Boutique Chat

Cash 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 totally doable. You’ll learn: The #1 place cash is hiding in your business (hint: someone might owe YOU!) Why your pricing strategy could be costing you more than you think How sneaky overhead expenses can silently drain your profit Why inventory overload isn’t the badge of honor you think it is Actionable steps to find quick cash without hammering your sales team to "sell more" If you’re ready to stop feeling stressed about money and start making confident moves in your business, this episode is your pep talk and game plan rolled into one. Need help adjusting your pricing strategy or inventory plan? Connect with us inside our community --> https://tbhub.co/podcast

How 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 and filling a much-needed gap in the market with high-quality, sustainable clothing that truly empowers women of all shapes and sizes. Resources:  Tracy Christian: Website | Instagram  Discount code: BoutiqueHub25  Boutique Summit 2025   Retail Bootcamp   2025 Boutique Boss Planner    Join The Boutique Hub    Ashley Alderson: Instagram    The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube   

Are 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 doing more, it’s about narrowing your focus and getting crystal clear on who you’re trying to serve. Sara walks you through a few quick questions you can answer today that will help you build a loyal customer base, buy smarter at market, and stop wasting money on inventory that doesn’t sell. If you’re ready to attract the right customers, this episode is a must-listen! What You'll Learn: Why “trying to reach everyone” is hurting your boutique The 5 key questions to define your ideal customer How to use your customer profile to shop smarter at market What happens when you stay true to your niche Simple steps to build customer loyalty (without burning out) B

What’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. With deep ties to Waxahachie and Galveston, she reveals how her community connections and personal values fueled an unexpected yet rewarding expansion.  Resources:  ·       Kimmy Almon: Website | Facebook | Instagram  ·       Boutique Summit 2025   ·       Retail Bootcamp   ·       2025 Boutique Boss Planner    ·       Join The Boutique Hub    ·       Ashley Alderson: Instagram    ·       The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

In 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 personally like. Sara walks through six essential tips to help you buy wholesale with confidence and strategy. Key Takeaways: Wholesale Buying = Investing: It's not about filling your cart with cute things — it’s about solving your customers’ problems and maximizing your return on investment. Tip 1: Know Your Customer You’re not buying for yourself — you're investing for them. Conduct customer interviews to find out their true needs, fit preferences, colors they love, and the problems they need solved. Tip 2: Understand Your Buying Options Explore both online marketplaces (like Hubventory, Faire, FashionGo, LA Showroom) and in-person markets (Chicago, Dallas, Atl

What 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 success and how she has created a holistic customer experience that fosters community engagement and long-term business growth. Resources:  Denise Welling: Website | Facebook  Boutique Summit 2025   Retail Bootcamp   2025 Boutique Boss Planner    Join The Boutique Hub    Ashley Alderson: Instagram    The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

Do 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, or just make your store look cohesive, this episode gives you clear, actionable advice that will help boost your sales and elevate your customer experience. Visual merchandising doesn’t have to be overwhelming and you don’t need a design degree to get it right. Tune in as Joelle from JR Visual Design breaks down her top 3 methods: color blocking, outfitting, and styling. You'll walk away with a plan you can implement this week.   JR Visual: Instagram https://www.jrvisualdesign.com/  ---- Join The Boutique Hub Community

What 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 is a testament to the power of intention and vision boards when it comes to achieving lasting success. Listen in to hear practical advice for retailers and insights into maximizing retail success. Resources: Tony Chinn: Website | Instagram Boutique Summit 2025  Retail Bootcamp  2025 Boutique Boss Planner   Join The Boutique Hub   Ashley Alderson: Instagram   The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

In 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, a customer support professional, or just looking for ways to enhance your customer experience, these tips will help you provide faster, smarter, and more effective support. Key Takeaways: Make Information Easily Accessible Don’t make customers search for crucial details like contact info or FAQs. Display key information in multiple places: website footer, homepage, emails, and social media. Reduce frustration by proactively answering common questions. Use a Shared Inbox for Better Efficiency If you receive a high volume of customer inquiries, centralizing them in one place saves time. Shared inbox tools allow for better team collaboration and quicker response tim

From 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 just a modest $300 investment. DeAnna also opens up about navigating her career through the challenges of COVID-19 and reveals how focusing on meeting her community’s needs became the key to both fulfillment and success. Resources: DeAnna Maynard-Goodman: Website | Facebook | Instagram Boutique Summit 2025  Retail Bootcamp  2025 Boutique Boss Planner   Join The Boutique Hub   Ashley Alderson: Instagram   The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

This 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.americasmart.com/aprilbuyingweek A/W ’25 Apparel Trend Report: https://www.atlanta-apparel.com/The-Best-Of/Trends Details for all upcoming Atlanta markets: https://www.americasmart.com/Markets/Market-Dates-and-Hours   Boutique Hub Members SAVE big at Market. Not a Member? Join Here: https://tbhub.co/podcastjoin 

Want 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 with using AI tools that allows for better productivity without sacrificing quality or authenticity. Resources: Kinsey Soderberg: Feel Good Social | Authentic AI Brand Blueprint Reels Prompt Playbook AI Powered Reels Club Boutique Summit 2025  Retail Bootcamp  2025 Boutique Boss Planner   Join The Boutique Hub   Ashley Alderson: Instagram   The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

Struggling 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 (though we'll cover that too). Often, the biggest problem with excess inventory starts long before the markdowns... and it's all about how much attention and strategy you're giving each piece. In this episode, we cover: Why excess inventory builds up in the first place (spoiler: it’s not just overbuying) How to give your products the love they need to actually sell Creative ways to clear out old inventory fast, including bundle sales, ladder sales, and more Why early markdowns are better than desperate discounting How to treat your inventory like cash The importance of knowing your numbers - inventory age, demand, and seasonality How your online visibility is directly

What 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 insights are not only valuable but truly inspiring. Listen in as they open up about the dynamics of working as a family, finding the right balance and setting boundaries, and mastering successful, consistent marketing strategies.  Resources: Marty and Claudia Leon: L&A Showroom | Marty | Claudia Dallas Market Center DMC Instagram Boutique Summit 2025  Retail Bootcamp  2025 Boutique Boss Planner   Join The Boutique Hub   Ashley Alderson: Instagram   The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

Feeling 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 flow and aesthetic that keep shoppers coming back, this episode is for you. They're breaking down the key elements of great store design and how to elevate your boutique to create a space that stands out. Whether you’re considering a small refresh or a complete renovation, these strategies will help you stop the comparison game and start building a boutique that feels fresh, unique, and perfectly aligned with your brand. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why store design plays a critical role in attracting and retaining customers How to stop comparing your boutique to new competitors and focus on your strengths The three essential pillars of great store design: B

Do 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 that have helped him and his projects succeed.  Resources: Marc D’Amelio: Instagram | Facebook D'AMELIO FOOTWEAR ON HUBVENTORY Join The Boutique Hub  Boutique Summit 2025 Retail Bootcamp  2025 Boutique Boss Planner  Ashley Alderson: Instagram  The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

Struggling 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-founder and CEO of Max Retail, shares her proven strategies for understanding employee strengths, rewarding loyalty, and fostering growth within your boutique team. Whether you have employees who love selling, organizing inventory, or dream of climbing the fashion industry ladder, this episode will help you structure your team for long-term success. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The difference between rocks (your steady, reliable team members) and rock stars (high achievers who thrive on challenge) How to identify employee strengths and assign roles that align with their skills Why it’s okay if rock stars eventually move on—and how to maximize their time with you

Struggling 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 trends you need to know as you plan for your next business year.  Resources: Join The Boutique Hub  Boutique Summit 2025 Retail Bootcamp  2025 Boutique Boss Planner  Ashley Alderson: Instagram  The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

We 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 Retail Join The Boutique Hub Community  The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

Transforming 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 finances. Hillary Hoff: Website | Facebook | Schedule a Consult Call Retail Bootcamp 2025 Boutique Boss Planner Join The Boutique Hub Ashley Alderson: Instagram The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube