Whether you’re an aspiring shopkeeper dreaming of opening your first store or a long-time shopkeeper preparing to expand, move, or open a second location—this post is for you! There are so many details that go into opening a retail store. I’m here to share all the lessons I’ve learned and some lessons from the Savvy…

While I was on my much-delayed honeymoon vacation (2 ½ years later), the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast hit 100,000 downloads! I want to say thank you. Thank you for listening, for sending me messages, for supporting the podcast by leaving ratings and reviews, for cheering me on, for appreciating the episodes, for noticing when I…

One of my values for Savvy Shopkeeper is to empower shopkeepers—especially women—to pay themselves. Sometimes, that means kicking fear to the curb and raising prices in our stores. There are a few common excuses I’ve heard women store owners use to justify keeping their prices too low. Often, women want to help and be good…

Whether you’re just starting or already growing your retail store, deciding how you’re going to fund your business can be a challenge. Do you take on debt? Do you fund everything yourself? Do you look for a business partner who can invest?  First, consider your relationship with both risk and debt. If you’re risk-averse, your…

Crime is a reality for retailers of all sizes. It might not be fun to talk about, but shopkeepers need to know how to prevent loss and keep themselves, their staff, and their business safe. Before opening The Salvaged Boutique, I had a 20-year career in law enforcement. I worked the streets in a major…

Every retailer experiences slow seasons. But it can be tough not to take a slow month personally—especially if you’re having a quiet January after a fantastic December or Q4!  One of our Master Shopkeepers members, Jen Dunne of Rustic Rehabs, inspired this episode. All of the shopkeepers in our groups struggle with slower seasons, but…