Boutique Chat

Every Friday I’m re-releasing one of my favorite episodes from seasons past to revisit my conversations with early guests and the business advice and practices they share! Up this week is a Season 1 Solo intended to help you prep for the holidays and boost fourth quarter sales. Do you know where Black Friday got its name? Well traditionally, retailers were in the red financially all year, but when the holiday shopping season hit they moved into the black. Hopefully, that’s not the case for you but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take advantage of this powerful season. This week we are diving into 5 critical tips to help you maximize the busiest season in retail and push you into a powerful next season. Want more tips, strategies, and sales boosters? Click here to watch our 6 Secrets to Double Your Holiday Sales video and to enroll in The Boutique Hub’s Holiday Marketing Masterclass. For show notes click here. Original release date: Nov. 16, 2018 Resources: The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagr

It’s not often that I have local guests on the podcast, but today I’m so excited to welcome my friend Anna Ledebuhr, the owner and founder of one of my personal favorite boutiques, Coulee Boutique in Galesville, Wisconsin. Five years ago, Anna took a big leap, leaving teaching for entrepreneurship, and since she’s built her business from a Shopify site and pop-ups to a 3,500-square-foot brick-and-mortar. Anna has done an amazing job not only with her merchandising and marketing but also with building community and teaming up with other local small business owners. We talk about her involvement with the Downtown Galesville Business Alliance and putting yourself in big rooms even when its uncomfortable, fostering activity through collaboration, and some of her favorite annual events, including Pink Friday! Resources: Coulee Boutique: Website | Facebook | Instagram  The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube Ashley Alderson: Instagram Boutique Summit 2024 2024 Bo

Now every Friday, I’m re-releasing one of my favorite episodes from seasons past to revisit my conversations with early guests and the business advice and practices they share! Up this week is Pinterest marketing expert Kate Ahl of Simple Pin Media.  Pinterest isn’t for short-term strategy, it’s for dreamers. Dreaming what outfit they’ll wear to the rehearsal dinner at their wedding, what house they’ll live in when they have four perfect kids someday, and what cookie recipe they’ll bake for Santa. They are dreaming about what’s to come next in their life. Pinterest is a long-term strategy that builds your brand and continually puts you in front of potential customers. This amazing conversation will blow you away. Kate Ahl is one of the leading Pinterest experts in the world, get ready. For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here.  Resources: Simple Pin Media: Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagra

I am so excited to be joined this week by my friend Amy DeFauw, who is a multi-state multi-storeowner and has a wealth of experience as the CEO of Katsch Boutique.  Today we’re talking all about retail art vs retail science — retail art being the love of the product, customers and marketing as opposed to retail science, i.e. the numbers, inventory management, financing and metrics. And we dive into what it takes to make the retail science side of your business come to life, allowing those numbers and spreadsheets to really speak to you. Amy shares her approach to growing and managing multiple locations and a successful team, the lessons she learned along the way and how she cut out the overwhelm by systemizing her business!   Resources:  Katsch Boutique: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest  The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube Ashley Alderson: Instagram Hubventory.com Boutique Summit 2024 2024 Boutique Boss Planner The Boutique Hub Membership B

Now every Friday, I’m re-releasing one of my favorite episodes from seasons past to revisit the stories of our early guests and the business advice and practices they share! This week I chose a Season 1 episode that answers one of the questions I most often get asked: What tips would you offer a brand-new boutique owner? Let’s cut through the noise of those Google and YouTube searches and get down to 5 tips that will actually help you start your business off right. While the boutique industry is glamorous, we want you to be prepared for the not so glamorous  times too, so prepare yourself for some real talk. From buy-in groups, to hustle and being original, these top tips can’t be missed in your business!    For show notes & resources click here. First Released June 26, 2018  Resources: The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube Ashley Alderson: Instagram Hubventory.com Boutique Summit 2024 2024 Boutique Boss Planner The Boutique Hub Membership B

This week marks another big celebration for us at The Hub — the first anniversary of Hubventory!  For those of you who aren't familiar with it already, Hubventory is our very own wholesale marketplace, built by The Boutique Hub for the boutique industry. In developing HV, our team spent months and months getting feedback from both boutique owners and wholesalers to create a true grass-roots platform to best serve you and your business. I am so proud of how far Hubventory has come in just one year and so grateful to all of you who have supported us and helped us shape and improve it along the way.  So today I'm talking all things Hubventory — what sets it apart from other online wholesale marketplaces, how its tailored for small businesses, the highlights and new features, and what we have in the works for year two!  Resources: The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube Ashley Alderson: Instagram Hubventory.com Boutique Summit 2024 2024 Boutique Boss Planne

This is a super personal episode for me. This week as we wrap up our 10th Anniversary Series, I wanted to chat about not only the origins and evolution of The Hub but also my journey as an entrepreneur, and I’m sharing a story that I haven’t shared until recently or with many people.  I learned some huge lessons early on about imposter syndrome and finding strength in adversity. I put my trust in the wrong business partner and almost lost my company, along with my confidence in myself and my vision. As hard as it is to look back on, I want to share my experience with you guys because I think we all know what it's like to stumble, like we don’t know the next step or even if there’s a way forward. And that’s exactly why I built The Boutique Hub, to provide a place where boutique owners can come together, support one another and learn from each other.  As I look back on the last 10 years and everything The Hub has become and accomplished, my mission remains the same: to serve others, build community and change t

Ang Castelli is another boutique owner celebrating a 10th anniversary this year. She’s also a longtime Hub member and her boutique is unlike any other at The Hub — it caters exclusively to boys and boy moms! When pregnant with her first son back in 2010 and trying to prep his closet, Ang thought, “Why are there no clothes for little boys and why are the children’s clothing stores so dominated by girl's apparel?” Three years and two sons later, she’d become an expert on boy brands and shopping online, so in 2013, she’d founded Roman & Leo, an all-boys clothing store named after her sons. Ang says boys apparel can be a tough market, but it’s her passion as a boy mom (she now has three!) and she’s learned to lean into her niche, rely on her community, make the most of media and utilize data to continually adapt her strategies and scale the business. We chat about the lessons she’s learned throughout the last decade, marketing and events, social media, inventory management and collection planning, as well as

You’re most likely familiar with CommentSold, but you may not know what the platform’s been up to lately with new CEO + tech executive and investor Gautam Goswami at the wheel. And it’s A LOT. Gautam (GG) talks about the transformational changes he’s implemented since joining the executive team, as well as what’s coming up next at CommentSold — including a new multi-source that provides a deeper level of creativity and interaction, advanced e-commerce websites with automated video content, a massive drop ship catalog with significant margins, and a user-friendly interface and tools.  If you love live selling and want to take it to the next level, or if you're a new boutique owner interested in getting started, this is one you won’t want to miss!    Resources:  CommentSold: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Pinterest The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube Ashley Alderson: Instagram Boutique Summit 2024 Hubventory.com The Boutique Hub Member

I’m joined for another edition of our special 10 Year Anniversary Series by Megan Randig, the co-owner of Mezoozah Boutique and an early adopter of The Boutique Hub! Since buying the business with her mom 10 years ago, Megan has expanded Mezoozah from a home and gift brand to a comprehensive boutique — selling everything from décor and gifts to apparel and accessories to kids, both in-store and online.  She joins the show to talk about analyzing your business and making the big changes necessary to take it to the next level, as well as share her thoughts on buying strategy, collections, digital marketing and creating life balance (which boils down to have processes in place and a team that you trust).  TAKE NOTE: It’s Holiday Week on Hubventory! Be sure to check out the special deals and discounts on holiday inventory, available this week only on Hubventory.com.    Resources:  Mezoozah: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Tik

This week I want to talk not only about fourth quarter goals and planning but also our fourth annual Pink Friday! Pink Friday is a day in November to celebrate small businesses — what it means to be a small business owner, shopping small first, and community over competition. Since founding Pink Friday, we’ve seen small businesses around the world recognize this special day. Last year 38 boutiques in New Orleans alone teamed up to participate. So, today I am sharing everything you need to know about Pink Friday, how to get involved and where to find more information. I want to encourage you to participate and share your story, as well as team up with other small business owners in your community and make the most of Pink Friday. Check the link in our show notes for everything you need to know and be sure to join the email list for tools including a full media kit with press release templates, marketing materials, tip sheets and event planning checklists. I’m also including a link for our Holiday Marketing Mas

Are you curious about what it takes to build a "mega boutique"? In today's episode, I’m excited to bring you a conversation with Leslie Hall, the founder of The ZigZag Stripe. Leslie's brand is a shining example of the term "mega boutique," a concept that's been buzzing in our industry for some time, and this is one business story that I have loved to watch over the years. Listen as we dive deep into the intricacies of Leslie's business model, discuss the powerful brand recognition she's fostered, and explore how she's skillfully utilized a recognizable model to become the face of The ZigZag Stripe. We also take a look at the tight-knit community that Leslie has built around her brand, the efficiencies she lived and died by, and how she managed inventory during a big move. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/   Resources: Leslie Hall: Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | TikTok The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

Are you ready to learn from a boutique owner who has navigated the evolution of her business with grace and tenacity? Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Lindsay Heyneman, the founder and owner of Lettie Boutique. As part of our 10-year anniversary series, Lindsay brings her wealth of experience and genuine positivity to the podcast, offering amazing insights for both new and seasoned boutique owners. Listen in as Lindsay shares her journey of building a thriving online community, including orchestrating a memorable Disneyland meetup for her customers. She also opens up about the challenges of managing a successful online business and warehouse while relocating across the country for her husband's education, and her experience establishing her first brick-and-mortar store. Lindsay's resilience, adaptability, and warmth shine through in this episode, and I'm excited for you to meet her! Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Lindsay Heyneman: Website |

Get ready for an important conversation that no apparel boutique owner who carries extended and plus sizes will want to miss. Our guest today is Jessica Throneburg, the founder and COO of Little Details Boutique. Not only is she a long-time friend of mine, but she's also a valued member of The Boutique Hub community, and she joins the show today to share the highs and lows of building a fully size-inclusive boutique. Get comfortable and listen in as Jessica shares her approach to handling challenges and stumbling blocks with a determination to find solutions rather than vent, as well as how she overcame the highs and lows of building a size-inclusive business. You'll hear about how she makes customers feel welcome in her boutique, a critical issue plaguing the industry today, and what it takes to successfully manufacture apparel for all body shapes and sizes. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Jessica Throneburg: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Today I'm kicking off The Boutique Hub's 10th Anniversary Series! We at The Hub are celebrating our 10th anniversary all month long and as part of the celebrations, I’m bringing you a very special 10-episode series on the podcast featuring boutique owners who’ve also been in business now for 10 years. These industry veterans are joining me for the 10th Anniversary Series to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of retail. They share their success stories, the hurdles they’ve faced, and offer tips, practices and advice that you can apply to your own businesses. So, to kick off the series, I'm solo this week to share The Boutique Hub’s story and the 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned throughout our 10 years in business. Hopefully you’ll find some helpful takeaways from our big wins as well as the honest mistakes I’ve made along the way! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a part of this community and being a part of these last 10 years. To show you how grateful we are, The Hub is doing a HUGE ANNI

We have a very special episode for you this holiday week! We’ve rounded up five of our top moments and lessons learned so far in Season 5.  Enjoy these highlights from some of our favorite episodes of 2023 and join us next week when we are launching The Boutique Hub 10th Anniversary Series, celebrating The Hub’s anniversary and spotlighting guests with 10+ years in the boutique business.  Hear from Anthony and Amy Ekren of Inherit Clothing Co. about their successful e-commerce business, working together as husband and wife, and strategies for managing a happy and effective team. CLICK HERE FOR FULL EPISODE WITH ANTHONY AND AMY Michiko Seto, founder of Blooming Boutique, talks about franchising and building her brand into an empire, the discipline it takes to operate as a cash-based business, and the importance of creating an experience for your customers through events. CLICK HERE FOR FULL EPISODE WITH MICHIKO  One of our 2023 Summit keynote speakers, Jane Kasper Cochrane takes me through the dos and d

Everyone has what we like to call J Months, months of the year that are slower than others. Whether or not yours are the traditional J Months — January, June and July — we all know what it’s like to struggle through slow seasons. But there’s still opportunity there. We just have to change how we chase business and operate through the slow months for our businesses to sustain and thrive. So, I’m recording solo today to offer you a few tips for making the most of the J Months. Takeaways from this episode: Give yourself permission work on your business instead of in your business and also take a step away for mental clarity, focus on building relationships as opposed to chasing dollars and double down on engaging content, and merchandise to turn wants into needs.   Resources:  The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube Ashley Alderson: Instagram Boutique Hub Black Retail Bootcamp The Boutique Hub Membership Hubventory.com

My guest this week is someone I admire as a businesswoman and big thinker, who not only continues to grow her boutique business in Nashville but has also launched her own wholesale brand. Marla Skipper is the founder and owner of SVM  Boutique and Nash Grey Wholesale, and today she’s joining me on the podcast to share all of the lessons she’s learned throughout the last decade. We talk strategies for attracting and retaining both local customers and tourists, brand events and pop-ups, digital marketing, choosing the right location for your store and negotiating leases. We also discuss how Marla’s wholesale line Nash Grey came to be. When it comes to launching a wholesale brand, she advocates starting small, building strong relationships with your manufacturers and relying on customer feedback. I’ve gotten to know Marla as a member of the Mastermind program at The Boutique Hub and, having been able to watch her business grow and evolve, I’m so excited to see SVM Boutique celebrate its 10th anniversary this yea

If you've been around for a while, you no doubt remember when the separation between apparel boutiques and home and gift boutiques was much wider than it is now. Since the pandemic, we have been on a fast track to see a lot more crossover between these two boutique segments. In this episode, I'm excited to dive into this growing trend with Angela Schmook, VP of Sales and Marketing at Road Runners LLC, a company that supports numerous wholesale brands in every category from home decor to jewelry collections and gifts of all types.  Listen in as we delve into what apparel and home and gift boutiques can learn from each other, the common misconceptions between home and gift and apparel, and the different business practices that work for each. Angela also shares her advice for retailers, current industry trends, and her insights on where she sees the overall industry heading. We also talk about the upcoming home and gift show at Dallas Market Center, where you can find Angela next week! Learn More About the Bouti

Calling all brand new business owners! This week’s episode is just for you. Pam Colon is the owner and founder of Muted Closet, and we’re diving into the lessons she has learned being in the thick of new business ownership in just the first year. Get comfortable and listen in as we dive deep into what it has been like for Pam starting her business, how she has grown it organically through word of mouth and popup events, and how she leveraged collaborations with other brands. We also talk about how she balances being a full-time teacher with running her boutique and how she is planning to celebrate her very first year in business in only a few short weeks. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Pam Colon: Website | Instagram | Facebook Hubventory Home and Gift Week