Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast

To kick off 2025, Ceri Otero, a Master Shopkeeper member and former radio personality (cool, right?), asked if she could interview ME, Kathy Cruz. After episode #231, she decided to flip the script and gather questions from the community for this vulnerable conversation.

In part 1 of this episode, we talk through topics like inclusivity, resilience, dissappointments and mindset.

Tune in next week for part 2 of this Kathy Cruz interview where I reflect on my business journey as we step into the new year.

• [00:08:02] Why inclusivity is extremely important to Kathy in her work
• [00:08:39] Why being a detective makes for a great coach and strategist
• [00:11:18] Two key activities that helped Kathy Cruz step into her Zone of Genius
• [00:16:25] How Kathy Cruz handles disappointments
• [00:19:37] How Kathy Cruz has learned to enjoy the journey over the accomplishment
• [00:21:04] How Kathy Cruz defines success
• [00:22:32] How Kathy Cruz sets boundaries

For show notes, including links to anything mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode238.

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

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)

Every shopkeeper has a shopkeeper personality type. After working with many shopkeepers in my paid mastermind, Master Shopkeepers, I’ve identified several personalities that come up again and again! As shop owners, we all have those bad habits or mindset blocks that creep into our work.

Opal does a poor job of managing her time, and she is ALWAYS overwhelmed. She feels like there just isn’t enough time in the day! The truth is, Opal doesn’t need more time—she needs better time and life management.

When I coach an Overwhelmed Opal, we get busy prioritizing and managing her to-do list, or at least what she THINKS is her to-do list. Often, she needs to delegate, outsource, or let go of unimportant tasks.

There are two versions of Procrastinator Patty. Either she is a perfectionist or an avoider.

Perfectionist Procrastinator Patty needs to understand that progress is better than perfect. Most of the time, B- work is what keeps life moving along, not A++.

The Procrastinator Patty who avoids her work gets more satisfaction out of avoidance.

Either way, Patty just NEEDS TO DO THE WORK.

Cathy either has FOMO, or she feels guilty for saying no. But if Cathy wants to avoid being Overwhelmed Opal, Cathy better start saying NO.

Whether Cathy’s offering way too many services to her customers because she’s trying to please everyone or offering “all the things” because she’s afraid she’ll miss out...Cathy has to find her ONE AND BEST THING and stick to it.

I admit it—I was once an Ira. Ira is most likely afraid to hire. Otherwise, her personality type is “Doesn’t Delegate David,” and we’ll be talking about sweet David soon. But Ira needs to understand that if she wants to manage her time better AND grow her business, she has to ditch the “I do it all” mentality.

If you’re an Overwhelmed Opal, this can lead to being Lack of Planning Linda.

Either way, a business owner who doesn’t plan is a business owner without a compass. Although you may do well initially, it’s just beginner’s luck. This could come to a halt if you don’t start learning the value of planning.

Good old Franny tells himself he knows what he’s doing because he’s afraid of being embarrassed. Sometimes, Franny avoids his numbers because it’s easier to run and hide.

Whether or not you’re a Financially Fearful Francis, all shopkeepers need to educate themselves. Even if you have an accountant or bookkeeper, you still need to understand how to analyze your financial information.

There are lots of episodes of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast where I chat about shop finances—be sure to check out episodes 2, 4, 6, 25, 26, and 31 if you’re a Financially Fearful Francis!

Winnie has been burned, perhaps by a business partner or neighboring shop owner. This means that Winnie is always defensive, always on the lookout, and always super cautious.

Being constantly on edge has to be exhausting! Winnie needs to remind herself that not all people are evil, and her energy is better spent doing other things.

Cara loves to stalk her competitors. It’s almost to the point that she can’t define her style or brand because she’s too busy looking at everyone else’s.

Cara doesn’t realize that being inspired by other retailers can be a beautiful thing. But there’s a fine line between “getting inspired” and flat out copying.

Cara might also find it difficult to see how successful she has become or could be. She’s too busy wondering why everyone else is more successful than her.

Success is relative. Cara should spend more time on herself, her business, and her customers. Finding out what brings HER customers joy is a better use of her energy than trying to compete with others.

Victoria feels like no matter what she does or who she hires or what software she uses, nothing seems to work in her favor, and life just sucks!

I want Victoria to try flipping her perspective and focusing on what that matters to her. Victorias who want to improve should find things in their businesses that DO bring them joy. They should celebrate any win, no matter how small.

A gratitude journal is an excellent practice for the “Victoria” who wants to change.

Helplessly Hopeful Harriet is never realistic about her numbers or her business. She doesn’t want to face the truth of her business struggling.