Retailers: Solve Any Problem & Get Better Results by Doing This | Episode 172

Retailers: Solve Any Problem & Get Better Results by Doing This | Episode 172

Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 172 | Retailers: Solve Any Problem and Get Better Results By Doing This

Solve Any Problem & Get Better Results by Doing This - CTFAR Model - Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 172 - Wendy Batten
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With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

Show Notes:

When circumstances are out of our control, what you do next is critical. As the CEOs of our businesses, we have to be prepared for when things go sideways and problems arise in our shops and in our lives. Today on the podcast, I’m sharing a proven method that works for me: the CTFAR model and how it can change your problem solving process and get you better results. It’s not a new method and was originally created by Brooke Castillo. It has worked for me in so many situations in my business and in my personal life – it will work for you as well.

What is the CTFAR Model?

C: Circumstances – What actually happened that was out of our control 

T: Thoughts – How we think about the circumstance

F: Feelings – How we feel because of the thoughts

A: Actions – What we do (or don’t do) in response to our feelings 

R: Results – What we get in the end

The purpose of the CTFAR model is to reframe your thinking to help you solve problems. By being aware of what is happening and choosing how you think about it, you can change the outcome. 

We need to always be showing up with a positive, solution-oriented mindset for ourselves, our team, and our customers. When we do this, we will see positive results.

Change Your Mindset, Change Your Results with Brooke Castillo's CTFAR Model | Retail Coach Wendy Batten | Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 172
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Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 109: Money Mindset, Abundance, & Bad Ideas with Guest Expert Emily King
Episode 147: How to Reframe Your Mindset on Competition
Episode 151: How to Have Difficult Conversations with Good Staff

 

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!

Colorful, Cute & Creative Ways to Grow Your Business with Madeline Muñoz-Bustamante from Colorful Cute | Episode 171

Colorful, Cute & Creative Ways to Grow Your Business with Madeline Muñoz-Bustamante from Colorful Cute | Episode 171

Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 171: Colorful, Cute & Creative Ways to Grow Your Business with Madeline Muñoz-Bustamante of Colorful Cute

Colorful Cute & Creative Ways to Grow Your Business with Madeline Munoz-Bustamante | Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 171 with Retail Coach Wendy Batten
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With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

Show Notes:

Are you looking for some creative new ideas to grow your business? You’ll want to turn up your volume on this one, my friends!

Today on the podcast I’m talking with retailer Madeline Muñoz-Bustamante.  Madeline is the owner of Colorful Cute – Miami’s first (and only!) kawaii gift shop. She is also an active member of my Level Up Mastermind and my Retailer’s Inner Circle. Like many of us, Madeline describes herself as an accidental entrepreneur. After losing her job in 2020 when the pandemic started, she turned her passion for kawaii (the Japanese culture of cuteness) from an online shop/pop up into a brick and mortar storefront. Madeline shares her journey to CEO, bumps and all with us.

For a number of reasons including (1)  a location that isn’t conventionally ideal, (2) opening a brick and mortar during a pandemic, and (3) she isn’t afraid to try new things, Madeline has implemented a number of creative ideas and strategies that have led to incredible growth of Colorful Cute over the past three years. I know you’ll be able to pull something from our conversation to implement in your business, so listen up!

Some of the ideas and strategies Madeline has implemented include:

  1. A fresh perspective on marketing: Madeline noticed a niche market that wasn’t currently being served in Miami. Filling that gap came very easy to her because she was also a member of that niche market. Her marketing is very cohesive because the “voice” is simply her talking to her customers as they are friends. Madeline calls it “letting her geek flag fly,” which I love. 

“Excitement is contagious…and that’s what we try to inject into our marketing.” – Madeline

  1. Hosting events: Madeline realized that her customers were looking for community through her shop. She began hosting events like movie nights, cons, and trading nights that were successful!
  2. Growing her online presence through Instagram: Madeline uses hashtags to find her people. She searches hashtags that align with her shop and when she finds interesting or exciting posts, she comments and shares which results in pulling that person into her community!  Oftentimes, it results in a win-win: her new Instagram friend becomes aware of her shop and they are excited that she has shared their post. Implementing this strategy only takes minutes a day and can really grow your business.
  3. Coming up with creative ways to move stale inventory: One of the struggles Madeline has had to overcome was purchasing for a much larger space than she was used to. She knows the importance of moving stale inventory (even if we don’t make money on it!) She offered grab bags and other ideas as creative ways to move inventory that has overstayed its welcome.
  4. Putting her CEO hat on: Madeline admits that being the boss is hard for her, but as a business owner she knows it’s necessary.  

I work closely with Madeline so I know she now takes her role as CEO very seriously. Madeline advocates for regular team meetings, getting shop procedures in place, and so on – just like her coach. 😉 It’s truly been my joy watching her take on a leadership role in her business.

Madeline’s last piece of advice to you: “Don’t do this by yourself. Find the people, find the coaching, find the group, find the classes … You don’t have to do it by yourself.”

Madeline is definitely one to follow – she’s a vibrant, authentic soul and I’m honored to have her in my group and on the podcast today. Thank you for listening!

If you want to hang with cool shop owners like Madeline, my Retailer’s Inner Circle is welcoming new members right now. 

We are knee deep in holiday planning so jump in and join us!  We would love for you to be a part of the conversation.

Creative Ways to Grow Your Business with Madeline Munoz-Bustamante of Colorful Cute | Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 171 with Retail Coach Wendy Batten
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Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 132: Retailer Success Series: Community Marketing Strategies with Millie Blackwell
Episode 122: Retail Success Series: CEO Mindset and Community with Sylvia Davis from Louisville Mercantile
Episode 68: Special Guest Marian Parsons On Growing and Doing Business Your Own Way
Episode 18: What’s Possible: The Accidental Shopkeeper with a Thriving Store (A Retailer Case Study)
Episode 10: “Making it Work with No Foot Traffic” a Retailer Spotlight with Lisa Casey

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!

Get Your Shop Holiday-Ready Now! | Episode 170

Get Your Shop Holiday-Ready Now! | Episode 170

Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 170: Get Your Shop Holiday-Ready Now!

How to get your retail shop holiday ready - Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 170 - Wendy Batten
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With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

Show Notes:

The time has come!  It’s now mid-August and before you know it, the holiday shopping season will be here.  Your shop will be full of customers, your profits will be high, and you’ll be feeling GREAT.  But wait, how do you get there? I’m here to help!

Over my 10 years in this business, I have found that retailers who are most successful going into the holiday season have two things in common: (1) a good mindset and (2) a plan in place.

Here’s how I’m helping retailers like you get ready for this holiday season!

  1. I’m hosting a FREE live Holiday Prep Workshop August 28th at 4pm ET. I’ll talk you through some things you’ll want to have in place so your holiday retail season goes smoothly. Learn more and register here! 
  2. For podcast listeners, Grab my free Holiday Podcast Playlist!  Over the years, we’ve had some incredible conversations here on the podcast about all things Q4 so I decided to curate a playlist for you with the best of CST holiday podcast episodes.  You can grab it HERE.
  3. If you’ve been on the fence about joining my Retailer’s Inner Circle, the time is NOW. We start our full Holiday Boot Camp in September – it is a five part plan to give you all the steps you need for a successful end of the year. We host it inside the Retailer’s Inner Circle and it is all new and revamped this year. Come be part of the conversation. As you know, we also have countless masterclasses and a great community rich with conversation and ideas from retailers all over the world.  This is where you’ll find your people!

Thanks for listening today!  I hope to see your smiling faces on August 28th for the Holiday Prep Workshop. If you have any questions about the services I offer for retailers, jump into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! I’d love to help.

Get Your Shop Holiday-Ready Now! Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 170 with Retail Coach Wendy Batten
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Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Grab the Holiday Playlist HERE.

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!

How to Rethink your Holiday Retail Events for 2020 | Episode 28

How to Rethink your Holiday Retail Events for 2020 | Episode 28

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

It’s that time of year, when retailers are planning out their Q4 sales and marketing plans to capitalize on the holiday spending season. Only this year, things are a little different. No matter where your brick and mortar is located and what your in-person restrictions are, you and your customers are concerned with keeping safe and healthy during the pandemic.

In this episode we’re rethinking the typical mad-rush holiday retail events. Let’s plan ahead, get creative and avoid the crush of customers that we count on but still make the sales we depend on.

Grab a notebook and take plenty of notes, because I’m sharing tons of ideas to make your holiday events successful … and profitable!

More free content to help you:

Download the Shop Owner’s Game Plan. It’s free and will help you plan out 7 big moves for your retail business.

Interested in 1:1 private coaching?

Now open for Q4:  Click here to sign up. 

 

Get on the waitlist: 

Creative retailers, studio owners and booth space owners are working together in my monthly group coaching program. Click here to sign up for the waitlist.

Let’s Continue the Conversation

Join our Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Facebook Community

Let’s Connect: 

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here’s what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review?  Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review . I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout. 

How to get Holiday Press Coverage for your Creative Retail Business

How to get Holiday Press Coverage for your Creative Retail Business

If you want to get press coverage for your creative retail business over the holidays, I have one major tip:

Start Now!

I know you are tired of me harping that the holidays are coming, but it’s time to start thinking about how you can attract the attention of ideal clients into your business via your local press. It’s time to put simple plans in place NOW to build your brand’s attention. This will help you stand out ahead of your competition. Awesome, right?

No matter the size of your store, big or small, you can get press coverage for your business.

Start with these 3 steps to get the attention of the press.

Firstly, list out all the local publications, TV stations, local papers and local gift guides etc, that your ideal customer may follow/read, don’t forget local radio stations and community bloggers. Think about where your ideal customers may be hanging out and what they are reading, watching, and listening to.

Secondly, build relationships with your press contacts by connecting and reaching out on social media. Like and comment and show interest in them, be authentic and genuine. Bonus points for doing this all year long. The better relationships you have with people and land in the press, the easier it’s going to be to get featured.

Lastly, send out press releases. Say what?? YES! For real. You can totally do a press release. It instantly gives you credibility.

Retails Store Press

Your press release is simple, it’s not a SALES pitch or ad, it’s something new coming up, or a new event you want to promote, etc. that may be happening in your business. Grand opening, new product line, special guest visitor, free paint demo, girl’s night out or event collaboration with other vendors, etc. You will be shocked at what happens on slow news days or who will pick up your press release and be inspired to run with a story.

Many local publications are LOOKING for events and news to fill their pages and/or airways etc.

Get specific about what you have to offer and why it’s great for their readers! Help them visualize that, don’t make them dig on your website to find pictures of the pieces or events you’re talking about. Do the work for them because those are the most competitive stories.

Using this simple press release tactic, we’ve been able to get at least a dozen reporters to show up at events, magazines to call us to do interviews, and gave interviews on local TV and radio shows. We’ve even been invited to participate in local events because of our press releases.

All of this press puts your business in front of more eyeballs, instantly gives your store/brand credibility, and makes you stand out above the competition. The best part is – it’s FREE PUBLICITY.

It’s fun too.

You will meet and connect with lots of awesome people.

get press coverage for your retail business - 3 easy steps for killer press coverage this holiday season

You cannot rely solely on social media posts to bring new people into your business – that’s like fishing in the same pond over and over, use the press! 

This is just one of my tips on how to prepare for a great Holiday sales season this year. If you would like to get more holiday prep advice for your creative business, join me inside my Retailer’s Inner Circle HERE. we cover FULL Holidays planning during our Holiday Bootcamp!

It’s not too early to get planning!

xo Wendy

ps…ohhhh…..be sure to save all the articles and scan them, I lost all my newspaper clippings and wish like heck I had saved them, even just to look back on.

pps..one of my clients, one of her busiest on record (and that’s saying a lot) weekends after being on a local morning show. Everyone came in and said, “I saw you on the morning show..” IT WORKS! Why not make it work for you too?

 

 

 

 

 

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