Boutique Chat

What is a better way to celebrate a 10-year business anniversary than to burn your whole membership to the ground and re-build it from the ground up? How about launching a brand new dashboard and new tools that will change the boutique game for so many owners? Join me as I chat with Jeff Fenn, a Hub Team Member who's not just known for his terrible Steve Jobs impersonation, but also for the fresh new tools and dashboard features that were rolled out at the Boutique Summit last month. We'll be diving into the project's inception, the goals we sought to achieve with the new dashboard, and the power and importance of SEO. Jeff will also be sharing insights on how to track SEO and what metrics boutiques should be looking for to really leverage the power of organic traffic. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Boutique Hub Black

Do you struggle with defining success on your own terms? I am so excited to be joined by Laura Horwath, the owner and founder of Ferne Boutique, a clothing store with four locations in the Detroit area of Michigan. Laura has grown her brick-and-mortar stores through effective networking, community engagement, and maximizing Chamber of Commerce opportunities. But beyond business success, Laura is here to share a personal story that we believe will hit home with many of our boutique owners. Listen in as she opens up about her journey of growing a successful business through effective networking, her personal story of how she dealt with a dip in sales, and the lessons she learned about handling the ups and downs of business. You'll hear how she learned to define success on her own terms, how to focus on what's important and avoid getting stuck on a hamster wheel, and what Laura did to trim the fat and get down to the bare bones of why she's in business. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutique

I’m coming to you from The Boutique Summit in Dallas this week! And I want to give you guys a quick update on how it’s all going, as well as share some really exciting news. Along with the education and community, one of my favorite things about Summit is getting to share the latest news and happenings behind-the-scenes at The Boutique Hub. And this year I was thrilled to make a BIG announcement that will not only affect Hub members but also the boutique industry at large. The Hub team has been working hard on finding new ways and tools to elevate your business, and we were so excited to present our new metrics dashboard at this Summit. We’ve teamed up with two of the largest data companies in the world to customize a dashboard that tells you how your business is performing and offers step-by-step direction to increasing your organic growth. Be sure to check it out when logging on to theboutiquehub.com! And for those of you who weren’t able to be at here in Dallas, you can stream all of the sessions on-demand

Today I am chatting with an OG member of The Hub and the queen of events Jodi Stevens, owner of Bless Your Heart Boutique! In addition to taking me through the evolution of her storefront and the lessons she’s learned along the way, Jodi shares all her event planning tips and tricks, and specifically how she’s made Small Business Saturday one of her biggest days of the year. We talk about the preparation and promotion, how she manages the ROI and how she makes every event a unique experience for both loyal and new customers. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Bless Your Heart Boutique  Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest |  Website Ashley Alderson Instagram The Boutique Summit 2023         

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with fears and worries about your business? Well, you're not alone. Many entrepreneurs experience this, especially when it comes to changes in law and regulation. Today, we're thrilled to have Jane Kasper Cochrane back on the podcast. Founder of Glow Group, email marketing expert, boutique owner (and one of our keynote speakers at the recent Boutique Summit!) Jane is here to shed some light on a very important topic: your text message marketing strategy and the changes in regulations that we all need to be aware of to protect the longevity of our businesses. Listen in as we dive deep into the world of text message marketing and the many changes we need to be aware of, including laws and regulations and how to accurately track your campaigns. We also discuss gated products and their impact on text messaging, the easiest ways to grow your list within the regulations, and best practices to maximize your text messaging campaigns. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Her

We have a lot to talk about in this episode! I’m joined by Denise Albright, a creative entrepreneur who founded her first company in 1999 and has had an entrepreneurial mindset since childhood. After taking a break in 2007 to focus on her family, Denise's entrepreneurial spirit was reignited in 2015 when a production delay left thousands of Reminder Binder planners stranded in a warehouse, which precipitated the birth of her newest venture. Listen in as Denise shares how she started her business, what has helped her to scale (hint: think systems!), and how she uses common software to handle customer service inquiries. We also discuss why she decided to jump into the wholesale market, her process for live selling, and how to drop ship using hubventory.com. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/   Resources: Denise Albright: Website Use code LUCKY on any order through March 31st on hubventory.com Re-amaze Slack Trello Loom

This episode is all about the one of my favorite annual Boutique Hub events, The Boutique Summit! I talk about everything that’s happening at this year’s Boutique Summit and how you can be a part of it, as well as take you behind the scenes in terms of planning. Hopefully you’ll hear some helpful tips and tricks for putting on your next event! As the largest conference for boutique owners outside of trade shows, The Boutique Summit is all about helping you grow your business. The 2023 Summit, taking place March 19-20 at Dallas Market Center, will not only include more than 16 breakout sessions fostering education and community but also the best lineup of speakers that I think we’ve ever had! I am so excited to welcome headliner Jenna Kutcher, a New York Times bestselling author and host of the No. 1 business marketing podcast Goal Digger — as well as boutique owner Karli Harris of Everyday Chic Boutique, Demin & Velvet’s Janzen Tew, Olivia Hopkins from Digital Boutique Co., Management One’s Director of

Welcome to today's episode! Our guest is Michiko Seto, founder and owner of 11 boutiques in Delaware. Michiko is known for her infectious personality and super smart business savvy, and she's here to talk to us about events, leadership, growth, mindset, hiring, and so much more. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar business or an online boutique, there's something for everyone in this episode. So sit back, relax, and let's dive in! Listen in as Michiko shares what every boutique owner needs to know, including how to start, plan, and grow a business, what metrics really matter, and why taking the time to plan and establish a solid foundation can help ensure the longevity of your boutique. You'll hear the secrets she has learned in her boutique journey, how she leverages events in her boutiques to bring people in, and the importance of staying true to your brand. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Michiko Seto: LinkedIn Blooming Boutique Treasures  The Bout

You can have the most successful business in the world, but if you’re not enjoying it, is it really worth it? One of the topics that I find the most joy in talking about with boutique owners is the topic of mindset because it’s one that can yield the biggest results and change in business. In today’s episode, I’m excited to be joined by Gretchen Hilley, owner of Rolling Ranch Boutique and OG Boutique Hub member, to talk all things mindset. Listen in as Gretchen shares her experience starting, launching, and growing her thriving business, the ups and downs she experienced with live selling and staffing, and what it was like adding her husband to the team. She also provides insight into the role her mindset has played in her success and shares practical tips on how to cultivate a growth mindset to reach new heights in your boutique journey. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Gretchen Hilley: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok CommentSold

In this episode, we're tackling one of the most frequently asked questions from growing boutique owners: how do you work with your spouse? To help us answer this question, we've brought in two of our favorite people and an amazing couple, Anthony and Amy Ekren of Inherit Clothing Co. Not only will they share their experiences of working together, but they'll also dive into how they have successfully scaled their business by maximizing systems, processes, and the love languages of their team members. Join us as we learn how they've built a thriving business and a culture we can all admire.  Anthony and Amy take us through their non-traditional journey into the boutique world as they took the leap of purchasing and scaling an existing business. They give us a unique inside view of what it's like to work together as a husband and wife couple in the business world and share their experiences of growing this awesome business from the ground up. You'll also hear about the unglamorous side of it all, what systems an

I’m thrilled to be back for an all-new season of Boutique Chat, and to kick off Season 5, I’m revisiting some of my favorite episodes of the last year! In this highlight reel you’ll hear from Social Sales Girls founder Susan Bradley on digital advertising and metrics, Everyday Chic Boutique owner Karli Harris Pennington on launching collections, Simple Pin Media founder Kate Ahl on the power of Pinterest, influencer and boutique owner Jocelyn McClellan on the importance of community, The Taproom founder Kelly Vaughn on optimizing Shopify, The Good Babes Co. founder Shelby Lovelace on styling collections and creating an aesthetic, financial adviser and founder of Finances Demystified Dominique Broadway on making your money work for you through investments, Yellowstone costumer Megan Meadors on the resurgence of cowboy cool, and Hale House owner Bekah Hale Pollock on building a lifestyle brand. Did you miss any of these amazing guests? Click the links below to listen to the full episodes. And tune in next Tuesd

Welcome to the last episode of the season! Today, I am joined by Sara Burks, our Director of Partnerships and Education and my partner in crime for this podcast episode. We are discussing year-end tips and preparing for 2023, as well as addressing some of the common struggles faced by boutique owners and how to overcome them. Listen in as we dive into what happened in 2022 in the boutique industry and share our tips for making 2023 your year. We’ll be breaking down the six layers of any retail business, discussing how to sell less but make more, and sharing where many retailers fall down when it comes to sales strategy. We also talk about the exciting new changes coming to Retail Bootcamp that you won’t want to miss! Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Retail Bootcamp

This time of year is special for so many reasons. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend time with loved ones, and experience the joys of the holidays and it is the perfect time to reflect and plan for the year ahead. In last week's episode, we went over some reflections for 2022. Today, I want to share 3 predictions and takeaways for 2023 as you start to map out your year ahead. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Ashley Alderson: Instagram Boutique Summit 2023 Best Year Yet 2023

If you’re like me, there’s a different level of excitement that happens toward the end of the year. It’s a great time to gather and look back on the highs and lows of the past year, as well as reflect on the lessons that were learned along the way. I have been busting at the seams with all the things I have learned over the past year, so buckle up as I share the biggest lessons learned from 2022. Listen in as I look back and dive into the last year that we survived—or thrived in—and share some insights that we can take with us into the next year to make it great. I’ll also talk about what to expect in the coming year within the retail and boutique industry and give you some tidbits to get your 2023 started off right in your business! Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Ashley Alderson: Instagram Hubventory.com Boutique Boss Store

As we continue through the time of year when many of us are hustling to meet all of the sales goals we set out for ourselves, I wanted to remind you that finishing the year off strong in terms of your business is just as important. In this episode, I’m discussing the things you should be thinking about before the end of the year to make sure that your business and your financials are on the right track for 2023. Get comfortable, grab a notebook, and get ready to take notes on how to get yourself set for success in your business, at home, and internally! I’ll be sharing quick tips to finish the year off strong, including the things in your business you should be doing before the end of the year, how to prep for taxes, and how to create new revenue streams if you have extra income. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/   Resources: Ready to grow your boutique or retail store? Join us on January 3rd for Best Year Yet! Retail Bootcamp Money: Master the Game: 7 Simp

Is there anyone listening who doesn’t find traditional social media completely exhausting (at least sometimes!) when it comes to trying to grow your brand and reach? In today’s episode, we’re getting the inside scoop on the power of traditional media with the owners of Top It Off Accessories, Elizabeth and Karena, and we’re finding out what it’s like to find yourself in one of the most coveted spots in the nation: on Oprah’s Favorite Things list. Listen in as Elizabeth and Karena walk us through their brand story, having been in business for 20 amazing years, how they have grown during that time, how they source products, and how they manage cash flow. We also dive into what it was like to be featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things, what they learned from the experience, and—more importantly—what they learned about the power of traditional marketing methods. You'll hear their thoughts on how boutiques can leverage traditional marketing themselves, as well as why it’s more important than ever to have powerful rela

Many members of The Boutique Hub are Shopify owners, so today we are digging into the details of enhancing your Shopify store with Josh Orr, the Founder and CEO of Streamline Retail—and a repeat guest on the podcast! We’ll be answering that burning question that all Shopify owners have: how do you make sure that your store has the highest possible conversion rate based on the traffic coming through? Listen in as we break down what makes stores convert at the highest rates, what apps you should be using in your Shopify store, and what it really means to value community over competition. We also discuss the importance of being customer-centric (and what that means), the most important elements of any Shopify store, and what metrics you should be measuring when it comes to your site’s overall health. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Josh Orr: Website The eCommerce ToolKit PickyStory Power Tools Tabs by Station accessiBe

If there has ever been a boutique that does an amazing job not only understanding their customer but also building a truly amazing brand, it’s Bekah Pollock's Hale House. Bekah is a long-time member of the Boutique Hub and has a beautiful store in Fort Worth, Texas, along with a tremendous following on Instagram. In this episode, we’re diving into how she accomplished it all. Listen in as Bekah takes us through her journey celebrating her 11th anniversary of Hale House, what it was like transitioning from a brick-and-mortar store to online, and how she manages selling and inventory for both. We also dive into how Bekah juggles everything in life and business, including running a business, growing a team, and (maybe most importantly) being a mom! Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Bekah Pollock : Website | Facebook | Instagram Cotton Island Management One Streamline Retail

What if I told you that the “think rich to get rich” philosophy would only get you so far in your quest for financial freedom? My guest today is Candy Valentino, a speaker, coach, and long-time business owner. Also the author of Wealth Habits: Six Ordinary Steps to Achieve Extraordinary Financial Freedom, Candy joins the show today to break down the steps to creating life-long wealth that you can start doing today. Listen in as Candy shares her tips for getting rid of debt, how to live below your means, and where you should start with investing. We also discuss why it is so important to focus on having multiple revenue streams to build life-long wealth (instead of laser-focusing on building a business with one revenue stream) and how to be intentional with your efforts so you can up-level your wealth and finally be financially free. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Candy Valentino: Website | Instagram | Facebook Wealth Habits: Six Ordinary Steps to

If you had to choose one person in the whole as your boutique crush, who would it be? Today I am excited to have my own personal boutique crush on the show, Megan DiVincenzo, the Founder of Sis Kiss and a repeat guest on the podcast. Megan is so incredibly smart and talented and has built an amazing brand that is so much more than a product or wholesale line, and I’m excited to get into how she did it and where she is today on her brand journey. Get comfortable and listen in as Megan shares how she has managed to build a true multi-channel brand, what’s going on behind the scenes at Sis Kiss, and what it’s like going viral. We also discuss the importance of rest and taking care of yourself as a business owner and get the lowdown on Megan’s new podcast, which you definitely won’t want to miss! Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Megan DiVincenzo: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest The Skinny Confidential Podcast