Show Notes:

“Do a good job and you don’t have to worry about money.” – Disney

I recently attended a Women’s Leadership Conference at Disney World in Florida. Not only was the conference wonderful, but it gave me the opportunity to observe all the new things Disney is doing these days.

We all know that Disney has quite the strategy that makes people pull out their wallet and buy, buy, buy. So today we’re going over those strategies I observed and breaking them down one by one so you can apply them in your shop. 

• Stay Fresh & New – Disney knows how to keep things exciting! New merchandise, new experiences, new adventures. But there’s also a consistency to their brand.
• Empower Your Employees – An educated staff and flexible policies are so important. Use Disney’s L.A.S.T. philosophy – Listen, Apologize, Solve, and Think.
• Value Prices – Disney prices for value. Improve your customers’ perceived value with amazing service, beautiful displays, and a memorable experience.
• Healthy Product Mix – Know your customers when it comes to your products. Have a mix of the classics, limited edition, high end, and trendy. 
• Market Your Stories – It’s all about the Disney brand and customers wanting to be a part of its special story. Be more than just a shop and share your business culture. Nostalgia sells. Share stories about products you sell, customers, and your brand. 

So… how can you be a little more Disney?

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

A Quick Glance:

[0:19] Intro

[5:57] Keep it fresh

[10:16] Empower your employees

[12:55] Value prices

[16:12] Product mix

[18:52] Marketing your stories

[27:04] Recap

[29:25] Share our podcast!

Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple podcasts!

Resources Mentioned:

Retail Made Simple
Level Up Mastermind
Foot Traffic Made Simple
Retailer’s Inner Circle

Related podcasts we think you’ll like:

Episode 126 – 10 Simple Ways to Level Up Your Shop
Episode 118 – How To Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Shep Hyken
Episode 111 – Recession Proof Your Shop – How Should We Prepare
Episode 99 – How Should We Greet Customers?
Episode 93 – How To Wow and Delight Your Customers to Keep Them Coming Back
Episode 70 – Your Competitive Advantage Over Amazon
Episode 69 – Becoming A Destination Shop
Episode 55 – A Free, Simple, and Powerful Marketing Tool to Use
Episode 47 – The Secret to Getting Your Customers to Choose You Over Your Competition
Episode 37 – Expert Sharvette Mitchell Shares Customer-Focused Branding Tips for Retailers
Episode 25 – 3 Reasons Your Marketing Might Not Be Working Well

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For more support from Wendy:

Retail Made Simple – Wendy’s on demand course for shop owners wanting more from their business

Retailer’s Inner Circle – Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community

Wendy’s FREE Resources for shop owners 

Hang out with Wendy on IG 

More ways to connect with Wendy 

Show Notes:

“Your level of success will rarely exceed your level of personal development.” – Jim Rohn

When things get hard, it’s important to surround yourself with other like-minded individuals. People who understand what you’re going through, have unwavering faith, and will support, encourage and bring new ideas to the table. 

Today I’m answering some questions about my Level Up Mastermind group and how it can help you and your business. 

What the heck is a mastermind? 

It’s surrounding yourself with an intimate group of forward thinkers bringing their A game to support one another. It’s a combination of group support and coaching.

How it works?

1. A high level look – We take a look at your goals, plan, and create action steps!
   
2. Share it all – We have those real conversations. You have to be willing to share honestly, all the highs and the lows.
   
3. It’s not a course – You do have access to my courses, programs, and my resource library but this group is really about support and education to help you move forward.
   
4. Type of support – One-on-one coaching as well as group meetings, strategy planning sessions, open office hours, guest experts, and “back-pocket” calls when you just need a quick bit of advice.

You basically have a built-in support system and someone to sit beside you.

Who is it for?
Retailers who want to see more life in their lifestyle business. To simplify and thrive. Retailers who are truly ready to make the next step.

Ready to join!?
Level Up Mastermind & Accelerator group is open for applications at this time!

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

A Quick Glance:

[0:45] Common denominator

[5:15] Level Up Mastermind group – applications are open!

[10:41] What the Mastermind group includes

[17:11] Who is it for?

[20:02] Are you ready?

[21:33] Applications are open!

Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple podcasts!

Resources Mentioned:

Retail Made Simple
Level Up Mastermind
Foot Traffic Made Simple
Retailer’s Inner Circle

Related podcasts we think you’ll like:

Episode 120 – Simplifying & Amplifying Your Business with Louise McManus
Episode 94 – The Retailer’s Ecosystem
Episode 64 – How To Use Other Retailer’s Success to Fuel You

Listen to what these Mastermind members have shared in past episodes:

Episode 122 – CEO Mindset and Community with Sylvia Davis from Louisville Mercantile
Episode 113 – Growth Mindset with Jeff Lee from The Vintage Nest
Episode 87 – The Journey to CEO Level Confidence with Stacey Allgood
Episode 78 – Learning to Level up with Amy Hart
Episode 36 – How Planning Kept Emily Kerley Thriving Through the Pandemic

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For more support from Wendy:

Retail Made Simple – Wendy’s on demand course for shop owners wanting more from their business

Retailer’s Inner Circle – Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community

Wendy’s FREE Resources for shop owners 

Hang out with Wendy on IG 

More ways to connect with Wendy 

Show Notes:

Little things matter in the big picture.
We talk about the customer experience a lot around here. That’s because we want their experience to be perfect, right? We want them to have that intangible feeling when they think about your shop. Here are ten easy ways to level up your business without having to revamp your entire strategy.

1. A Clean Shop – Observe all the nooks and crannies.
2. Visual Chaos -Behind the counter etc. Keep organized and get rid of the chaos.
3. Checkout Ease – Make it excellent, efficient, and fast.
4. Signage – It needs to be correct, legible, helpful, and obvious. Includes price tags as well! Clear is kind.
5. The Atmosphere – Don’t forget the sounds and smells of your shop!
6. Staff Appearance – An apron, a t-shirt. Have policies around this topic.
7. Flow – Merchandising for ease and flow. Make sure it works for your customers.
8. Be the CEO – Take the time to lead properly. 
9. Service – Be generous, attentive, and have a genuine mindset about service. It’s part of your business culture.
10. Shop Upkeep – Could be the flooring, the lighting, new equipment, staff uniforms, your POS system. If anything is outdated, slow, or in need of repair, it’s time to upgrade and enhance.

All of these are small but mighty shifts toward building an excellent business.

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

A Quick Glance:

[1:04] Wendy’s programs + services

[5:16] Having a clean shop

[6:43] Chaos behind the counter

[8:42] Ease of checkout

[10:36] Signage 

[12:19] Shop atmosphere

[15:00] Staff appearance

[16:16] Flow

[17:23] Be the CEO

[20:19] Service

[22:16] Shop upkeep

[25:43] In conclusion

Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple podcasts!

Resources Mentioned:

Retail Made Simple
Level Up Mastermind
Foot Traffic Made Simple
Retailer’s Inner Circle

Related podcasts we think you’ll like:

Episode 120 – Simplifying & Amplifying Your Business with Louise McManus
Episode 118 – How To Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Shep Hyken
Episode 113 – Growth Mindset with Jeff Lee from The Vintage Nest
Episode 107 – Turn Browsers Into Buyers
Episode 103 – Increase Sales With Your Silent Salesperson: Signage
Episode 93 – How to Wow and Delight Your Customers
Episode 33 – The CEO Date: A Non-Negotiable Habit is Key to Creative CEO Success

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• Facebook

For more support from Wendy:

Retail Made Simple – Wendy’s on demand course for shop owners wanting more from their business

Retailer’s Inner Circle – Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community

Wendy’s FREE Resources for shop owners 

Hang out with Wendy on IG 

More ways to connect with Wendy 

Show Notes:

Hi, I’m Wendy. And I’m imperfect.
I have made so many mistakes along the way and have lots of imperfections. I’ve had hard experiences and failures and am always working on improvement. We learn and grow from our mistakes, right? I’m sharing so that maybe you can learn from my mistakes/hard learnings. 

Grab your pen, tune in and maybe you’ll see some things that you’re doing and feel like, “you know what, we’re all a hot mess at times in our business, but I can always learn and grow.”

My 7 Deadly Sins (aka mistakes) as a Retailer:

1. Superwoman/Superman Syndrome – The I can do it my way mindset. Don’t DIY everything in your business. Invest in the right people who can help you.
2. Taking things personally – This can wear you out fast. We have to learn how to accept feedback and not let it tear us to pieces. The negative influences are not your people.
3. Comparisonitus – and maybe even Imposter Syndrome. Comparison is the thief of joy. Be the special CEO that you are and keep moving forward in your own direction.
4. Lack of Communication – This can make you a poor leader toward your staff and team. Have the proper training, policies & procedures, and manuals in place. 
5. Overworking – It’s time to draw a line in the sand and create boundaries for yourself. We can’t be on 24/7. It doesn’t serve you, your family, business, or your clients.
6. Not taking care of my health – Avoid the burnout moments by making YOU your biggest asset. Your physical, mental and emotional health should be on your priority list every day.
7. Passive Business Development – Your level of success will rarely exceed your level of personal development. As we grow, we need to invest in ourselves. We always need to improve, tweak and educate ourselves. Find a coach, a mentor, mastermind classes, etc. If we aren’t always learning and growing, neither is our business.

Have faith in yourself, friends. Struggles are learning opportunities.

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

A Quick Glance:

[1:48] Superwoman/Superman Syndrome

[4:22] Don’t take business too personally

[9:53] Comparisonitus

[14:29] Poor communication

[17:05] Overworking

[19:32] Health

[22:20] Business Development

[29:16] Recap

Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple podcasts!

Resources Mentioned:

Retail Made Simple
Level Up Mastermind
Foot Traffic Made Simple
Retailer’s Inner Circle

Related podcasts we think you’ll like:

Episode 105 – How to Handle Bad Reviews
Episode 80 – Managing Your Energy and Expectations. Don’t Hit a Wall.
Episode 76 – Stop DIY’ing Your Business
Episode 64 – How To Use Other Retailer’s Success To Fuel You
Episode 15 – A Powerful Lesson from my Café Days

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For more support from Wendy:

Retail Made Simple – Wendy’s on demand course for shop owners wanting more from their business

Retailer’s Inner Circle – Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community

Wendy’s FREE Resources for shop owners 

Hang out with Wendy on IG 

More ways to connect with Wendy 

Show Notes:

A runway to freedom – doesn’t that sound amazing!?
My guest today, life coach and operating systems expert Andrea Liebross, helps ambitious women find just that – freedom. Freedom in their lives and businesses so their quality of life is exponentially better, balanced, and harmonious.

Most everything in your life really boils down to confident decision-making. Andrea discusses how to avoid that feeling of being stuck or stagnant and learn how to continue to grow and take action in a way that’s right for you. 

We discuss time, energy, mind management, confident decision-making, S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goal setting and so much more! I hope her advice and stories of past clients really help open your mind and help you begin building freedom and harmony in every aspect of your life.

“Confidence. It’s a journey. It’s a process. It’s a practice.“ – Andrea Liebross

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

A Quick Glance:

[0:21] Andrea’s business journey

[4:24] Four rules to approach confident decisions

[17:09] What’s the worst that can happen?

[21:40] S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals

[32:27] Action step

[33:55] Andrea’s vision for her clients

[38:48] Closing remarks

About Andrea:

Andrea Liebross is known for helping bold, ambitious women create their own custom secret sauce for success in both life and business by combining just two ingredients – the right mindset and solid systems. Andrea believes you can move you from believing what you want is impossible to possible just by simplifying, making it doable and FUN (even the systems). Her clients say that they’ve learned how to make what seemed so complex and daunting, easy, using Andrea’s signature process. This was the key to creating success on their OWN terms and ultimately their own growth and freedom in life and business.

After graduating from Dartmouth College and marrying the guy that lived down the hall, Andrea and her husband packed up their hand-me-down 1980s red Cadillac, left the northeast, and eventually made their way to the midwest city known for the Indianapolis 500. Over the last few decades, Andrea has started 3 successful businesses and ultimately became a certified business and life coach, all while raising two kids, now ages 21 and 18, and several giant puppies.

Website | Podcast | FB Business Page | FB Private Group | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Pinterest | Take the Quiz! | Speaker Reel | Helpful Resources

Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple podcasts!

Resources Mentioned:

Take Andrea’s Quiz

Retail Made Simple
Level Up Mastermind
Foot Traffic Made Simple
Retailer’s Inner Circle

Related podcasts we think you’ll like:

Episode 110 – Permission to Pause, Reflect & Make Change Now
Episode 68 – Special Guest Marian Parsons On Growing and Doing Business Your Own Way
Episode 66 – Find Revenue Streams That Light You Up with Virginia Warner
Episode 64 – How To Use Other Retailer’s Success To Fuel You
Episode 54 – Stop “Shoulding” All Over Yourself
Episode 29 – Reducing the Stress with Procrastination Coach Dr. Christine Li
Episode 4 – Two types of Creative Retailers and Where They Get Stuck in their Retail Business

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For more support from Wendy:

Retail Made Simple – Wendy’s on demand course for shop owners wanting more from their business

Retailer’s Inner Circle – Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community

Wendy’s FREE Resources for shop owners 

Hang out with Wendy on IG 

More ways to connect with Wendy