• 229. Having a Monthly Playbook for Your Retail Shop
    Sep 30 2024
    With host retail coach In This Episode: You hear me say it in every episode, but it’s true: running a retail business doesn’t have to be so hard! Sure, there are aspects of it that feel hard and heavy sometimes, but help is here. Let’s chat a bit about the magical tool I’ve created inside of the Retailer’s Inner Circle that keeps my retailers on track every month called the Retailer’s Playbook. Get your CEO hat out! The Retailer’s Playbook was created because I had so many retailers urging me to tell them what they need to do every month. It is a multi-page document that helps you track your progress, plan your social media and promotions, increase your profits, and stay on top of the day-to-day tasks that often go by the wayside. Retailers love the Playbook because it frees up their time, empowers them to make decisions in their shops, and has the potential to increase profitability. Having freedom in your retail business looks different for everyone, but one thing we all have to have to stay afloat is profitability. How the Retailer’s Playbook can help you: Key Elements of the Playbook Reflection questions: Getting curious on what worked, what didn’t, and where we can improve Goal Setting: Focus on setting realistic revenue, marketing, and operational goals that are results-driven Marketing Calendar: Provides pre-planned email subject lines, social posts, and promotions/events Operational Tasks Checklist: Make sure everything is done—inventory, bank statements, and managing your team - Self-Care & Mindset: I include reminders for self-care because if we aren’t well, neither is our business Why I Believe You Need a Monthly Playbook It keeps your operations, marketing, and finances on track You’ll feel more clarity and direction each month It reduces the chaos we often feel, especially during busy seasons How you can get a Monthly Retailer’s Playbook Join us inside my Retailer’s Inner Circle coaching program. The Retailer’s Playbook is exclusive to the and is just a small piece of all of the great tools available in that group. We also have a monthly group coaching call, countless masterclasses that are taught by me and other guest experts, small progress pod groups that meet weekly to help keep each other on track, and so much more. Join us now, ahead of Q4! See you inside! Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the . You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including , 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: : The Numbers Successful Retail Shop Owners are Measuring : Behind the Counter: Meet Inner Circle Member Jeanne Terrill : Behind the Scenes: New Retailer’s Inner Circle Support : Protecting Your Retail Store: Simple & Effective Loss Prevention Tips About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of 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 , 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, , 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 For more support from Wendy
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    27 mins
  • 228. Protecting Your Retail Store: Simple & Effective Loss Prevention Tips
    Sep 23 2024
    With host retail coach 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 . You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including , 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: : Tight on Cash Flow? Let’s Turn Your Old Inventory into Cash! : Retailers: First Impressions Count! : 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 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 , 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, , 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 For more support from Wendy
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    23 mins
  • 227. Improve Customer Loyalty and Become Referable with Katrina Scarlett
    Sep 16 2024
    With host retail coach 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: | | | Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the . You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including , 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: : How to Wow and Delight Your Customers and Keep Them Coming Back : How to Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Author Shep Hyken : How to Create a Customer Journey Map : 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 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 , 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, , 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 ...
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    33 mins
  • 226. Does Your Shop’s Reality Match Your Vision?
    Sep 9 2024
    With host retail coach 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 . Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the . You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including , 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: : The Retailer’s Ecosystem: Where to Spend Your Time and Focus Within Your Business : The Karate Kid Stages Will Help Your Retail Business : 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 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 , 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, , 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,...
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    24 mins
  • 224. An Easy Fix to a Common Retail Marketing Mistake
    Aug 26 2024
    With host retail coach Looking for a retail survival guide for the Holidays? I’ve got you! My 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! ! 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 . You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including , 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: : Increase Sales with Your Silent Salesperson: Signage : Stop Hiding and Be Known: Retailer’s Visibility Series : How to Raise the Bar on Excellence in Retail with Guest Expert Jeffrey Shaw : 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 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 , 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, , 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 For more support from Wendy
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    19 mins
  • 223. Behind the Counter: Buying an Existing Business with Shop Owners Dan and Robin Haynes
    Aug 19 2024
    With host retail coach 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 . 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. | Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the . You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including , 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: : Best of Series: Prepare to Sell, Franchise, or Expand: Four Areas That Need to be Under Control : Fine Tuning Your Business Operations with Guest Expert Gwen Bortner : 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 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 , 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, , 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 For more support from Wendy
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    46 mins
  • 222. 6 Things to Do This Month to Prepare Your Shop for the Holidays
    Aug 12 2024
    With host retail coach 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 . 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 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 Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the . You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including , 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: : How to Raise the Bar on Excellence in Retail with Guest Expert Jeffrey Shaw Sales Series for the Holidays : 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 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 , 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, , 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 For more support from Wendy
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    25 mins
  • 221. How to Raise the Bar on Excellence in Retail with Guest Expert Jeffrey Shaw
    Aug 5 2024
    With host retail coach 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 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: | | | | Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. Here’s everything you need to know about the . You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including , 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: : Unscalable Conversations: A Free, Simple and Powerful Marketing Tool To Use : How to Make Real Progress in Your Business with Guest Expert Richard Ralston : 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 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 , 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, , 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 For more support from Wendy
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    52 mins