Boutique Chat

Are you racing towards the ‘next big thing’ or finding genuine joy in your journey? Sara Durcholz is the founder and visionary behind JO+CO, and she has an amazing story, from starting her business to expanding to multiple storefronts—and realizing the need for a completely different direction in her life and making the leap to find true fulfillment. Get comfortable and listen in as Sara shares candidly about her initial venture into the boutique business, diving into the ups and downs of her early days as an entrepreneur. You'll hear why she chose the path of franchising her business, how she learned to balance her ambition with personal fulfillment, the mistakes she made along the way, and how she made the shift to make herself truly happy. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Jo+Co: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest | TikTok Bossish Podcast with Sara Durcholz The Boutique Hub: Facebook | Instagram | Website Ashley Alderson: Insta

This is such a special episode with such a special person — Sydney Petersen, founder of Bizzy’s Boutique, Bizzy Izzy’s Wholesale and the Love Izzy Project.  Sydney truly inspires me, not only as a business owner but also as someone who spreads joy and hope to others. Get ready to have your heart strings pulled (especially all you mommas)! Sydney named her business after her daughter Isabelle (Izzy) who was born with a rare genetic disorder and, as a result, had a prolonged stay in the NICU. Fortunately from Sydney’s traumatic experience came a beautiful baby girl, a new community of NICU moms and an inspired business idea. It all started with the Love Izzy Project. Sydney began designing swaddle blankets as a way to give back to other NICU moms and their babies. For every Love Izzy swaddle blanket sold, a swaddle is donated to the Blank Children's NICU. Her Bizzy-ness grew from there, and now Sydney specializes in all things children’s as a boutique owner and the designer of the Bizzy Izzy's kids line. We

It’s Kids Week on Hubventory.com! And to celebrate, today I’m talking Children’s with Valerie and Ryan Becker, owners and founders of Wellington Design Co., who recently made the transition from retail to wholesale launching a kids clothing line of Valerie’s original designs. It all started with wanting to incorporate her own designs into her online children’s boutique. But Valerie's clothing sold so well in her store and on Facebook that in 2020 she went all in on Wellington. Her husband Ryan got on board to help run the wholesale business, and the brand has been growing strong ever since! I talk to Valerie and Ryan about what it takes to successfully launch a clothing line, the struggles and benefits of working with your spouse, balancing professional and personal goals, metrics, evaluation and putting the right processes in place for consistency and growth. The Beckers are big on processes, planning and delegation — which is why EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) has been vital to their new business. I

This week I answer all of your burning questions! You submitted questions, and I do my best to address them all. This episode is overflowing with information, tips and tricks, so be sure to take notes! I talk about how to handle damaged product and establishing your return policy, implementing creative promotions, how to break into wholesale, growing your business beyond your hometown, rebuilding your foundation, looking at competitors as allies and so much more. Photography, inventory planning, press coverage, insurance — I cover it all in this installment of Ask Ashley Anything! Have more questions for me? Hopefully I have answers! Reach out to The Boutique Hub team or to me personally on social media. I would love to hear from you.  To close out the show, I also share exciting news about Boutique Hub Black, a program to help retailers crush their sales goals – especially if they lack time, aren't fully staffed or are uncertain about their growth strategy. As a Boutique Hub Black member, you’ll gain ac

I hope you have a notebook ready for this episode. I have so much information to share with you this week, as well as some dates to mark on your calendars! After a crazy busy week, I am home from Nashville Market and want to share what I took away from the trip. While in Nashville, The Boutique Hub team hosted our biannual event for our Mastermind members. For those of you who aren’t familiar, Mastermind is a program for our highest earning and experienced boutique owners, all of whom have been in the game a while, and twice a year they come together with our team to roundtable and learn from each other’s experiences. Man did we learn a lot! We talked successes, struggles, solutions, we laughed, we cried … we covered it all. I hope these themes resonate with you and would love to hear your feedback. Drop a note in the comments, reach out to The Boutique Hub team on social media or to me personally on Instagram. We want to hear from you! Coming up next week, a special Ask Ashley episode! If you have questions,

Kristyn DeBord Durbin paved her way in the family business as a sales representative and designer for Double J Saddlery — a collection of tack, saddles, bags and other leathergoods handmade in Texas. Now as a new mom of two young girls, Kristyn has gone from wholesale to retail, stepping back from the saddlery company to found June’s Pearls, an online boutique of children’s clothing, toys, and gifts. She joins the show today to share her story, her history, and the lessons she has learned along the way. Listen in as Kristyn shares how Double J Saddlery has evolved since it was founded in 1991 and how she has played a pivotal role in driving the fashion side of the business with the curation of the Vestige by Double J jewelry line. We also discuss how Double J has built a brand that has stood the test of time and become a staple in the Western industry, and what non-Western brands can learn from their Western counterparts. We get into so much in this episode, so get comfortable and get ready to be inspired! Le

Are you looking for inspiration to build your own personal brand and business? Emily McCarthy is a successful entrepreneur who has built an impressive personal brand through her designs in print and apparel. She has a successful eCommerce and brick-and-mortar business combining home, gift, lifestyle, and apparel products, and on top of that, she is also a busy mom! A true inspiration, she joins the show today to share how she balances it all. Listen in as Emily opens up about the lessons she has learned through her entrepreneurial journey and gives advice on starting an online and brick-and-mortar business. You'll hear how she has made both successful, what's going on with the wholesale side of her business, and her tips to get it right from the beginning.  Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Emily McCarthy: Website | Facebook | Vimeo | Pinterest | Instagram

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