You’re an Aspiring Shopkeeper!
Brimming with incredible ideas and ready to take inspired action, you’re at the very start of your shopkeeper journey.
As you dream about opening your retail storefront, you’re taking the time to educate yourself on all things retail.
You’re a sponge soaking up all the knowledge you can!
Your Pinterest boards are full of potential products, merchandising ideas, and storefront displays that you can’t wait to recreate or put your twist on.
If you’re handcrafting items, you’re probably selling them to friends and family for fun, but not for profit.
You’re pretty sure your hobby or side hustle could turn into a business with a brick-and-mortar space. You’re just not sure where to start!
You can imagine your store in detail, but you’re a little nervous about all the steps between dreaming and doing. There’s a lot to do to get a brick-and-mortar space up, running, and profiting.
Most importantly, you’ve got your eyes peeled for the perfect, in-budget retail space to open up—because you can’t wait to go from dream to reality.
So how can you go from just dreaming about opening your brick-and-mortar business to opening the door, greeting your first customers, and making sales?
Lay the foundation for your future brick-and-mortar business.
It’s time to take all of your big ideas and condense them into a plan. Narrowing in on precisely what you want to sell, who you want to sell to, and how you want your store to look and feel is how you build your unique plan.
Some questions to ask yourself as you make your plan:
Research how to start a retail business in your area.
Every city, state, and country has its own unique rules and regulations. In most places, you’ll need to form a business entity—the most popular in the United States are called “sole proprietor” and “limited liability company.” You’ll also need to apply for a resale license.
Start by Googling “how to open a brick-and-mortar store in [your location].” To ensure that you’re receiving accurate information, be sure to look for an official government website. These often end in .gov.
If you haven’t already found your gem of a location, here are some things to consider:
Let’s get real: opening a brick-and-mortar is a life-changing endeavor.
I’m here to empower you every step of the way.
I’m here to empower you every step of the way.
Hi there! I’m Kathy Cruz.
Before my sister and I opened our retail store, the Salvaged Boutique, Google search after Google search quickly proved that there just weren’t enough resources out there for brick-and-mortar shopkeepers.
I kept finding myself in groups for digital entrepreneurs and reading stuffy articles meant for corporations, so I spent hours upon hours learning through trial and error.
I founded Savvy Shopkeeper with the idea that all Independent Retail Business Owners should have access to resources specifically created for their business. I’m proud to guide and support retailers with an insight-filled podcast and a powerful mastermind & group coaching program for brick and mortar store owners.
No matter where you are in your shopkeeper journey, my mission is to help you work less, profit more, and GROW your retail business.
Curated Resources for Aspiring Shopkeepers
There are over 160 episodes of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast to dig into. I’ve hand-picked these ones for shopkeepers at the beginning of their journey.
Want to know exactly what you need to open your independent retail store? This comprehensive, 5-page checklist covers tangible items (like cleaning supplies, signage, and point of sale system) and the intangibles (such as registering for an EIN and finding a bookkeeper).
Choosing what products to stock, creating eye-catching displays, and marketing your store effectively will all depend on who your ideal customer is. This workbook will help you start your market research and prep for opening your store with your future customers in mind.
Master Shopkeepers
Master Shopkeepers is your ticket to becoming a capable, confident shopkeeper. It’s the BEST place for shopkeepers to learn the skills they need and find the community they crave.
With 200+ lessons, an active, encouraging community of fellow shopkeepers, and personalized coaching from Kathy, Master Shopkeepers is how you can skip the hours of Googling and jumpstart your shopkeeping journey.
P.S. This is just the beginning.
I’m not going to just throw these resources your way and leave you to your own devices. I’m here to empower you throughout your brick-and-mortar journey!
Although I’ve identified five distinct stages to most shopkeepers’ journeys, please know that retail success is subjective.
Your journey is yours, and the Savvy Shopkeeper community is here to support you no matter where you are or where you aspire to be. If you’re curious about the other stages of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Journey, click here to read more.
Keep an eye on your inbox, as I’ll be popping in with more tips and resources soon!