As independent retail store owners, we’re well-versed in the challenges we face, especially as the retail industry, the economy, and the world continuously shift. So what upcoming trends can help us not just survive but thrive in 2025? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the future of retail, specifically focusing on how indie retailers can sta…

DISCLAIMER: This episode was originally scheduled to air on December 5, 2024, but legal developments and a busy week caused some last-minute delays. After months of postponing this topic due to ongoing legal uncertainties, I felt it was finally time to address the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and the BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) requi…

Understanding the financial health of your retail business extends beyond just recognizing your profit. In this insightful episode, we're diving into the complexities of retail business finances and learning why being profitable doesn't always mean having a positive cash flow. We’re reviewing the three critical financial statements in an indie reta…

If you’ve ever faced a cash flow struggle, you know how much stress it can cause you. But before you address the issue, you need to identify the root cause. Are you truly dealing with insufficient income, financial mismanagement, or operational inefficiencies? Or are you experiencing seasonal cash flow crunches that are common in the retail world? …

As retail business owners, revenue is often top of mind. But revenue alone doesn’t give us the complete picture of your store's financial health! That’s why we’re uncovering the intricacies of cash flow in a new three-part series. Listen in to learn the critical components of cash flow and how managing cash flow effectively protects your indie reta…

Running a business is already challenging, but dealing with the symptoms of perimenopause while running a business has made the last two years incredibly difficult. That’s why I’m sharing the ugly truth about perimenopause as an entrepreneur and how it affects not just our personal lives, but our businesses, too. In this episode, I’m opening up abo…

Originally, I planned to record a quick episode to talk about the upcoming Retail Email Bootcamp and let you know that the calendars in the Savvy Shopkeeper planners start now. However, I first want to acknowledge the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, particularly in states like North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. The images and stories com…

Ceri Otero didn’t dream of being a shopkeeper as a kid. But when she decided to open a specialty olive oil and vinegar shop in Carthage, Missouri, it felt like all the threads of her life were coming together. From selling Avon in 8th grade to a stint as a corporate HR representative to merchandising for Hallmark, each of Ceri’s previous jobs had p…

Customers love visiting indie retail stores and discovering new items, and many indie shopkeepers revel in curating fresh finds for their stores. The part that isn’t enjoyable? Adding new items to your inventory system—especially if your inventory entry process is manual. Whether you're managing hundreds of new SKUs or reordering popular products, …

Jolene Forrester, owner of JoRetro in Havre de Grace, Maryland, has built a thriving legacy retail store with multiple streams of income. What started out in a small antique mall booth has grown into a 5000 square foot retail store with vintage treasures, niche retro-style products, a twice-annual Pyrex & Vintage Festival, and a thriving Airbnb apa…

If there’s one thing that nearly all indie retail store owners struggle with, it’s planning. And when we struggle with planning, using a planner is next to impossible! But our planner problems CAN be solved when we address the real culprit behind our planning struggles. Listen in to discover the real culprit behind your planning struggles. Plus, yo…

In today's bonus shortie episode I'm delving into the misconceptions surrounding business performance during turbulent times. I explore how the thoughts of business owners directly influence their feelings and, subsequently, their actions. Election years can indeed be a bumpy ride for small business owners, but it doesn't have to spell disaster for…

Elisa Vietri always dreamed of opening a retail shop for her ever-growing collection of vintage goods. So when she and a friend drove by an empty storefront in Cleveland, Ohio’s Little Italy neighborhood in 2014, she jumped at the opportunity. Now the proud owner of Moonstruck CLE, Elisa has ten years of experience selling vintage goods and connect…

As an independent retailer, finding the right trade shows to attend can make a significant difference in your buying strategy and overall business success. OffPrice Show in Las Vegas is a prominent event in the retail industry, but is it the right fit for your store? Listen in to learn more about OffPrice Show, discover what types of retailers will…

Have you ever looked around your retail store and thought, “wow, I could really use some advice on how to make this better?” That’s exactly what one retail store owner and Master Shopkeepers member did early last year. Luckily for Patty, a pseudonym gift shop owner from the Portland, OR area, I was giving away an in-store intensive. Through a mix o…

Did you know that up to 99% of the decisions we make are subconscious? Since our decisions drive our behaviors, it’s crucial that we learn to make more of our decisions consciously rather than subconsciously! In today’s episode, I’ve invited my coach, Neill Williams, to share the science behind entrepreneurial emotions. With a master’s in economics…

As your indie retail business grows, leading a team becomes a crucial part of your store owner responsibilities. And while being a leader may not come naturally, being a better leader is thankfully a skill that you can cultivate. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the five essential skills you can quickly learn to be a better leader. You’ll be known f…

Let’s face it: being an indie retail store owner isn’t easy. There are shipments to bust, products to merchandise, backstock to organize, floats to reconcile, and tasks to delegate. Beyond the day-to-day operations, there are even more high-level tasks that eat at your time and brain power, like choosing what products to bring in and figuring out h…

For indie retail store owners who run vendor or consignment-style stores, there’s an extra layer of work on top of running a store: managing vendor relationships. Vendors at these stores normally rent a specific booth or section of the store to display their products. And while each vendor is in charge of managing their inventory, cleaning their ar…

Encouraging your customers to pay in cash is not only great for your business (buh-bye, credit card transaction fees!), but great for your community. Accepting cash diversifies payment options, keeps money out of banks’ deep pockets, and gives people without bank accounts access to goods and services. Cash is a win for small businesses and customer…

Have you ever decided to shop small, confirmed store’s hours online, driven over to the store…only to find a “sorry, we’re closed” sign hanging on the door? That frustration you’ve felt in that moment is NOT what you want to give to your customers in case of a temporary store closing! Communicating with your customers about a store closing, whether…

With Q1 of 2024 behind us, it feels like a good time to share some impromptu Savvy Shopkeeper updates. There have been a lot of changes within my business and personal life, and I’m excited to share them with you! Listen in to hear about leaving my retail store behind, finishing my coaching certification, an in-person event you’ll want to save the …

Posting on Instagram can feel exhausting and overwhelming, especially as a retail store owner with a million other things on your plate. That’s why I’m sharing a metric for you to track that can make your social media efforts feel worth it—and that no one else is talking about! Listen in to learn about this hidden metric, plus get a brand-new free …

Between an upcoming leadership month in Master Shopkeepers and wanting to share how I’m learning to lead the Savvy Shopkeeper team, leadership has been top of mind for me. That’s why I was so excited to chat with Shelli Warren, the founder of Stacking Your Team. After a 25-year stint at Proctor & Gamble, Shelli ventured into leadership coaching for…

From plugging your retail profit leaks to scaling your indie retail business, this year’s Savvy Shopkeeper survey covered a bit of everything. I’m excited to share the results with you, especially because it might show you what’s possible for your store. I’m also sharing how you can attend my upcoming masterclass, Stop The Drip. In this two-hour cl…

If you’re an Aspiring Shopkeeper, figuring out how and where to buy wholesale inventory is a crucial step towards opening your store’s doors. Luckily, there’s a program that makes it super easy to curate, order, and buy inventory for a retail store: Open With Faire. Built by one of the most reliable online wholesale platforms around, Open With Fair…

As indie retail store owners, it’s all too easy to focus on the negative. We’re always thinking about which stores are closing, what’s to blame for industry-wide difficulties, and how each new hurdle might lead to our store failing. And while our glass-half-empty view isn’t surprising (we’re only human, after all!), we can and SHOULD try to change …

Kate Simpson, owner of Cerulean of Cape Cod, was always a maker and a nurturer. She created her own jewelry, sold it at weekend markets, and even had a spot at a vendor-based retail store, all while working full-time as a nurse. Eventually, though, she wanted to take the entrepreneurial leap into nurturing a retail store of her own. That’s when Cer…

Bookkeeping is crucial for any business, and indie retailers are no exception! It's the key to understanding your finances, making smart choices, and pushing your biz forward. Today, I’m sharing six bookkeeping tips from a recent live lesson I taught to Master Shopkeepers. Listen in to learn what you need to do to keep your books in order so you ca…

Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters are on the rise. Thankfully, Heart on Main Street is there to support independent retail businesses when disaster strikes. After growing up on the wholesale side of retail, Patrick Keiser founded Heart on Main Street to provide indie retailers with the resources, tools, and educational op…

Our laptops are not only an extension of our physical workspace, but often an extension of our minds. Digital clutter in the form of tons of too many tabs and multiple windows can bog us down. But there are ways to increase your web browser efficiency—and just as with other key systems for independent retailers, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve t…

After many years of attending AmericasMart as a buyer, this year was my first time attending as an observer. It was fascinating to chat with members of the Savvy Shopkeeper community, spot market trends, and be a fly on the wall at showrooms! In today’s episode, I’m sharing my five key takeaways from AmericasMart 2024. Listen in to learn what trend…

Asking your customers for feedback can be scary—trust me, I know! Most years, I ask my customers and community to complete the Savvy Shopkeeper survey. While getting feedback directly from the people I serve can be nerve-wracking, it’s an overwhelmingly positive experience. Read on to learn how you can fill out this year’s Savvy Shopkeeper Survey a…

Managing cash flow is a difficult task for most indie retail store owners, but it doesn’t have to be! I’m excited to share a virtual banking solution that helps you automate your cash flow management: Relay Financial. When I first read Profit First, I was skeptical. The cash flow management system proposed in the book required setting up multiple b…

For indie retailer store owners, tasks like writing product descriptions, planning promotions, and mapping out quarterly plans can take a LOT of mental energy—especially after a full day of running your store. That’s where my Free ChatGPT Resource Guide comes in handy! This empowering guide will help you use ChatGPT effectively to support your reta…

Supporting the shop local and shop small movements has always been a core value of mine. One way I was failing at that, however, was with my book-buying habits. Instead of supporting local bookshops, I often bought books with 1-click checkout at Amazon. Thankfully, I’ve discovered a new way to buy books online that also supports local bookshops! Li…

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it can be nice to take a brain break before diving into the planning and goal setting we need to do for the year ahead. Sometimes, a little motivation and inspiration can be helpful, too! Personally, I enjoy watching TV shows to give myself a brain break and get inspired for the next 12 months. Today, I’…

For many indie retail store owners, digital marketing doesn’t come naturally. With the ever-changing social media landscape, a constant stream of new features, and best practices that vary from platform to platform, it can be difficult for retailers to parse what’s worth the effort (and what’s best left on the backroom floor). Enter Crystal, our go…

For independent store owners, the fear of discounting inventory is very real—especially when they’ve got dead stock hanging around! It’s all too common for shopkeepers to have lots of negative thoughts about dead stock, discounting, and what those things mean about them. But if you can change those thoughts, you can make better decisions and see va…

I'm here with a bonus episode, post-Christmas, to share an announcement and what's ahead for me and the Savvy Shopkeeper community in 2024! Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: https://savvyshopkeeper.c…

When you first hear the term “emotional adulthood,” you might think it’s connected to when our brains finish developing in our mid-twenties. But emotional adulthood has everything to do with your awareness of how your thoughts affect your feelings—and very little to do with when your brain finished forming. I realized I was still in emotional child…

With 2024 approaching, now is the time to start your retail business forecasting! If you’ve never done this process before, today’s episode will walk you through the first step: looking at the commitments you’ve already made, the trips you’ve already booked, and any events you know are on the books. Listen in to learn what retail business forecasti…

New Year, new store? If you’re like most independent retail store owners, a new year can feel like the perfect time to make a fresh start by reworking your product lines, introducing a new category, revamping your staffing…or even changing business models. But before making such a drastic change, there are a few key things to consider. Changing bus…

The Savvy Shopkeeper online shop has been revamped, renamed…and is relaunching with a Post-Black-Friday sale event! Introducing The Shopkeeper’s Marketplace: an online shop just for indie retailers. Full of useful digital products, merch, and swag, it’s the perfect spot for indie retail store owners to find products made just for them. Listen in to…

I’m not a big gratitude journaler. I rely on my journal when I need to get things out of my head, which helps me gain clarity and see the complete picture. But there is a straightforward gratitude exercise I love, and today, I’m sharing it with you. Listen in to learn why this simple gratitude exercise has helped me gain a new perspective after a c…

With 2024 in our sights, we’re not far off from the next round of presidential elections. One of our Master Shopkeepers members, Julie, recently asked if I could share any insights into this question: “do election years affect retail sales?” There are many small business owners—and in particular, independent retail store owners—who firmly believe t…

Many shopkeepers avoid hosting retail store clearance sales. Whether they’re worried about the perceived value of their goods or what other store owners might think, it’s common for shopkeepers to avoid marking down their old stock. Sadly, these worries can affect their bottom line and the health of their business. A well-executed retail store clea…

Many of the store owners inside Master Shopkeepers and the Savvy Shopkeeper community at large are also creatives, makers, and artists. After establishing their stores, the next question those makers ask is, “When should I wholesale in my business?” In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to decide if it’s time to start wholesaling in your business fr…

Whether you’re a Savvy Starter with a newly opened storefront or a Growing Retailer expanding into a second location, your first point of contact with customers isn’t happening at your store. It’s happening on the web! In today’s episode, I’m sharing how you can conduct a simple retail store website homepage audit to ensure that your website is hel…

After years of leading groups with hundreds of store owners, I can confidently report that ALL POS systems go down. Yes, all of them! There’s not one system that’s better than another when it comes to this. So if—scratch that, when—your POS system goes down, do you have a plan? Listen to this quick, valuable episode to learn what options you have w…