Podcast Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten by Wendy Batten, Creative Retail Mentor Episodes

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	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	228. Protecting Your Retail Store: Simple & Effective Loss Prevention Tips	23 Sep 2024	00:23:18
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: As independent retailers, protecting our stores, staff, and ourselves is always a top priority, right? How do you ensure safety among your staff and yourself - especially when it comes to loss prevention? In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I am sharing practical tips to prevent both external (shoplifting by customers) and internal (staff) theft to ensure your shop stays safe, profitable, and secure for everyone. Here are some of the key takeaways from the episode: Inventory is Money: Every piece of stock represents your revenue and you need to be vigilant about protecting it. Do you have a handle on your inventory? Is your POS up to date? Do you have cameras in place and separation of duties among your employees? Safety First for You and Your Staff: Ensure your team feels safe by having clear protocols for dealing with shoplifters. Never confront them directly—safety is more important than merchandise. Empower staff to trust their instincts and call the police if something feels off. Prioritize their well-being in every situation - do not confront shoplifters, call the police and allow them to handle the situation. Best Practices for Loss Prevention: Engage customers as soon as they enter the shop and ensure visibility in all store areas. Use simple tools like mirrors, security cameras, and clear layouts to reduce theft. Foster a culture of awareness with your team, making sure they know you are paying attention. POS Systems and Inventory Management: Track inventory regularly, audit stock, and ensure employees are aware that it's being monitored. Separation of Duties: Rotate responsibilities for handling cash and inventory to avoid unchecked control. Loss prevention isn’t just about protecting your inventory—it’s about keeping yourself, your team, and your business safe. By implementing these strategies, you’ll reduce risk and ensure a secure environment for everyone. Catch the next episode for tips on end-of-month preparation! Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. And Q4 is coming! We’ve got your back. You don’t have to do retail alone! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 104: Tight on Cash Flow? Let’s Turn Your Old Inventory into Cash! Episode 193: Retailers: First Impressions Count! Episode 208: Stacking Your Team with Guest Expert Shelli Warren About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	227. Improve Customer Loyalty and Become Referable with Katrina Scarlett	16 Sep 2024	00:32:51
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Do you feel like you are always looking for new customers? Did you know that it is less expensive to keep your customers coming back than it is to market to new ones? In this episode of The Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sitting down with Katrina Scarlett of Scarlett & Co. to chat about how independent retailers can elevate their in-store experience through a hospitality-driven approach and focus on customer retention. Katrina is a customer experience expert whose company specializes in helping clients improve retention, satisfaction, and monetization efforts to make a bigger impact. While she works now mostly with authors and coaches, her experience and approach are perfect for retail. I am so inspired by her work and am excited to share this conversation with you. Let’s dive in! Here are some of the highlights and major touchpoints of our chat: Customer Retention as a Key Strategy: Katrina emphasized that customer retention goes beyond repeat visits—it's about creating loyalty and fostering a referral network. Loyal customers not only return but also spread the word, helping retailers grow their business organically. The Five Pillars of Customer Experience: Katrina’s framework focuses on five essential areas that retailers should prioritize and with this framework, can set up actual operational guidelines for their staff and business. Culture: A customer-centric culture should start from the top and flow throughout the entire team. Service: Retailers should focus on delivering more than just basic customer service—serving with intention and heart is essential. Offers: Product mixes should cater to customers’ needs and desires, not just the store owner's preferences. Operations: Streamlining processes and systems makes shopping easier and frictionless for customers. Journey: The customer journey includes every interaction and touch point, from first impressions online to in-store purchases and beyond. Adopting a Hospitality Mindset: Adopting a hospitality-first approach in retail is key. Treating customers like valued guests can make a significant impact on their experience and loyalty. Importance of Operations: Efficient operations, such as easy returns and smooth checkout processes, are vital for improving the overall customer experience. Katrina highlights that operational decisions should always consider both the business and the customer’s experience. Customer-Centric Focus: The success of a retail store is built on the satisfaction of its customers. Period. “Return to your heart of service.” -Katrina Scarlett Listen to the full episode to hear more ideas, the why and how to’s. You will gain actionable insights into how to improve your retail shop’s customer experience, build stronger loyalty, and create a hospitality-driven retail culture! About Katrina and Scarlett & Co. Katrina Scarlett is the founder and driving force behind Scarlett & Co., a company that specializes in helping authors and coaches improve their client retention, satisfaction and monetization efforts so they can increase their profits and expand their impact. You can follow along with Katrina and Scarlett & Co. here: Website \| Instagram \| Facebook \| LinkedIn 17 Easy Ways to Improve Client Satisfaction & Retention Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. And Q4 is coming! We’ve got your back. You don’t have to do retail alone! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 93: How to Wow and Delight Your Customers and Keep Them Coming Back Episode 118: How to Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Author Shep Hyken Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map Episode 215: Coffee Break Chat: Customer Service vs. Customer Experience About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	218. Best of Retailer Success Series: Community Marketing Strategies with Millie Blackwell	15 Jul 2024	00:44:11
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Happy July! This month, we’re celebrating our retailers in the Retailer’s Inner Circle. It’s Member Appreciation Month! We’re hosting weekly giveaways (including private coaching sessions with me!), launching promotional guides, editable social media graphics, and so much more. It’s not too late to join us - and NOW is the time. You don’t have to run your retail business alone! Join the Inner Circle today and get immediate access to countless Masterclasses on topics from merchandising to social media and our coveted monthly playbooks that break your month down for you into bite sized pieces. You’ll also have an opportunity to make peer-to-peer connections in our community with retailers who are facing the same questions and issues as you. Q4 is looming and our revamped Holiday Bootcamp also launches soon. Retail doesn’t have to be so hard! Join us today! In keeping with our celebration of our members, over the next few weeks on the podcast we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite past interviews with Inner Circle retailer members! These retailer interviews are some of our most popular episodes and what you all are telling us you want more of. This week we are going all the way back to Episode 132 with Millie Blackwell of Mrs. Blackwell’s Village Bookshop in Greytown, New Zealand. Let’s dive in! In This Episode: If you think you have to be on FB to grow your business, think again! Meet Millie Blackwell - owner of Mrs. Blackwell’s Village Bookshop in Greytown, New Zealand. Before opening her shop in December 2020, Millie and her husband owned digital businesses and did a lot of home renovations. Her shop is perfect for romantic, curious minds and romantic souls. Her bookshop is filled with books and creative items such as notebooks, jigsaw puzzles, fountain pens, stationary, etc. Because Millie opened her shop during the height of the pandemic, she really had to work hard to build their market base in unique and creative ways. Storytelling has been a successful marketing strategy for them with print ads, Instagram, and their quarterly newsletter: The Blackwell Bugle. Fun fact: Millie doesn’t use Facebook for personal use or for her business! It can be done. All of Millie’s business marketing decisions are based on building community and becoming a destination shop. Listen to her attract strategies! They go against the grain and work for her! She’s doing it her way and making connections, human to human. Millie is a member of our Level Up and Accelerate Mastermind group and works hard at business development, and pays close attention to tracking, measuring, tweaking, training, and focusing on foot traffic. Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 113: Retail Success Series: Growth Mindset with Jeff Lee from The Vintage Nest Episode 118: How To Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Guest Expert & Author: Shep Hyken Episode 133: Retailer Success Series: Community, Culture, and CEO Mindset with Amy Cseh About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	217. Best of Retailer Success Series: Simplifying Your Retail Business with Louise McManus	08 Jul 2024	00:38:18
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Happy July! This month, we’re celebrating our retailers in the Retailer’s Inner Circle. It’s Member Appreciation Month! We’re hosting weekly giveaways (including private coaching sessions with me!), launching promotional guides and editable social media graphics, and so much more. It’s not too late to join us - and NOW is the time. You don’t have to run your retail business alone! Join the Inner Circle today and get immediate access to countless Masterclasses on topics from merchandising to social media and our coveted monthly playbooks that break your month down for you into bite-sized pieces. You’ll also have an opportunity to make peer-to-peer connections in our community with retailers who are facing the same questions and issues as you. Q4 is looming and our revamped Holiday Bootcamp also launches soon. Retail doesn’t have to be so hard! Join us today! In keeping with our celebration of our members, over the next few weeks on the podcast we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite past interviews with Inner Circle retailer members! These retailer interviews are some of our most popular episodes and what you all are telling us you want more of. So this week we are going all the way back to Episode 120 with Louise McManus of Vischer Ferry General Store. Let’s dive in! In This Episode: Inner Circle member Louise McManus has managed to find balance - a profitable and enjoyable shop, balanced with a great quality of life. She’s here to share with us how that’s possible! Several years ago Louise McManus bought a house, built in 1856, in the historic Erie Canal hamlet and had a dream of creating a beautiful shop the community would love, and the rest is history! This was a new venture for Louise, as she came from working in a bridal boutique and as a jewelry designer. The Vischer Ferry General Store is both a café and a retail gift shop. Her journey as a retail shop owner has been one to watch not only because of her multiple buckets of revenue streams, but the atmosphere she has created for her customers - it truly is a destination shop! I have watched her grow into a CEO who is flexible and knows how to think in the future. I know her journey will help yours as well. Take some notes, Louise is living her best life as a shop owner and is still in love with it all! “It’s my business, and it can be whatever I want it to be.” - Louise McManus Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 129: Retailer Success Series: Community Attract Strategy with Michelle Emmons Episode 39: Retailer Success Series: How Jill Went from Hobbyist to Creative CEO About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	216. Create A Summer Of Ease for Your Retail Shop	01 Jul 2024	00:29:12
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Can you have a summer of ease and keep your momentum going? Yes. No matter what summertime looks like in your retail shop, you need to balance your work schedule with rest and fun while keeping the momentum at the same time. Sounds challenging, right? Trust me, if you put in the effort, you can get things done and still have time to enjoy the sunshine. In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m sharing some things you can easily cross off of your retail shop’s to-do list this summer. Some of the things I’ll share thoughts on: Setting your schedule and your staff’s schedule as far in advance as you can Scheduling out big rocks and promotions between now and September (this is done for you if you are an Inner Circle member!) A hot tip for getting a bunch of social media posts and emails scheduled in one hour or less (Inner Circle members have access to a masterclass on content creation and monthly playbooks with email subject lines) Easy ideas on how to humanize your brand Planning out and delegating roles/responsibilities for your upcoming events How hiring/delegating out these tasks can free up your time and actually grow your business Get out your calendars, my friends! I challenge you to sit down this week and schedule what needs to get done in your retail business so you can sit on a beach in peace this summer. Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 143: How to Plan and Host Successful Events in Your Retail Shop Episode 145: How to Market Promotional Events in Your Retail Shop Episode 213: 5 Areas Retailers Should Be Focusing On in Q3 About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	215. Coffee Break Chat: Customer Service vs. Customer Experience	24 Jun 2024	00:20:34
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast/ In This Episode: As a retail shop owner, have you given much thought to the difference between customer service and customer experience as it relates to your brand? In this short coffee chat episode, I’ll share the difference between the two and what you can do to ensure your brand is having the impact you want it to on your customers. Remember: it doesn’t matter what you sell in your shop, the goal should be to build a brand your ideal customers want to be a part of. l also touch on customer journey mapping and becoming a destination shop in this episode. If you want to dig in more on these topics, additional episodes are linked in the Related Podcasts section of the show notes. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea - or whatever you like!) and let’s dive in! Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map Episode 69: Becoming a Destination Shop About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	214. Coffee Break Chat: Be a Big Deal!	17 Jun 2024	00:12:31
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Let’s have a coffee chat around being a big deal in your community, shall we? Recently, I had a conversation with a client where she relayed to me that being a “big deal” in her community felt awkward for her because she didn’t want to show off or flaunt herself. I want to be the first to tell you that being a big deal isn’t about you personally, but rather, it’s about making sure your brand is known in your community. It’s about knowing what makes your brand special and making sure your community knows. It’s about having confidence in what you are doing in your retail store and sharing it with your community. “Confidence comes from doing.” If you need a little pep talk around gathering the confidence to get your name out there in the community, this coffee chat is for you! Grab yourself a cup and let’s dive in. Be sure to check out the related podcast list this week for a deep dive on visibility. Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episodes 198-200: Stop Hiding and Be Known: The Retailer’s Visibility Series About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	213. Five Areas Retailers Should Focus on in Q3	10 Jun 2024	00:23:02
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: If your retail shop is in an area where summertime means things slow down a little bit, it’s not time to settle into vacation mode just yet! As we move into summer, there are a few things that we can be doing around our retail shops to set us up for success when things get busier this Fall. In this episode, I’m going to share 5 areas retail shop owners could focus on this summer so you won’t be winging it when Q4 arrives. The 5 areas I’ll be discussing in this episode are: Any maintenance and physical changes to your shop Updating processes & systems Reorganizing and making changes/additions to your team Your marketing plan Review and know your numbers You can ease off the gas and take a little break this summer, even as you focus on these areas. There is time for both… for now! So let’s get to planning in Q3 so we can set ourselves up for a phenomenal Q4 in 2024. Let’s dive in! Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 112: How to Do a Mid-Year Review and Check-up Episode 162: What to Focus on in Q3 Episode 166: Simple Sales Strategy Series Episode 195: What Numbers Successful Retail Shop Owners are Measuring About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	212. Pushing Through Business Blocks with Guest Expert Jane Bellante	03 Jun 2024	00:45:27
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: When you are feeling stuck in your retail business or in life, what tricks do you use to change your mindset? How do you push through the blocks that feel as though they are keeping you stuck? In this episode, I’m joined by mixed media artist, creative coach, and former client Jane Bellante to chat about all things mindset. Jane’s business has transformed over the years from a retail shop to creative coaching. Today she hosts The ArtFusion Podcast and helps retailers and creatives let go of negative thought patterns to create art and personal brands. If you need some inspiration around flipping your mindset and overcoming business blocks, this episode is for you! “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” -Rumi Just a few of the points we chat about: The magic of stillness Trusting yourself and listening to your intuition Tying habits to positive affirmations How changing your thought patterns can also change your neuropathways Being brave enough to let go of the things that are no longer serving you and your business The connection between you, your customers, and your branding (This conversation may surprise you!) Jane also gives us great advice on seeking progress over perfection, or as I like to say, “done is better than perfect!” What’s holding you back? How can I help? Reach out and let’s chat! About our Guest, Jane Bellante Jane Bellante is an expert at helping people let go of negative thought patterns to create the art and personal brands they have always wanted with joy, confidence and ease. She has been a mixed media artist for 30 years, is an International Best Selling Author, a 3 time published artist and has a Masters Degree in Adult Education. She is host of the ArtFusion Podcast, founder of the 5 Day Letting Go Workshop, the Creating Confidently (ArtFusion) course, IGNITE mastermind leader, and is a married mother of 2 kids and 2 pets. Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 185: Avoid Burnout with Guest Expert Dr. Ashley Margeson Episode 194: Feeling Stuck? 20 Prompts to Help You Flip Your Mindset Episode 133: Retail Success Series: Community, Culture, & CEO Mindset with Amy Cseh About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	211. Relationship Marketing for Retailers	27 May 2024	00:28:49
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Our business growth is dependent on relationships. Customers, team, and others in your community. Being intentional about relationship marketing is key. As a retail shop owner, have you thought about which other businesses in your community might be a good fit to build relationships with? Listen in on this episode to expand your network: the perfect collaboration might not be with who you think! Relationship marketing can be beneficial to you and your community in big ways. In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing all about relationship marketing: how and why it works, where to find your collaborators, and ideas on how to build your network. Put on your CEO hat and let’s dive in! “Your network is your net worth.” - Porter Gale In this episode, you will learn: How building community relationships can enhance your retail business The importance of learning what your customers are looking for when planning collaborations Who you should be aligning and collaborating with Why collaborations work and how to build your network The impacts good retail marketing can have on your visibility strategy This episode is a great companion to the Visibility Series we shared a few months back! You can find the link to those episodes below. So grab a pen and paper and let’s dig in! If you have any a-ha moments, ideas, or experiences to share around this episode, jump into my DMs on Instagram! I would love to hear from you. Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episodes 198-200: Stop Hiding and Be Known: Retailer’s Visibility Series Parts 1-3 Episode 55: Unscalable Conversations: A Free, Simple & Powerful Marketing Tool About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	210. What's Working for Social Media and Retail Business Growth with Brooke Riley	20 May 2024	00:42:43
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Looking for ideas and ways to grow your social media presence for your independent retail business? Look no further than this conversation with business coach Brooke Riley. Brooke started her entrepreneurial career with a DIY/creative blog and website and is a great success story of how businesses can grow and pivot. Today, Brooke still runs her blog and has since added an online boutique and started a coaching community where she serves others and helps entrepreneurs grow their online presence. In this episode, I’m sharing our conversation about what she sees that’s working right now in social media and retail business growth. Throughout the episode, we chat about: Some tips on going live The importance of video Why you need to personalize/humanization of your brand on your social accounts Hiring to your weakness Tips on working with your partner/spouse Why you need to stay connected with those you like to learn from (coaches, mentors, etc) There are quite a few golden nuggets of wisdom throughout this episode - even in the rapid fire round of questions (book recommendations and more!) So grab a pen and some paper, and let’s dive in. About Our Guest, Brooke Riley Brooke Riley is the CEO and Founder of Re-Fabbed, a DIY decorating and lifestyle website, and Re-Fabbed Boutique, an online women’s boutique. She has maximized her social media presence to well over a million followers and offers online business coaching to teach entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners how to grow and maximize their online presence for profit. You can follow along with Brooke here: Facebook \| Instagram \| Blog \| Store \| Coaching Group Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 142: How to Make Real Progress in Your Business with Guest Expert Richard Ralston Episode 160: Simplifying Social Media with Guest Expert Leanne Pressly Episode 191: Retail Growth Through Small Steps About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.
	209. Retail Observations from a Seven-State Road Trip	13 May 2024	00:31:05
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: I just returned from a seven-state two-week road trip from Nova Scotia, Canada to North Carolina, USA! The trip’s destination was Mount Holly, North Carolina to meet with my mastermind group at member Jeff Lee’s shop, The Vintage Nest. John and I weaved down the East Coast, taking time to stop in and visit with Inner Circle members and peruse independent retail shops along the way. In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing my observations that will help you level up your retail business and be known in your community, including: Why it’s important to get out in your community and observe what shoppers are doing/buying Updating your retail shop’s profile on Google (like, right this minute) Why shop standards matter: employee behavior, greetings, pricing your items, etc. What should be on the outside of your shop Being known in your community by other independent business owners I encourage you to step outside and get a bird’s eye view of your retail shop to make sure you aren’t missing the mark on any of these simple yet incredibly impactful tips. Are you missing the mark on any of them? Anything you recently changed that has had an impactful effect on your business? Jump into my DMs on instagram and let’s chat! Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 113: Retail Success Series: Growth Mindset with Jeff Lee from The Vintage Nest Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map Episode 201: Cell Phone Usage: What’s Your Store Policy? About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	226. Does Your Shop’s Reality Match Your Vision?	09 Sep 2024	00:23:57
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Something I encourage my retailers to ask themselves regularly: Does the vision I have for my retail shop match its reality? Running a successful retail shop involves more than just great products and a love for your store. The true test is whether your shop's current reality aligns with the vision you originally had and the vision you desire to have. Are there areas of your business that feel messy or hard or annoying to you? This happens to all of us, but it must be corrected. As with any thriving ecosystem, there has to be balance and alignment - and that’s where my Retailer’s Ecosystem framework comes in. Here’s a quick guide to help you assess and realign your business: Evaluate Your Vision: Does your shop’s daily operations reflect the atmosphere, customer experience, flow of your daily business life, staff interactions and income you initially envisioned? If not, it’s time to reassess and adjust. Retail Ecosystem Check: Success in retail (and for your own personal payroll as a retail shop owner) hinges on a balanced ecosystem. We suggest you evaluate and assess these four critical areas: CEO/Visionary Role: As the leader, you must maintain a healthy mindset, clear future planning, and strong personal habits. Your energy and vision set the tone for the store. How often do you invest in your own personal development as your business evolves? Marketing Strategy: Go beyond social media. Develop a comprehensive strategy that includes customer experience, visibility, and brand consistency. Measure your efforts with clear strategy and metrics for things like conversion rates as you work to turn browsers to buyers, and in store sales and order value increase strategies etc. Do you have a full marketing strategy in place? It can be simple, but it needs to cover all areas. Attract, engage, serve, and wow and delight your customers. Operations & Systems: Streamline your shop’s operations with clear systems and shop standards. Implementing standardized procedures for everything from customer service to daily cleaning can transform chaos into order. Financial Alignment: Don’t shy away from your numbers. Understand your finances, including pricing, inventory management, and profitability metrics. Confidence in this area empowers better decision-making. Continuous Improvement: Retail success isn’t static. Regularly revisit and refine these areas to ensure your business evolves in line with your vision. Listen in on the full episode for more information! If you need more support, I hope you’ll join me and like-minded retailers in the Retailers Inner Circle, where ongoing training and resources are available to help you keep your retail ecosystem thriving. We have masterclasses covering every level of the retailer’s ecosystem to help you level up your retail shop and grow a successful business. Your next step: Reflect on the four areas above and identify where your business might need a little more attention. Making small adjustments can lead to big improvements in profitability, joy, and overall business success. And if you are ready to level up… join the Retailer’s Inner Circle. Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. And Q4 is coming! We’ve got your back. You don’t have to do retail alone! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 94: The Retailer’s Ecosystem: Where to Spend Your Time and Focus Within Your Business Episode 130: The Karate Kid Stages Will Help Your Retail Business Episodes 163-166: Simple Sales Strategy Series About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	208. Stack Your Team with Guest Expert Shelli Warren	06 May 2024	00:46:17
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: When you hire employees to work in your retail shop, you aren’t simply giving them a job. As a shop owner, you are uniquely positioned to offer career opportunities that better the lives of people in your community. In Episode 208 of the Creative Shop Talk podcast, I’m sitting down with the host of the Stacking Your Team podcast, Shelli Warren. Through her podcast and in her role as a Leadership Advisor, Shelli has dedicated her time to teaching women how to build capable leaders in their businesses so as owners, they can focus on the higher-level growth of the company. Sound familiar? Shelli will teach you how to stack your team so you can get your CEO hat on and focus on the growth and well-being of your business. Shelli and I chat about: The difference between a job and a career How to attract and hire the “right” people The balance of incorporating and encouraging your employees’ ideas and keeping healthy boundaries Advice on how to have difficult conversations with good employees - even if you are a self-proclaimed people pleaser! Unique ways to keep employees motivated and happy (Shelli has a great freebie on her website about motivating your team here) What you should be sharing and not sharing with your employees So let’s dive in and start stacking our teams! About our guest, Shelli Warren As a distinguished women's Leadership Advisor and host of the Stacking Your Team podcast, Shelli Warren helps small business owners set up their teams to take over the daily operations of their business so they can focus on higher-level growth activities. With a track record of steering multi-million dollar projects for a Fortune 50 corporation and iconic billion-dollar brands, Shelli has leveraged her background in building and leading technical teams to coach business owners for the last decade. Now in its fifth year, The Stacking Your Team podcast is a top-rated show with over 500,000 downloads that teaches women leaders how to establish a capable leadership team that ensures the daily direction needed to delight their business. You can find Shelli on all of these platforms: LinkedIn \| Instagram \| Facebook \| YouTube \| Website Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 151: How to Have Difficult Conversations with Good Staff Episode 155: Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Rest: The Key to Sustainable Business Growth Episode 185: Avoid Burnout with Guest Expert Dr. Ashley Margeson About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	207. Let’s Talk About Uniforms and Name Tags for Your Retail Shop	29 Apr 2024	00:14:05
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Ready for another controversial episode? Let’s do it! Let’s talk about name tags and uniforms. If you are a retail shop owner who thinks uniforms don’t apply or fit with your brand, I hope you’ll keep listening and reconsider after hearing this short episode. It’s not as stuffy as it sounds. I promise. In the episode I’ll cover: Why uniforms don’t have to be stuffy or formal (and can feel quite magical!) How uniforms make your brand more cohesive and professional Why employees will buy in and feel more unified with your retail shop How do you feel about uniforms? Do your employees wear a uniform that aligns with your brand? If not, why not? Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready for a monthly commitment yet? Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start on April 24th! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map Episode 171: Colorful, Cute & Creative Ways to Grow Your Business with Madeline Muñoz-Bustamante from Colorful Cute Episode 193: Retailers: First Impressions Count! About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	206. Behind the Scenes: New Retailer’s Inner Circle Support	22 Apr 2024	00:34:36
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: We are all passionate, creative, and imperfect business owners who want to do it all. But as our businesses grow, it’s harder to keep all of our plates spinning. As our businesses evolve, we cannot simply keep adding to our already full plates, so it’s important to acknowledge that and adjust where necessary. My mission has always been (and continues to be) to help as many retailers grow their businesses as possible. With that comes change. In Episode 206 of the podcast, we’re going inside the Retailer's Inner Circle and inside my brain: I’m sharing some of the changes I’ve been making in the Inner Circle (including the monthly planning document your retail business NEEDS called The Playbook) and how I hope these changes make your beautiful retail business better. The Retailer’s Inner Circle is always open for new members. Inside, you’ll find countless masterclasses covering topics from money to marketing to business operations; a tight knit community of retailers active in our Facebook group, monthly coaching roundtable meetings, editable Canva graphics, and so much more. The Playbook is your easy button for all of your planning, marketing, and monthly operations. I want to make retail easy for you so you can feel confident in your role as CEO as your business grows. I’ll also share some of the things I’m seeing my retailers doing that are bringing success including: Connecting with community Humanizing their brands Varying their marketing Planning And more… Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready for a monthly commitment yet? Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start on April 24th! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 55: Unscalable Conversations: A Free, Simple & Powerful Marketing Tool to Use Episodes 198-200: Retailer’s Visibility Series Episode 204: Behind the Counter: Meet Inner Circle Member Jeanne Terrill About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	205. Workshops and Classes: Added Income for Your Retail Shop	15 Apr 2024	00:28:47
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: If you are looking for a way to distinguish your retail shop from your competition and add a revenue stream, this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast is for you. In Episode 205, I’m sharing how adding workshops and classes to your calendar can be a game changer that levels up your retail shop. If you’ve already mentally rejected the idea of workshops, I’m challenging you to listen to this episode. It will surely change your perspective! Many retailers are hesitant about teaching workshops, but the reality is that not hosting classes is a huge missed opportunity for your retail shop’s visibility. And honestly, you don’t even have to be the one who teaches the workshop! Throughout this episode: I’ll share some ideas on how to decide what types of workshops/classes you might want to consider hosting (you’ll want them to mesh with your brand/product offerings) Who in the community you could contact for class collaborations When it makes sense for the workshop to take place outside of your retail shop entirely! (Have I gotten your attention yet!?) I’ll also share: Tips for making your workshops/classes successful How to get bums in seats A hot take: your current customer base might not be the people you are interested in bringing in for workshops, it might be an opportunity to expand. Hopefully, I’ve convinced you to consider classes of some sort. It’s time to get out of your own way and figure out how you want to gather people in your retail shop through hosting and/or teaching workshops! Let’s dig in! Get your list of workshop tips HERE! Need more? Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE. Most impactful: Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start on April 24th! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 143: How to Plan & Host Successful Events and Promotions in Your Retail Shop Episode 145: How to Market Promotional Events in Your Retail Shop Episode 176: Retail Marketing for Gen Z to Boomers About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	204. Behind the Counter: Meet Inner Circle Member Jeanne Terrill	08 Apr 2024	00:53:06
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: I’m taking you behind the counter of Junque Rescuers in Lake Jackson, Texas to chat with shop owner and Inner Circle member Jeanne Terrill in this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast. Buckle up because Jeanne is taking us on a ride and sharing her journey from accidental entrepreneur to thriving shop owner! In the episode, she shares how her shop has evolved since opening as an antique/vintage shop in 2017. We talk about many of her challenges including moving locations, why incredible success caused her to change her product mix, and learning to put her CEO hat on and the changes that come along with that. Jeanne also shares examples of specific actions she has taken and changes she has made as a result of what she has learned from the Inner Circle masterclasses and our tight-knit community. I loved this conversation with Jeanne and I hope you do too! It’s always awesome to catch up with my Inner Circle retailers and share their successes with our podcast listeners. Did anything strike a chord for you? Anything you’ll be reflecting on or changes you are going to make based on the conversation you just listened to? Need more? Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE. Most impactful: Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start April 24! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 55: Unscalable Conversations - A Free, Simple, and Powerful Marketing Tool Episode 75: Adding Ecommerce to Your Brick and Mortar with Special Guest Susan Bradley Episode 176: Retail Marketing for Gen Z to Boomers About Jeanne Terrill and Junque Rescuers Junque Rescuers LLC is a well-established brick-and-mortar lifestyle boutique located in downtown Lake Jackson, Texas. With eight years of experience, the business has evolved from its roots as a vintage and vintage-inspired home decor store to become a versatile lifestyle brand. You can follow along here: Website \| Instagram \| Facebook About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	203. Mystery Bags: A Simple Retail Marketing Promotion	01 Apr 2024	00:14:06
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Looking for a quick and easy retail promotion to sell off older inventory, seasonal items, or even just a new fun way to move merchandise? I’ve got you! In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, we are discussing mystery bags/bundles. I’ll share how they can work for you, how to determine a price point for your audience, and what you should be putting in the bags. It’s important to remember that not all mystery bag buyers aren't discount shoppers. If done right, your ideal customer base will love these! We’ll also talk about why you need to keep your brand in mind while putting these bags together. I’ll touch on how to market your mystery bags and how mystery bag stuffers can be a great marketing tool. So what’s stopping you? I’d love to hear if you’ve tried selling mystery bags in your retail shop and how it went! If it wasn’t what you expected, I hope this episode gave you some insight and the courage to try again. Let’s go! Need more? Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE. Most impactful: Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start in April! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 21: An Intro to Subscription Boxes with Sarah Williams Episode 126: 10 Simple Ways to Level Up Your Shop Episode 156: 6 Proven Ways to Improve Your Shop’s Merchandising About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	202. Why Every Retail Store Should Consider Selling Souvenirs	25 Mar 2024	00:15:27
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Don’t skip this because you’re not a “touristy” shop. Many of you will want to skip this episode because you may think souvenirs would not fit in with your shop’s brand but I’m challenging that perspective in Episode 202 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast. Your retail shop may not be in a traditional “tourist town,” or maybe it is and you just leave that to the regular tourist shops, but not carrying locally branded merchandise could be a HUGE missed opportunity. In this episode, I’ll share some “souvenir” ideas that you may want to incorporate into your product line. Local merchandise and souvenirs don’t have to be mass produced (even though there is also a market for that too!) Even if you aren’t in a tourist town, many of your customers are likely proud of their hometown or have friends and family whom they buy for who have moved away and are missing home. Consider what local businesses you can collaborate with to add some locally branded merchandise to your product line. I’m hoping this episode helped change your perspective on adding souvenirs. Let us know if you decide to bring some products in and tag me in IG with your photos. Need more? Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE. Most impactful: Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start in April! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 56: How to Add Additional Revenue Streams to Your Retail Business Episode 156: 6 Proven Ways to Improve Your Shop’s Merchandising Episode 173: Find the Right Customer for Your Shop About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	201. Cell Phone Usage - What’s Your Store Policy?	18 Mar 2024	00:15:04
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Hot topic. Is cell phone use an issue with your employees? Let’s nip that in the bud today. What is your retail shop’s policy around employee cell phone use? In Episode 201 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing my advice on this issue. And trust me - it is a huge issue for some! As retail shop owners, you are in the business of hospitality. The very last thing you want your customers to feel is that they are a bother to your employees. Let me be clear: when customers enter your shop and your employees’ heads are buried in their cell phones (whether they are doing work or not), what are the optics around that? I’ll share my (perhaps controversial) thoughts on cell phone use: when and where it is appropriate, what to do if employees push back, and how your employees’ cell phone use and other behavior may be eroding your brand. If you don’t have a policy in place it’s time to get one. What changes should you make to your shop’s policy around cell phones? What kind of thoughts came up? Agree or disagree with me on this one? Jump in my DM’s on IG and let me know. Need more? Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE. Most impactful: Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start in April! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 93: How to Wow & Delight Your Customers and Keep Them Coming Back Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map Episode 151: How to have Difficult Conversations with Good Staff About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you
	200. Part 3 of the Retailer’s Visibility Series	11 Mar 2024	00:27:35
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Become better known in your community! The third episode in the Retailer’s Visibility Series is about connecting through community and leveraging your business through collaborations with other businesses in your area. I’ll share exactly what collaborations are, how collaborations can grow your ideal customer audience, and who you should be contacting. There are a lot of opportunities in your own community to connect with your customers. Where in your community is your ideal customer hanging out? Let’s figure out how to get those people into your retail shop! There is also an element of community involvement and support and I’ll share my thoughts on when to say yes to all those sponsorships you are asked for. The goal is for potential customers to see you and your brand everywhere in the community! Remember: involvement doesn’t always mean attending a fancy gala or some big networking event! Listen in and hear how to make it easy, free and fun! I’d love to know if this series was helpful to you and which of the 3 strategies you will amp up? Let me know how you make out. Need more? Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE. Most impactful: Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start in April! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 199: Stop Hiding and Be Known: Part 2 of the Retailer’s Visibility Series Episode 198: Stop Hiding and Be Known: Part 1 of the Retailer’s Visibility Series About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	199. Stop Hiding and Be Known: Part 2 of the Retailer’s Visibility Series	04 Mar 2024	00:22:44
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: How do we get our brick-and-mortar retail business found and seen by more people? Welcome to Part 2 of the Retailer’s Visibility Series! In this episode, I’m sharing three things you can update today for free to ensure your shop is being found when potential customers are searching for businesses like yours online. And it’s not all about social media! We’ll touch on what SEO can do for your retail business and what you may need to update on your Google Business account and your shop’s website. I’ll also share my thoughts on blogging! (Hint: it’s not dead!) Need more? Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE. Most impactful: Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start in April! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 96: Before You Pay For Ads, Do These 3 Things Episode 142: How to Make Real Progress in Your Business with Guest Expert Richard Ralston Episode 177: Local SEO Simplified with Matt Diamante of HeyTony Episode 198: Stop Hiding and Be Known: Part 1 of the Retailer’s Visibility Series About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	225. Practicing Self-Care While Running a Retail Business	02 Sep 2024	00:29:14
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Looking for a retail survival guide for the Holidays? I’ve got you! My Holiday Success Bootcamp is truly all you need to rock the 4th quarter in your retail business. And the best news is you can purchase it as a stand-alone masterclass this year! Don’t wing it this holiday season! Grab it here! The Holiday Success Bootcamp got a glow-up in 2024! In addition to the 5 masterclass sessions, the program also includes: A list of curated ideas (that we know work!) for promotional events for every holiday/celebration from October through January 6 editable email templates every retailer should send between Black Friday and New Year’s Day Holiday gift certificate templates Social media prompts and editable Q4 Canva graphics that make scheduling posts for the holidays EASY …and so much more! In This Episode: Happy September! Did you know September is Self-Care Awareness Month? Well, it is - so let’s talk about it. As I’m sure you know by now, running a retail business is rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming. This episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast focuses on self-care for retail shop owners. As retail shop owners, we must remember that self-care isn’t selfish at all. It’s SO important to avoid burnout in your retail business. So let’s talk about being the CEO of your life, not just your business. Some points discussed in this episode: Self-Care Awareness Month: This is the perfect time to step back and decide what self-care means for you and what works to help you feel cared for in your personal life and in your biz Your life needs you: I chat about checking in on different areas of your life and why you need to prioritize them. Health and Energy: Focus on your health by optimizing sleep, movement, and nutrition. Small improvements in these areas lead to greater energy, which fuels your business. Mental Health: Be mindful of stress and anxiety. Recognize the signs of overworking, and take steps to relax, such as reducing screen time and practicing mindfulness. Set Boundaries: Learn to say “no” to things that drain your energy and be clear about your goals. When you are planned out and clear about your priorities, it’s easier to manage the day-to-day. People: Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Be intentional about being in the room with people who have a solution mindset, not a complaint mindset, those who give you energy, not take it. Hobbies and Joy: Rediscover hobbies and activities that make you happy. (Yes, you need to make time for fun and joy). This doesn’t just benefit you—it helps everyone around you. "Pay attention to the tension. We unintentionally ignore some areas of our lives unless we're being intentional. So, what do you need to feel alive and thrive?" - Wendy Batten When you take care of yourself, you can show up stronger for your business and your loved ones. So tell me: what does self-care look like for you? What are your best tips? And remember: running a retail business doesn’t have to be so hard - and you don’t have to do it alone! The Inner Circle is always open and full of like-minded retailers who’ve been where you are. And the masterclasses will have you thinking about your business in ways you haven’t before. See you inside! "The world belongs to the energetic." – Ralph Waldo Emerson Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. And Q4 is coming! We’ve got your back. You don’t have to do retail alone! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 106: Multi-Passionate Jo Packham and the Creative Business Journey Episode 185: Avoid Burnout with Guest Expert Dr. Ashley Margeson About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	198. Stop Hiding and Be Known: Part 1 of the Retailer’s Visibility Series	26 Feb 2024	00:29:37
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Are you hiding from your customers? Have you ever heard someone refer to a business as a “best-kept secret?” While this is typically a compliment, we don’t want that to be us! It’s time to stop hiding and make sure everyone in your community (and beyond!) knows who you are and what you are doing. Episode 198 is the first in a series of three podcasts dedicated to getting your shop found. We start with your Attract Strategy: the ways you are attracting new customers to your shop. We’ll cover lots of important topics in this episode including what you should be doing on social media and why your front-facing assets need to tell a compelling story about you and your shop. Inside the episode, I’m giving you three EASY action items to complete so you know you are doing everything you can to make sure your Attract Strategy is working for you and your retail business. On the next episode of the podcast, we will continue the series specifically covering how your retail shop can be found. Don’t miss it! Need more? Your free gift is HERE! Grab your copy of my best Attract Strategy tools today! Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE. Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start in April! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 96: Before You Pay For Ads, Do These 3 Things Episodes 163-166: Simple Sales Strategy Series About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank y
	197. A Monthly Debrief: A Simple Activity All Retail Shop Owners Should Be Doing	19 Feb 2024	00:30:23
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: The monthly debrief is a simple process that can be an important factor to the growth and sustainability of your retail business. And it’s easy peasy. If you’ve ever found yourself repeating mistakes or wondering why a promotion or event you tried in your retail shop didn’t work, this episode is for you. Stop reinventing the wheel and trying to “remember.” (We won’t!) 🙂 The term “debrief” may scare some people off, but I promise doing this simple exercise every month will help you tremendously in your business. This episode is full of prompts and questions you should be answering at the end of every month during your operational debrief CEO time. We’ll cover all the bases from your KPIs to what the weather was like during your big event to making sure your “big rocks” are scheduled for the next month. As a member of my Retailer’s Inner Circle, you have access to the full checklist/list of debrief questions. Ready to join us? Here’s how. Don’t miss Coaching Week inside the Retailer’s Inner Circle in February! I’m providing a full week of live coaching in the Retailer’s Inner Circle February 19-23, 2014 all you have to do is be a member! I will go live in our Facebook group going through the foundational principles of my signature course, Retail Made Simple, which as a member you will have full access to. Retail Made Simple has helped hundreds of retailers simplify their business from understanding financials to gaining confidence to manage your team. There is no better time than now to join me and other like-minded retailers. Let’s go! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 33: The CEO Date: This Non-Negotiable Habit is Key to Creative CEO Success Episode 133: Retail Success Series: Community, Culture, and CEO Mindset with Amy Cseh Episode 195: What Numbers Successful Retail Shop Owners are Measuring About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	196. New Revenue Streams Ideas For Your Retail Business	12 Feb 2024	00:38:50
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder”- possibly even from me during this podcast! How have you applied that in your retail business? Are you wondering how you can expand your business in new ways without reinventing the wheel? In this episode, I’m sharing ways you can build your retail business by optimizing revenue streams that work for you and your brand. In addition, this episode is FULL of specific examples of new revenue streams that fit into each area from subscriptions and memberships to ways to earn “other” income. How will you know if a new revenue stream is a good fit for your retail business? We’ll work through that too! I’ll share some questions you’ll want to ask yourself before diving headfirst into something new. It’s not about adding more to your plate, it’s about optimizing your business model. If you are ready to grow your business using some of the tools you already have in place, this episode is for you. Let’s dive in! Don’t miss Coaching Week inside the Retailer’s Inner Circle in February! I’m providing a full week of live coaching in the Retailer’s Inner Circle February 19-23 - all you have to do is be a member! I will go live in our Facebook group going through the foundational principles of my signature course, Retail Made Simple, which as a member you will have full access to. Retail Made Simple has helped hundreds of retailers simplify their business from understanding financials to gaining confidence to manage your team. There is no better time than now to join me and other like-minded retailers. Let’s go! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 32: Retailer Success Series: Susanne Dropped a Huge Revenue Stream and Made More Profit Episode 56: How to Add Additional Revenue Streams to Your Retail Business Episode 66: Find Revenue Streams That Light You Up: Retail Success Series with Virginia Warner About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	195. What Numbers Successful Retail Shop Owners are Measuring	05 Feb 2024	00:32:01
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Have you ever heard the saying “What gets measured gets managed”? But what should we look at (other than total sales?) Exactly WHAT should we measure? How should that apply to your unique business? In Episode 195 of the Creative Shop Talk podcast, we are talking about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). I am sharing which ones you should be measuring as an independent retail shop owner, why they are important, and the document I’ve created that makes it easy for you to track them. We’ll talk specifically about a few of the financial and marketing KPIs you may want to be tracking regularly. Don’t let metrics and math scare you away. It’s how you learn to scale your time and lessen your overwhelm - oh and increase your sales. I know so many retailers and shop owners shy away when we start talking numbers, but this episode will make this concept so easy to understand. Once you have a handle on your KPIs, I promise you’ll feel empowered to put your CEO hat on and make business decisions confidently. So grab a pen and some paper and let’s get down to business! Don’t miss Coaching Week inside the Retailer’s Inner Circle in February! I’m providing a full week of live coaching in the Retailer’s Inner Circle February 19-23 - all you have to do is be a member! I will go live in our Facebook group going through the foundational principles of my signature course, Retail Made Simple, which as a member you will have full access to. Retail Made Simple has helped hundreds of retailers simplify their business from understanding financials to gaining confidence to manage your team. There is no better time than now to join me and other like-minded retailers. Let’s go! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 33: The CEO Date: This Non-Negotiable Habit is Key to Creative CEO Success Episode 183: Fine Tuning Your Retail Business Operations with Business Strategist Gwen Bortner Episode 187: Make 2024 Your Best Year Ever in Your Retail Business This week’s podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help! Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you’ve listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024. You won’t regret it! About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	194. Feeling Stuck? 20 Prompts to Help You Flip Your Mindset	29 Jan 2024	00:49:51
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Ever feel stuck? Or maybe feeling uninspired in your retail business? Sometimes we need a mindset shift. In this episode, I’m sharing some tips and prompts (with the occasional motivational quote thrown in for good luck!) to help you “flip the script” so negative thoughts don’t sabotage your business. If you are working on building your leadership muscle, this episode is for you! From my thoughts on B+ work to the permission to let things go, the prompts I share throughout this episode will help you move from negative thinking around your business to constructive planning for 2024. This is an episode you’ll need a notebook and pen for. Don’t miss Coaching Week inside the Retailer’s Inner Circle in February! I’m providing a full week of live coaching in the Retailer’s Inner Circle February 19-23 - all you have to do is be a member! I will go live in our Facebook group going through the foundational principles of my signature course, Retail Made Simple, which as a member you will have full access to. Retail Made Simple has helped hundreds of retailers simplify their business from understanding financials to gaining confidence to manage your team. There is no better time than now to join me and other like-minded retailers. Let’s go! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 147: How to Reframe Your Mindset Around Competition Episode 153: Recipe for Success: 4 Leadership Lessons We Can Learn From Erin French of The Lost Kitchen Episode 187: Make 2024 Your Best Year Ever in Your Retail Shop This week’s podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help! Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you’ve listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024. About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	193. Retailers: First Impressions Count!	22 Jan 2024	00:18:26
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: First impressions count! When new customers come into your retail shop, what is the first thing they notice? It’s likely they first notice NOT the prices of your pieces, but rather the beautiful displays, your awesome branding, and the way your shop makes them FEEL. We want our shops to be memorable. In this episode of the podcast, I’m chatting about the importance of first impressions and specific ways you can make your customers’ experiences in your shop memorable. This will keep them coming back again and again and talking about you to their friends. Let’s dive in! Three things I’ll touch on (some may surprise you!): 1. The 5 senses in your shop 2. Training your staff 3. Having the right inventory to reflect your brand This week’s podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help! Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you’ve listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024. How is your 2024 planning going? Are you prepared for your best retail year ever? If you think you might need some help, join us in the Retailer’s Inner Circle! We are a casual, positive group of likeminded retailers who are constantly trying new things and supporting each other along the way. Also, if you join now, you’ll get a free 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with me! This bonus doesn’t last long, so if you were on the fence before, now is the time to join. See you inside! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 96: Before You Pay for Ads: Do These Three Things Episode 141: Are You Running the Store of Your Dreams? Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	192. Ask Wendy Anything: What Drives Me Crazy in Retail Shops?	15 Jan 2024	00:24:41
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: As an unwavering advocate for independent retail shops, I often get asked “What are retailers doing that drives you crazy?” In this episode, I am going to share a few. These are the five things that drive me crazy in retail shops. Hopefully you aren’t caught in any of these traps! If you are, it’s time to give some thought to them and fix them. Let’s dive in! The Five Things I’ll Chat About: 1. What happens when you brand your product lines not yourself 2. Retailers not doing everything they can to get sales 3. Treating your business like a hobby 4. Messy/dirty shops 5. Your attitude matters This week’s podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help! Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you’ve listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024. How is your 2024 planning going? Are you prepared for your best retail year ever? If you think you might need some help, join us in the Retailer’s Inner Circle! We are a casual, positive group of likeminded retailers who are constantly trying new things and supporting each other along the way. Also, if you join now, you’ll get a free 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with me! This bonus doesn’t last long, so if you were on the fence before, now is the time to join. See you inside! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 190: Five Areas to Focus on in Your Retail Business Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map Episode 39: Retailer Success Series: How Jill Went from Hobbyist to Creative CEO Customer Map About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	191. Retail Growth Through Small Steps	08 Jan 2024	00:14:03
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Don’t set yourself up for failure! In This Episode: “Baby steps!” It’s what everyone tells us when we are trying to achieve a big goal. Maybe aren’t getting there as fast as we’d like, or maybe when we are trying to make progress more quickly than is realistic. Episode 191 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast is about just that: growing and managing our retail businesses through small (baby) steps. I’m here to remind you that 180 degree changes don’t happen overnight. “Success is the product of daily habits - not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.” -James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits What’s one small habit or step you can change or take right now to start making progress in your business? This week’s podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help! Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you’ve listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 160: Simplifying Social Media with Guest Expert Leanne Pressly Episode 141: Are You Running the Store of Your Dreams? Episode 36: How Planning Kept Emily Kerley Thriving About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	190. 5 Areas to Focus on in Your Retail Business in 2024	01 Jan 2024	00:41:30
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/190/ Welcome to Season 5 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast! Topics Covered in This Episode: As we roll into 2024, the way we market our businesses, our customers’ expectations, and so many other things are going to change. Not in a HUGE way, but in Episode 190 I’m going to lay out and then dig deep into the 5 areas I believe you should be focusing on in your retail business so you can see big success in 2024. The 5 Areas I Will Explain in Detail 1. Your Shop’s Financial Well Being 2. Your Sales & Marketing Strategy & Assets (and I don’t just mean social media!) 3. Service and Hospitality 4. Being a Leader to Your Team 5. Your CEO Mindset (and Skillset) If you are looking for support as we move into 2024, my Retailer’s Inner Circle is always open. One of my members just told me the other day that she now feels “large and in charge” versus how she felt prior to joining - what a compliment! My members are doing the work and have access to countless masterclasses and trainings to support them - not to mention an incredible group of likeminded retailers and me as your coach. Join us today! “My mission is to help more retailers enjoy more joy, freedom, and profitability in their shops this year.” -Wendy Batten Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episodes 163-166: Simple Sales Strategy Series Episode 63: Making Bookkeeping Simple with Guest Expert Kelly Christian Episodes 40-43: Plan Your Best Year Ever About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	189. 3 Quick Things Retailers Can Do This Week, in Your PJs	25 Dec 2023	00:23:05
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/189/ The Creative Shop Talk Podcast reached 176,000 downloads! As we wrap up Season 4 of the podcast, I wanted to thank every single person who has listened, downloaded, left a review, shared the podcast, all of it. I started this podcast in March of 2020 just hoping to reach and help more retailers and it is working! Podcasting isn’t an easy or inexpensive venture, but with the help of my small but mighty team, I am proud to say we are wrapping up Season 4 excited to start recording Season 5. We appreciate every single listen, share and comment. Thank you! Topics Covered in This Episode: As I’m sure you know, the brain of a retailer never stops. As we wrap up Season 4 and enjoy our holidays, I wanted to give you a few things to noodle on. Here are three questions to think over as you snuggle by the fire that will help move the needle for your retail business in 2024. Listen in this week and find out the 3 things you can work on, in your PJ’s with your feet up. You’ll want to take your answers to the three questions and dive into the Best Retail Year Ever Workshop - our Annual Planning Workshop - you’ll be well on your way to seeing the results you are looking for in your retail business in 2024. Retailers who purchase the workshop (or who are in my Retailer’s Inner Circle) are invited to join me live on January 17th for a Q+A! So get your goals all on one page and see a better 2024, and jump in before the end of the year and save $200. There is one week left to get EARLY BIRD PRICING (in effect until Dec 31st, 2023!) SAVE $200! YES SAVE $200! Join here I am confident that you can find epic success in your retail business - no matter what success looks like for you - by taking the time to adequately plan. I’d love to help and support you through your 2024 planning. Join us in the Inner Circle for access to the workshop and a community of like minded retailers or purchase the Design Your Best Year Workshop on-demand - discounted if you purchase before the end of the year! Happy Planning! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 185: Avoid Burnout with Guest Expert Dr. Ashley Margeson Episode 138: Wins, Insights, Lessons & Struggles Episode 136: Annual Planning That Fills Your Life Buckets Episodes 40-43: Plan Your Best Year Ever About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	224. An Easy Fix to a Common Retail Marketing Mistake	26 Aug 2024	00:18:30
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Looking for a retail survival guide for the Holidays? I’ve got you! My Holiday Success Bootcamp is truly all you need to rock the 4th quarter in your retail business. And the best news is you can purchase it as a stand-alone masterclass this year! Don’t wing it this holiday season! Grab it here! The Holiday Success Bootcamp got a glow-up in 2024! In addition to the 5 masterclass sessions, the program also includes: A list of curated ideas (that we know work!) for promotional events for every holiday/celebration from October through January 6 editable email templates every retailer should send between Black Friday and New Year’s Day Holiday gift certificate templates Social media prompts and editable Q4 Canva graphics that make scheduling posts for the holidays EASY …and so much more! In This Episode: Sometimes, as retail shop owners, we get so busy working on our businesses and staying in our lanes that we make the mistake of thinking everyone knows what’s going on inside of our shops. YOU know what you do in your shop. YOU know what you sell. But does your community know what your shop is all about? This episode is all about putting an end to the assumption that people in your community know what you do and what you sell in your retail business. I’m here to tell you that you have to be talking about your shop and your business so much that even YOU are almost sick of hearing it! How do you know if you are talking enough about your biz? Here’s some homework: Identify your best-selling categories (jeans, jewelry, candles, etc.) Go through all of your social media & selling platforms (email, FB, etc) and figure out how often you are actually sharing these categories. Also, identify HOW you are sharing the categories: is it just through live video or just static photos? You need to mix it up! Make sure you are highlighting your best sellers inside of your store through visually appealing displays and great signage. Tell the stories of your products. This short episode can have a huge impact on your business if you take 20 minutes out of your next CEO date to do a quick audit of how and how often you are sharing your best-selling categories. I want to hear how this episode helped you! DM me on Instagram and let’s chat! Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. And Q4 is coming! We’ve got your back. You don’t have to do retail alone! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 103: Increase Sales with Your Silent Salesperson: Signage Episodes 198-200: Stop Hiding and Be Known: Retailer’s Visibility Series Episode 221: How to Raise the Bar on Excellence in Retail with Guest Expert Jeffrey Shaw Episode 222: 6 Things to Do This Month To Prepare Your Shop for the Holidays About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	188. 10 Tools to Help Your Retail Business in 2024	18 Dec 2023	00:25:00
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Show Notes: Don’t miss joining the Best Retail Year Ever Workshop - our Annual Planning Workshop. Get your goals all on one page and see a better 2024, and jump in before the end of the year and save $200! EARLY BIRD PRICING in effect until Dec 31st, 2023! SAVE $200! YES SAVE $200! Join here I am confident that you can find epic success in your retail business - no matter what success looks like for you - by taking the time to adequately plan. I’d love to help and support you through your 2024 planning. Join us in the Inner Circle for access to the workshop and a community of like minded retailers or purchase the Design Your Best Year Workshop on-demand - discounted if you purchase before the end of the year! Happy Planning! You know I’m all about setting you up for success in 2024 and that includes making your life of running a retail business easier. On Episode 188 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing 10 of the top business tools my team and my retailers are using and loving in 10-ish minutes. Throughout the episode, I’ll also share HOW and WHY these tools can help you in your retail business. The 10 Tools we shared and links : 1. Google Workspace: grow up your business 2. Flodesk for email marketing services 3. The Planner Pad: the planner for the non-traditional 9-5 worker/entrepreneur 4. Descript: content creation 5. When I Work 6. ThriveCart & ThriveLearn: course creation & check out all at one price 7. ChatGPT: use for social posts, newsletter, ideas 8. Canva AI Tools 9. Libro FM for audiobooks 10. Voxer Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 187: Make 2024 Your Best Year Ever in Your Retail Shop Episodes 40-43: Plan Your Best Retail Year Ever Parts 1-4 About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	187. Make 2024 Your Best Year Ever in Your Retail Shop	11 Dec 2023	00:22:54
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/187/ Show Notes: Don’t miss joining the Best Retail Year Ever Workshop - our Annual Planning Workshop. Get your goals all on one page and see a better 2024, and jump in before the end of the year and save $200! A new year is almost upon us, my friends, so that means it’s time to plan and set new goals in your retail business. So what does success look like to you? Are your goals just revenue driven? On Episode 187 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m challenging you to plan for an EPIC 2024 by making sure you first plan what you want FROM your business first then set shop goals to achieve just that. Topics We’ll Cover in This Episode: Getting out of the routine of running your business the way you always have Prioritizing what you want from your business first and plan your business around that Your role in the shop’s Front of House vs. Back of House Two incredible resources I’ve created for you I’m excited to share with you two resources to help make 2024 your best retail year ever: 1. Planning Your Best Year 4 Part Podcast Series 2. Grab this workshop: Design Your Best Year Workshop: a 60 minute on-demand workshop (available free to all of my Retailer’s Inner Circle members) and to non-members for purchase through my website. EARLY BIRD PRICING in effect until Dec 31st, 2023! SAVE $200 YES SAVE $200! Join here I am confident that you can find epic success in your retail business - no matter what success looks like for you - by taking the time to adequately plan. I’d love to help and support you through your 2024 planning. Join us in the Inner Circle for access to the workshop and a community of like minded retailers or purchase the Design Your Best Year Workshop on-demand - discounted if you purchase before the end of the year! Happy Planning! “Planning is bringing the future into the present so you can do something about it now.” - Alan Lakin Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episodes 40-43: Plan Your Best Retail Year Ever Parts 1-4 About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	186. Choose Joy: Reframe Your Mindset to End Your Retail Year Happy	04 Dec 2023	00:24:57
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/186/ Show Notes: Q4 proves time and again that it is the most stressful quarter of the year for retail shop owners - but it doesn’t have to be! Inside this episode of the podcast, I’m encouraging you to CHOOSE JOY: to change your mindset around how you are “supposed” to feel this time of year while running your retail business. Instead of finishing this year strong (as we so often hear), I’m encouraging you to end the year HAPPY. Topics We’ll Cover in This Episode: How your vibe and energy affect how others are feeling in your shop Why you need to reframe your “yeah, but” responses The best way to respond to compliments Reframing your “have to’s” and “should’s” into “get to’s” The power of simply making a decision and moving on Reframing our expectations of our customers and our staff Flipping the script and detaching yourself from bad outcomes Sleeping in and baking cookies… unconventional advice this time of year perhaps? Oh well, I said what I said! Reflecting on what went right If you are feeling stressed during this time of year in your retail shop, I hope this episode gives you a glimpse into what it might look like if you flipped the script this holiday season and chose joy and happiness over stress and hustle. I promise this mindset will bring you more joy as we finish out 2023. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 178: 3 Top Mindset Musts for Retailer Owners Episode 172: Retailers: Solve Any Problem & Get Better Results By Doing This Episode 153: Recipe for Success: 4 Leadership Lessons We Can Learn from Erin French of The Lost Kitchen Episode 130: The Karate Kid Stages Will Help Your Retail Business About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	185. Avoid Retail Burnout with Guest Expert Dr. Ashley Margeson	27 Nov 2023	00:47:10
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/185/ Show Notes: Retailers take note. If you’ve ever experienced burnout in your home tasks or business, you know it’s something that’s best to manage in its early stages. In Episode 185 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, Dr. Ashley Margeson joins me for a dynamic discussion about burnout, including what it is, and methods for prevention and recovery. If you are like many of my retailers and have said things like “I love what I do, but…” “I just need to hustle through this one event/season/month…” This conversation is for you. What is burnout? Burnout has been studied since the 1970s. It is an interesting phenomenon that the WHO set as a true diagnosis only a few years ago, identifiable by three key symptoms: depressive-like feelings, apathy towards your work (whether it be at home, entrepreneurship, etc), and a loss of productivity/performance. Burnout is tough to recognize at its earliest stages because we keep justifying it with logic. Dr. Ashley explains that burnout occurs when we overuse adrenaline as our main energy source. The longer we use adrenaline as energy, cortisol production is suppressed. Cortisol is your energy & stress response hormone that should rise in the morning and stay steady throughout the day. As entrepreneurs, our first instinct is often to just “do more,” which leads to living on adrenaline. Living on adrenaline leads to burnout. Managing Burnout Like A Bank Account An easy way to think about managing burnout is to think of a bank account. Like a bank account withdrawal, our energy is depleted for things we spend it on. Similarly, an energy “deposit” can be made into our bank through things like eating healthy meals and adequate sleep. 4 Modes/Stages of Burnout: 1. Savings/Investing Mode: Early Stage Burnout: We have lots of deposits coming in so we are able to “spend” our energy/adrenaline. 2. Paycheck to Paycheck: In this mode, there is just enough energy coming in to deal with what’s going out. 3. Overdraft: There is no longer enough energy coming in to cover what is going out. At this stage, you aren’t quite apathetic, moreso irritated. You start putting things off. 4. The creditors are calling: In this stage, you are no longer getting out of bed. Once you get to this stage, you may need medical intervention and recovery can take months and months. One of the things that Dr. Ashley points out early on in our conversation is that burnout can’t necessarily be avoided. Rather, severe burnout should be managed/prevented so that recovery can be a walk outside vs. 18 months of rest. From a retail perspective, this could mean identifying what you can do in Q1 - Q3 that will limit the energy withdrawals you are making in Q4 that can lead to burnout. Dr. Ashley explains that energy deposits can take the form of 30 second “glimmers” throughout your day, deposits that take 5-15 minutes, and deposits that take over 20 minutes. Oftentimes, we are so focused on the energy deposits that take more than 20 minutes (having dinner with a friend, for example) that we miss the smallest deposits (“glimmers” like a glass of water, a post-it note on the computer, etc). These are the sources that give us small, sustainable bumps in energy. The “cornerstone” deposits are the ones we should be spending our energy on: sleep, fueling, self-awareness, and movement. “No one ever gets to burnout because they failed. We burn out because we care about showing up and doing the right things.” - Dr. Ashley Dr. Ashley’s advice: 1. Determine what stage of burnout you are in. 2. Make a list of deposits that give you energy in each of the three timeframes listed above. 3. Of the cornerstone deposits, which matters most to you? Focus on that one. About Dr. Ashley: Dr. Ashley Margeson is a Naturopathic Doctor who believes that your health should work for you, not against you.As the COO of Cornerstone Naturopathic, a Halifax, Nova Scotia-based clinic, she focuses on Burnout Recovery and Prevention, guiding individuals towards revitalization and well-being. At the helm of her mission, Dr. Ashley is also the host of "The Superwoman Code," a dynamic podcast supporting busy women in optimizing their health, homes, and hormones to infuse life back into their lifestyles. Her impactful contributions have garnered recognition from platforms such as Business Insider, The Globe and Mail, Shondaland, The Strategist, Cosmopolitan Magazine and more. Additionally, she is a regular contributor to health matters on Global and CTV Morning Live. Dr. Ashley extends her influence to the digital realm through The Superwoman Code Course Suite, a comprehensive online hub offering online support meticulously crafted to foster healthy habits without the stress. Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. Ashley is a devoted dog mom to Loki and full-time stepmom to Caleb and Elise. Her expertise doesn't stop at her clinic; she is also a sought-after freelance consultant, partnering with companies and organizations to integrate Burnout Prevention Strategies into their work environments, nurturing resilience and well-being among employees. For a deeper connection with Dr. Ashley Margeson ND, explore her insights and offerings at www.ashleymargeson.com or engage with her through her vibrant social channels on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Through her holistic approach, she empowers individuals to reshape their health journeys and foster lasting vitality. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 86: Avoid Biz Burnout - Take Control and See the Full Potential of Your Business Episode 92: Morning Routines & Why They Work - Even For People Who Hate Morning Routines Episode 100: Why It’s Important to Celebrate Your Business Milestones About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendy’s resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	184. Holiday Retail Sales Tips From Seasoned Shop Owners	20 Nov 2023	00:43:38
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/184/ You are in for a very special holiday treat on this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, my friends! Joining me on this episode are three of my Level Up Mastermind and Retailer’s Inner Circle members: Amy Cseh, Amy Hart, and Jeff Lee, all brilliant and longstanding independent retail shop owners who have been in the trenches and experienced ups and downs just like many. (Links to follow along with all of them are below.) The interview, which originally aired exclusively in the Retailer’s Inner Circle Facebook group, is FULL of holiday sales tips from these three seasoned shop owners. Here are just a few of the sales tips we dug into: Take advantage of any of the events that are organized by the community or town. Ensure your staff is well trained and knows exactly what you are trying to accomplish. Set specific numbers goals for your staff so they can be engaged and track progress. Know your customer base and anticipate what they are looking for. Don’t “panic buy” merchandise just because you have FOMO or think that’s what you should be doing. If you are an Inner Circle member, implement the sales strategies in the Sales Accelerator masterclass. (And if you aren’t a member, maybe it’s time to join the Retailer’s Inner Circle!) Don’t miss the after Christmas rush! Customers want to shop that week between Christmas and New Year’s. Have a plan for projected sales/buying plan for Q1. Sales will slow down after the holidays are over and you don’t want to be caught off guard. There is a new masterclass that just released into the Inner Circle this week all about Open to Buy Inventory Management that all members have access to. Pay attention to your return rate per square foot. If something isn’t selling fast enough, you may need to make a decision to downsize the display or get rid of the line completely. Plan your events & weekly emails ahead of time so you aren’t missing personal things during the holiday season. It doesn’t feel good to let personal things slide for the “sake of the store.” Do everything you can in advance, including personal things. (By the time this podcast airs, Jeff’s house will have been fully decorated for Christmas for 2+ weeks!) Amy C.’s advice: “Bless and release!” You’ve trained your staff and they are good at their jobs. Schedule your days off and enjoy your time outside of your shop. YOU are the only one who is going to notice what doesn’t get done. Know what your “no’s” are and stick to them. If something is causing you stress, give it to a team member or simply don’t do it. If you are interested in joining the Level Up Mastermind, we are opening 3 seats and would love to hear from you. Now that you’ve “met” three of the retailers who are part of the Level Up Mastermind, you may have a better feel for who we are. Here is the link with more information. About the Panelists: Jeff Lee owns The Vintage Nest Home & Gifts in Mount Holly, NC. Facebook \| Instagram Amy Cseh owns Schoolhouse Salvage in Chagrin Falls, OH. Facebook \| Instagram Amy Hart owns The Hare and the Hart in Thomasville, GA. Facebook \| Instagram Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Holiday Playlist: Favorite Holiday-Themed Creative Shop Talk Podcast Playlist Episode 182: Fresh Ways to Wow & Delight Your Customers This Holiday Season Episode 157: Best of Series: Growth Mindset with Jeff Lee Episode 133: Retailer Success Series: Community, Culture, and CEO Mindset with Amy Cseh Episode 78: Retailer Success Stories: Learning to Level Up with Amy Hart About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	183. Fine Tuning Your Retail Business Operations with Business Strategist Gwen Bortner	13 Nov 2023	00:37:56
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Show Notes: What should we focus on in our retail operations? On Episode 183 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, fellow retail business coach Gwen Bortner and I turned on the mics for a little impromptu chat about retail business operations. Like me, Gwen has a background in retail. Her coaching business focuses on the operations of her clients’ businesses so that their businesses support their lives rather than the other way around. In our coaching careers, Gwen and I have found that after the start-up phase of business is over (in my experience 2-3 years after start-up), business owners are spending their energy mostly on marketing, in reality, it’s often the operations of the business that also needs our top attention and consistent fine tuning. In order to move the needle in your business, the first step is to identify where the bottleneck is. Gwen’s clients participate in a rating exercise called The GEARS Assessment. It is an assessment of operations and is designed to be completely subjective. Essentially, you evaluate 5 operational aspects of your business on a scale of 1-4. The total number can give you an idea of how you feel about the operations of your business and individual scores can give you an idea on where the most necessary (and likely easiest) operational fix in your business is right now. You can take the GEARS Assessment for FREE on Gwen’s website HERE. Goods – Products and services you sell Effectiveness – Personal and team productivity, business leadership Accountability – Prioritizing what is important and taking consistent action to reach goals Resources – People, money, equipment, technology, and similar Systems – Processes, routines, and reporting Gwen is a special guest coach inside the Retailer’s Inner Circle, teaching Open To Buy inventory management. As listeners of this podcast, you know I encourage weekly CEO dates: something that doesn’t often come easily to creative business owners. So many of us are accidental entrepreneurs: our businesses started as a passion project that grew and grew leaving us on a hamster wheel. What you need to remember is that it is okay to ask for help: NO ONE IS DOING THIS ALONE - nor should they! However, as leaders of our businesses we need to have our finger on the pulse of all of the operational aspects of our businesses. Gwen’s GEARS Assessment is the perfect place to start. About Gwen: Gwen Bortner is the founder of Everyday Effectiveness, an operational advisory firm that helps visionary entrepreneurs scale their businesses to seven figures and beyond. Before becoming a full-time business advisor in 2015, Gwen solved operations problems for corporate giants like General Mills and for niche companies like the world’s largest supplier of bull semen. To date, she’s advised executives, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs in over 40 industries, including craft retailers and industry leaders. In addition to advising and speaking on operational strategy, Gwen is the author of the best-selling knitting book, Entrée to Entrelac, and teaches knitting internationally for Craft Cruises, Inc. Follow along with Gwen on LinkedIn. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 18: What’s Possible: The Accidental Shopkeeper with a Thriving Store with Jeff Lee Episode 60: How Focused Learning Can Grow Your Business Episode 70: You’re Not Just a Shopkeeper, You’re a Creative CEO Episode 89: Money Talk & Mindset with Profits First Coach April Stroink Episode 95: Tips to Tame the Admin and Stay Ahead of Business Trouble About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. my signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendysources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	182. Fresh Ways to Wow & Delight Your Customers This Holiday Season	06 Nov 2023	00:25:25
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/182-2/ Show Notes: If you want to put your best foot forward this Holiday season and beyond in your retail shop, join the Retailer’s Inner Circle! The Inner Circle is my private coaching group. We’ve got a vibrant group of retailers from all over the globe in our community and we want to help you too! In October, we launched our monthly playbook inside the Inner Circle. The monthly playbook is changing the way my retailers approach marketing! It’s taking the pressure off: you’ll no longer have to ask yourself “What do I need to do? When do I need to do it? What emails should I be sending?” In addition to goal setting, it’s full of tips, ideas, and timelines to help independent creative retailers navigate small business ownership. Check it out today! Holiday Retail Marketing can feel so hard. But it doesn’t have to be. One extra step and an important step in the marketing framework I teach is to “wow & delight” our retail customers to keep them coming back. This is such an important part of independent retail because it is one of our true advantages over the big box stores. We can build communities of allies, believers and advocates for our shops. Hospitality is what connects people to you and your retail brand. This week on the podcast I’m sharing some extra tips for you this season. Tips to Wow & Delight Your Customers: 1. Send a gift to your top/milestone clients: Even if you don’t have access to home addresses of your best customers, you can make up small “thank you” gifts to hand out when your best clients come in to shop. Get creative! 2. Think beyond the bench: Do unexpected things! We’ve all thought about placing a bench outside of the dressing room or a place for the husbands to hang out, but what else can we do that will wow your customers unexpectedly? In this episode, I’m sharing a bunch of ideas my clients are using now. 3. In-store and ongoing promotions: Think about what you can do in your shop that will help out your clients that is unique to you. Make your promotions fun and different. Elevate your gift registries, bag stuffers, all of the things! How can you make your customers smile? Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 93: How to Wow & Delight Your Customers to Keep Them Coming Back Episode 143: How to Plan and Host Successful Events and Promotions in Your Shop Episode 145: How to Market Promotional Events in Your Shop Wow and delight Episode 181: 3 Areas to Focus on in Q4 in Your Retail Shop About your host, Retail Coach Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. my signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Wendy’s sources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	223. Behind the Counter: Buying an Existing Business with Shop Owners Dan and Robin Haynes	19 Aug 2024	00:46:12
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: So much gold here. Are you considering buying an existing business in a field that’s outside of your wheelhouse? Already a business owner but interested in a great conversation between a husband/wife entrepreneurial team and hearing some great advice for your store? This episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast is for you! Robin and Dan Haynes purchased an existing equestrian retail shop called The Golden Horseshoe in Eureka, MO in 2023. As entrepreneurs in real estate, they are always looking for an opportunity and couldn’t pass this one up! Robin knew a bit about the equestrian industry and found out the shop was for sale after their daughter started working at Golden Horseshoe. They each have their own roles in the business and are active members of the Retailer’s Inner Circle. Dan is always sharing incredible marketing ideas, biz book recommendations, and inspiration for the whole group. Throughout this duel interview episode, Robin and Dan chat about their experience purchasing a business that had been operating for over 40 years. Here’s what you can expect to hear us chat about: How they refreshed and elevated a tired brand How they leveled up their marketing and customer experience Some tips to navigating social media successfully without having to buy ads How they handled staff resistance and turnover How they are building a business they can turn into passive income What they are doing to keep staff communications consistent The pros of building a business with your spouse (you all know I could probably do a whole episode on this one!) What they would have done differently if they bought the business today Why you need to keep your books clean! (so so important!) Dan’s favorite masterclasses in the Inner Circle and what he’s excited for in the group This episode has so many golden nuggets of wisdom - even if you aren’t interested in purchasing an existing business but simply looking for ways to make yours run more smoothly. Let’s dive in! “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in 10 years.” -Bill Gates About The Golden Horseshoe In April of 2023, new owners took the reins of Golden Horseshoe. The Haynes and Robinson Families set out to build from the strong foundation of Golden Horseshoe in order to create something special for the next 40 years and beyond. The vision of the partnership was to bring the operations, outreach and education into the tech age while remaining true to the roots of the store. This new vision quickly became evident with a complete restart of the business to include branding, store layout, product lines, customer service and online service. Website \| Facebook Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. And Q4 is coming! We’ve got your back. You don’t have to do retail alone! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 159: Best of Series: Prepare to Sell, Franchise, or Expand: Four Areas That Need to be Under Control Episode 183: Fine Tuning Your Business Operations with Guest Expert Gwen Bortner Episode 202: Why Every Retail Store Should Consider Selling Souvenirs About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	222. 6 Things to Do This Month to Prepare Your Shop for the Holidays	12 Aug 2024	00:25:14
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Ready to soar this holiday? I’ve never met a shop owner who wants to have a ho-hum holiday season! I’m here to help ensure your holiday season is as fab as your retail shop. The time to start preparing for Q4 and the holiday season is NOW. Take it from me: taking some time in August to get your retail shop’s ducks in a row for Q4 is worth its weight in gold! Not sure what exactly you should be doing to prepare? Here are the six topics I lay out for you in this episode: Goal setting for the holidays (and that doesn’t mean just to “beat last year’s numbers”) Know what you are going to sell/opportunities you are going to take to hit those goals Block your calendar with community events, your personal days, etc. Attach marketing plans to goals Prep your support team (your family and staff) for the holidays Sit back and implement your plan! If you need more (trust me - you do!), I’ve got that for you in my Holiday Success Bootcamp workshop inside the Retailer’s Inner Circle. Not only do we deep dive into all of these topics, I’ll be helping you work through the program with a live Q+A every week from August 15 through September 15. The Holiday Success Bootcamp got a glow-up in 2024! In addition to the 5 masterclass sessions, the program also includes: A list of curated ideas (that we know work!) for promotional events for every holiday/celebration from October through January 6 editable email templates every retailer should send between Black Friday and New Year’s Day Holiday gift certificate templates Social media prompts and editable Q4 Canva graphics that make scheduling posts for the holidays EASY …and so much more! NEW THIS YEAR: You can purchase the Holiday Success Bootcamp as a standalone masterclass! Sales and success (especially around the holidays) come from being prepared - so let’s do what we can now. You owe it to yourself, your team, and your customers. Let’s dive in! You can grab that workshop for a limited time right HERE. Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. And Q4 is coming! We’ve got your back. You don’t have to do retail alone! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 221: How to Raise the Bar on Excellence in Retail with Guest Expert Jeffrey Shaw Sales Series for the Holidays Holiday Sales Playlist: Our favorite podcast episodes geared to holiday sales About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	221. How to Raise the Bar on Excellence in Retail with Guest Expert Jeffrey Shaw	05 Aug 2024	00:52:10
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Have you ever considered looking to luxury brands for inspiration, even if you don’t consider your brand or products to be luxury? I have news for you: you should! In this episode, I’m chatting with one of the biggest advocates for small businesses, my mentor (and one of my favorite humans) Jeffrey Shaw. Jeffrey is the host of The Self Employed Life Podcast and author of two excellent business books: The Self-Employed Life and LINGO. Jeff is the real deal: he has been self-employed for his entire career. He has never received a paycheck from someone else! He has built his business around his passion for self-employed business owners and building the local economy. He’s got so much to share on how and why, as retailers, we need to raise the bar on excellence. “If you make your customers feel seen and understood, you will create an unbreakable bond.” - Jeffrey Shaw Here are just a few of the topics we chat about: How small businesses (like yours!) are saving Main Street One of the most important things business owners overlook while marketing their business The brands you should follow and dissect to mimic the “luxury experience” (even if you aren’t operating a luxury brand!) Why making assumptions about your customers/clients can be detrimental to your business (and some ideas on how to stop) I love this conversation for so many reasons and the way Jeffrey weaves real-life examples and stories into our chat makes it so powerful. He inspires us through storytelling and shares how we can raise the bar to achieve excellence in our retail businesses. Let’s dive in! Jump into my DMs on IG and share with me your takeaways. About our Guest, Jeffrey Shaw From humble beginnings, Jeffrey Shaw became one of the most preeminent portrait photographers in the United States. Today, Jeffrey speaks about how to sell to an affluent clientele at association events and conferences. He is the author of two books, The Self-Employed Life and LINGO, and host of, The Self-Employed Life podcast. Jeffrey is also the founder of The Self-Employed Business Institute, his TEDx Talk is featured on TED.com, and he is responsible for the creation of National Self-Employed Day, which falls on May 4th of the U.S. National calendar. Find Jeffrey here: Website \| LinkedIn \| Instagram \| Facebook \| YouTube Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. And Q4 is coming! We’ve got your back. You don’t have to do retail alone! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 55: Unscalable Conversations: A Free, Simple and Powerful Marketing Tool To Use Episode 142: How to Make Real Progress in Your Business with Guest Expert Richard Ralston Episode 215: Customer Service vs. Customer Experience About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	220/149. Best of Retailer Success Series: How Two Friends Turned a Creative Hobby into a Successful Retail Business	29 Jul 2024	00:45:40
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ July is winding down and Member Appreciation Month is coming to a close in the Retailer’s Inner Circle but we are just warming up to prepping for the Holidays. Our amped-up Holiday Bootcamp is launching in August! In addition to the 5 part masterclass, we’ve added promotional guides with creative and fun ideas to get buying customers in your shop in Q4. We’ve got editable social media graphics so the work is done for you - all you have to do is hit the schedule button! Q4 is coming and we’ve done the planning for you. Q4 doesn’t have to be hard! So much more is happening inside the Inner Circle - trust me you don’t want to miss it. You don’t have to run your retail business alone. Join us today! In keeping with our celebration of our members all of July in the Inner Circle, we’re highlighting some of our favorite past interviews with Inner Circle retailer members! These retailer interviews are some of our most popular episodes and what you all are telling us you want more of. This week we are going all the way back to Episode 149 with Susan Mocker and Devon Cretella of Extending Grace in Hubbard, Ohio. Let’s dive in! Show Notes As a retail coach, I often get asked my thoughts on going into business with friends and honestly, I have seen it succeed and I’ve seen it go sideways. Today, we are going to share a great success story of a retail partnership. Meet Retailer Inner Circle members Susan Mocker and Devon Cretella, owners of Extending Grace, a home decor shop in Hubbard, Ohio. They are sharing partnership advice and what worked for them and how two friends turned a shared creative hobby into a successful retail business partnership. Susan and Devon will tell us what has worked for them in business, including a yearly planning retreat they take together and how they’ve balanced work and life. They’ll also give us their best advice on going into business with friends. “Plan it, but write it in pencil because business is flexible.” Whether or not you are considering joining a partnership, there is something for every retail shop owner in this episode. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! About Susan and Devon: Susan Mocker and Devon Cretella are the co-owners of Extending Grace in Hubbard, Ohio. Friends since the 90’s, we opened the store in 2016. Both of us love all things vintage & creative, and our store reflects that. Customers experience a home décor shop with a focus on antiques, vintage, DIY, and the work of local artists and collectors. We love hanging out with our customers and neighbors during workshops, events, and community projects. You can find them on Instagram, Facebook, and on their CommentSold Webstore. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 122 - CEO Mindset and Community with Sylvia Davis Episode 129 - Retailer Success Series: Community Attract Strategy with Inner Circle Member Michelle Emmons Episode 179: Retailer Success Series: Jess Gebauer on Using Unique Marketing & Sales Strategies Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop. And Q4 is coming! We’ve got your back. You don’t have to do retail alone! About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	219. Best of Retailer Success Series: Meet Inner Circle Member Jeanne Terrill	22 Jul 2024	00:58:16
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Hey Friends! This month, we’re celebrating our retailers in the Retailer’s Inner Circle. It’s Member Appreciation Month! We’re hosting weekly giveaways (including private coaching sessions with me!), launching promotional guides and editable social media graphics, and so much more. It’s not too late to join us - and NOW is the time. You don’t have to run your retail business alone! Join the Inner Circle today and get immediate access to countless Masterclasses on topics from merchandising to social media and our coveted monthly playbooks that break your month down for you into bite sized pieces. You’ll also have an opportunity to make peer-to-peer connections in our community with retailers who are facing the same questions and issues as you. Q4 is looming and our revamped Holiday Bootcamp also launches soon. Retail doesn’t have to be so hard! Join us today! In keeping with our celebration of our members, over the next few weeks on the podcast we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite past interviews with Inner Circle retailer members! These retailer interviews are some of our most popular episodes and what you all are telling us you want more of. This week we are going back a few months to Episode 204 with Jeanne Terrill of Junque Rescuers in Lake Jackson, Texas. Let’s dive in! In This Episode: I’m taking you behind the counter of Junque Rescuers in Lake Jackson, Texas to chat with shop owner and Inner Circle member Jeanne Terrill in this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast. Buckle up because Jeanne is taking us on a ride and sharing her journey from accidental entrepreneur to thriving shop owner! In the episode, she shares how her shop has evolved since opening as an antique/vintage shop in 2017. We talk about many of her challenges including moving locations, why incredible success caused her to change her product mix, and learning to put her CEO hat on and the changes that come along with that. Jeanne also shares examples of specific actions she has taken and changes she has made as a result of what she has learned from the Inner Circle masterclasses and our tight-knit community. I loved this conversation with Jeanne and I hope you do too! It’s always awesome to catch up with my Inner Circle retailers and share their successes with our podcast listeners. Did anything strike a chord for you? Anything you’ll be reflecting on or changes you are going to make based on the conversation you just listened to? Need more? Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE. Most impactful: Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course. We start April 24! More information HERE. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 154: Retailer Success Series: Christie Carter-Tokairin: 10 Years In Episode 122: Retailer Success Series: CEO Mindset and Community with Sylvia Davis of Louisville Mercantile Episode 113: Retailer Success Series: Growth Mindset with Jeff Lee of The Vintage Nest About Jeanne Terrill and Junque Rescuers Junque Rescuers LLC is a well-established brick-and-mortar lifestyle boutique located in downtown Lake Jackson, Texas. With eight years of experience, the business has evolved from its roots as a vintage and vintage-inspired home decor store to become a versatile lifestyle brand. You can follow along here: Website \| Instagram \| Facebook About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	238. Behind The Counter: Building Community Of Beautiful Spaces with Lisa Wrixon	02 Dec 2024	00:46:05
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: What would happen if you built a business centered entirely around what you love and what you believe your community is currently missing? We’re about to find out! In this truly inspiring episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sitting down with Lisa Wrixon, the visionary and CEO behind thestylewell and Lewellyn, two boutique shops in North Vancouver. From her roots in art history to leading retail operations for major brands, Lisa’s journey is a masterclass in turning passion into purpose. Discover how she built a thriving business centered on beautiful design, community engagement, and a curated customer experience—all while staying true to her values and vision. If you’re an independent retailer looking for actionable insights and motivation, this episode is for you! Episode Highlights: We dig into Lisa’s Background: From studying art history to managing merchandising and retail operations for top brands like The Body Shop and Indaba Trading. thestylewell Origin Story: A dream sparked by a love for beautiful, curated spaces, culminating in a thriving home decor business in North Vancouver. Running Two Shops: Lisa owns thestylewell, focusing on home decor, and Lewellyn, a sister shop for fashion and accessories. Building Community: The importance of hosting workshops, events, and pop-ups to engage with the local design and retail community. Curating Success: Balancing simplicity, aesthetics, and strong operational practices to create a loyal customer base. Biggest Lessons: The value of staying true to your brand while taking calculated risks to grow. Takeaways for Retailers: Invest in your community and prioritize relationships over transactions. Curate your offerings with a strong focus on aesthetics and what resonates with your ideal customers. Don't overcomplicate operations—simplicity and clarity can fuel success. Collaborate and share knowledge generously to foster growth in your industry. Lisa is an active member of the Retailer’s Inner Circle program. Join smart retailers like Lisa inside this program this year. "I opened a shop for me because I couldn’t find what I wanted. Now, I create the need for others." -Lisa Wrixon Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 237: Retailer Success Series: Cindy’s Journey to Building a Thriving Bead Store Episode 217: Best of Retailer Success Series: Simplifying Your Retail Business with Louise McManus Episode 179: Retailer Success Series: Jess Gebauer, on Using Unique Marketing and Sales Strategies About Lisa and thestylewell thestylewell is curated and owned by Lisa Wrixon, an innovative and dynamic creative professional who relishes in inspiring, delighting and engaging customers. As a lover of all things beautiful, Lisa has years of experience as a residential Interior Designer, wholesale home décor brand strategist and Manager of Retail Operations for leading Canadian Retailers. But it is her love of all things pretty, that are created with care, and her vision of creating meaningful moments in people’s homes that has driven her to open thestylewell. thestylewell aims to provide beautiful decorative pieces, hand selected by Lisa with the intent to enhance a living space, be admired and desired, shared or possessed for oneself. Follow along with Lisa, thestylewell and Lewellyn : thestylewell Website \| Lewellyn Website \| thestylewell Instagram \| Lewellyn Instagram About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	237. Retailer Success Series: Cindy’s Journey to Building a Thriving Bead Store	25 Nov 2024	00:39:45
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Do you need inspiration navigating your role as an accidental entrepreneur? This episode is for you! Like many of us, Cindy Boissonneault of Poco Inspired in Winnipeg didn’t intend on putting on a CEO hat and running a retail business. In this episode, Cindy shares her inspiring journey from overcoming stress-induced challenges to becoming a successful retail entrepreneur. With no prior retail experience, Cindy built her bead store into a thriving business by mastering inventory management, focusing on what works, and building strong systems. Tune in to hear her strategies for transitioning into a true CEO role, creating a sellable business, and achieving retail excellence—all while staying connected to her customers and community. In this episode, Cindy and I chat about: Her 20-year journey from overcoming stress-related illness to owning a thriving bead store. How buying an existing retail business kickstarted her entrepreneurial career. The value of niching down: Focusing on what sells best. Transitioning from hands-on retail to strategic CEO leadership. Key insights into creating a sellable business with strong systems and processes. Practical strategies for inventory management and using metrics to make tough decisions. Collaboration with competitors: Why rising tides lift all ships. Planning secrets for reducing stress and driving success. Takeaways for All Independent Retailers: Understanding your unique selling point and investing in expertise. Developing systems (SOPs) that make your business scalable and sellable. Using metrics to guide inventory and revenue decisions—don’t let emotions dictate choices. Building community, both in-store and with competitors, to boost customer loyalty. Stepping into your CEO role: Plan ahead and delegate effectively. Cindy is an active member of the Level Up Mastermind and the Retailer’s Inner Circle program. Join smart retailers like Cindy inside either of those programs this year. “If coming to my shop today wasn’t the best thing our customer did, then we haven’t done our job.” -Cindy Boissonneault, Poco Inspired Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 133: Retailer Success Series: Community, Culture, & CEO Mindset with Amy Cseh Episode 218: Retailer Success Series: Community Marketing Strategies with Millie Blackwell Episode 223: Behind the Counter: Buying an Existing Business with Shop Owners Dan & Robin Haynes About Cindy and Poco Inspired Cindy Boissonneault was a part-time employee at her bead shop prior to purchasing it over 10 years ago. She is an independent spirit who describes herself as a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. Prior to owning Poco Inspired, a bead store in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Cindy’s background included Business Administration, Human Resources, and Events Management. Follow along with Poco Inspired: Website \| Instagram About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
	236. How to Clear Inventory Fast and Boost Holiday Sales in Your Retail Store	18 Nov 2024	00:21:18
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ In This Episode: Don’t sit on cash. This time of the year we want to move inventory OUT. Let’s make sure you don’t have any extra inventory left after the holidays. Let’s also optimize how much you can get for what you do have and let’s turn it into cash before the end of the holidays! In this episode, I’m sharing practical, effective tips to help independent retailers move slow-moving or excess inventory. I’ll tell you how to leverage bundling, flash sales, and other simple promotional strategies to clear stock and improve holiday sales. Some Takeaways: Optimize Inventory Levels: Regularly assess your stock to ensure you're not overstocked on items that aren't moving. Set a Clearance Timeline: Establish a plan for holiday decor or seasonal items to avoid post-holiday clutter. Bundling Products: Combine slow-moving items with popular ones to create attractive themed bundles. Create “Last Chance” Sections: Designate a specific area in your store for final sale items to draw attention. Use Flash Sales and Events: Go live or send emails to promote limited-time offers that create urgency. Exclusive Discounts for Loyalty Members: Reward your loyal customers with early access to deals. Gift With Purchase (GWP): Offer a free gift to customers who spend over a certain amount to clear out smaller stock. Host a Live Sale: Engage customers by showcasing products directly, ideal for highlighting overlooked items. Mystery Bags & Stocking Stuffers: Surprise and delight customers with mystery items to encourage impulse buys. End-of-Season Blowout: Schedule an annual or biannual clearance event to keep stock fresh and avoid storing unsold items. “We don’t want to box up money. Keep your inventory moving and in front of customers.” -Wendy Batten Related podcasts we think you’ll like: Episode 104: Tight on Cash Flow? Let’s Turn Your Old Inventory into Cash for You Episode 203: Mystery Bags: A Simple Retail Marketing Promotion Episode 232: Earning Your Customers’ Support and Sales About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ For more support from Wendy Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community Free resources for shop owners Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Subscribe & Review on iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

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