Richer Retailer - Scaling Retail Stores Past 7 Figures

August in retail comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion, and it can roar out with great momentum if you play it right. In this month's State of Retail episode, Cathy Wagner shares why this is the perfect time for independent retailers to lead smarter, not hustle. You'll hear the latest economic updates, actionable merchandising tips, and creative ways to deepen community engagement and boos...

Have you ever wondered if the right words, shared at the right moment, could transform your business and someone else’s life? Meet Laura Schmidt, Cathy’s guest for this episode and founder of notes to self, a brand built on the simple yet powerful belief that words make all the difference. After years in engineering and sales, Laura followed her heart and transformed positive affirmations into a n...

Leadership isn’t just about guiding others, it’s about first leading yourself with compassion, courage, and honesty. In this inspiring conversation, Cathy Donovan Wagner sits down with Sherry Winn: two-time Olympian, national championship-winning coach, bestselling author, and founder of The Winning Leadership development Company. Sherry has empowered thousands of executives at global brands like...

Ever wondered how curiosity, retail trends, and human connection can transform your retail business? In this episode, Cathy Wagner sits down with Dominick Miserandino, founder of RTM Nexus, for a fascinating conversation about the future of retail and the mindset shifts store owners need to stay ahead. From his start in digital media to mentoring retailers through COVID to launching a retail-tech...

It’s halftime, retailers! Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025? Whether you're crushing your goals or wondering where the last six months went, this episode will help you hit the reset button with purpose. Cathy shares why now is a powerful moment to pause, reassess, and realign. You’ll hear fresh retail trends, surprising customer behaviors that could change how you approach the res...

As summer starts to heat up, it’s easy to overlook the inventory that’s quietly taking up space and eating away at your cash flow. Whether your traffic is slowing down or picking up, now is the moment to move those non-sellers and reinvest in what’s working. In this encore of one of our most downloaded episodes, Cathy breaks down how inventory hoarding drains your profit, clutters your floor (and...

In this episode, branding expert Sue Kirchner, owner of Brand Strong Marketing, joins host Cathy to share a fundamental truth: "Your brand isn't what you say it is; it's what they say it is." Discover why a brand is more than just a logo, how it's perceived by customers, and the common mistakes businesses often make. Gain actionable tips to differentiate your business and create memorable experien...

You are the CEO of your store. You deserve to be paid well. Your customers deserve a store that thrives. In this power-packed episode, Cathy Donovan Wagner dives deep into one of the most overlooked threats to retail profitability: gut-based pricing. If you've ever said, “That price just feels right,” or hesitated to charge what something’s truly worth, this one’s for you. Learn why emotion-based...

Clarity. Curation. Connection. June is here and if it feels like the energy is all over the place, you're not imagining it! Some stores are swamped with tourists, others are seeing slower traffic, and many of you are wondering, “Do I need to discount everything just to keep sales moving?” Before you make any big decisions, let’s take a breath and zoom out. In this month’s State of Retail episode,...

True transformation in business begins the moment you decide you're no longer just a store owner, you’re a CEO building a legacy, not just a livelihood. In this powerful, heart-opening episode of The Richer Retailer, Cathy sits down with the brilliant Liz Szporn, a Profit First coach, transformational leader, and lifelong changemaker. From helping build a business from a rental car to guiding othe...

Is the economy slowing down? Maybe. But that doesn’t mean your retail business has to. A fellow retailer recently asked Cathy a powerful question: “How to continue growing with an economy that’s in decline?” In this episode, Cathy answers with clarity, encouragement, and action. She shares the exact retail growth strategies you can use even in a slow economy to keep your momentum going. From smart...

Feeling stuck in the red but dreaming of seven figures?  In this empowering solo episode, Cathy Donovan Wagner tackles one of the most frequently asked questions by retailers: "How do I grow when I'm not even profitable yet?" Cathy shares her own journey of struggling with this exact question and lays out a clear, actionable path to stability and eventual scale. This episode is a must-listen for a...

Ever feel like you’re always a step behind, despite having great systems, a solid team, and real passion for your store? In this powerful and personal episode, Cathy answers a heartfelt question from retailer, Linda, who asked how to "push her business to the next level.” The answer? Stop pushing. Start flowing. This episode dives deep into the obstacles and structures that keep independent retail...

What’s really happening in independent retail right now?  We’re kicking off a brand-new monthly State of Retail episode to help you clear through the noise, get grounded in the data, and take purposeful action based on current retail trends. In this May episode, Cathy Donovan Wagner shares the latest shifts she’s seeing across the industry, everything from slowing traffic to changing customer beha...

What if the only way forward... was to walk away? In this powerful episode, Cathy sits down with internationally acclaimed speaker and award-winning business coach Pat Mussieux, who shares the boldest transformation of her life  and the mindset that made it possible. Through raw, real conversation, Cathy and Pat unpack what it really takes to be “richer”,  not just in dollars, but in health, wealt...

Tired of the same old sourcing strategies? Ready to shake up your retail strategy and discover fresh opportunities? This week, Cathy sits down with Darrin Stern from H&H Americas to explore the power of trade shows for independent retailers. They dive into how these events can help you uncover new products, connect with a thriving community, and gain invaluable insights to evolve your business...

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the business side of retail, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode Cathy answers a heartfelt question from Ali, a store owner who’s been pouring her passion into her business but is struggling with financial management, taxes, and tracking expenses. Sound familiar? Cathy breaks down the two most powerful actions retailers can take to stop spinning their...

Ever set a big business goal and thought, “What do I need to do to get there? In this powerful, unplanned episode, Cathy sits down with RETAILMavens COO & CMO Cecilia Kautzman after an inspiring walk and team retreat to unpack the mindset shifts, self-awareness, and strategic growth moves required to grow into the business and the business owner you want to become. What You’ll Learn: Why the B...

Tariffs are shifting, costs are rising, and retailers are feeling the squeeze so how do you protect your profits? Cathy sits down with retail expert and coach Dana to tackle the challenges of cost management in today’s unpredictable economy. From supply chain disruptions to navigating price adjustments that don’t scare off your customers, this episode is packed with smart, actionable strategies to...

Retail is evolving, but one thing remains constant: the power of customer connection. In this episode, Cathy sits down with Nick McHenry from OneShop to explore how retailers can strengthen relationships through email marketing, a tool that’s far from outdated. They break down why personalized emails are more relevant than ever, how to boost open rates, and why email automation can be a game-chang...

If your books are a mess, your business is bleeding money and you might not even know it yet. We joke that this topic is “dry as dust” but in reality it’s like water to your store’s thirsty soil - If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by bookkeeping or tempted to ignore your numbers, this episode is for you! Cathy sits down with Kirk Johnson, RETAILMavens’ Profit First Maven, to discuss why your store’s...

Think retail is dying? Think again. This episode will completely shift your perspective on what it takes to thrive in today’s fast-changing retail world, no doom and gloom, just real strategies, fresh insights, and powerful mindset shifts. In this episode of Richer Retailer, Cathy Donovan Wagner sits down with Crystal Vilkaitis from Rooted in Retail to discuss the evolving retail landscape. They d...

How can embracing community values and ethical branding set your retail business apart?  We explore how community values and ethical branding impact retail businesses in today’s episode with Cadence Kidwell from Fuzzy goat and Janet Avila and String Theory Yarn, a back-to-back guest. Discover why authenticity in your brand message matters more than ever and how personal stories can foster deeper c...

Are you constantly planning but struggling to take action?  In this episode of Richer Retailer, Cathy Donovan Wagner dives into a common trap many retailers fall into: Getting stuck in strategy mode. While planning is essential, it's easy to get so caught up in perfecting every detail that we forget to take meaningful action. Cathy shares her personal experiences and lessons learned from her coach...

What if you could increase your customer’s lifetime value by 30% with just one simple shift? In Part 7 of the Top 7 Money Makers in 2025 series, Cathy chats with Josh Orr, founder of Capital Commerce, an agency that helps successful brick-and-mortar retailers translate their in-store traction into thriving online e-commerce sales. Josh shares his expertise on creating seamless customer engagement...