Explore real-life strategies, growth hacks, and proven marketing advice through powerful interviews with top leaders and retailers in the retail industry. Join Ashley Alderson, the Founder of The Boutique Hub, as she talks with retailers, boutiques, wholesale brands, vendors, and industry insiders. Discover the invaluable secrets that have propelled companies to success while maintaining a healthy balance between life and business. Embrace the spirit of Community over Competition, and uncove ...
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Five Minute Friday: The Retail Metrics You Can’t Afford to Ignore
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7:43In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley is getting real about the numbers that actually drive growth in your business. It’s not just about sales—because sales are a lagging indicator. If you want to grow, you need to start tracking the leading metrics that influence your results before they show up in your bank account. Ashley shares what she’s learned …
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#715: Why Dead Inventory Is Costing You and How to Fix It
35:44
35:44
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35:44Struggling with excess inventory? In this episode, we sit down with Melodie van der Baan, founder of Max Retail, to explore how boutique owners can turn unsold merchandise into serious revenue. Listen in as Melodie shares her journey from sales rep to tech entrepreneur and reveals how Max Retail helps over 2,000 retailers move past-season inventory…
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Five Minute Friday: Busy or Effective? The Question That Can Change Everything
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5:45In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley is bringing the heat with a powerful reality check: Are you truly being effective in your life and business or just keeping yourself busy? If your to-do list is never-ending, your calendar is overflowing, and you're constantly wondering where the day went... this episode is for you. Ashley unpacks what it really m…
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#714: Hiring Gen Z: Challenges, Opportunities & What Comes Next
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31:41What does it take to future-proof the next generation in a world that’s changing faster than ever? In this episode, educational consultant and award-winning innovator Britni Walz joins the show for a powerful conversation about the intersection of education, business, and technology. Britni shares her journey from high school educator to nonprofit …
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Five Minute Friday: June Market Scoop with Atlanta Apparel
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7:35This week, we’ve got a special guest episode for Five Minute Friday straight from the Atlanta Apparel team! Join Sarah Beth Jackson, Director of Buyer Services, and Alejandra Trombetta, Senior Events Manager, as they dish on everything you need to know about June Atlanta Apparel, happening June 3–6, 2025. From the top categories to source (hello, F…
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#713: What You Never Knew About The Boutique Summit
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27:22What happens when a casual conversation turns into the biggest event in boutique retail? In this episode, we're diving into the origin story of the Boutique Summit—how a spontaneous chat at the Dallas Market Center in 2013 sparked an industry-shaping movement. Listen in to hear about the challenges and triumphs of hosting the Summit, from behind-th…
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Five Minute Friday: The Business Conversation Every Couple Needs to Have
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8:13In this personal and honest Five Minute Friday, Ashley opens up about the behind-the-scenes reality of growing a business while navigating the emotions, expectations, and communication struggles that can come up with your spouse or partner. If you’ve ever felt like your spouse just doesn’t get your business or you've clashed over money, time, or wh…
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#712: How to Plan, Post & Grow on Social Media Without the Overwhelm
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41:55What’s the secret to growing a thriving brand online in today’s ever-changing digital world—and how can small businesses stand out? Peg Fitzpatrick, acclaimed author of The Art of Small Business Social Media: A Blueprint for Marketing Success, joins us today to break it all down. Drawing from her own experience moving from traditional marketing to …
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Five Minute Friday: More Profit, Less Work: AOV Strategies That Work
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9:28In this Five Minute Friday episode, Ashley shares powerful and practical tips to increase your Average Order Value (AOV) -- without relying on more traffic or more hours. If you're focused on growing sales, AOV is one of the most effective metrics to improve. Ashley breaks down the difference between lagging vs. leading indicators and how small shi…
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#711: How Obsession, Ingenuity, and Instagram Built a Candle Empire
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30:00How does a personal gift idea quickly evolve into a thriving brand? Just ask Annabelle DeGrazio, a former lawyer turned entrepreneur, who joins us today to share her inspiring journey of launching a distinctive candle business from scratch. With no prior experience in candle-making, Annabelle committed to learning every aspect of in-house productio…
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Five Minute Friday: Feeling Stuck in Your Business? This Might Be Why
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8:37In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley shares the mindset shift that every business owner eventually faces: what got you here won't get you there. If you’ve felt stuck lately, it might be time to reexamine what you’re holding onto in your business. Ashley breaks down four key areas to evaluate—marketing, vendors, traffic, and team -- and offers two sim…
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#710: How to Buy Smarter: In-Person Markets vs. Online Marketplaces
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28:09Ready to make smarter inventory decisions? In this episode of Boutique Chat, we’re joined by our very own Samantha Conner, Director of Wholesale at The Boutique Hub, to break down the pros, cons, and strategies behind shopping in-person at market vs. buying online through platforms like Hubventory. We’re sharing how to prep like a pro, use tools li…
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Five Minute Friday: Struggling to Pay Your Bills? How to Find Hidden Cash in Your Business
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7:22
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7:22Cash flow struggles? You’re definitely not alone. In today’s episode, Sara Burks, Director of Education, gets real about one of the biggest challenges small retailers face — not being able to pay the bills. Whether you’re sweating payroll or wondering where all your money is hiding, Sarah is breaking it down in a way that’s honest, practical, and t…
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#709: What Retailers Need to Know About Serving the Plus Size Market
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40:35How do you go from shaping careers to reshaping the fashion industry for plus-size women? Just ask Tracy Christian, the visionary founder of Sante Grace! She joins the show today to share her remarkable journey from talent agent to luxury plus-size apparel designer. Her story is not just about launching a brand—it's about challenging industry norms…
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Five Minute Friday: The #1 Way to Attract Customers Who Actually Buy
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5:58Are you feeling like you're working double-time trying to find more customers... but still not making the sales you want? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Sara, Director of Education at The Boutique Hub breaks down the #1 thing you need to focus on to attract customers who actually buy (and come back for more). Spoiler alert: it’s not about do…
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#708: What No One Tells You About Opening a Second Store
32:25
32:25
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32:25What’s the secret to growing a successful business while staying true to your roots? Join me as I chat with Kimmy Almon, founder of Kimmy’s Boutique, about her journey from side hustler to boutique owner. Starting in 2014 with online and pop-up shops—while juggling a full-time teaching career—Kimmy took a bold leap into brick-and-mortar retail. Wit…
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Five Minute Friday: Wholesale Buying Isn’t Shopping, It’s Investing
9:58
9:58
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9:58In today’s episode, Sara Burks, Director of Education at The Boutique Hub, breaks down one of the most important concepts every boutique owner must understand: Wholesale buying isn’t shopping — it’s investing. Buying inventory is about making smart, intentional decisions to meet your customers’ needs and create profit, not just picking what you per…
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#707: Retail with Soul: The Business of Crystals, Wellness, and Events
35:24
35:24
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35:24What does it take to turn a small astrology bookstore into a thriving retail destination? Joining the show today is Denise Welling, owner of Body Mind & Soul in Houston, who shares how she did just that. Offering insights on adapting to market trends and evolving consumer interests, Denise discusses how cultural shifts have influenced retail succes…
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Five Minute Friday: The Secret to Merchandising Like a Pro
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8:19Do your in-store displays actually help you sell more? Or are they just taking up space? In this Five Minute Friday guest episode with JR Visual, they're diving into the exact visual merchandising strategies you need to create beautiful, high-converting displays in your boutique. Whether you’re struggling to style mannequins, organize product flow,…
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#706: Mastering the Art of Buying: Trends, Mindset & Selling Success
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39:34
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39:34What does it take to become an entrepreneurial powerhouse in the retail world? Tony Chinn, a seasoned retail expert, joins us today to share his incredible journey from starting as a greeter at Guess to launching his own successful entrepreneurial venture. With experience at iconic brands like BB, Kitson, Forever 21, Agassi, and Akira, Tony's story…
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Five Minute Friday: The Three Pillars of Exceptional Customer Service
4:58
4:58
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4:58In this episode, Emily from Supermoon dives into the key strategies for delivering exceptional customer service. With insights gathered from interviewing hundreds of support agents, she shares three game-changing ways to streamline support, reduce friction for customers, and leverage AI to improve efficiency. Whether you're a small business owner, …
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#705: Serving First, Selling Second: The Secret to Retail Growth
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34:30From feeling out of place as a young girl to becoming a beacon of inspiration for women nationwide, DeAnna Maynard-Goodman (also known as “FabD”) has embarked on a journey that’s nothing short of extraordinary. Today, she joins the show to share how her experiences in the beauty industry shaped her path and inspired her to launch a boutique with ju…
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Five Minute Friday: April Buying Week at Atlanta Market: The Trends & Events You Need to Know
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8:39This week, Morgan Ramage and Alejandra Trombetta from the Atlanta markets’ fashion and events team join us to share trends for the upcoming season across apparel, gift, and home collections, and provide a few highlights for top events at the crossover buying event happening in Atlanta, April 1-4. Resources: About April Buying Week: https://www.amer…
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#704: AI for Entrepreneurs: Boosting Productivity, Creativity, and Brand Authenticity
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48:47
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48:47Want to save money, save time, be better at content creation, and be a better boss? Who doesn’t? Today, I’m joined by my friend Kinsey Soderberg, owner of Feel Good Social and Authentic AI, and we’re digging into all the different ways you can use AI to make your life easier. She sheds light on how she has been working to find a healthy balance wit…
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Five Minute Friday: The Real Reason You're Drowning in Inventory
7:54
7:54
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7:54Struggling with excess inventory that just won’t move? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, we're diving into one of the most common challenges retailers face: what to do with all that unsold inventory—and, more importantly, how to stop it from happening again. Here’s the truth: it's not always about running another sale or marking things down (th…
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#703: Live from Dallas Market Center: Retail, Relationships & Reinvention
33:37
33:37
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33:37What does it take to build a thriving business while staying true to family values and legacy? In today’s episode, live from the Dallas Market Center, I’m joined by Marty and Claudia Leon as they take us through the rich history of the building and their own business evolution. As a family deeply rooted in both the industry and the space, their ins…
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Five Minute Friday: Retail Design 101: How to Create an Experience That Sells
9:21
9:21
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9:21Feeling like your boutique is falling behind the competition? You’re not alone. In this episode, JR Visual Design dives into one of the biggest fears boutique owners face: new stores popping up with on-trend designs, functional layouts, and an experience that draws in customers. If you’ve ever worried that your boutique looks outdated or lacks the …
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#702: Turning Followers into Fans: The Business of Influence with Marc D’Amelio
37:51
37:51
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37:51Do you have enough of a following to bring in business? Knowing how to leverage your following (regardless of size) can be key to a thriving business. Before TikTok, TV, and fame, Marc D’Amelio has been killing it in the apparel and footwear industry. He joins the show today to share some of his best business and sales tips, as well as insights tha…
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Five Minute Friday: How to Motivate & Retain Your Team with Max Retail
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6:03
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6:03Struggling to find and keep great employees? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into the biggest challenges boutique owners face when it comes to hiring, motivating, and retaining staff. We’ll break down the two types of employees you have—rocks and rock stars—and how to create a balanced team that thrives. Melodie van der Baan, co-fou…
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#701: The State of Boutique Retail: What’s Working, What’s Not & What’s Next
32:22
32:22
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32:22Struggling to get your brand noticed in a crowded market? Organic reach is harder than ever, and it’s impacting your business more than you might realize. In this episode, I’ll break down the latest industry shifts and share actionable strategies to help you show up more intentionally and consistently in your marketing. Tune in to discover five key…
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Five Minute Friday: Building a Dream Team: Hiring, Training, and Empowering Staff for Your Boutique
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7:04We have a special host for today's Five Minute Friday episode! Melodie van der Baan, Co-founder and CEO at Max Retail (and Boutique Hub partner), joins us to share key insight into hiring and training staff. Whether you have one employee or 100, Melodie's tips will help at the beginning of your boutique journey and as you scale up. Resources: Max R…
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#644: Money Matters: Financial Basics Every Small Business Owner Should Know
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36:28
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36:28Transforming your financial future isn’t as hard as it may seem. My guest today is Hilary Hoff, a seasoned financial advisor with a rich background in corporate finance, and she joins the show today to discuss the six pillars of financial planning. She breaks them all down in practical, actionable ways that will help you take control of your financ…
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Five Minute Friday: How to Maximize Your 2025 Boutique Boss Planner
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9:01Today, I’m going to help you jump-start your year with your planner. Whether you’re using the Boutique Boss Planner we created specifically for small business owners or a different one, this episode is all about maximizing your prep to not just create a plan—but to plan smarter. Resources: 2025 Boutique Boss Planner Join The Boutique Hub Community …
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#643: From Affordable to Unforgettable: The Power of Experience-Based Sales
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31:30How you make people feel about what they buy from you—and how they buy it—is a huge part of what makes a boutique successful. In this special episode featuring Ashley Donnell of The Babe Standard, we’ll be chatting about the value of selling experiences. Ashley has been particularly successful in this area, so don’t miss hearing her valuable tips! …
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Five Minute Friday: The Vision Board Effect: How to Design Your Dream Life
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8:33
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8:33Are you ready to design your future? As we step into 2025, now is the perfect time to reflect on who you want to be and what you want your life to look like. So, in this Five Minute Friday episode, we explore the power of vision boards—why they work, how they help you stay focused, and how to use them to turn your dreams into reality. Tune in to di…
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#642: Six Layers to Retail Success: Build a Business That Lasts
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9:30Are you struggling to identify what’s working (and what’s not) in your business? If you are looking for clarity on where to focus in order to scale effectively, this episode is exactly what you need! I’ll be breaking down the six key layers to success in retail, providing you with actionable strategies for building a strong, resilient, and sustaina…
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Five Minute Friday: 10 Resolutions to Revolutionize Your Retail Game in 2025
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8:39It's that time of the year: the time for New Year's resolutions. So today, I'm sharing my top 10 resolutions for retailers in 2025. Listen in to hear my real—and direct—take on what goals we should all aim for in the coming year. Resources: Join The Boutique Hub Community Ashley Alderson: Instagram The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram |…
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#641: Holiday Retail Wrap-Up: What Worked, What Didn’t, and How to Plan for 2025
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10:41It’s time to unpack what worked and what didn’t this past holiday retail season—and figure out how to put that information to great use now, while it’s fresh. After talking to hundreds of retailers over the last few weeks and analyzing their successes and what they would be doing differently this next year, I have some valuable information to share…
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Five Minute Friday: Best Year Yet: Retail Success Strategies for 2025
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6:04Ready to crush 2025? In today’s Five Minute Friday, I’m giving you an exclusive peek into how to set your year up for success, as well as how we've seen hundreds of retailers do the same year after year through our Best Year Yet Challenge. This challenge is an opportunity to come together with others in the industry to connect, share what’s working…
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#640: Boutique State of the Union: Lessons from 2024 and Strategies for 2025
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38:13Are you ready to reflect on the lessons of 2024 and prepare for an incredible 2025? In today's episode, I’m excited to bring you a year-end wrap-up filled with insights, strategies, and actionable tips to set your business up for success in the year ahead. Listen as I dive into the highs and lows of 2024, including the impact of election-year consu…
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Five Minute Friday: Turning Emails into 24/7 Sales Machines: 5 Must-Know Strategies for Boutique Owners
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7:54Today we have a special guest hosting Five Minute Friday! Lou Mintzer from Grid & Pixel is here to share how email marketing can supercharge your business. He’s breaking down simple yet powerful strategies to turn your emails into a 24/7 sales machine. Tune in to discover what you can do to generate constant sales—without being tied to your desk. R…
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#639: End-of-Year Retail Reset: A Guide to Reflect, Plan, and Thrive
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34:47It’s time to set yourself up for success in 2025! As we reflect on this past year and all of its ups and downs, it’s important to think about what we need to work on to improve in the coming year. So, in this episode, I’m sharing five must-do things that you need to focus on and four key metrics I recommend keeping close track of as we move into th…
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Five Minute Friday: Stock Photos are Killing Your Brand
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7:06"Why is my business not working?" Many times when I'm asked struggle questions like this, I investigate to try to help—and I find a website filled with stock photos. So I'm here to tell you: stock photos are killing your brand. They make you look like everyone else, so there is no way to differentiate your brand. So what should you do instead? List…
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#638: Building Community, Balancing Chaos, and Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey
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36:28
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36:28If you battle with ADD or ADHD and are looking for tips and resources to thrive through it, this episode is for you! Today we are joined by Danielle Resseguie, owner of Ruby Joy Boutique, to discuss the challenges and solutions she has found in her entrepreneurial journey as she battles ADD. Don’t miss this incredible conversation on dealing with t…
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Five Minute Friday: Trademarking Your Business
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8:14Have you trademarked your business yet? This should be one of the very first things you do if you want to build a business to last. But before you do, in today's Five Minute Friday, I'm sharing a couple of quick things you should do when trademarking your business. Listen in to learn how to make sure you are being smart when protecting your busines…
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#637: Revolutionizing Sales: What Inside Sales Can Do for Your Business
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30:47What do you think of when you hear the word "sales"? If you're one of the many people who think it’s all about pushy tactics and empty pitches, think again. In this episode, I'm joined by Dawn Grooters, founder of Broken Vessel Sales Solutions, who's here to break down how inside sales can help you recapture lost dollars and transform your sales st…
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What do you do when you find yourself looking at a ton of unsold inventory? Be honest—do you fall into the common trap of buying more stuff and telling yourself that the new items will sell better? If so, you're not alone. But you are stopping yourself from taking the time to figure out why the original inventory didn't sell, which is a very import…
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#636: From Burnout to CEO: Building a Business with Purpose and Balance
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37:49Struggling to get the high-level support your small business needs? You’re not alone. Many small business owners struggle with this same thing, often piecing together information and hustling through challenges on their own. Enter Racheal Cook, Founder & CEO of the CEO Collective, who’s dedicated to changing that. In this episode, Racheal shares he…
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Five Minute Friday: Holiday Retail Tip: Promotions vs Sales
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7:03Today's topic is one I'm hoping will save you a lot of stress this holiday season! Too often, I see retailers hustle, hustle, hustle during this time of year, but they're chasing the wrong goal—and missing out on precious holiday moments with their loved ones for nothing. So in this episode, I'm breaking down why you should not be aiming to sell mo…
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#635: Mastering Storytelling to Build a Memorable Brand
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41:48Should you work with influencers? What’s it like to work with influencers? Why don’t influencers support small businesses? Or do they? Flourish in Frills owner Geordian Abel has the answers to these common questions and more, and she joins us today to shed light on how to leverage influence in your own business. Learn More About the Boutique Hub He…
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