Retail For The Rest Of Us: A Podcast For Indie Retailers Who Want To Make Sales, Build Community and Grow Their Shops

Two months ago, I returned to the pod to share that I’d been thinking about quitting my business. And I told you about the 25 things I’m quitting instead of quitting my business. Checking email in bed. Skipping lunch. Creating for the algorithm. I was kicking them to the curb! But did I…? In today’s episode, I’m back with an update on how all my quitting is going. Tune in to hear what’s working, w...

The year is starting to come to a close, and here at Feel Good Retail that means the reflection has started! So this week I’m sharing the three biggest lessons I’ve learned in 2022 including— I don’t need more ideas (but I do need more follow through) Follow the feedback! Comparison is the death of creativity Whether you’re counting down the days until 2023 or cherishing every last moment of this...

This time of year the pressure starts to build. So instead of offering another thing to think/do/implement, this week I’m checking in to help us recenter. Tune in so we can: Take a deep breath together Remember to stop comparing ourselves to other retailers/business owners/influencers/high school frenemies online Release urgency & focus on what’s really important to us If living (and dying 💀)...

In the world of retail, we’re taught that running a sale is always a good idea - because more transactions = more money = good. But is that really true? And do we have to run promotions at the holidays or any other time? Here’s what I think: promotions are a tool, not a necessity. Tune in to this episode for: A permission slip to have a sale-free holiday season Advice on how to make sure your prom...

It’s been a long year, besties. And I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted…just in time for the busiest season in retail. So if your inner monologue feels like any (or all) of these emojis 😬😵‍💫💩😴, tune in for the seasonal support you’ll need to: Grant yourself permission to push things to 2023 Surrender to this time of year Put your business on cruise control You’ve got this. We’ve got thi...

Every holiday season has it’s own unique flavor that effects everything from your decisions as a business owner to your customers’ approach to shopping. This season that flavor seems to be recession… Yikes. 😅 But it’s ok! Who knows more about making big magic with a small budget than indie retailers?! Litttttterally NO ONE. Tune in for our take on how special gifts, storytelling, and working smar...

How do you get back to business when you’re so tired/burned out/exhausted you want to close up shop forever…? Well, last week I shared everything I’m quitting instead  of my business . So this week I’m checking in with what actually feels good in my work. And sharing how all our choices (retail and otherwise) can be more aligned. Tune in to hear me unpack my 3-step process for feel-good decision-m...

Hey babe. Can we all agree that it’s been a tough year for small business owners? In this episode, I share a few big behind-the-scenes changes at Feel Good Retail and come clean about something I was struggling with all summer — wanting to quit my business. Tune in to hear how I came back from the brink of burning it all down. And keep listening for my list of 25 things I’m quitting instead of my...

Welcome back to our special miniseries all about community! This month, we’ve been talking about how connections, customers, clients & community can transform your retail business. This week we’re wrapping up the series with an episode about your community must-haves. Think values, systems, automations & activations. Here’s your new top five: Your shop’s soul statement A hell-yes reason to...

Ready to dive deeper into the relationship cycle?! This week Janine becomes your tour guide through the four phases of the cycle, taking us into how-to of turning your casual connections into ride-or-die community members that sell your shop/products for you. If you’re just landing here, go back two episodes to get the scoop on what this series is about! Then tune in every Wednesday in June and Ja...

Welcome back to our special miniseries all about community! Tune in every Wednesday in June and Janine will walk you through how connections, customers, clients & community can transform your retail business. This week we’re talking about the relationship cycle. That’s how people go from connection to customer to client to community, supporting your shop every step of the way. In this episode,...

We’ve said it before & we’ll say it again — the most effective way to grow your retail business is to focus on relationships. So this month on the pod, we’ve made you a special miniseries all about community! Tune in every Wednesday in June and Janine will walk you through how connections, customers, clients & community can transform your retail business. This week we kick things off by ex...

This week, we’re wrapping up our series on resources with a shopkeep Q&A! You don't want to miss this extra juicy episode where Janine answers your questions about money, marketing & mental health. Spoiler alert! Here are the questions we answer— What do I do about these Etsy fees?! How the hell do I figure out my open-to-buy? Where do I start when all my metrics are low? How do I act...

Have you ever wondered if one good piece of press could make your shop successful forever? That’s the magic of public relations! (Sort of.) This week, we have Nora Wolf of Wolf PR and Wolf Craft on the podcast to give us the rundown about what PR can do for small businesses...and what it can’t. In this episode we cover: What PR is and isn’t (especially now that everything’s digital) When it makes...

Ready to hear a hot take? You don’t need the algorithm. The algorithm needs you. Platforms like Instagram make their money selling ads against the attention that creators — including dope indie brands like you — cultivate. But you don’t have to spend your precious time making money for Mark Zuckerberg just to grow your shop! In this episode, Janine unpacks why diversifying your marketing is so imp...

Are you ready to meet your new favorite bookkeeper? Or let’s be real—your first ever favorite bookkeeper?! This week, we have our first guest of season three—Feel Good Retail’s very own bookkeeper, Jackie Gala of Simply Accounting. In this episode we cover: The difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant How gross profit & cost of goods sold (aka COGS) are going your business’ BFFs Why V...

Numbers don’t have to be scary, we promise! In fact, we believe that your numbers are neutral, and they’ll show you new opportunities for your business. That’s why this episode is all about intuitive analytics. Join Janine as she talks about which numbers are most important for your shop and how keeping up with your analytics can actually be sweet, sweet self-care. In this episode we cover: Why yo...

This season, we’re exploring what it means to be resourced in retail, and first up we want to know — what resources do you have (or not have) in your business? Join Janine as she talks about integrating money, energy, and your own well-being for indie retail success. In this episode, we cover:  How money matters but resources are more than just money  Why your retail business might be surviving in...

Your indie retail cheerleaders are back for another season! Season 3 of Retail for the Rest of Us will launch on March 16, 2022. This season’s theme is all about the question — What does it mean to be resourced in retail? Tune in on your podcast platform of choice.  ✨ Thanks for listening to the Retail for the Rest of Us archive! There's tons of great advice in this episode, but you may hear...

It's game time ya'll! And I am here to bring you my best version of a Coach Taylor level pep talk. This week, the holiday season goes into full swing, and despite the stress, the anxiety, the unknown, you are prepared to handle whatever this season throws at you. In this episode, we all the tools you have available to make this your best season ever. And definitely check out our Holiday...

Make this holiday season extra special without stressing + spending all your hard-earned money! Liza and I chat through some of our most memorable IRL experiences, why tailoring your brand experience is so important, and how you can have your best holiday season by using our Secret Sauce: Setting Expectations - make it easy on yourself and your community Lever Pullers - having a few tricks up your...

It's time to crunch the numbers and set our goals for the next six weeks! Now, before you hit snooze on this super important step - the one that could potentially make or break how well you do this season - let me work my magic to help change your relationship with setting financial benchmarks. Why? Because making moves on achievable goals is likely what will move the needle towards your succ...

We're getting closer, friends - so here's our critical third step: creating our holiday content before the official craze comes in. Because the last thing you're going to want to do is sit down and think about social media when you have a holiday sales floor to run. But before you let the moans and procrastination roll in, I want to help shift your mindset so you can see what a true...

We're getting real about that Holiday vibe check. Get ready to tune into some serious, expert hot takes as we enter our second action item on our Holiday Roadmap. Because it's time to find our middle ground between full on Holiday decorations and the integrity of our brand. The last thing you want to do to stand out in a world of red and green is wear the colors of red and green. We&apos...

Now is prime time to start preparing and gearing up for the holiday season - and if you're listening to this in the year beyond 2021, that means October. With the Feel Good Holiday Roadmap, I've created a bulletproof action outline that will relieve retailers from at least some of the pressures of this demanding season and help you make that money with a greater sense of ease. And I welc...