Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 192 | Ask Wendy Anything: What Drives Me Crazy in Retail Shops?

• Pinterest
• Facebook

With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

In This Episode: 

As an unwavering advocate for independent retail shops, I often get asked “What are retailers doing that drives you crazy?” In this episode, I am going to share a few.  These are the five things that drive me crazy in retail shops.  Hopefully you aren’t caught in any of these traps! If you are, it’s time to give some thought to them and fix them.  Let’s dive in!

The Five Things I’ll Chat About:

1. What happens when you brand your product lines not yourself 
2. Retailers not doing everything they can to get sales
3. Treating your business like a hobby
4. Messy/dirty shops
5.  Your attitude matters

• Pinterest
• Facebook

This week’s episode is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing

Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help!  Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you’ve listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024.

How is your 2024 planning going? Are you prepared for your best retail year ever?  If you think you might need some help, join us in the Retailer’s Inner Circle!  We are a casual, positive group of likeminded retailers who are constantly trying new things and supporting each other along the way. Also, if you join now, you’ll get a free 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with me!  This bonus doesn’t last long, so if you were on the fence before, now is the time to join. See you inside!

Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 190: Five Areas to Focus on in Your Retail Business

Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map

Episode 39: Retailer Success Series: How Jill Went from Hobbyist to Creative CEO

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 191 | Retail Growth Through Small Steps

• Pinterest
• Facebook

With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

Don’t set yourself up for failure!

In This Episode: 

“Baby steps!” It’s what everyone tells us when we are trying to achieve a big goal. Maybe aren’t getting there as fast as we’d like, or maybe when we are trying to make progress more quickly than is realistic.

Episode 191 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast is about just that: growing and managing our retail businesses through small (baby) steps.  I’m here to remind you that 180 degree changes don’t happen overnight.

“Success is the product of daily habits – not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.” -James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

What’s one small habit or step you can change or take right now to start making progress in your business? 

• Pinterest
• Facebook

This week’s episode is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing

Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help!  Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you’ve listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024.

Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 160: Simplifying Social Media with Guest Expert Leanne Pressly

Episode 141: Are You Running the Store of Your Dreams?

Episode 36: How Planning Kept Emily Kerley Thriving

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 190 | 5 Areas to Focus on in Your Retail Business in 2024

• Pinterest
• Facebook

With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

Welcome to Season 5 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast!

Topics Covered in This Episode: 

As we roll into 2024, the way we market our businesses, our customers’ expectations, and so many other things are going to change.  Not in a HUGE way, but in Episode 190 I’m going to lay out and then dig deep into the 5 areas I believe you should be focusing on in your retail business so you can see big success in 2024.

The 5 Areas I Will Explain in Detail

1. Your Shop’s Financial Well Being
2. Your Sales & Marketing Strategy & Assets (and I don’t just mean social media!)
3. Service and Hospitality
4. Being a Leader to Your Team
5. Your CEO Mindset (and Skillset)

If you are looking for support as we move into 2024, my Retailer’s Inner Circle is always open. One of my members just told me the other day that she now feels “large and in charge” versus how she felt prior to joining – what a compliment! My members are doing the work and have access to countless masterclasses and trainings to support them – not to mention an incredible group of likeminded retailers and me as your coach. Join us today!

“My mission is to help more retailers enjoy more joy, freedom, and profitability in their shops this year.” -Wendy Batten

• Pinterest
• Facebook

Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episodes 163-166: Simple Sales Strategy Series

Episode 63: Making Bookkeeping Simple with Guest Expert Kelly Christian

Episodes 40-43: Plan Your Best Year Ever

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 189 | 3 Quick Things Retailers Can Do This Week in Your PJs

• Pinterest
• Facebook

With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

The Creative Shop Talk Podcast reached 176,000 downloads! As we wrap up Season 4 of the podcast, I wanted to thank every single person who has listened, downloaded, left a review, shared the podcast, all of it.  I started this podcast in March of 2020 just hoping to reach and help more retailers and it is working! Podcasting isn’t an easy or inexpensive venture, but with the help of my small but mighty team, I am proud to say we are wrapping up Season 4 excited to start recording Season 5. We appreciate every single listen, share and comment. 

Thank you!

Topics Covered in This Episode: 

As I’m sure you know, the brain of a retailer never stops. As we wrap up Season 4 and enjoy our holidays, I wanted to give you a few things to noodle on. Here are three questions to think over as you snuggle by the fire that will help move the needle for your retail business in 2024.

Listen in this week and find out the 3 things you can work on, in your PJs with your feet up. 

You’ll want to take your answers to the three questions and dive into the Best Retail Year Ever Workshop – our Annual Planning Workshop – you’ll be well on your way to seeing the results you are looking for in your retail business in 2024. Retailers who purchase the workshop (or who are in my Retailer’s Inner Circle) are invited to join me live on January 17th for a Q+A!

So get your goals all on one page and see a better 2024, and jump in before the end of the year and save $200. There is one week left to get EARLY BIRD PRICING (in effect until Dec 31st, 2023!)

SAVE $200! YES SAVE $200!

Join here

I am confident that you can find epic success in your retail business – no matter what success looks like for you – by taking the time to adequately plan. I’d love to help and support you through your 2024 planning. Join us in the Inner Circle for access to the workshop and a community of like minded retailers or purchase the Design Your Best Year Workshop on-demand – discounted if you purchase before the end of the year!  Happy Planning!

• Pinterest
• Facebook

Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 185: Avoid Burnout with Guest Expert Dr. Ashley Margeson

Episode 138: Wins, Insights, Lessons & Struggles

Episode 136: Annual Planning That Fills Your Life Buckets

Episodes 40-43: Plan Your Best Year Ever

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 188 | 10 Tools to Help Your Retail Business in 2024

• Pinterest
• Facebook

With Retail Coach Wendy Batten

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

Don’t miss joining the Best Retail Year Ever Workshop – our Annual Planning Workshop. Get your goals all on one page and see a better 2024, and jump in before the end of the year and save $200! 

EARLY BIRD PRICING in effect until Dec 31st, 2023!

SAVE $200! YES SAVE $200!

Join here

I am confident that you can find epic success in your retail business – no matter what success looks like for you – by taking the time to adequately plan. I’d love to help and support you through your 2024 planning. Join us in the Inner Circle for access to the workshop and a community of like minded retailers or purchase the Design Your Best Year Workshop on-demand – discounted if you purchase before the end of the year!  Happy Planning!

Episode Summary:

You know I’m all about setting you up for success in 2024 and that includes making your life of running a retail business easier. On Episode 188 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing 10 of the top business tools my team and my retailers are using and loving in 10-ish minutes. Throughout the episode, I’ll also share HOW and WHY these tools can help you in your retail business.

The 10 Tools we shared and links : 

1. Google Workspace: grow up your business
2. Flodesk for email marketing services
3. The Planner Pad: the planner for the non-traditional 9-5 worker/entrepreneur
4. Descript: content creation
5. When I Work
6. ThriveCart & ThriveLearn: course creation & check out all at one price
7. ChatGPT: use for social posts, newsletter, ideas
8. Canva AI Tools
9. Libro FM for audiobooks
10. Voxer

• Pinterest
• Facebook

Related podcasts we think you’d like:

Episode 187: Make 2024 Your Best Year Ever in Your Retail Shop

Episodes 40-43: Plan Your Best Retail Year Ever Parts 1-4

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!