There are two schools of thought regarding the current economy and how it affects independent retail businesses. Group number one says, “Don’t listen to all the hype and negativity in the media. Retailers are NOT struggling right now, and many are up!” Group number two says, “Inflation is on the rise. We see it everywhere, and there’s no denying it. No one is shopping, my local economy and residents are hurting, and sales are way down.” Whichever school you subscribe to, we can all agree that the economy affects every retailer differently! Listen to today’s episode to learn what you can do to protect your business both in the current economic state and whenever you face a cash flow crunch in the future. For show notes, including links to all of the resources mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode130
“Automation” can be intimidating, especially when you have to invest your time and effort into setting up new software or learning a new system. But automation is a massive timesaver for indie retail business owners! It’s one of the best ways that we can work LESS. Best of all, the time we can save through automating our repetitive, day-to-day tasks can be put towards the big ideas that help us profit more and grow! Listen in to learn what automation is, why it’s helpful, and the ten tasks that all retailers should consider automating. For show notes, including links to any resources mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode129.
It’s easy to get stuck in autopilot when we’re marketing our indie retail businesses, especially when we’ve heard the same marketing “rules” over and over again! One of the most common rules you’ll hear is to focus 80 percent of your social media content on engaging or educational content, and the other 20 percent on selling. But with social media coming in a distant second (or even dead last, in some studies) compared to other marketing efforts, the return on your social media effort might not be reflected in your sales! So, where should you focus your effort instead? Listen in to learn where the 80/20 misconception comes from and how to actually apply it to your marketing strategy. For show notes, including links to any resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://savvyshopkeeper.com/episode128.
I'm hosting a FREE masterclass on Monday, June 27, 2022, at 2 PM EST to help you create a cash flow management system! Listen to today’s episode to learn why I’m hosting this free masterclass, what you can expect to learn if you attend, and some essential base knowledge to help you prep for the class. Register for the free Cash is Queen Masterclass at https://www.savvyshopkeeper.com/cashflow! For show notes and links to all resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode127.
I’m excited to bring you a new intermittent series called Shopkeeper Guest Interviews. Many talented store owners in our Master Shopkeepers and Shopkeeper’s Lab groups have different experiences, knowledge, and perspectives than me—and I want to share their ideas with you. Today’s guests are Dani and Tim Martin. They’re the owners of The Cotton Shed Market, a vendor market located in Bryant, Arkansas, and the home decor store High Cotton Decor (located inside their vendor store!). They’ve worked together for nearly 6 years and married for 17. Listen in to hear Dani and Tim’s seven tips for working with your spouse…and staying married! For show notes, visit https://www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode126
Today, I’m sharing a coaching moment with Sam, the owner of Heck Studios. Sam was our first hire at The Salvaged Boutique six years ago and has done tons of design work for Savvy Shopkeeper. She also writes our weekly newsletter! On a recent call together, Sam told me about a viral TikTok she’d posted for her custom embroidery business—and how she was now flooded with the inquiries she’d dreamed of. Listen in to hear me coach Sam through her feelings of overwhelm and embrace this new period of abundance in her business. For show notes, including links to Sam’s viral TikTok videos, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode125
While many of us turn to the internet when we have a specific business-related question, books are a way to go deeper on the more abstract ideas we grapple with as business owners. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 8 books I’ve found valuable and helpful along my entrepreneurial journey. From money mindset to habit building to time management, these books have changed my perspective and helped me grow as a business owner. For show notes, including links to purchase any of the books I’ve mentioned, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode124
We often think that our store, the physical space, or the merchandise generates revenue. But if we dig a little deeper, our BRAIN creates revenue. Listen in to learn how our brains create value, who we need to listen to most, and what steps you can take to solve the problems that matter to your customers. For show notes, visit https://savvyshopkeeper.com/episode123
Being an entrepreneur is challenging, I get it! But the lows don't define us and they don't have to consume us either. Once retailers can accept that there will always be highs and lows in retail and in life, the not-so-good moments can become easier to handle and process. YOUR thinking is an incredible asset. Do you want to choose thinking that keeps you down and/or in the dumps OR do you want to choose thinking that accepts there's both good and bad in business all while keeping you moving forward? YOU get to choose!
I hinted at this a couple weeks ago but I'm currently experiencing a "season" in business, my own store is expanding! Needless to say, a store expansion is a BIG deal and has required quite a bit of my time. This means some things had to get pushed down on my priority list because our Grand Reopening became THE priority. In episode 120, I shared that the store I co-own with my sister was expanding. In this bonus episode, I thought I'd share some quick updates. Updates about expanding, the retreat, and the Master Shopkeepers application which is opening up soon!