Episodes

  • 237. Retailer Success Series: Cindy’s Journey to Building a Thriving Bead Store

    237. Retailer Success Series: Cindy’s Journey to Building a Thriving Bead Store
    Nov 25 2024
    With host retail coach In This Episode: Do you need inspiration navigating your role as an accidental entrepreneur? This episode is for you! Like many of us, Cindy Boissonneault of Poco Inspired in Winnipeg didn’t intend on putting on a CEO hat and running a retail business. In this episode, Cindy shares her inspiring journey from overcoming stress-induced challenges to becoming a successful retail entrepreneur. With no prior retail experience, Cindy built her bead store into a thriving business by mastering inventory management, focusing on what works, and building strong systems. Tune in to hear her strategies for transitioning into a true CEO role, creating a sellable business, and achieving retail excellence—all while staying connected to her customers and community. In this episode, Cindy and I chat about: Her 20-year journey from overcoming stress-related illness to owning a thriving bead store. How buying an existing retail business kickstarted her entrepreneurial career. The value of niching down: Focusing on what sells best. Transitioning from hands-on retail to strategic CEO leadership. Key insights into creating a sellable business with strong systems and processes. Practical strategies for inventory management and using metrics to make tough decisions. Collaboration with competitors: Why rising tides lift all ships. Planning secrets for reducing stress and driving success. Takeaways for All Independent Retailers: Understanding your unique selling point and investing in expertise. Developing systems (SOPs) that make your business scalable and sellable. Using metrics to guide inventory and revenue decisions—don’t let emotions dictate choices. Building community, both in-store and with competitors, to boost customer loyalty. Stepping into your CEO role: Plan ahead and delegate effectively. Cindy is an active member of the and the program. Join smart retailers like Cindy inside either of those programs this year. “If coming to my shop today wasn’t the best thing our customer did, then we haven’t done our job.” -Cindy Boissonneault, Poco Inspired Related podcasts we think you’ll like: : Retailer Success Series: Community, Culture, & CEO Mindset with Amy Cseh : Retailer Success Series: Community Marketing Strategies with Millie Blackwell : Behind the Counter: Buying an Existing Business with Shop Owners Dan & Robin Haynes About Cindy and Poco Inspired Cindy Boissonneault was a part-time employee at her bead shop prior to purchasing it over 10 years ago. She is an independent spirit who describes herself as a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. Prior to owning Poco Inspired, a bead store in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Cindy’s background included Business Administration, Human Resources, and Events Management. Follow along with Poco Inspired: | 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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    40 mins
  • 236. How to Clear Inventory Fast and Boost Holiday Sales in Your Retail Store

    236. How to Clear Inventory Fast and Boost Holiday Sales in Your Retail Store
    Nov 18 2024
    With host retail coach In This Episode: Don’t sit on cash. This time of the year we want to move inventory OUT. Let’s make sure you don’t have any extra inventory left after the holidays. Let’s also optimize how much you can get for what you do have and let’s turn it into cash before the end of the holidays! In this episode, I’m sharing practical, effective tips to help independent retailers move slow-moving or excess inventory. I’ll tell you how to leverage bundling, flash sales, and other simple promotional strategies to clear stock and improve holiday sales. Some Takeaways: Optimize Inventory Levels: Regularly assess your stock to ensure you're not overstocked on items that aren't moving. Set a Clearance Timeline: Establish a plan for holiday decor or seasonal items to avoid post-holiday clutter. Bundling Products: Combine slow-moving items with popular ones to create attractive themed bundles. Create “Last Chance” Sections: Designate a specific area in your store for final sale items to draw attention. Use Flash Sales and Events: Go live or send emails to promote limited-time offers that create urgency. Exclusive Discounts for Loyalty Members: Reward your loyal customers with early access to deals. Gift With Purchase (GWP): Offer a free gift to customers who spend over a certain amount to clear out smaller stock. Host a Live Sale: Engage customers by showcasing products directly, ideal for highlighting overlooked items. Mystery Bags & Stocking Stuffers: Surprise and delight customers with mystery items to encourage impulse buys. End-of-Season Blowout: Schedule an annual or biannual clearance event to keep stock fresh and avoid storing unsold items. “We don’t want to box up money. Keep your inventory moving and in front of customers.” -Wendy Batten Related podcasts we think you’ll like: : Tight on Cash Flow? Let’s Turn Your Old Inventory into Cash for You : Mystery Bags: A Simple Retail Marketing Promotion : Earning Your Customers’ Support and 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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    21 mins
  • 235. How to Design Your Best Retail Year Ever

    235. How to Design Your Best Retail Year Ever
    Nov 11 2024
    With host retail coach In This Episode: Make 2025 the best year ever in your retail business! In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing how to do exactly that. I’ll share actionable steps for setting goals, vision-storming, and creating a strategic marketing plan. Whether you're a planner or not, this episode is packed with easy tips to ensure you are ready to hit the ground running in 2025. If you like this episode but need a little more, you can grab my on-demand on my website. Let’s dive in! Key Takeaways: Looking Back to Plan Ahead: Reflect on your business’s performance over the past year to identify what worked and what didn’t. Vision Storming: Craft a clear vision of what you want your business to achieve in 2025, focusing on growth, freedom, and profitability. Set Realistic Goals: Develop SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) goals to align your vision with actionable steps. Create a Marketing Strategy: Design a marketing plan that matches your revenue goals and targets new customer visibility and engagement. Prioritize Your Team & Systems: Evaluate the support you need and implement systems that will help you reach your goals smoothly. Write out your 1-5 BIG Vision goals: for the year on one page and keep it close. "A better year starts now. If you want to go from good to great, or fine to better, this is how we do it." -Wendy Batten Your Next Steps: Here’s what I want you to do this week. Commit to creating a plan, then grab the workshop, and schedule time to work through your business goals. And of course, you’re always welcome to join us in the where we dig into this stuff even more! All of my courses are available at no additional cost to all members of the Inner Circle. Related podcasts we think you’ll like: : Five Steps to Simplify Your Content Planning : Coffee Chat Breaks with Wendy: Annual Planning That Fills Your Life Buckets : Simple Shifts to Boost Your Bottom Line This Holiday Season 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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    26 mins
  • 234. Simple Shifts to Boost Your Bottom Line This Holiday Season

    234. Simple Shifts to Boost Your Bottom Line This Holiday Season
    Nov 4 2024
    With host retail coach In This Episode: Want to increase profitability in your retail shop this holiday season? Let’s talk about how! I’m chatting all about how to make that bottom line number BIGGER in this episode. It’s not about revenue - it’s about what stays in your pocket after all the bills are paid. I’ll walk you through some simple, practical changes that will help you make more profit this season without overwhelming yourself. Key Takeaways: Profit vs. Revenue: We’ve got to stop chasing that top-line revenue number like it’s the only thing that matters. What we really want is profit—what’s left after you pay for everything that makes your business run. “Revenue is vanity. Profit is sanity.” -unknown Easy Pricing Tweaks: One quick win for you—try raising your prices by 3-5%. Don’t panic! Small increases can make a huge difference in your margins without customers feeling like prices went up. Trim Your Operating Expenses: Take a good look at where your money is going. Is there something you can negotiate, cut, or adjust? Things like shipping costs, credit card fees, and even your phone plan can often be negotiated down with a little effort. (But be sure not to cut expenses that are making you money or that you are gaining value from!) Think Percentages, Not Dollars: When you focus on making small percentage changes, like reducing expenses by just 1%, you’ll start seeing big results over time. It’s all about those small wins adding up! Your Next Steps: Here’s what I want you to do this week: Take a walk around your shop and really look at your pricing. Is there an opportunity to nudge things up just a bit? Next, review your expenses line by line and see where you can make a tiny cut that won’t affect your business but will boost your bottom line. If you’re ready to dive deeper into increasing your profits, I’ve got a workshop and a three-part waiting for you at . Let’s get you making those simple changes that will bring in more profits without the stress. And of course, you’re always welcome to join us in the where we dig into this stuff even more! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: : Money Talk & Mindset with Profits First Coach April Stroink : Holiday Sales Tips from Seasoned Shop Owners : Retail Growth Through Small Steps : Workshops & Classes: Added Income for Your Retail Shop 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
  • 233. Preparing Your Retail Business for Sale or Expansion: The Essential Checklist

    233. Preparing Your Retail Business for Sale or Expansion: The Essential Checklist
    Oct 28 2024
    With host retail coach In This Episode: Are you thinking of selling or expanding your retail business? Think that’s not for you? Never say never! Either way, it’s important to prepare for the unexpected - and that’s exactly what we’ll be discussing in this episode. We need to be building brands that are sellable. As a retail coach, I’ve helped countless retailers through these phases. I’ve identified four critical areas you need to review to ensure your business is in top shape for opportunities as they arise. Key Takeaways: The 4 Key Areas for Growth-Ready Retail Businesses: Solid Systems Document operational processes (think recipe cards for everything!) Create living documents for your team to reference Ensure systems can be scaled to a new location Financial Health Keep organized, clean books—no messy finances Use tools like QuickBooks or Xero Make sure your business is profitable and cash flow is clear Brand Strength & Reputation Consistently deliver on your brand promise Monitor your reputation in the community and online Conduct regular brand audits Email List Grow and nurture your email list—it’s an asset you own Don’t rely solely on social media for customer connections Are your wheels turning? What’s on your to-do list after listening to this episode? Where can you improve your sell-ability? Let’s continue the conversation in my DMs on Instagram (@wendybatten.biz) or join my email list! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: : Money Talk & Mindset with Profits First Coach April Stroink : How To Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Guest Expert & Author Shep Hyken : Fine Tuning Your Retail Business Operations with Business Strategist Gwen Bortner 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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    29 mins
  • 232. Earning Your Customers’ Support and Sales

    232. Earning Your Customers’ Support and Sales
    Oct 21 2024
    With host retail coach In This Episode: Are you earning your customers' support and loyalty? What do the words “shop local” mean to you? It’s not enough to expect people to shop locally just because we’re a small business selling quality items. We need to create a brand and experience that makes them want to support us. We need to earn our customers’ support and not simply “guilt” them into shopping locally. “People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories, and magic.” -Seth Godin Key Takeaways: Customer experience is everything. Focus on how your store makes customers feel when they walk through the door. Review all of your shop standards and train your team. Do not look at customers as sales, look at your customers and think about how you can serve THEM. Stop guilting customers into shopping locally. Instead, create an inviting and engaging environment that encourages them to return. It’s about relationships, not transactions. This is the foundation of customer loyalty. Let’s give them the magic. Regularly assess your store’s atmosphere: Is it clean, welcoming, and engaging? Small details like ambiance and staff training play a huge role. Curate products with your customer in mind: Keep evolving your inventory to stay relevant and interesting. “It is about them. It is not about us. We want our customers to feel amazing about shopping local, not guilt them into it.” -Wendy Batten Are you creating relationships, weaving in stories, and creating magic in your beautiful shop? Let’s talk about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Feel free to continue the conversation on Instagram @wendybatten.biz or check out our programs on ! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: : How To Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Guest Expert & Author Shep Hyken : How to Create a Customer Journey Map : Customer Service vs. Customer Experience : Having a Monthly Playbook for Your Retail Shop 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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    13 mins
  • 231. 3 Retail Marketing Levers to Push to Increase Your Holiday Sales

    231. 3 Retail Marketing Levers to Push to Increase Your Holiday Sales
    Oct 14 2024
    With host retail coach In This Episode: I’m diving into the three big metrics I encourage my retailers to track and improve in order to increase sales especially during the holiday season. And what’s more important than that this time of year?! We dug into the importance of tracking these metrics a few weeks back with my retailers at the meetup. It gets me fired up to talk about these things because I know just how effective an intentional marketing plan can be if you are tracking the right numbers. So let’s start there! The first thing you want to be clear on is knowing your numbers: Before you put any marketing strategies in place, you need to focus on knowing exactly how much money I need to make. This includes knowing how much you need for rent, payroll, insurance, etc. Once you have this number, you can reverse engineer to determine how you are going to make that money. This means setting foot traffic goals, tracking conversion rates, and increasing average order value (AOV). Foot Traffic: How many customers you need to enter the shop in order to hit your financial targets. I recommend writing it out: “I need X customers by [date].” Conversion Rate: Track how many visitors make a purchase, and then focus on ways to improve it—whether through better in-store experiences or staff training. Average Order Value (AOV): You should always be looking for ways to increase AOV, using value-add promotions instead of just relying on discounts. By knowing your numbers and working backward, you can create a clear, actionable plan to increase foot traffic and improve your conversion rate and AOV. Thanks for tuning in! I would love it if you would share this episode with other retailers who might find it helpful. Let’s grow together! Related podcasts we think you’ll like: : How to Plan and Host Successful Events and Promotions in Your Shop : How to Market Promotional Events in Your Retail Shop : 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, 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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    16 mins
  • 230. Takeaways from my Mastermind Retreat: Building Connections and Strong Businesses

    230. Takeaways from my Mastermind Retreat: Building Connections and Strong Businesses
    Oct 7 2024
    With host retail coach In This Episode: Do you know who your “people” are in your business life? Do you have a trustworthy sounding board for your big ideas? A mentor to guide you in the right direction when you feel stuck in your retail business? I just hosted my Level Up Mastermind members here in my hometown of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and I am vibrating with excitement to share the takeaways with you on the podcast. I believe that being a part of a group like this is so important for so many reasons that I touch on in this episode. It was such an inspiring week, and I hope you can take away a few nuggets of wisdom to implement in your retail business! Major Takeaways from the Retreat: Care About Your People: Truly caring about your customers and clients makes all the difference. It's not just about sales; it’s about creating an experience that makes your customers feel seen, heard, and valued. You Can’t Create in a Silo: Ideas flourish in conversation with other like-minded business owners. Sparks fly when you surround yourself with peers who understand the retail grind and inspire you to level up. Invest in Personal and Business Development: Successful retailers invest in their growth. Financials, marketing, skill development - Whether it's attending retreats or working with mentors, personal development fuels business success. Relationships Are Rocket Fuel: Your business thrives when you nurture relationships—with customers, team members, vendors, and fellow shop owners. Building intentional connections leads to greater success. Protect Your CEO Time: As retail business owners, it’s easy to get caught up in the small tasks, but your job is to focus on the big strategy. Delegate the small stuff and be the visionary your business needs. Podcast Mentions Related podcasts we think you’ll like: : Money Talk & Mindset with Profits First Coach April Stroink : Retailer Success Series: Community Marketing Strategies with Millie Blackwell : 5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Profit Margins (and Why You Should!) 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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    37 mins