Boutique Chat

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 planner, notebook, or favorite gel pens — this episode is meant to be paused, rewound, and revisited as you work through it. You'll learn: How to define what you want your business to feel like by the end of 2026 The exact reflection questions to review 2025 before planning forward How to identify the ONE thing that could change everything next year How to reverse-engineer your revenue goals using leading indicators How to reclaim time through systems, automation, and delegation   Links & Resources: Best Year Yet Retail Bootcamp Traffic Calculator 2026 Retail Planner   🛍️ Join The Boutique Hub  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 they market brands with a story. Plus: Round Top with Junk Gypsy stories, pricing strategy, learning to say "no," and the legacy Allie hopes to leave. You'll learn: Why cohesiveness matters more than random "good products" when building a line sheet and wholesale presence How to move from handmade/custom work into a more sustainable model without losing your creative identity What boutiques do best when they market story-driven brands (and why displaying collections together matters) How wholesale can stabilize a business when social algorithms shift Two key business lessons: price for future wholesale now + know when to say no   Join The Boutique Hub Best Year Yet Allie Falcon: Website: Alliefalcon.com Instagram: @alliefalconTikTok: @alliefalcon 🛍️ 10% off with code BHub Alliefalcon.com    ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 orders: helping with events, securing promos and exclusives, spotting local trends, and giving you insider knowledge you'll never get from ordering online. They also unpack the shift toward lifestyle retail—where home, gift, and apparel collide—and how to approach markets with confidence, even if you've never stepped inside a showroom before. You'll learn: What reps really do and why working with one is free How reps help you buy smarter, plan better, and spot trends early How showrooms actually work (and why you shouldn't feel intimidated) Why home, gift, and apparel are merging into lifestyle retail How to prepare for January markets and build stronger vendor relationships    🛍️ Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub.    Join The Boutique Hub   Angela Schmook & Kelly Bristol Website: repsarelocaltoo.com Instagram: @repsarelocaltoo Facebook: repsarelocaltoo  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 what they're seeing across thousands of boutiques, what's changing fast, and how the most successful store owners are planning now for a more profitable, peaceful year ahead. They'll also walk you through what to expect inside the Best Year Yet Challenge, happening January 6–8. You'll learn: Why AI is no longer optional—and how smart retailers are using it in every part of their business What Meta's new Andromeda algorithm means for your content, reach, and ad strategy How live selling and video can humanize your brand and deepen customer loyalty in 2026 How the Best Year Yet Challenge helps you map real strategy (not just wishful goals) for profit and peace all year long Why niching down is the only way to stand out, charge more, and build true brand authority Join the Best Year Yet Challenge - January 6–8 — three days of live Zoom sessions with Ashley, Sara, Jeff, and the Boutique Hub team  Best Year Yet Join The Boutique Hub  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 heart. Now preparing for her biggest year yet with four NFR booths, three semi-loads of inventory, a full team, and her first-ever fashion show in Las Vegas, Quincy opens up about what it really takes to grow a purpose-driven brand that stands out. You'll learn: How Quincy went from hand-painting tack in high school to collaborating with Ariat How she manages four business models: online retail, wholesale, live selling, and NFR trade shows How rodeo, grit, and "getting back on the horse" shaped her leadership and resilience Her merchandising playbook for building a booth people can't walk past How she balances business growth, motherhood, and family   Join The Boutique Hub Quincy Eldridge & Rodeo Quincy Website: rodeoquincy.com Instagram: @rodeoquincy  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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, calculate your 7X local economic impact, and create a Pink Friday experience that brings in customers and strengthens loyalty.    You'll learn: How Pink Friday started — and why it changed the industry Why community over competition matters more than ever The meaning and power of your economic impact number How to calculate your 7X local impact (simple formula inside) Strategies to keep profit and peace through holiday chaos   Join The Boutique Hub  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 regretted (then fixed). You'll learn: A repeatable weekly content plan (markdowns → sneak peeks → launch → follow-up) How to segment email, SMS, and app notifications without spamming Vendor due diligence (manufacturer vs. distributor, reviews, model tells) How to address photo theft, educate customers, and avoid dupe/legal pitfalls Why "bigger isn't always better" and the storefront mistake Becca reversed fast   Join The Boutique Hub Retail Bootcamp   Bekah Turner & Pink Possum Boutique Website: Pinkpossumboutique.com Instagram: @shoppinkpossum @bekturner  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 profitable, and the merchandising secrets that make customers stop, shop, and say, "I'll take the whole outfit." You'll learn: How Brianna pivoted from handmade baby clothes to a full-time women's boutique What 45+ markets a year really looks like — and how to plan them How to vet events, spot red flags, and find your perfect customer base Visual merchandising that sells: mannequins, layering, and storytelling through displays The tools, packing systems, and safety gear every mobile boutique owner needs   Join The Boutique Hub Retail Bootcamp   Brianna Williams & Wildly Midwest Website: wildlymidwest.com Instagram: @wildlymidwest Facebook: @wildlymidwest  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 live selling changed everything, and how she protects her confidence in public as a founder, mom, and creator. You'll learn: The origin of Skimpies Why no manufacturer wanted to touch her idea — until one woman said yes The 8-second TikTok about a "front wedgie" that hit 6 million views Live selling with 3 viewers… to making real daily revenue and community loyalty  How she chose Marshalls/TJ Maxx as her first retail partner on purpose   Join The Boutique Hub 2026 Retail Planner   Bette Bentley & Skimpies  Website:skimpies.com Instagram: @skimpiesbrand TikTok: @skimpiesbrand  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 and a family. You'll learn: Website-first CX and automated ordering A repeatable photo workflow that drives conversions How to repurpose shoots across every channel Collabs that deepen brand (not just hype) Ops upgrades (barcodes/bins) and time-saving delegation Join The Boutique Hub 2026 Retail Planner Ryley Wimer & Savannah 7s Website: savannahsevens.com Instagram: @savannah7s --- Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 "website first, floor second" workflow that prevents stock conflicts - Photography that converts: camera picks, natural light setup, and Lightroom basics  - Building trust online: clean brand, curated new arrivals, and onsite collections - Inventory planning when eComm ramps (wider vs. deeper, cash-flow realities) - Local love: simple Google traffic ads to lift foot traffic   Join The Boutique Hub Learn more about Boutique Hub Black   Morgan Lancaster & Ivy House Boutique Website: ivyhouseboutique.com Facebook: facebook.com/shopivyhouseboutique Instagram: @ivyhouseboutique --- Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 tracking, checklists, monthly reviews, and how to use it with your manager or team. You'll Learn The CEO mindset that frees up time and scales revenue The 4 lists that remove overwhelm and increase focus How to pair paper + Trello + Google Calendar Time-blocking/theme days that stick What's inside the 2026 Retail Planner and why the monthly review pages drive smarter decisions 👉 Check out the 2026 Retail Planner for youself: 2026 Retail Planner Bundles & Member Pricing Members receive $10 off the planner and access to member pricing across Hub products and events. Check your member emails/Facebook groups for the code. Join The Boutique Hub ------ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 stack choices, and the community strategy that keeps customers! What else we talk about: Pricing first: use AOV to set price; back products into margin Margins that work: start ~45%, scale to 60–67% with buying power Retention: why community + live video drove 94% lifetime retention Upsell math: "ultimate" tiers and high-margin add-ons that subscribers love   Join The Boutique Hub Sarah Williams & Launch Your Box with Sarah Website: Launch Your Box Facebook: SubBoxwithSarah-Facebook Instagram: @howtostartasubbox Additional resources for you! ➡️ Sarah's packaging cheat sheet ➡️ Curating a box experience --- Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 work, family, and a side hustle, the importance of batching and knowing your numbers, and why learning ads transformed her business. Whitney also breaks down the myths about Facebook ads, explains why licensed products matter, and shows how ads fuel everything from inventory planning to social media. Whether you're still side-hustling or ready to take the leap, this episode is full of practical strategies and encouragement for boutique owners.   Join The Boutique Hub Learn more about Boutique Hub Black   Whitney Pope & Lolo Viv Website: loloviv.com Facebook: facebook.com/lolovivboutique Instagram: @shoploloviv --- Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 lessons she's learned about growth, marketing, and legacy along the way. Resources: Saltwater Boys: Website | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook Laci Hewett:  LinkedIn Join The Boutique Hub Pink Friday 2025 Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 practical strategies to build strong customer connections and drive sales.  Resources: Boutique Bestie Solutions: Website | Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook Kinsey Harris: LinkedIn Content Machine Sign Up Promo Sign Up Join The Boutique Hub Pink Friday 2025 Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

This time of year is special for so many reasons. It's a wonderful opportunity to spend time with loved ones, and experience the joys of the holidays and it is the perfect time to reflect and plan for the year ahead. In last week's episode, we went over some reflections for 2022. Today, I want to share 3 predictions and takeaways for 2023 as you start to map out your year ahead. Learn More About the Boutique Hub Here: https://theboutiquehub.com/join/boutique/ Resources: Ashley Alderson: Instagram Boutique Summit 2023 Best Year Yet 2023

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 business feels busy but not profitable, chances are one (or more) of these is holding you back. You'll learn: What winning retailers will do differently in 2026 The shift from "pretty branding" to real customer relationships How ignoring cash flow and margin creates long-term stress Why underutilizing AI and automation is no longer an option  The dangerous gap between sales and actual profitability   🛍️ Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub.    Join The Boutique Hub   Ashley Alderson: Instagram The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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 rise of faster trend cycles (every 8–10 weeks) and how to keep up without overbuying How cost-per-wear and cost-per-use are driving smarter buying decisions How pop culture moments are shaping what customers want next Why quiet luxury is fading and maximalist, personality-driven style is back    🗓️ Download the 2026 Tradeshow Calendar: 2026 Tradeshow Calendar   🛍️ Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub.    Join The Boutique Hub   Ashley Alderson: Instagram The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

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, western, or anything in between. With over 25 shows attended last year, The Boutique Hub team has a front-row seat to what's changing — and how you can plan smarter. You'll learn: Why there are more trade shows than ever and what that means for you The rise of niche markets and how they can serve your business How major shows are leveling up with education, activations, and immersive experiences What retailers should consider when deciding which shows to attend Why inspiration at market is becoming just as important as the product itself   🗓️ Download the 2026 Tradeshow Calendar: 2026 Tradeshow Calendar   🛍️ Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub.    Join The Boutique Hub Ashley Alderson: Instagram The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube