Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 239 | Behind the Counter: Building the Business You Wish Existed with Jasmine McCue
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In This Episode:
What kind of business do you wish existed in your community? Jasmine McCue, owner of The Crow’s Nest Pantry in Alberta, identified just that and then made it a reality. In this episode, Jasmine shares her inspiring journey of starting the pantry to address her community’s needs and how it evolved into what it is today. She shares lessons learned about staffing and planning and the power of using data to drive success.
Listen in to discover valuable insights for independent retailers!
Episode Highlights:
- Small town, big vision: Jasmine describes how she turned a community need into a profitable, beloved store.
- Data-driven decisions: The importance of using sales data to refine inventory and meet customer demand (including an amusing story about Brussels sprouts!)
- Planning saves time and money: How Jasmine leveraged pre-planning to improve profit margins and efficiency
- Staffing lessons: Managing challenges with employees while prioritizing the needs of the business
- Creative marketing: Innovative ideas like partnering with Airbnbs to attract new customers.
Jasmine is an active member of the Retailer’s Inner Circle program and is part of one of our Progress Pods inside the group. Join her and other amazing retailers like her in 2025!
“Freedom lies on the other side of hard conversations.” -Wendy Batten
Related podcasts we think you’d like:
Episode 238: Behind the Counter: Building Community Through Beautiful Spaces with Lisa Wrixon
Episode 220: Retailer Success Series: How Two Friends Turned a Creative Hobby into a Successful Retail Business
Episode 204: Behind the Counter: Meet Inner Circle Member Jeanne Terrill
About Jasmine and The Crow’s Nest Pantry:
Jasmine is a pharmacist by trade but her passion has led her on a path to serve her community through opening The Crow’s Nest Pantry. She opened her business because she believes everyone deserves access to wholesome bulk food and natural products that they can afford. Their shelves are filled with diverse bulk foods and natural products at competitive prices.
When you shop local, you not only save money but also contribute to the well-being of our planet.
Follow along with Jasmine and The Crow’s Nest Pantry: Website | Instagram
About Your Host, Wendy Batten:
In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of The Retailer’s Inner Circle, 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 top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, 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 https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/
For more support from Wendy:
Retailer’s Inner Circle – Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community
Wendy’s FREE Resources for shop owners
Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG
All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.
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