Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 271 | Back-of-the-Napkin Math: Simplifying Profit Planning for Retailers

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With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

Listen on:  Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Radio Republic | YouTube | PlayerFM | Stitcher | iHeartRadio

In This Episode: 

Let’s simplify the numbers you need to know and why. Don’t be that retailer that is overwhelmed by numbers and profit planning in retail—or worse, avoiding them altogether.

In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing the surprisingly simple method I use to help retailers finally understand their sales goals, profit margins, and growth potential. Say goodbye to spreadsheet stress and hello to clarity with my Profit Planning Masterclass and “back-of-the-napkin” profits calculator.

It’s the calculator you have been waiting for and my clients LOVE. 

Whether you’re just getting started or years into running your retail business, this is the financial pep talk and practical tool you didn’t know you needed.

What You’ll Learn about Profit Planning:

• Why profit is essential (and not a dirty word!)
• What your “keep the lights on” number is and why you need to know it
• How to calculate your real sales goal using 3 simple numbers: foot traffic, conversion rate, and average order value
• The link between confident planning and business peace-of-mind

Your Next Steps:

1. Grab the Profit Planning Masterclass!
   Visit wendybatten.com/profit to access the $47 on-demand workshop and get the simple sales calculator that helps you set clear profit goals.
2. Calculate Your “Keep the Lights On” Number
   Identify your essential operating expenses—like rent, payroll, inventory—and plug them into the calculator to find out your real sales goal.
3. Gather 3 key data points from your POS system: Average Order Value (AOV), Foot Traffic, and Conversion Rate.
4. Set a Weekly or Monthly Sales Goal
   Use the calculator to determine exactly how much revenue you need—and how many customers you need to serve to reach it.
5. Talk to Your Team
   Share your new goals and engage your team in improving sales through better customer service and upselling techniques.
6. Join the Retailer’s Inner Circle and get ongoing support, coaching, and access to my full library of trainings and tools.

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Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 31: 7 Strategies to Attract Foot Traffic to Your Brick and Mortar

Episode 103: Increase Sales With Your Silent Salesperson: Signage

Episodes 163-166: 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 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.

Subscribe and Review in iTunes:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rock star, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

 Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 270 | Progress Over Perfection: How to Break Through Retail Business Overwhelm

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With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

Listen on:  Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Radio Republic | YouTube | PlayerFM | Stitcher | iHeartRadio

In This Episode: 

Feeling stuck in perfectionism or weighed down by self-doubt? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay there!

In this quick yet powerful coffee chat, I’m sharing real conversations I’ve had with shop owners navigating mindset challenges like imposter syndrome, overwhelm, and lack of confidence.

You’ll walk away with practical mantras, empowering reminders, and actionable strategies to help you move forward—even when things feel messy.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why “done is better than perfect” is a game-changing mantra
• How to prioritize progress over pressure in your retail business
• Ways to quiet your inner critic and own your role as CEO
• Simple strategies for leading your team with confidence

Reminder: Your dream clients are looking for the real, imperfect you. You don’t have to be filtered and perfect to attract your dream clients.

“Everything is figureoutable.” – Marie Forleo

Your Next Steps:

1. Take 10 minutes this week and make a list of what makes your shop unique. Know WHY your customers love you and lean in to that. 
2. Identify one task you’re overthinking and complete it.
3. Check in with your team.
4. Ask for help where you are stuck. (I’m here for you!)

Jump on over to https://wendybatten.com/work-with-me/! From here, you’ll be able to join the Retailer’s Inner Circle or grab on-demand workshops, including what just dropped: my Profit Planning mini-masterclass that includes the “back of the napkin” easy profit planning calculator, my members are raving about! It’s only been available for my coaching clients in the past, but for a limited time, we’re offering it to you, our podcast listeners. (Members already have access!)

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Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 128: 5 Ways to Recreate That Disney Cash Flow Magic Inside Your Shop

Episode 153: Recipe for Success: 4 Leadership Lessons We Can Learn from Erin French of The Lost Kitchen

Episode 161: Takeaways from my Recent Mastermind Retreat

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.

Subscribe and Review in iTunes:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rock star, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!