Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast

We'd all love to automate more tasks in our retail businesses, especially when there's so much for us to do each day!  Well there's a new type of software on the scene that some retailers are finding helpful for writing-related tasks. It's artificial intelligence software, particularly chat textbots like ChatGPT.  You've probably heard the buzz around these softwares, but do you know how to use th...

Tickets to the 2023 Savvy Shopkeeper Virtual Conference, "Plant Seeds For Retail Growth" are now available! 2-Day Event: Sunday, May 21, 2023 and Monday, May 22, 2023; 11am - 6pm EST Momentum Day: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Listen to this episode to learn all about this year's Virtual Conference. Click here to see the full itinerary, ticket options, and a FAQ section to help answer some common question...

It's the first anniversary of the Savvy Shopkeeper Quiz! In that time, nearly a thousand brick-and-mortar store owners have taken the quiz.  The quiz helps retailers identify what stage of their shopkeeping journey they're in AND gives them a comprehensive roadmap of resources to help them work less, profit more, and grow.  Listen in to hear the backstory behind why I created this tool, what it's...

Hitting a slow season in retail can be disheartening, especially for indie retailers. It's easy to get discouraged when sales are down! But instead of focusing on the lack of sales, let's consider how to make the most of your slow season—and what you can do to profit during it.  Listen in to learn the greatest gift of a slow season, what you shouldn't focus on, and what you absolutely should do to...

The people you surround yourself with constantly influence everything you do, from the clothing you wear to how you run your business to what beliefs you hold!  And while you can counteract some of this subconscious conditioning with your thoughts, it's hard to do that if you don't recognize the types of people you surround yourself with in the first place.  In today's episode, I'm sharing a bit o...

In Q4 of 2022, I found myself reverting to old thought patterns, adding more onto my already full plate, and finally driving myself to burnt-out exhaustion. It was a very tough season that anyone could find themselves in.  In today's episode, I'm sharing my experience with the river of misery, the thoughts that were keeping me there, and the four ways that I was able to get to the other side of bu...

After several years of attending AmericasMart in Atlanta, I was thrilled to attend a new-to-me wholesale market: Las Vegas Market!  We had so much fun seeing how Las Vegas Market compares to AmericasMart, connecting with vendors, and meeting up with members of Master Shopkeepers .  Listen in to hear what I learned at Las Vegas Market and how this market experience stacked up against our tried and...

In this bonus episode of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast I'm sharing some Savvy Shopkeeper updates and making an announcement! Follow me on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/savvyshopkeeper/ Learn more about The CoLab Events here: https://thecolabevents.com/ If you want to learn more about Master Shopkeepers or apply to join, click here: https://savvyshopkeeper.com/groupmembership If y...

Master Shopkeeper Stories are back! The first of the series is Anne, a Master Shopkeeper member. Anne was set to take over her father's consulting business when he retired. But another idea nagged at her: opening, running, and scaling a retail store.  Anne's dream took off quickly, with her first location turning a profit in her second year of business and her second location opening soon after. W...

Joining a business mastermind is both rewarding and intimidating, especially if you've never participated in one before!  If you're considering joining a business mastermind, then this episode is where you should start. Listen in to learn why masterminds are so valuable, the six things you should consider before joining, and why Master Shopkeepers is the best group coaching option for independent...

You've probably heard the term SEO before, but understanding what it means, why it's essential, and how to implement it can be challenging!  In today's episode, I'm sharing how you can get more potential customers to visit your retail store's website with six simple yet powerful search engine optimization fields.  For show notes, including links to the SEO tools mentioned in this episode, visit ht...

Every January, I'm excited to visit AmericasMart in Atlanta. Their annual market week is when we put in our orders for lots of the merchandise we carry in our store. It's also an excellent opportunity to reconnect with our vendors, discover up-and-coming brands, and meet retailers from around the country.  I always learn something new at AmericasMart, and today, I'm sharing my takeaways with you!...

There's a question that keeps lots of shopkeepers up at night: "How am I making money, but not making any money?!"  They have revenue coming into their business, but they're still unable to turn a profit or pay themselves. Unfortunately, that question will continue to keep them tossing and turning without a clear understanding of their numbers. In today's episode, I'm sharing how you can get that...

If you dream of being your own boss and are still working in a full-time career, this episode is for you!  In fact, this episode was inspired by two of our Master Shopkeepers members, Kate and Kristin. They're both working in full-time careers and are store owners. They recently asked me a series of questions about how I took the leap from full-time, steady-paycheck-employee to going all-in on ent...

One of the most important steps in opening a retail business is signing your lease.  In today's episode, I'm sharing ten tips about brick-and-mortar leases. Listen in to learn why you NEED a lease, a few helpful clauses/terms to look for, and who should sign your lease with you depending on where you live.  Whether it's your first time signing a commercial lease for a brick-and-mortar space or you...

So many retail business owners open stores for flexibility and freedom, but all too often, that gets replaced with the hustle and grind. Our businesses tend to consume our whole lives, which makes us feel out of alignment.  In today's episode, I'm sharing my favorite quick exercise for evaluating what I'm doing well, what I could improve on, and what I want to accomplish in the six key areas of my...

When it comes to making decisions, it's all too easy to get bogged down by mental drama. That's why it is so helpful for your mental health as a business owner to LEAN ON DATA. In today's episode, I'm sharing five examples of decisions that are easier to make with data AND how data-driven decisions can significantly lighten your mental load. Listen in to learn about this powerful concept! For show...

When I think back to BEFORE I opened my retail store, I remember the excitement, nervousness…and a person who truly had no idea what they were doing! I didn't know what I didn't know, and I had NO idea how much would be involved with opening.  I was okay with not knowing. But goodness, I would have appreciated some form of guidance or a list to check off through it all! In today's episode, I'm sha...

After months of deliberating, considering, and evaluating, I recently made the hard decision to close the Shopkeeper's Lab and focus exclusively on Master Shopkeepers. In today's episode, I'm sharing some of the GOOD that can come from a tough decision. Because as much as I work on my mindset,  I never want to act like I have "perfected" doing hard things or that I don't feel any emotion in my bus...

Full show notes for this episode are coming soon! Learn more about Kathy Cruz and Savvy Shopkeeper at  Savvy Shopkeeper Follow Kathy on Instagram ( @savvyshopkeeper ) 

Full show notes for this episode are coming soon! Learn more about Kathy Cruz and Savvy Shopkeeper at  Savvy Shopkeeper Follow Kathy on Instagram ( @savvyshopkeeper ) 

Full show notes for this episode are coming soon! Learn more about Kathy Cruz and Savvy Shopkeeper at  Savvy Shopkeeper Follow Kathy on Instagram ( @savvyshopkeeper ) 

Full show notes for this episode are coming soon! Learn more about Kathy Cruz and Savvy Shopkeeper at  Savvy Shopkeeper Follow Kathy on Instagram ( @savvyshopkeeper ) 

Earlier this year, I launched the Savvy Shopkeeper Quiz . After taking the quiz, you'll know what stage of your shopkeeping journey you're in and get a few free resources hand-picked with shopkeepers like you in mind. It's beneficial for shopkeepers to understand WHERE they are on their journey, and the quiz gives shopkeepers that clarity!  In today's episode, I'm diving deep into the fifth stage...

Thank you for listening, subscribing, and telling me how helpful this podcast is to YOU and your business! I'm celebrating this milestone by doing something I've never done before. Taking a break! I'll be back in November with new episodes.  Listen to this shortie episode to find out why and how I'll be celebrating during my break.  Want to stay in touch? Sign up for newsletter on the home page of...