Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 263 | Why CEO Time Isn’t Optional in Your Retail Business

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With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

In This Episode: 

Do you struggle to schedule and/or keep your CEO dates with yourself? Running your shop like a true CEO isn’t just for big-box retailers: it’s for independent creative retail shop owners just like you – trust me on this. If you’ve ever felt like your business is dragging you down; if you KNOW you aren’t spending your time on the things you should be…this episode is for you.

Not sold on why CEO time is crucial? Unsure of where or why to start? Wondering what you should be doing during your CEO date? Listen in now!

Takeaways for Indie Retailers:

• Hard seasons are normal – Obstacles come with owning a business. What matters is how you move through them.
• Stop playing small – Don’t let busy work keep you from doing the real CEO work that moves the needle.
• You can’t scale with hustle and heart alone – Aligned action is what brings joy, profit, and freedom.
• Take a pause and plan – A regular CEO date with yourself brings clarity and confidence.

What to Focus on During CEO Time:

• Strategic planning (not just goal setting)
• Reviewing what worked and what didn’t
• Understanding your income streams and profit margins
• Creating intentional marketing, not last-minute campaigns

So what is your next step? Join me for a productive afternoon of planning out your next 90 days in my Retailer’s CEO Planning Day on June 10th! This is a new program I’m offering. We will meet together in a small group and spend an afternoon doing some intensive quarterly CEO-level planning for your business. It comes with pre-meeting vision planning prompts, 4 hours of a focused planning session with me and a small group, 2 weeks of support from me, and a retail success toolkit to help you every step of the way! Save $100 by registering by June 6th. See you there!

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Need More?

Join me for my first Retailer’s CEO Planning Day on June 10th! This is a new program I’m offering. We will meet together in a small group and spend an afternoon doing some intensive quarterly CEO-level planning for your business. It comes with pre-meeting vision planning prompts, 4 hours of a focused planning session with me and a small group, 2 weeks of support from me, and a retail success toolkit to help you every step of the way! Save $100 by registering by June 6th. See you there!

Or join my supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! There is so much to love about the Inner Circle: access to countless masterclasses on everything from inventory management to money matters, a supportive community of like-minded retailers to bounce ideas off of, a monthly playbook to track your progress and help you plan your events and promotions, and so much more. Check it out HERE.

Not ready to join but want to purchase the stand-alone Foot Traffic Made Simple masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE.

Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 33: The CEO Date: A Non-Negotiable Habit is Key to Creative CEO Success

Episode 88: Retailer Success Series: Making Pivotal (and scary) CEO Decisions with Retailer Melanie Kolb

Episode 133: Retailer Success Series: Community, Culture, and CEO Mindset with Amy Cseh

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 262 | 11 Tiny Habits That Will Make Your Retail Business Better

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With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

In This Episode: 

Small habits can lead to big results!

In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing 11 easy-to-start micro habits that can totally transform your retail business. These habits may be small, but they pack a powerful punch. From looking at your numbers to making faster decisions, I’ll give you real-world, simple advice that WORKS.

Whether you run a boutique, a gift shop, or a creative space, these tips will help you grow with confidence — and have fun doing it!

11 Micro Habits for Independent Retailers:

• Don’t “Ostrich” – Stop hiding from your business numbers. Look at them daily so there are no surprises.
• Always Be Learning – Reading 10 minutes a day or listening to a podcast can level up your skills.
• Ditch the Burden Mindset – Remember, you get to run this business. Approach it with joy, not dread.
• Use a “Yet” Mindset – “I’m not good at planning… yet.” Add “yet” to reframe your self-talk.
• Ask: How Can I Make This Easier? – Don’t overcomplicate. Ask who or what can help.
• Crush Self-Doubt – Keep a list of wins, kind words, and proud moments to boost your confidence.
• Set Clear Goals – Know what you’re aiming for so your daily actions move you closer to it.
• Look Up – Don’t get stuck in the day-to-day. Plan 90 days out. Know what your customers are experiencing.
• Prioritize Your Health – A healthy YOU means a stronger business. Protect your time and energy.
• Decide Faster – Avoiding decisions holds you back. Be intentional and aligned with your goals.
• Make it Fun – This is your dream! Bring energy and joy into your day-to-day.

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Need More?

Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! There is so much to love about the Inner Circle: access to countless masterclasses on everything from inventory management to money matters, a supportive community of like-minded retailers to bounce ideas off of, a monthly playbook to track your progress and help you plan your events and promotions, and so much more. Check it out HERE.

Not ready to join but want to purchase the stand-alone Foot Traffic Made Simple masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE.

Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 124: Confident Decision Making Made Easy with Business & Life Coach Andrea Liebross

Episode 229: Having a Monthly Playbook for Your Retail Shop

Episode 261: How to Stay Focused and Get Things Done

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!