Boutique Chat
Boutique Chat, hosted by Ashley Alderson of The Boutique Hub, features interviews with retailers, boutique owners, and industry insiders. The podcast shares real-life strategies, growth hacks, and marketing advice for small businesses in the retail sector. It emphasizes community over competition and aims to help listeners discover new ideas and connections.
Episodes
Five Minute Friday: The Psychology Behind Customer Loyalty and Higher Sales
Want customers to buy more without feeling pushy? When people receive value first—whether it's a small gift, helpful advice, premium content, or an unexpected surprise—they're naturally more likely to trust your brand and return the favor. Samantha Conner shares practical ways retailers and wholesale brands can use reciprocity to build stronger customer relationships and increase sales. You'll le
#818: The Boutique Marketing Strategy Most Retailers Are Missing
More traffic won't fix a boutique that's speaking to the wrong customer. Ashley sits down with Josh Orr, CEO of Capital Commerce, to break down what separates seven-figure boutique brands from everyone else. They discuss why identifying your perfect customer changes everything—from your website and social media to your product selection and marketing strategy. If you've been creating content, post
Five Minute Friday: Automated Doesn't Mean Accurate: Shopify Tax Filing Explained
Can you trust Shopify to handle your sales tax automatically? Many boutique owners assume that once Shopify's automated sales tax filing is turned on, everything is taken care of. But automation doesn't always mean accuracy—and if something is filed incorrectly, you're still responsible. Juliet from HarQuin Boutique Bookkeeping explains the limitations of Shopify's automated filing system, includi
#817: Purpose First. Profits Follow: The Evolution of John Mark Enterprises
What does it take to turn a high school side hustle into a thriving retail brand, wholesale business, and nationally recognized name? Ashley Alderson sits down with John Mark Sharpe (John Mark Enterprises) as he shares the incredible journey from selling wreaths out of a guest bedroom to building a multi-location business, launching a successful wholesale ribbon line, and leading a team of nearly
Five Minute Friday: How Boutique Owners Can Create More Motivated Employees
Why do some employees take ownership while others just go through the motions? The answer isn't usually more rules, more checklists, or more micromanagement. The most motivated teams understand the purpose behind their work, know how success is measured, and feel empowered to contribute to the outcome. Sara Burks shares 3 PRACTICAL WAYS to motivate your team, increase productivity, and create a wo
#816: The Future of Retail Is Personal: Styling, Community & Customer Loyalty
What if your "side hustle experiment" accidentally became a multi-store franchise brand? Lindsay Rando, Bobbles & Lace, didn't set out to build a retail empire. She started with a $70 jewelry pushcart on the streets of downtown LA—and 20 years later, that same mindset evolved into 30+ boutique franchise locations built on styling, community, and real human connection. Inside this conversation, Ash
Five Minute Friday: The Email Marketing Hot Take Boutique Owners Need to Hear
Should you outsource your boutique's email marketing—or keep it in-house? Many retailers feel stuck between two expensive options: paying an agency every month to handle everything or trying to figure it all out themselves without a solid strategy. The truth is, the best answer might be somewhere in the middle. Cassidy, owner and creative director of Simply Lynn's Creative, shares a smarter approa
#815: The Secret to Getting New Boutique Customers Everywhere You Sell
What if your boutique wasn't dependent on just one source of customers? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Angie Shelton, owner of Rising Phoenix boutique, to talk about how she built multiple revenue streams that continue to fuel growth in her business. What started as a simple graphic tee business has evolved into a storefront, mobile boutique trailer, two marketplace locations, a website, a
Five Minute Friday: A New Era of Retail Education: Inside Retail Bootcamp Accelerator
Feeling overwhelmed by all the things you're supposed to do to grow your boutique? Wondering how to turn information into actual implementation? Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks pull back the curtain on one of the BIGGEST changes inside the Boutique Hub: the launch of the Retail Boot Camp Accelerator. Built from years of working with thousands of boutique owners, the Accelerator combines year-round
#814: Retail Summer Strategy: Do This to GROW Your Boutique!
Are you leaving money on the table during the summer slow season? June and July are the most underrated months in retail — and the smartest boutique owners use them to set up a record-breaking fall. Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks break down exactly how to spend the "J months" wisely. They discuss how to audit your business before back-to-school season arrives and where retailers should focus thei
Five Minute Friday: The People Side of Retail: HR Basics for Boutique Owners
HR is one of the biggest hats boutique owners wear — whether they realize it or not. From employee paperwork and legal compliance to hiring the right people and building strong team culture, every boutique owner is responsible for creating systems that help employees succeed. Sara Burks breaks down the fundamentals of HR into simple, practical steps boutique owners can actually implement. She expl
#813: From Facebook Lives to 47X ROAS: The Strategy Behind Their Growth
What happens when a mother-daughter duo combines entrepreneurship, authenticity, and community? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Karen Monroe and Erin Pisani of K Marie Boutique to talk about how they built a thriving boutique brand through live selling, intentional customer connection, and creative in-store experiences. From starting in Karen's house during COVID to building a warehouse sto
Five Minute Friday: The Merchandising Fix That Increases Sales + Repeat Customers
Are your customers walking into your store and instantly seeing how your products fit into their lives — or are they left trying to figure it out on their own? In this Five Minute Friday, Sara Burks breaks down one of the biggest merchandising mistakes boutique owners make and how small changes in styling, displays, product photos, and social media can dramatically increase confidence, conversions
#812: How to Add $200K+ in Revenue to Your Boutique
Can a simple add-on service completely change the revenue of your boutique? Ashley Alderson sits down with Michelle Peth, CEO of Beettan, to unpack how boutique owners are adding a high-margin, repeat-customer service to their businesses through spray tanning — and why it's becoming one of the smartest ways to increase revenue without adding more racks, inventory, or overhead. You'll learn: Why
Five Minute Friday: Stop Offering Loyalty Programs Like This… It's Costing You Sales
Why do so many loyalty programs fail… even when businesses pour time, money, and effort into them? Sara Burks breaks down the biggest reasons most loyalty programs don't actually create loyal customers — and why discounts, points, and punch cards often attract the wrong buyers instead of building long-term relationships. You'll learn: Why discount-based loyalty programs often fail The biggest
#811: Turning a Side Hustle into a Sustainable Business
What does it actually take to build a boutique business that lasts — not just for a season, but for decades? Jennifer Kok of Next Wave Business Coaching joins Ashley to share the lessons she learned after building, scaling, and eventually selling her bakery business after 20 years. Jennifer breaks down the systems, mindset shifts, and leadership principles that helped her create a sustainable busi
Five Minute Friday: How to Design a Boutique That Increases Sales: 10 Must Have Features
What actually makes a boutique work — beyond just looking beautiful? In this Five Minute Friday, Joell from JR Visual Design breaks down the top design and functional features every boutique owner should be thinking about when creating or updating their retail space. From fitting rooms and lighting to merchandising fixtures and backroom organization, this episode focuses on the details that direct
#810: The Growth Blueprint Behind Record-Breaking Stores
What if the difference between struggling stores and record-breaking ones isn't luck… but a clear blueprint? Ashley Alderson sits down with Scarlett Murphy, of Boutique Hub Black, to break down what's actually driving growth inside some of the most successful boutiques right now. From dialing in your content strategy to understanding your data and building a real marketing system, this episode un
Five Minute Friday: How To Create An Eye-Catching Window Display that Draws Customers In
Your storefront might be your most powerful marketing tool… but most boutique owners are completely missing it. Today, we're breaking down how to create a window display that doesn't just look good — it actually drives foot traffic, tells a story, and sells your product 24/7. Joell from JR Visual Design shares exactly how to transform your window into a silent salesperson that works even when your
#809: How to Win with Ads in the New Algorithm Era
Marketing has completely changed—and most boutique owners are still using strategies that no longer work. Ashley Alderson sits down with Zoe Spencer, one of the lead coaches inside Boutique Hub Black, to break down what's actually driving growth right now—from content and ads to SEO and website strategy. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what successful boutiques are doing differently—an
Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): What is a Boutique?
What actually makes a boutique… a boutique? In this Couch Conversation, Ashley and Sara dive into the heart behind boutique businesses — what sets them apart, why they still matter in today's world, and how boutique owners can confidently respond to the doubt and noise around them. From the question of whether brick-and-mortar retail can survive… to what to do when competitors start copying your
#808: Shopify Best Practices for Boutique Owners
Most boutique owners are pouring money into ads expecting more sales — but if your website isn't built to convert, you're just paying to lose customers. Ashley Alderson sits down with Dylan Welling, Shopify expert and ad strategist inside of Boutique Hub Black, to break down what actually drives conversions online — and the biggest mistakes boutique owners are making right now. You'll learn: Th
Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): What No One Talks About in Business
Welcome back to Five Minute Friday – Couch Conversations! Today's conversation dives into something no one talks about enough… the loneliness that can come with building a business. You'll learn: The pressure to always show up and look successful Why it's hard to share your wins (and losses) with others Feeling isolated in your own community The impact of who you surround yourself with
#807: Andromeda Changed Everything: What Retailers Need to Know
Want to make more sales and grow your boutique in 2026? Retailers everywhere are pouring money into ads, creating endless content, and still wondering why conversions aren't happening. The truth? The game has changed—and most boutique owners are playing by outdated rules. Ashley sits down with Jeff Fenn — the marketing director and lead coach of Boutique Hub Black —to break down exactly what's wor
Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): Why Most Boutique Owners Never Finish What They Start
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by too many ideas, struggled to stay focused, or wondered why your business isn't growing as fast as it should… this conversation is for you. Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks dive into the reality of being a visionary entrepreneur, why not every idea is meant for right now, and how understanding your role (and building the right support around you) can completely chan
#806: The Messy Middle of Building a Business
Sponsored by Color Guru This episode is sponsored by Color Guru. Boutique Chat listeners receive $350 off Color Guru Academy with code: BOUTIQUE350. Learn more at: https://www.colorguruacademy.com/ _____________________ What does it actually look like to grow a boutique from nothing… into multiple thriving businesses? Ashley sits down with Alyssa Wagler, owner of Top Notch Boutique, who built her
Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): The Real Questions Boutique Owners Need to Answer
What happens when you stop avoiding the hard questions about your business—and actually answer them? Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks are back for another Couch Conversation to unpack the real, unfiltered truth about building a business while raising a family. From playing small out of fear to the resentment that can build when expectations aren't clearly communicated, this conversation hits the ten
#805: Why Community Is the Secret to Long-Term Success
Sponsored by Color Guru This episode is sponsored by Color Guru. Boutique Chat listeners receive $350 off Color Guru Academy with code: BOUTIQUE350. Learn more at: https://www.colorguruacademy.com/ _____________________ What does it really take to stay in business for nearly two decades in the boutique world? In this episode, Ashley sits down with April Burks, owner of Love Ivy Boutique to unpack
Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): The Ins & Outs of Business
What if you could sit down on the couch with other boutique owners and just talk about what's really working right now? Welcome to a brand new Five Minute Friday series —Couch Conversations! In this first episode, Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks break down the IN vs OUT shifts for 2026, from content creation to customer experience to how you're running your day-to-day business. If you're still doin
#804: The Ultimate Market Buying Tool Every Boutique Owner Needs
What if the biggest inventory mistakes in your business are happening before the product ever arrives? Ashley Alderson is joined by Ulla Hald, founder of FAVES, to talk about how boutique retailers can buy smarter by planning ahead, tracking purchases in real time, and staying on top of what's ordered, what's arriving, and what still needs attention. They unpack why buying without a system leads t
Five Minute Friday: Sales Are Down... Now What?
Sales are down… so what should you actually do next? If you've ever had a slow day (or week) where your stomach drops, your heart starts racing, and you're refreshing Shopify every 10 seconds… this episode is for you. Ashley breaks down exactly how to respond when sales dip — and why panic is the fastest way to hurt your business long-term. Retail is cyclical. The difference between struggling bou
#803: How to Navigate Cash Flow, Inventory, and Survival Seasons
Sponsored by Color Guru This episode is sponsored by Color Guru. Boutique Chat listeners receive $350 off Color Guru Academy with code: BOUTIQUE350. Learn more at: https://www.colorguruacademy.com/ _____________________ What do you do when your boutique hits one hard month… and then another… and another? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Jessica Brown of Pink on Pickens Boutique in Abbeville,
Five Minute Friday: 3 CEO Shifts for Working Moms
How do you build a business while raising a family without feeling like you're failing at one or the other? For many working moms and boutique owners, the pressure to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship can feel overwhelming. The truth is, the idea of perfect "balance" doesn't really exist. Instead, it's about understanding the season you're in and making intentional choices about where your e
#802: The Financial Foundations Every Retailer Needs to Get Right
Numbers do not have to be the part of business you avoid. Ashley is joined by Christyne Gray of She Profits Now, for a practical & helpful conversation on the money side of running a Boutique - bookkeeping, cash flow, inventory planning, and tax preparation for boutique owners. They unpack the financial basics every retailer needs to understand, from setting up the right bank accounts and using Qu
Five Minute Friday: 5 Biggest Misconceptions About Being a Boutique Owner
In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down the FIVE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS about owning a boutique—the myths that often surprise new business owners once they're actually in the trenches of running a retail business. While starting a boutique has never been easier, building a profitable and sustainable one requires far more than great products and a beautiful Instagram feed. Ashley sh
#801: The 2026 Retail Reset: Retail Is Changing. Are You?
We are officially back! Season 8 kicks off with a powerful conversation about the 2026 Retail Summit and why this next season of retail will require new tools, new strategies, and a new level of connection. Ashley Alderson and Samantha Conner pull back the curtain on what's coming August 16–17 in Dallas… and why being in the room matters more than ever. This isn't just another conference. It's two
Five Minute Friday: The 13 Strategies Boutique Owners Need for 2026
As we wrap up Season 7 of the Boutique Chat Podcast, I wanted to pause—right where you're listening—and take an honest look at where the retail industry stands today and where it's headed next. Based on 1,000's of conversations with boutique owners over the past year, this episode breaks down 13 key focus areas that are truly working right now and will matter most in 2026. These aren't trends for
#747: Blending Home, Gift, Apparel, and Events into One Profitable Business
What if the fastest way to grow your boutique… isn't more products, but a better experience? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Hannah Carlson of Mulberry Market Co. Hannah shares her story of how she went from selling jam at a veggie stand on her parents' farm to building a booming, curated retail brand—then she moved across the country and essentially started over. We get into the real play
Five Minute Friday: You Can't Build a Business While Running on Empty
Burnout is one of the most common struggles for boutique owners, retailers, and small business owners—and it's rarely caused by laziness or lack of passion. More often, it comes from trying to do too much, growing too fast, and drifting away from the very reason you started your business in the first place. In this episode, Sara Burks breaks down why burnout happens, how over expansion drains your
#746: How Knowing Your Customer Starts With Knowing Yourself
In this episode, Ashley sits down with Kristi Briceno (Mom Buns and Ruffles) for a conversation that's equal parts deeply personal and highly tactical. Kristi shares her journey from nursing to photography to direct sales, the moment her company shut down with almost no notice. But the story doesn't stop there. Kristi breaks down how she pivoted into owning her own boutique, how she finally got cl
Five Minute Friday: The Six Layers Behind Retail Bootcamp (And Why They Work)
Retail Bootcamp didn't come from a textbook or a perfectly mapped business plan — it was built in the middle of failure, fear, and figuring things out the hard way. In this Five Minute Friday (okay… a little longer than five minutes 😉), Ashley Alderson shares the behind-the-scenes story of how The Boutique Hub was almost lost before it ever really began — from imposter syndrome and trusting the wr
#745: Why 15,000 Stores Closed in 2025 and What YOU Can Do About It
Welcome to the new year! On the first episode of 2026 Ashley Alderson is joined by Sara Burks for a big-picture retail conversation that every boutique owner needs right now! Retail is changing fast — and 2025 proved that "business as usual" isn't enough anymore. With reports showing 15,000+ store closures, Ashley & Sara unpack what really happened, what retailers got wrong, and how small business
Five Minute Friday: Why Most New Year Plans Fail And How to Do 2026 Differently
In today's Five Minute Friday, I'm officially inviting you to join me for The Best Year Yet Challenge—our biggest free training of the year. Planning a new year shouldn't feel overwhelming or leave you burned out by March. Instead of chasing perfection or setting goals that fade fast, this challenge is all about creating a clear, realistic, and actionable plan for 2026—one you can actually stick t
#744: The End-of-Year Checklist Every Retailer Actually Needs
As we close out 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this episode isn't about pretty planners or lofty resolutions — it's about the behind-the-scenes work that actually sets your business up for success. In this solo episode, Ashley Alderson walks you through the five critical areas every retailer must review before the year ends so you're compliant, organized, profitable, and positioned to lead —
Five Minute Friday: The Strategic Shifts Top Retailers Are Making for 2026
As we head into 2026, one thing is clear - the gap between average retailers and top performers is widening — and it has nothing to do with effort. In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down what the top 10% of retailers do differently right now, and why those decisions are positioning them to grow and scale while others feel stuck. Hard work isn't the issue. Strategy is. Ashley share
#743: Plan 2026 in 26 Minutes
If you're getting ready to plan 2026 and want clarity—not chaos, this episode is for you. Today, we're planning your entire year in 26 minutes. This is not a to-do list episode. This is a guided planning session designed for you to pause, reflect, write things down, and make intentional CEO-level decisions about what stays, what goes, and what actually moves your business forward. Grab your planne
Five Minute Friday: The 4 Mistakes Costing Retailers Profit Going Into 2026
As we close out the year and head into a new one, it's time to get honest. Most businesses won't fail in 2026 because of the economy — they'll fail because they're still operating like it's 2019. In today's Five Minute Friday, I'm breaking down the four biggest mistakes I saw retailers make over the last year — mistakes that are quietly costing you time, money, margin, and momentum. If your busine
#742: The Rise of Western Lifestyle Brands and What Retail Can Learn
In this episode, Ashley sits down with Allie Falcon to unpack what it really looks like to build a recognizable brand rooted in story, style, and grit. Allie shares her journey from ranch life and handmade leather goods to manufactured apparel, wholesale growth, and a showroom at Dallas Market Center. They talk wholesale growth, brand consistency, and what successful boutiques do differently when
Five Minute Friday: The Trends Taking Over Trade Shows Right Now (And Why It's Working)
In this Five Minute Friday, Samantha Conner continues our market conversation by diving into the actual product trends hitting trade show floors right now — and more importantly, how they apply across every retail category. From apparel to home + gift, children's, and even western, today's trends are crossing categories faster than ever. You'll learn: The bold color trends coming for 2026 The r
#741: How Working With Sales Reps Elevates Your Retail Business
Retail buying doesn't have to be overwhelming—or lonely. This week, Ashley sits down with Angela Schmook (Roadrunners, Reps Are Local Too) and Kelly Bristol (Just Gotta Have It, GHTA leader) to reveal why your local sales reps might be the most powerful, underused resource in your business. Fresh from the GHTA Conference in Park City, they break down how reps support retailers far beyond taking or
Five Minute Friday: The BIGGEST Trade Shows Trends Every Retailer Must Know!
Today, Samantha Conner kicks off a two-part Five Minute Friday series breaking down the lifeblood of every retail business: inventory. And to understand inventory, we're taking it all the way back to where it begins — trade shows and markets. In Part 1, Samantha uncovers the biggest 2026 trade show trends every retailer needs to know, whether you're selling apparel, home and gift, children's, west
#740: Retail Predictions for 2026 and How to Make It Your Best Year Yet
What if 2026 could be the year you finally stop spinning your wheels and actually run your boutique like a CEO? In this episode, Ashley sits down with "Retail Professor" and denim twin, Sara Burks, to unpack their biggest retail predictions for 2026—from AI and Meta's new Andromeda algorithm to niching down, live selling, and building a content engine that actually works. Ashley and Sara share wha
Five Minute Friday: Merchandising That Moves Product Faster
Great visual merchandising doesn't just look pretty — it sells. In today's episode, Director of Partnerships & Education, Sara Burks shares how great merchandising goes far beyond pretty displays. It creates emotion, inspires discovery, increases average order value, and helps customers see themselves in your products. She breaks down how to design purpose-driven zones in your store, use lighting
#739: Inside the Rise of a Western Lifestyle Powerhouse: Rodeo Quincy
Today, Western fashion designer and Rodeo Quincy founder, Quincy Eldridge joins the podcast to share how she turned her unique, hand-painted rodeo style into a nationally recognized fashion brand. From designing boots with Ariat at 18 to running four sales channels, four NFR booths, and now her first Las Vegas fashion show, Quincy opens up about grit, growth, family, and building a business with h
Five Minute Friday: Turn Scrolls into Sales with Live Selling
Why is live selling exploding — and why does every retailer need to be doing it? In this Five Minute Friday, Sara Burks dives into one of the biggest shifts happening in retail right now — live selling. Live selling is becoming one of the most powerful ways to build trust, increase conversions, and reach more customers without adding more hours to your day. So, whether you're nervous to be on came
#738 Pink Friday 2025: Why This Week Matters (and How to Make the Most of It)
Pink Friday Week is finally here — and Ashley is diving deep into how to make this the most profitable and peaceful kickoff to your holiday season. Ashley shares the heart behind Pink Friday, why it began, and how retailers all over the world can use this week to tell their story before big-box media announces theirs. You'll learn how to prepare your store, communicate with your local community,
Five Minute Friday: How Color Analysis Can Elevate Your Boutique Styling Game
On this Five Minute Friday, Amanda Fairley and Nikki Bogardus of PrismXI join us to unpack one of the most transformative tools in personal style: color analysis. Nikki has spent sixteen years studying the science of color, and together, Amanda and Nikki break down how the right colors impact confidence, first impressions, shopping habits, and the way you show up in life and business. They explai
#737 Building a Boutique That Stands Out with Authenticity and Strategy
Today Bekah Turner, owner of Pink Possum, joins Ashley to unpack her business journey— from growing up in a salvage-store family—and how that shaped a boutique brand that wins with relatable content, smart buying, and customer trust. We dive into her weekly content rhythm, live selling, email/SMS/app strategy, vendor red flags, how she handles photo theft/dupes, and the storefront decision she reg
Five Minute Friday: The CEO's Guide to Smarter Planning - Tracking the Right Numbers (Part 3)
Today Ashley dives into one of her favorite phrases — "Only a tracked number grows." If you've ever felt like you're posting on social media without seeing results, this episode breaks down exactly what numbers to track, how to measure them, and how to get your team on the same page heading into the new year. Ashley shares how The Boutique Hub tracks every post, follower, engagement, and conversio
#736: Merch Like You Mean It - The Road Tested Playbook for Pop Ups That Sell Out
Pop-Ups, Mobile Boutique Life & Merchandising That Sells Today Brianna Williams, of Wildly Midwest, joins the podcast to share how she built a thriving mobile boutique business traveling to more than 45 markets a year across nine states. Brianna opens up about pivoting from handmaking baby clothes on Etsy to running a successful women's boutique on the road, what it really takes to make markets pr
Five Minute Friday: The CEO's Guide to Smarter Planning (Part 2: Power of Checklists)
Do you love the satisfaction of checking things off a list? (Same!) Today, Ashley dives into how checklists can completely transform the way you plan and lead your boutique. From annual business audits to monthly website cleanups, she shares the key systems that keep your business running smoothly—without letting the small stuff slip. You'll learn: Use annual, quarterly, and monthly checklists t
#735: Going Viral by Being Real: Building a Brand Women Believe In
Today Bette Bentley, founder of Skimpies, joins the podcast to talk about how she built a viral, one-product brand by solving a very real problem for women. Bette shares about inventing a product that didn't exist, showing up online when people made fun of her, and building a community of women who feel seen, not sold to. Bette shares how she turned one core product into a movement on TikTok, why
5 Minute Friday: The CEO's Guide to Smarter Planning (Part 1: Month in Review)
Today, Ashley Alderson dives into her favorite tool inside the 2026 Retail Planner — the Month-in-Review feature — and why it's the single most powerful habit for boutique owners who want to plan smarter and grow faster. Whether you use the Retail Planner or your own notebook, this simple system helps you turn last month's lessons into next month's wins. You'll learn: How to use the Month-in-Rev
#734 Consistency Wins: Brand, Photos, and Processes at Savannah Sevens
Today Ryley Wimer of Savannah 7s joins Ashley to share how she built a nationally recognized western-lifestyle brand—without a storefront. We cover her flatlay & hanging photo system, seasonal shoots, simple Pinterest strategy, smart collaborations, and the ops/delegation moves that gave her time back. Plus: branding that sticks, metrics that matter, and lessons learned while growing a business an
Five Minute Friday: From Inbox to Checkout - How to Drive Sales with Email & SMS
If social media went quiet tomorrow, would your boutique keep selling? In this Five Minute Friday, we're joined by Bri and RP from Bloomly Digital, the boutique marketing pros behind countless high-performing email and SMS campaigns. They share the exact strategy to keep your sales flowing no matter what happens on social. Social media algorithms change every day, but your email list is yours. Lea
#733 Boutique Website & Facebook Ads Strategies That Drive Sales
What does it actually take for a thriving brick-and-mortar to make eCommerce half the business in 12 months? Morgan Lancaster breaks it down—brand, photography, Shopify setup, and the paid traffic engine that flipped the switch. 🔑 What you'll learn - How Morgan grew online sales from 5–10% to 50% of revenue in a year - Why catalog ads are a top-of-funnel workhorse—and how to feed them - The "websi
Five Minute Friday: Employee Reviews 101: The Simple System to Build Leaders
In this week's Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson reveals the missing link that might be holding your business back—employee reviews. If you've ever said "kids these days don't work like they used to," this episode will challenge that mindset and give you tools to lead better. Learn how to coach your team like a basketball coach, set clear goals, and raise leaders—not leavers. When your employees
#732 Why Better Planning is the Secret to Scaling Your Business
Are you planning like a CEO or just staying busy? In this solo episode, Ashley digs into how to plan like a CEO, not a busy entrepreneur. She breaks down the time vs. money mindset shift, her 4-part to-do list, and the weekly habits that make consistency inevitable. Ashley wraps things up with a guided tour through the 2026 Retail Planner (formerly the Boutique Boss Planner): sales and social trac
Five Minute Friday: The Beginner's Guide to Starting a Boutique Business
In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley breaks down one of the biggest questions new listeners ask: How do I start my boutique? Forget the myth of needing everything perfect from the start. Instead, learn why action, testing, and failing forward are key to launching your dream. Ashley shares the exact first steps every boutique owner should take—from protecting your brand name and trademark to defining
#731 Recurring Revenue for Retailers: A Proven Path to Growth
Want revenue you can count on—every month? In this episode, Ashley interviews Sarah Williams, the "queen of subscription boxes," on exactly how to launch and scale a profitable subscription box that funds your team, your rent, and your freedom. Sarah reveals the step-by-step from her first 44 subscribers to thousands—including pricing first (then product), margin targets, retention levers, tech st
Five Minute Friday: October Marketing Ideas - Engagement Questions That Stop the Scroll
Looking for fresh October marketing ideas to keep your boutique top of mind? It's time to kick off October with fresh marketing ideas! In this Five Minute Friday episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite engagement questions that you can use on TikTok, Instagram Stories, Reels, or your Facebook group to keep your customers talking and connected. Because here's the truth: only 3% of your audience
#730: The Power of Knowing Your Numbers & Running Profitable Ads
What if running your own Facebook ads could be the key to finally going full-time in your boutique? In this episode, I'm joined by Whitney Pope, founder of Lolo Viv and longtime Boutique Hub + Boutique Hub Black member. Whitney shares her inspiring journey from practicing law as a full-time attorney to building her boutique into a thriving career. She opens up about the challenges of balancing wor
Five Minute Friday: Stop Selling Dupes - The Truth About Trademark Infringement in Boutiques
Too many boutique owners risk their entire business without realizing it — by selling dupes, knockoffs, or unlicensed products. The consequences can be devastating, from confiscated inventory to losing everything they've worked so hard to build. In this episode of Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson shares the truth about trademark infringement and licensing agreements. Drawing from real-life exam
#729: From T-Shirt Side Hustle to National Wholesale Brand: The Saltwater Boys Story
What does it take to turn a creative outlet into a thriving brand? Today I'm joined by Laci Hewett of Saltwater Boys, who shares her journey from nurse to entrepreneur and how printing t-shirts in her closet quickly grew into a national wholesale business. Laci talks about building strong partnerships with retailers, the importance of photography and merchandising in children's apparel, and the le
Five Minute Friday: How Much Inventory Should You REALLY Have? | Open to Buy Planning Explained
In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we're answering another frequently asked question from retailers and small business owners: How much inventory should I really have on hand? It's one of the biggest challenges boutique owners face—and getting it wrong can tie up your cash flow, leave you with dead stock, or cost you sales when you don't have enough on the floor. In this episode, Sarah from Th
#728: How Successful Boutiques Scale with Email, SMS & Smart Marketing Systems
Are you struggling to keep up with marketing while running your boutique? What if you didn't have to do it all alone? Today I sit down with Kinsey Harris, a former boutique owner who transformed her burnout into a thriving marketing agency, Boutique Bestie Solutions. Kinsey shares her journey from running a boutique to helping retailers master email, SMS, and Pinterest marketing, as well as practi
Five Minute Friday: Retail Tips - The REAL Difference Between a Sale and a Promotion
In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we're answering another frequently asked question from retailers and small business owners: What's the difference between a sale and a promotion? It's one of the most common points of confusion in retail—and getting it wrong could be costing your business profit. In this episode, Sarah from The Boutique Hub explains how to tell the difference, when to use eac
#727: From Scroll to Sold: The Future of Live Selling & Mobile Apps with CommentSold
What if live selling could transform not just your sales, but the way you connect with customers? In this episode, I'm joined by Ciera Elledge of CommentSold to explore how boutiques can harness the power of social commerce. Ciera shares what sets the most successful live sellers apart, as well as how features like CommentChat, AI Clip Hero, and custom mobile apps give boutique owners the tools to
Five Minute Friday: Website Health Check- 3 Checks Everyone Should Be Running!
We're shifting our focus to your online presence by highlighting one of the most overlooked parts of running a retail business: your website health check. Your website isn't "set it and forget it." Just like your inventory or sales floor, it needs regular maintenance to keep customers engaged, build trust, and avoid costly mistakes like broken links or checkout issues. A simple monthly checklist c
#726: The Shoe That Changed the Game: Inside the MIA Brand
What makes shoes a powerful addition to your boutique? Today, I'm joined by Michael Strauss of MIA Shoes, who shares how the family-owned brand evolved into a comfort-driven, fashion-forward line. Michael reveals how MIA's signature cushioned footbed and iconic white-bottom sandals reshaped the brand, why trust and merchandising are key to selling footwear, and what trends are set to define Fall a
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