Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast

This has been a long time coming! It’s been months since I blogged, but for good reason. I spent the past two months learning how to podcast, finding an editor, partnering with a sponsor, and creating “all the things” to get ready for this launch.

My goal is to provide you with a weekly podcast that’s easily digestible, maybe 20 minutes or so, where I teach you one valuable tool or lesson about shopkeeping.

I have a long-running list of topics that shopkeepers have been asking me for and I’m ready to dive in – I hope you are too!

Episode 1 covers the who, what, where, when, how and why of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast.

It’s an introduction to me, the mission of Savvy Shopkeeper and what you can expect from the podcast.

I’ll be starting off this series with 12 episodes that I’m proud to say are sponsored by Darice. If I’ve learned anything from partnering with Darice, it’s that they are just as committed to helping independent retailers as I am.

If you take a moment to listen to Darice’s sponsor ad during this episode, you’ll get a special discount code for your next order – trust me, it’s worth it because they don’t offer this type of discount to anyone else – it’s just for Savvy Shopkeeper!

Just like any other entrepreneurial journey, I’m sure I’ll learn a lot, make changes and improvements, depending on your needs...because this podcast is for YOU.

Links to articles or resources mentioned in Episode #1:

Forbes article by Janice Gassam, “New Research Finds That Supporting Female Entrepreneurs Could Boost Global Economy By $5 Trillion”

Shopkeeper’s Academy

Savvy Shopkeepers Free Facebook Group

Savvy Shopkeeper Website

If you have feedback or episode suggestions, please use this contact form to send me a message. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and submit a review. I would GREATLY appreciate it!

Until episode #2... Be Savvy and Boss up!

Learn more about Kathy Cruz and Savvy Shopkeeper at Savvy Shopkeeper

Follow Kathy on Instagram (@savvyshopkeeper)

Have you ever decided to shop small, confirmed store’s hours online, driven over to the store...only to find a “sorry, we’re closed” sign hanging on the door?

That frustration you’ve felt in that moment is NOT what you want to give to your customers in case of a temporary store closing! Communicating with your customers about a store closing, whether planned or unplanned, doesn’t take long—especially when you’ve got a system in place.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a customizable Store Closings Communications Checklist so you can create a system for this critical task for your indie retail store. Listen in to learn the key places to update your store hours, how to create a simple system for these updates, and who to delegate this to in case of an emergency.

For show notes, including how to download your free copy of the Store Closings Communications Checklist, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode219.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

In the final episode of the Shopkeeper Stories mini-series, I spoke with the Master Shopkeepers member who asked me to do the series in the first place: Kathy, owner of Pineapple on Main in Dublin, Pennsylvania.

Over the past few years, Kathy’s brand has evolved from an event design company to a home, gifts, and baby goods store. She shared about all the ups and downs of buying her first round of inventory, expanding to two locations then back to one, and dissolving a business partnership.

Lastly, Kathy talks about what she’s learned from Master Shopkeepers, how this community has supported her, and gives her best tip for having a successful retail business.

Click HERE to see the full show notes for episode 38.

Learn more about Kathy Cruz and Savvy Shopkeeper at Savvy Shopkeeper

Follow Kathy on Instagram (@savvyshopkeeper)

In this episode of the Shopkeeper Stories series, I had the pleasure of speaking with Taylor, owner of The Turquoise Top Hat in Stevensville, Michigan.

Before the Bob-Ross-style “happy accident” that led her to open The Turquoise Top Hat, Taylor was a school teacher. She still uses her teaching skills today at her wooden sign painting workshops.

We also chatted about what Taylor has done to pivot her business during COVID-19, as well as her experience as a member of Master Shopkeepers.

Click HERE for more information about Taylor and The Turquoise Top Hat, Master Shopkeepers and the full show notes for this episode.

Learn more about Kathy Cruz and Savvy Shopkeeper at Savvy Shopkeeper

Follow Kathy on Instagram (@savvyshopkeeper)

After many years of attending AmericasMart as a buyer, this year was my first time attending as an observer.

It was fascinating to chat with members of the Savvy Shopkeeper community, spot market trends, and be a fly on the wall at showrooms!

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my five key takeaways from AmericasMart 2024.

Listen in to learn what trends we’ll be seeing later this year, how showroom dynamics can affect your market orders, why large minimum order values aren’t the issue you think they are, and more.

For show notes, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode208.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper

Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers