by Wendy Batten
Listen on: Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Radio Republic | YouTube | PlayerFM | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
Episode Summary:
Who has not gotten to this situation at work: “Oh, I thought Wendy was going to do it”, “Wait, I thought Susan had already taken care of it”, and so on. Miscommunication causes big problems in our retail businesses, to slip through the cracks, leaving our small shop in trouble with no one to hold accountable for.
It’s also true of ourselves as self-employed retail owners. Who is watching over us? Who are we accountable to? Who can we get to help support us?
In this week’s episode, I share a few tips on how we can stay accountable in our retail business – if you’ve ever worked for somebody else, which is the case for many of us. In addition, I talk about how I stay accountable and how I created my own accountability group. When building up a great team and company, we as business owners, have to be the first ones to walk the walk. The moment our employees see us taking responsibility and following through with our commitments, they will be more likely to do the same. I discuss a strategy to improve effectively by having an internal support team.
Right now, more than ever before, having strong retail business skills is so important. I’m sharing several ways and areas and ideas on how you can stay on track and accountable in this episode. Who do you have in your world to help you stay accountable?
Maybe, the recent shutdowns and business disruptions have made you realize you need a stronger “backstage” as you come through this uncertain time in business. Being accountable is one of the skills, I go over in my One-On-one Coaching program. We discuss your fears and struggles in business and how we can help you overcome them. Remember, ensuring that everybody in your retail business takes responsibility for each project will make accountability become the new norm in the company’s culture.
So, stay on track, my friend. Find your people. Find a good community to support you. If you need any support with your retail business, you can reach out to me. You can find me at WendyBatten.com and in my Retailer’s Inner Circle. I am so proud of everyone in the group. Inside we work together to stay educated, supported, and accountable – come and join us!
This week’s talking points on the Creative Shop Talk Podcast:
- Staying accountable
- Miscommunication
- Staying on track
- Hobby mindset
- Business mindset
- Where we are financially
- Building an accountability group
- Having a system in place
- Challenging ourselves
- Support team
The Big Takeaway:
Whatever your business, accountability is the one way to foster trust among the team and have a very effective company.
A quote for you:
- “We’re not running a hobby. We are running a business.” – Wendy Batten
Our Sponsor:
The Retailer’s Inner Circle is open and accepting new members. We are the go-to for support, encouragement, education, and yes, accountability.
Our community is unlike others, we understand small shop life, and want to help you reclaim your confidence, clarity, profits, and joy in your retail business. Let us help you.
It’s a great group – leapfrog over obstacles.
Subscribe, Connect & Share Your Favorite Episodes
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Google Podcast to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review. For more great content and helpful tips to grow your creative retail shop, visit our website. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe on YouTube, and don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with other creative retailers.
by Wendy Batten
Listen on: Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Radio Republic | YouTube | PlayerFM | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
Episode Summary:
Today we are starting a new series to bring in brand owners to chat. Today’s guest Suzanne Fulford, founder and the CEO of Dixie Belle Paint Company, started her journey as an enthusiastic DIYer with a passion for cultivating and creating beautiful timeless pieces that brought new life to old, tired, and forgotten furniture. In this week’s episode, Suzanne and I talk about the future of the paint industry, its trends, and how brands work with retailers to make a win-win situation. I also talk about why we do and offer a particular product or service. Suzanne shares how she ended up founding and being the CEO of Dixie Belle Paint Company. Sometimes we are afraid of what could possibly happen with the decisions we make for our businesses. Suzzane was terrified to jeopardize her business and the profits it was bringing to her family. Her perseverance, dedication, and determination led her to have a beautiful paint company. She shares how she did her own website, she took pictures of her product, and how her marketing team helps her give back to retailers. You’re going to love meeting Suzanne and all the tips she shares with us today. Do you like meeting other retailers and like-minded people? Do you need more control and less overwhelm in your retail business? Let me invite you to join my monthly coaching group Retailer’s Inner Circle. Want to learn what’s working for OTHER creative shop owners so you are constantly seeing fresh ideas instead of being stuck? We understand creatives, paint sales, and workshops. We get that you may have been a creative first and now are running this crazy business. The Inner Circle monthly group is a first of its kind experience combining coaching, training, and community support led by retailer and retailer coach strategist, Wendy Batten, who has years of relevant experience as an industry expert. Click here to learn more. 
This week’s talking points on the Creative Shop Talk Podcast:
- Starting a paint-related business
- Branding
- How do brands work with retailers
- Hiring the right people
- Giving back to retailers
- Industry trends
- What is my why
- What do we have to get ready for
- Product education
- Spring season
- Having confidence in your own business
- Stepping out of our comfort zones
The Big Takeaway:
Values have changed and like customers wanting to connect with shops they value, we need to work with brands that share our values. Working together for a win/win for all.
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “I wanted to know what people were buying.” – Suzanne Fulford
- “People are still going to buy things if they like it.” – Suzanne Fulford
- “You have to build excitement.” – Suzanne Sulford
- “I was just going to jump in the river and see where it took me.” – Suzanne Fulford
- “You don’t have to have it all figured out to make big progress and have big things happen.” – Wendy Batten
Our guest:
Dixie Belle Paint Company – Offers non-toxic, no VOC’s, easy cleanup paint, and can be used on virtually any surface! High-quality chalk mineral paint is perfect for painting furniture/material/cabinets and much more. No waxing required. Dixie Belle Paint is owned/operated in the USA! For more information, please visit our website at www.DixieBellePaint.com. https://dixiebellepaint.com/ https://blog.dixiebellepaint.com/ https://www.facebook.com/DixieBellePaint https://www.pinterest.com/dixiebellepaint/_shop/
Subscribe, Connect & Share Your Favorite Episodes
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Google Podcast to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review. For more great content and helpful tips to grow your creative retail shop, visit our website. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe on YouTube, and don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with other creative retailers.
by Wendy Batten
Listen on: Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Radio Republic | YouTube | PlayerFM | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
Episode Summary:
One question I received from a coaching client is “what’s coming for retail, and how can I be ready.” The answer is simple: Get ready! Don’t be complacent, take action on the momentum you may have built in 2020. Shore up the gaps, get confident and strong in the areas you may feel that you have weak links. Be ready for what’s coming. There’s so much hope for retail. Let’s congratulate ourselves for getting through 2020 and let’s get ready for what’s coming!
In this week’s episode, I reveal the small yet powerful things that can help you make a big difference in 2021. We need to regroup and pay attention to what’s coming forward. We want to be ready for anything that’s coming our way. One thing you can do is look back over the year and identify the gaps that might have been in our business. I talk about how I take some time on my schedule every week for personal development. Often we forget the importance of the role of being the CEO of our own business. I also share why is so important to attract the right buying customers into our shop.
Another thing I believe is so important and that will help you make a difference is paying attention to what your customers need. I share some tips on how you can do this without stepping out of your boundaries. Something I made emphasis in this episode is about being memorable. We want people to remember us for what we do and for what we offer. I also share some tips on how to switch things up. That will help people think of us as a shop that is constantly evolving and growing.
There’s so much hope for retail moving forward, if you need support, a community that making great progress in retail, want to learn new skills and guidance with running your retail business, our community may be just what you are looking for. Need help with inventory management, store operation, and business-related things, join my Retail Inner Circle.
If you need support with those CEO roles to help you get ready, if you need support with marketing and putting all, all-the-things together, and become that big picture planner, please reach out. You are not alone, join us.
This week’s talking points on the Creative Shop Talk Podcast:
- Five strategies that can make a difference
- Be proud of yourself
- Identifying weak links
- Strengthening up all of our business areas
- The role of CEO
- Customer service
- Attracting the right customers
- Paying attention to what customers need
- Being remarkable
- Switching this up
- Customer experience
The Big Takeaway:
There are big hope and excitement for what’s coming in retail – BE READY!
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “You do not have to do business alone.” – Wendy Batten
- “We need to make our lives easier and to get more customers in the door, it’s easy!” – Wendy Batten
- “We want to be rememberable.” – Wendy Batten
- “We have to be ready for what’s coming up.” – Wendy Batten
Our Sponsor:
Foot Traffic Made Simple – Do you want a simple marketing plan that helps you promote your beautiful retail shop in your own way — and watch more customers walk through the door on a daily basis?
Stop hoping for foot traffic and start planning for it, with a doable fully mapped out, and clear plan to get customers in the door, the easy way – hint, it’s not about more social media and doing ALL the things!
Subscribe, Connect & Share Your Favorite Episodes
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Google Podcast to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review. For more great content and helpful tips to grow your creative retail shop, visit our website. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe on YouTube, and don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with other creative retailers.
by Wendy Batten
Listen on: Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Radio Republic | YouTube | PlayerFM | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
Episode Summary:
Hey there friends. Many retailers are so busy running their brick-and-mortar stores and creating beautiful things, sometimes we just need a little help with marketing. Having strong retail business skills is going to be key to be successful. Marketing matters. That’s exactly what I teach in my Foot Traffic Made Simple, my new mini-workshop for shop owners.
In today’s episode, I’m doing a Live Coaching call with Lisa Casey from The Painted Pineapple in Moncton, New Brunswick. Lisa has a great following, she rebranded just before the pandemic closed all business – she wants to go from unknown to known by more customers. On our call, we talked about how she has done a great job at getting known in Moncton and ways she can improve. She just needed some tweaks and help and we thought we would share the breakdown and process with you. We discuss tips on nurturing and wowing your customers. We talk about asking for reviews from your customers. So today, we will be helping Lisa get better known and get more customers in the door.
Taking the first step to asking for help is the hardest. If you need help with marketing you are welcome to join me LIVE on March 15th for my Foot Traffic Made Simple mini-workshop.
I’ll be covering all of this and more. We go over a five-part marketing plan so you can put an end to overwhelm. My mission is simple, I want creative shop owners to feel confident and in control of their business, grow their profits, and get back to living the lifestyle they dreamed of!
This week’s talking points on the Creative Shop Talk Podcast:
- Live coaching
- Helping Lisa get better known
- Business marketing
- Retail success
- Nurturing your existing customers
- Google M Business
- Becoming known in our city
- Asking your customers for reviews
- Getting people’s email addresses
The Big Takeaway:
Everybody has different ways of getting the marketing plan running, but the process of attracting customers is similar.
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Value-based selling shows people a bit of our heart.” – Wendy Batten
- “People are going to naturally be curious.” – Wendy Batten
- “You should always be asking your customers to leave reviews on Google.” – Wendy Batten
- “SEO doesn’t have to be that complicated.” – Wendy Batten
- “Even if you can do all the things it doesn’t mean you should.” – Wendy Batten
Our guest:
Lisa Casey Retail Inner Circle member and owner and CEO of http://thepaintedpineapple.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/thepaintedpineapplemoncton
Subscribe, Connect & Share Your Favorite Episodes
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Google Podcast to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review. For more great content and helpful tips to grow your creative retail shop, visit our website. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe on YouTube, and don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with other creative retailers.
by Wendy Batten
Listen on: Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Radio Republic | YouTube | PlayerFM | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
Episode Summary:
Are you constantly asking yourself, where did the day go? Or, why time runs so fast? Believe it or not, we are bombarded by so many time wasters in our day-to-day business that we don’t realize the impact it can generate in our lives. Between emails, text messages, calls, social media notifications, and even our colleagues, we’re constantly battered with potential time-wasters.
Eliminating all the distractions at the office can have a positive impact on your productivity, output, and mental wellbeing. Don’t get me wrong, my friends, distractions happen but we can reduce them.
In this week’s episode, I talked about the three biggest time wasters that we, creative retailers, face on a daily basis and how we can avoid them. Something I hear every day is, “I just don’t have any time. I’m too busy. I’ve just got too much to do.” I shared some tips on how you can stay focus at work. I share the top three time wasters that I changed in my own personal business life and really made a big difference. Of course, it’s natural to get distracted. But it’s when we recognize all those distractions and work out a plan to not let them take over the lives that can make a positive impact on us and others.
I want to remind you that if you need any support join my monthly coaching group Retailer’s Inner Circle. In this group, we work together on these types of problems. We help each other. We had a challenge about the phone distraction and the conversation inside the group was just amazing. Please reach out if I can support you in any way. Click here to learn more about my Retailer’s Inner Circle.
This week’s talking points on the Creative Shop Talk Podcast:
- Staying focused
- Working on things that maybe don’t matter
- Moving the needle forward
- Removing temptations
- Addiction to our phones
- Batching your work
- Non-revenue-generating things
The Big Takeaway:
We all have things going on, but it’s unbelievable the amount of work that we can get done if it’s in a distraction-free zone.
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “We do not need a phone to run our business full time.” – Wendy Batten
- “Leaving your phone in another room while you’re doing an important task is going to help you immensely.” – Wendy Batten
- “I just don’t want you to waste time on things that are not a revenue-generating.” – Wendy Batten
- “We need to keep moving forward and we don’t need to be doing jobs that are wasting our time.” – Wendy Batten
Our Sponsor:
Rockstar Creative Retailers and Shop Owners Group – This is THE place for creative brick and mortar store owners, booth space owners, and DIY studio owners. The who, what, and how’s of running a creative retail business. Social media, workshops, time management, staffing, marketing, and more…there’s so much, right? This group is loosely based on the things I teach in my monthly coaching group the Paintpreneur’s Inner Circle, and teach my one on one coaching clients and retreats.
Subscribe, Connect & Share Your Favorite Episodes
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Google Podcast to subscribe to the show and leave your honest review. For more great content and helpful tips to grow your creative retail shop, visit our website. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe on YouTube, and don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with other creative retailers.
