independent retailer Archives • Savvy Shopkeeper

Recently Featured: Independent Retailer and North Carolina Retail Merchants Association

When I started the Savvy Shopkeeper journey I knew I wanted to help other shop owners – the small boutique store owner who has to do everything and wear all of the hats. On my about page it says “I look forward to sharing how I’ve been able to help build, market and manage a retail store with…

General Business

Independent Retailer – A Good Resource For Shop Owners

I want to take a quick second to introduce all of you to Independent Retailer. I personally started Savvy Shopkeeper to help BOTH brick & mortar store owners AND online shop owners succeed… so does Independent Retailer! Independent Retailer is the leading trade publication for independent retail store owners. Dedicated to business professionals who manage or own…

My name is Kathy Cruz! I’m a fellow retail business owner and Retail Coach. My journey into retail started in 2013 when I launched a creative DIY blog with my sister. We grew from a blog to a brick and mortar home decor store in 2 years.

During this time, I took my deep passion for learning all-things-retail and launched a second blog, Savvy Shopkeeper so I could help other retailers just like me.

The Savvy Shopkeeper blog has also taken a journey. From a blog to a podcast and an online Academy just for retailers.

I’m on a mission to help independent retail business owners work less, profit more and grow! I’m glad you’re here and hope you find the information I share helpful.

171. Protecting Your Retail Brand with Nicole Swartz of Sprout Law - Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast

After graduating from law school, finding a traditional 9-5 position, and hating it, Nicole Swartz decided to forge her own path as an entrepreneur by starting a beauty brand. Two years in, she received a cease and desist letter for her brand’s name and had to change everything overnight. She realized that she’d forgotten to focus on the legal side of things—and after checking in with her women entrepreneur friends, she discovered that they were also neglecting to protect their retail brands. Now, Nicole runs Sprout Law, specializing in trademarking brand names, logos, slogans, and other assets for women-owned brands. In this special episode of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast, Kathy and Nicole discuss what it takes to trademark a retail business name, the upfront and ongoing costs of doing so, and how retailers can legally protect themselves. For show notes visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode171 Learn more about Kathy Cruz and Savvy Shopkeeper at Savvy Shopkeeper Follow Kathy on Instagram (@savvyshopkeeper)