing creativity her job demands. She’s always experimenting, tweaking the space, adjusting product offerings, and launching new classes. She’s led cacao ceremonies, added new boutique merchandise, and even introduced floating sound baths. Her creativity keeps the space exciting and helps her stay connected to trends and seasonal interests in the wellness space.

If you love brainstorming, planning, and seeing ideas come to life, this is why you should consider retail, because no two weeks are ever the same.

Here are some great ways you can be creative in retail: 

• Collaborating with local makers or artists to co-create products.
• Creating Instagram-worthy displays that change monthly.
• Offering limited-time classes or tutorials based on trends.
• Developing loyalty perks with a creative twist, like surprise gifts or secret sales.

This variety can enhance your workday and challenge you to improve continually. If routine bores you, retail will wake you up in the best way possible.

5. You’ll Get Instant Gratification

Laura loves that she can see the results of her work immediately. When someone walks into Reach Yoga, discovers a new product, and lights up with excitement, she knows she’s done something right. That kind of instant feedback reinforces her passion and allows her to see her impact right away.

This is why you should consider retail as a career option. If you want your work to feel important and visible to others, this is one of the most effective ways to achieve it. You don’t have to wait months for a promotion or project review. In retail, you see the results of your creativity, service, and decisions every single day. That instant gratification makes each interaction feel rewarding and will build your confidence quickly.

6. You’ll Master Adaptability

Laura had zero retail experience when she started. She had never used spreadsheets, online booking tools, or digital sales platforms. However, when retail challenges arose and she had to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic, she jumped in and figured out a solution. She started Zoom classes and incorporated doorstep deliveries to adapt, and the business flourished as a result. 

Retail can serve as a real-world classroom. It teaches you how to think quickly, learn new systems, and stay flexible. Every day brings a new opportunity to grow your skills. You’ll walk away from every season smarter and more capable than before. If you’re looking for a career that keeps you evolving, this one delivers.

7. You’ll Create a Platform For Service

Laura’s studio blends wellness and retail in a way that feels deeply intentional. At Reach Yoga, every item she has, whether it’s a handmade candle or a restorative class, is meant to support healing and self-care. She views her boutique as an extension of her mission to help others feel good, both physically and emotionally. Her retail space reflects the same care and thoughtfulness that defines her teaching.

If you want to make a difference, you should consider retail ownership. It allows you to serve your community with products and experiences that truly matter. Retail can be a path to wellness for yourself and your customers.

Conclusion

So why should you consider retail? Retail can be a destination full of passion, hustle, and happiness. It can be a lifestyle that reflects your values and drives your growth. If you’re craving a career that feels meaningful, dynamic, and entirely your own, retail might just be it.

No, it’s not always easy, but it’s always interesting, and often deeply rewarding. So take that first step. You might just find your future on the sales floor or behind the register, and you may never look back.

Want to learn more about other Illinois retail leaders? Read inspiring retail stories from retailers across Illinois who are making a difference.

If you loved learning about the story of Reach Yoga and know a retailer who deserves recognition, Nominate A Retailer!