Featured Projects
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
Norman, OK (University of Oklahoma)
The Challenge: With construction nearing completion, the museum needed a fully operational store built from just a shell in only three months. Jin was tasked with handling everything from layout and fixtures to staffing, operations, and curating merchandise that would appeal to everyone from school groups to VIPs.
The Result: Opening on schedule, the store quickly became a community destination. Jin curated unique, authentic merchandise, including one-of-a-kind pieces from regional Native artisans that stayed true to the spirit of the museum. In its first year, sales reached $420,000—a ten-fold increase over the previous facility. Crucially, the store achieved $26 in sales per square foot (over 50% above the $17 peer average at the time) and surpassed $30 per square foot within two years.
“Working with Jin Jo has made connecting with Native American people & various Tribal communities much easier. To have her as a cultural connection and person who advocates for museums, artists and Native communities helps simplify conversations that may not have always been a clear path. She knows what museums need, and she knows how to reach out to a vast array of different Tribal affiliations. Our museum opening was a success due to her. I recommend her highly.”
Kelli Davis
Manager of Retail and Visitor Services, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Palm Springs, CA
The Challenge: As a newly built facility, ACCM required a complete retail strategy from the ground up. The leadership's primary mandate was highly specific: source 100% of the store’s merchandise from Native-owned vendors and artisans, with a special focus on California-based tribes.
The Result: Without existing vendor directories to rely on, Jin leveraged her extensive network and deep understanding of tribal commerce to successfully meet this mandate. Sourcing entirely Native-made products became a major point of pride for tribal leadership and its citizens at the museum's grand opening.
Oklahoma Contemporary
Oklahoma City, OK
The Challenge: This progressive museum needed a retail experience as unique as its facility. However, the designated store footprint was exceptionally small. This required highly creative, fast-turning merchandise with strong margins that would appeal to patrons seeking truly one-of-a-kind items.
The Result: Tapping into her specialized network of art-focused vendors and MSA contacts, Jin curated a selection of proven winners and unique artistic pieces. This strategic sourcing substantially increased revenue and delivered a retail environment that leadership felt perfectly mirrored the museum's distinct personality.
"During the opening of our Latin American exhibit at The Walters Art Museum, Jin Jo and Jinjo Museum Consulting provided invaluable expertise in vendor relations, product selection, and sales strategy. Her guidance elevated our store offerings, ensuring they aligned with the exhibition while creating lasting value for the Museum. Jin Jo is knowledgeable, professional, and a true partner in the museum retail field. Her strong relationships with vendors and sales representatives helped strengthen our retail operations, and her insights continue to benefit the Walters Art Museum."
Tyree Coleman
Store Manager and Buyer at The Walters Art Museum
"Jin is one colleague who uniquely stands out. I was immediately impressed with her knowledge of retail management, merchandise planning, and product development which far exceeds that of many of her peers. Jin is a joy to work with because of her amazingly positive attitude and can do spirit!"
Susan Tudor
President Of The Board Of Directors
Museum Store Association
“Under Jin's direction, the museum store sales increased tenfold. She is a human dynamo of energy and ideas. She does not ruminate about what should be done; she does it. She has won several performance awards at OU, both for her store and for her own accomplishments. She is the ultimate can-do personality.”
Michael Mares, Ph.D.
Director Emeritus, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
“I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for Jin Jo Museum Consulting and what she has helped us accomplish for our retail store in a very short amount of time! Jin assisted us in obtaining unique products that are flying off of the shelves. Our increased retail revenue is a direct reflection of us working with Jin Jo Museum Consulting. She has been a life-saver for our institution!”
Nicole Armitage
Past Director of Operations, Oklahoma Contemporary
The Walters Art Museum
Baltimore, MD
The Challenge: The Walters Museum had a highly capable but newly appointed Store Manager who lacked a formal in-house training program. The critical operational need was mastering the Point of Sale (POS) system to ensure accurate data input, smooth inventory reordering, and reliable performance reporting.
The Result: Jin developed and implemented a comprehensive, hands-on training program. Beyond essential one-on-one POS instruction, she mentored the manager at the NYNOW Summer Market. This immersive shadowing experience allowed the manager to meet key vendors, understand the buying process, and rapidly upskill to run the store with confidence.
Peoria Riverfront Museum
Peoria, IL
The Challenge: As a multifaceted institution featuring diverse exhibits, a theater, and a planetarium, PRM required cohesive visitor services and an overarching retail strategy. They needed to reimagine their physical store layout and provide operational mentoring for a newly hired manager.
The Result: Alongside successfully optimizing the store's layout and providing essential POS training, Jin delivered two major institutional wins. First, she authored a comprehensive, 60-page Visitor Services Manual from scratch to unify how different museum departments interact with guests. Second, she facilitated a historic introduction between the museum director and the Chief of the Peoria Tribe (now based in Oklahoma), establishing a deeply valued cultural connection for the facility.
"Jin Jo did outstanding work for the Peoria Riverfront Museum Store during a period of transition and growth. She helped us strengthen daily operations while also shaping a clear strategic vision for the store and our broader visitor services culture. Her creativity and flexibility allowed us to reimagine the store layout, improve our merchandise approach, and support everything from fixture design to hands on implementation. As a result, the Museum Store increased sales and built a loyal customer base. Jin Jo is a valuable asset to any museum team."
Kate Schureman
Chief Strategy Officer, Peoria Riverfront Museum
Past President, Museum Store Association
Museum Store Association (MSA)
The Challenge: Transitioning from traditional retail into the highly specialized museum store sector in 2000, Jin recognized the need to develop niche skills. Her goal was to elevate her store's performance to match the very best museums in the region and the country.
The Result: Jin immersed herself in the Museum Store Association (MSA), utilizing their extensive training to master the industry. Over the years, she has applied these best practices to her consulting and given back to the community, serving twice as MSA Chapter President and currently as a Vendor Advisor. She considers MSA participation essential for any serious museum retail professional.