What if you could steal the marketing secrets behind powerhouse brands like Lululemon and Pottery Barn, and use them to grow your own retail or ecommerce business? In this episode, Sal sits down with fractional CMO Jessica Shirra, who has led global campaigns, shaped iconic brand identities, and helped companies of all sizes create marketing that builds true community. Jessica breaks down the strategies big brands rely on, and more importantly, how you can adapt them without big budgets, huge teams, or agency-sized resources. From brand storytelling to customer experience, innovation, and emotional connection, this conversation reveals the real levers that move the needle in modern marketing. If you're ready to market your business with the clarity, intentionality, and confidence of the world's top brands, this episode is a must-listen. — Sal
As the holiday season reaches its peak, this re-run of one of our most-loved episodes is the perfect pause-and-reset moment. If you're heading into 2026 wanting to get more sales and more customers, this episode is where you start. Sal breaks down three simple but powerful strategies retailers consistently miss — and they're some of the easiest ways to boost visibility and bring in better customers. Whether you're bricks and mortar, ecommerce, or both, these are grassroots tactics that work even when traffic slows and budgets tighten. ✨ In this episode: • A mindset shift that removes the "I need more customers" panic • The overlooked platform filled with your best buyers • A collaboration opportunity sitting inside your supplier relationships • A real-life example of a no-ad event that pulled in new customers fast A short episode, a big payoff — and the perfect reset as you head into the new year. Grab the 5 Minute CEO reset - salenaknight.com/reset
Most retailers panic on Boxing Day and end up giving away their December profits. In this episode, Sal shares a simple, strategic framework to discount smart, not desperately. Learn how to segment your stock, protect your margins, turn gift card holders into high-value customers, and use "Treat Yourself" messaging to keep sales strong after Christmas. If you want your post-Christmas sales to work for your business (and not drain your bank account), this episode gives you the exact plan to follow. #retailstrategy #boxyingday
Most retailers dread returns, but what if they're not the problem you think they are? In this episode, Sal breaks down the real story behind returns — why they happen, what they reveal about your customers, and how the smartest retailers turn returns into repeat sales instead of lost revenue. You'll learn simple ways to streamline your returns process, reduce unnecessary returns, and create an experience that builds trust rather than frustration. If you've ever wondered how to make returns easier, faster, and more profitable, this episode is your new go-to guide. ✨ In this episode: • Why returns are actually data you can use • The biggest mistakes retailers make with returns • How to turn a return into a new sale • Easy improvements for a smoother returns experience — Sal
Short on time but need big wins? This Black Friday special combines three game-changing strategies from our most popular episodes. You'll learn: The "Most Popular" trick: How one word change increases sales and average order value (backed by behavioral science) From nurse to 7-figures: Why starting before you're ready beats waiting for the perfect plan Subscription box gold: How 400 monthly subscribers created guaranteed revenue and transformed an entire business model Three stories. Three strategies. At least one aha moment for your store. Grab the free Discount Calculator: https://scale.theretailacademy.net/discount-calculator
How do you grow from one small electronics store to over 100 locations in just a few years—while redefining what secondhand retail looks like? In this episode of the Bringing Business to Retail Podcast, Salena Knight sits down with Stephen Preuss, CEO & Co-Founder of PayMore, one of the fastest-scaling secondhand electronics franchises in the U.S. Stephen shares the real story behind PayMore's explosive growth, including: 💡 How a 20-year journey led to a "brand-new" retail category 🔌 The proprietary technology that lets PayMore price and process electronics in minutes ♻️ How the company is keeping millions of pounds of e-waste out of landfills 🏬 Why they blended brick-and-mortar retail with a powerful e-commerce engine 🚀 The decision to franchise—and how it helped them expand coast to coast 🎯 What every retailer needs to know about resale, sustainability, and the circular economy Whether you run a physical store, sell online, or want to inject innovation into your retail business, this conversation will change the way you think about growth, customer experience, and the future of pre-loved products. If you're curious about scaling, franchising, tech-enabled retail, or building a business that customers trust immediately, this episode is for you.
Sales shouldn't feel manipulative or uncomfortable. In this episode, we sit down with Andee Hart, sales coach and founder of *She Sells Differently*, to talk about how to sell with confidence, clarity, and care — without feeling "salesy." Andee shares lessons from 17 years in tech sales, including how to set better goals, follow up effectively, and turn your best products into consistent revenue. Whether you're a retailer, wholesaler, or product-based business, this episode will help you fall back in love with selling.
Black Friday is coming — but before you slash your prices, listen to this. In this episode, Salena Knight shares how to make your Black Friday and Cyber Monday campaigns profitable without destroying your margins or training your customers to only buy on sale. Learn how to segment your customers, reverse-engineer your profit goals, and create irresistible offers that add value — not just discounts. From bundles and gifts with purchase to loyalty point multipliers and VIP exclusives, you'll discover smarter ways to drive sales while keeping your business sustainable. Plus, Salena explains how to run an anti–Black Friday campaign that builds brand trust and attracts the right kind of customers. 🎧 Listen now and grab the free Discount Calculator to plan your next promotion: 👉 https://scale.theretailacademy.net/discount-calculator #RetailStrategy #EcommerceGrowth #BlackFridayTips #BusinessProfitability
You nailed your Black Friday sales — but did your customers come back? In this episode, Salena Knight reveals how to turn one-time holiday buyers into repeat, loyal customers. You'll learn why 75% of shoppers never make a second purchase, and the simple retention strategies that can change that. From the unboxing experience to post-purchase emails and referral programs, Salena walks you through the exact steps to build connection, drive repeat sales, and measure what's working. 🎧 Listen now and grab the free Discount Calculator to plan your next campaign: 👉 https://scale.theretailacademy.net/discount-calculator #RetailStrategy #CustomerRetention #EcommerceGrowth #BusinessProfitability
Imagine having $400K tied up in stock you can't sell. That's what happened to Eva—and it might be happening to you too. In this episode, I'll walk you through a simple 15-minute audit to identify your bottom 25% of products and calculate exactly how much they're costing you in rent, opportunity cost, and lost revenue. You'll discover how one $20 product could generate over $1 million in revenue in just 16 weeks—if you stop holding onto dead stock. Ready to free up cash and space for products that actually sell? Let's dive in. Resources mentioned: Nine Failproof Ways to Move Stock: https://selenaknight.com/stock
Hey friends, So this is a tough one to share, but you need to hear it. Picture this: Sunday morning, cup of tea, sitting down to catch up on social media during our BIGGEST launch of the year. I open Facebook and see "We've suspended your page." At first, I wasn't worried. This had happened before with a hacking attempt. But this time? Different story.
What makes people buy — logic or emotion? In this episode, behavioral science expert Phill Agnew, host of The Nudge Podcast, joins Sal to unpack the psychology behind every purchase decision. From the power of scarcity ("12 per customer") to why "National Days" actually drive sales, Phill reveals how simple, science-backed tweaks can dramatically increase conversions — without resorting to gimmicks. You'll learn how to speak to your customer's instinctive brain, create offers that trigger real action, and sell in a way that feels good — for you and your customers. This episode will change the way you think about marketing forever. — Sal 🎧
What if you could wake up every month knowing your bills were already paid? Sarah Williams turned her local gift shop into a subscription box business generating consistent monthly recurring revenue—and she's sharing exactly how she did it. Sarah started with 44 subscribers and grew to thousands, keeping customers for an average of 17.3 months at $74/month with a 67% profit margin. She reveals how she used her existing business data—bestselling categories and average order value—to create subscription boxes customers love. Discover how monthly recurring revenue covers rent, utilities, and salaries while retail sales become pure profit on top. Sarah even acquired 761 new subscribers in just 60 days during tough economic times, proving this model works now more than ever. Whether you run a brick-and-mortar store or an e-commerce business, this episode shows you the exact framework to add subscription revenue to your existing retail business. Connect with Sarah: Website: launchyourbox.com | Social: @HowToStartASubBox
You know that feeling when your store is buzzing with holiday shoppers and you're thinking, "Finally, I don't need to do anything — they're already buying!" Yeah… that mindset cost me over $200,000. 😬 In this episode of Bringing Business to Retail, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most expensive assumptions I ever made: believing that busy seasons mean you can stop actively marketing. Here's the truth: just because customers are buying doesn't mean they're spending as much as they could — and you might be leaving tens of thousands on the table without even realizing it. I'll walk you through: How I failed to maximize my busiest seasons (and the numbers to prove it) The simple upsell strategies that could've quadrupled my revenue Why Q4 isn't the time to coast — it's the time to double down on strategy What to do now if you want your best Q4 ever (without burning out) If you've ever thought you don't need promotions because "people are already buying," you cannot afford to miss this episode.
Are you sure you've got the right products for the holiday season? In this episode of Bringing Business to Retail, I share the painful lesson I learned during my very first Christmas in business — and the 5-step framework that will help you choose products that actually sell (and make this Q4 your most profitable yet). Here's what you'll learn: 🎁 Why stocking "good products" isn't enough for holiday sales 🎁 The 3 biggest product mix mistakes retailers make every year 🎁 How to run "The Gift Test" and spot what will (and won't) sell 🎁 The price-point gaps that quietly cost you revenue 🎁 How to clear out dead stock and free up cash for best-sellers 🎁 Last-minute strategies to boost Q4 without panicking Your holiday success isn't about luck — it's about strategy. Listen in, take notes, and start making the right product decisions now. 🔗 Join the Scale Your Store Accelerator: https://scaleyourstore.com 📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesalenaknight #RetailTips #Ecommerce #InventoryManagement #HolidaySales #RetailStrategy #Q4Planning
In this episode of the Bringing Business to Retail Podcast, I'm joined by retail buyer and showroom founder Erica Kiang to unpack the strategies that separate successful retailers from the rest. Whether you're stocking your own shelves or trying to get your product into stores, Erica shares hard-won insights from her experience with brands like Ann Taylor, her own boutiques, and now as founder of the Babel Fair Showroom. We talk about: How to buy like a pro (even if you're not a big box store) What makes a product a true bestseller The power of customer personas and real-time feedback Why exclusivity and territory still matter in retail And how even small retailers can negotiate product exclusives If you want to stop guessing and start curating collections that move, this episode is your guide. Connect with Erica Kiang: 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=111944 📸 Instagram: @erica.kiang 💼 LinkedIn: Erica Kiang on LinkedIn
What if you could look at your bank account on January 1st and feel proud, confident, and excited instead of anxious? In this episode of the Bringing Business to Retail Podcast, Salena Knight introduces the January Vision Method — a powerful approach to planning Q4 so you can stop flying blind and start creating the results you want. You'll hear the story of Kelly, a retailer who transformed her holiday season by reverse engineering her goals, mapping her promotions, and executing with intention. The result? $825,000 in revenue, $210,000 cash in the bank, a full-time hire, and the freedom to finally take a real vacation. Whether you're tired of survival mode or ready to scale with confidence, this episode will show you how to: Set a clear, motivating January vision Reverse engineer your revenue goals Build strong foundations in September and October Execute a Q4 plan that funds your entire next year Your January success starts with the plan you create today. Tune in and learn how to design your holiday sales strategy for real growth.
Black Friday and the holiday season don't have to mean discounting your brand into the ground. In this episode, Salena Knight unpacks the psychology of holiday spending and shows you how to tap into customer behavior without racing to the bottom. You'll discover: Why customers budget for holiday spending months in advance How gift-giving flips normal price sensitivity The role urgency and deadlines play in driving sales Why customers want you to "show up" during the holidays—even without discounts How to plan campaigns that feel effortless (instead of scrambling last minute) If you're ready to stop throwing spaghetti at the wall and start building holiday promotions that work, this episode is for you. 👉 Join the Double My Holiday Sales Bootcamp: https://scale.theretailacademy.net/wait-list
In this episode, Salena Knight is joined by sales performance expert and author Anita Nielsen to unpack how businesses can embrace AI without sacrificing their authenticity. As AI tools become faster, cheaper, and more widespread, how do we avoid sounding like everyone else? From mapping the customer journey to identifying friction points, Anita shares how to use AI strategically—so it adds value without erasing the human touch. They explore: How to identify where AI belongs in your business (and where it doesn't) The hidden cost of sameness in content and customer experience Why human-centered sales are more important than ever What retailers and eCommerce brands can do right now to audit their workflows Real-world examples of automation done right (and wrong) Whether you're planning for Q4 or rethinking your brand voice in the age of automation, this episode will help you stay smart, strategic, and—most of all—human.
In this episode of Bringing Business to Retail, Sal takes you behind the scenes of her Walk Club – where business strategy meets the footpath. Walking alongside a store owner who's struggling to lift sales, Sal dives deep into their numbers to uncover whether the real challenge is traffic, conversions, or sheer volume. You'll hear how to make sense of email marketing metrics, the power of segmenting and nurturing VIP customers, and why high-ticket products can be the fastest way to boost profits. This is a candid, unscripted problem-solving session filled with practical strategies you can put into action right away. If you've ever wished you could listen in on the real conversations that lead to breakthroughs, this episode is for you.