Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast

Small Business Saturday isn't just a single day, it's part of a powerful five-day stretch that can grow your sales and strengthen your connection with customers. In this episode, Kathy shares a realistic plan for making the entire weekend work for you, from Black Friday through Giving Tuesday. You'll learn simple, strategic ways to pace yourself, boost engagement, and build momentum, without burning out. Whether you're going all in this year or taking notes for next, you'll walk away with practical ideas and peace of mind. For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode262  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Savvy ShopkeeperInstagram: @savvyshopkeeperMastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

As the holiday rush approaches, your team's energy can make or break the customer experience. In this episode, Kathy shares what she noticed during her travels in 2025—how disengagement shows up in stores—and why connection matters more than ever in Q4. Learn what real engagement looks like, why it drives sales, and how to model it as the leader. Plus, a quick discussion on whether "secret shoppers" help or hurt team morale.   For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode261  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Savvy ShopkeeperInstagram: @savvyshopkeeperMastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

Are Small Business Saturday discounts really worth it? In this episode, I'm breaking down when discounts make sense, when they don't, and smarter ways to attract shoppers without giving away your profit. You'll hear real examples from my own store and other indie retailers, plus advanced strategies for seasoned shop owners—like using data from past years, segmenting customers, and streamlining operations for your busiest day of the season. If you're planning your Small Business Saturday strategy, this episode will help you protect your margins and make the day more profitable, intentional, and fun. For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode260  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Savvy ShopkeeperInstagram: @savvyshopkeeperMastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

This is Part 2 of a special 2-part series on competition and product overlap in indie retail. Once you've processed the emotions behind a "copycat" moment, what comes next?  In this episode, I walk you through my CLEAR framework for grounding yourself, then share three common paths store owners take when a competitor feels too close for comfort: focusing inward, protecting their turf, or collaborating with caution.  You'll hear the benefits and trade-offs of each, my personal stance, and a mic-drop truth I've learned after years of studying independent retailers. For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode259  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Savvy ShopkeeperInstagram: @savvyshopkeeperMastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

This is Part 1 of a special 2-part series on one of the most common and heated topics in indie retail: competition and product overlap. If you've ever walked into another store and seen your best-selling product on their shelves, you know the mix of frustration and fear it can trigger. In this episode, I break down why product overlap happens in retail, why it feels so personal, and what it really means for your business. We'll look at the emotions behind these moments, the realities of supply and demand, and why processing your reaction first is key to making better long-term decisions. For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode258  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Savvy ShopkeeperInstagram: @savvyshopkeeperMastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

In this episode, I'm opening up about something personal—and still unfolding. For years, I've suspected I might have ADHD. I usually wait until I've got everything figured out before I share, but this time I'm bringing you with me in real-time. If you've ever wondered whether your brain works a little differently—if you've struggled with focus, follow-through, forgetfulness, or feeling scattered—this episode might hit home. I'll explain why I'm finally getting tested, what common ADHD symptoms look like (especially in women), and why so many of us feel dismissed when we try to talk about it. I'm not a doctor—but after 51 years and a lot of patterns I can't ignore, I'm ready to get answers. Let's talk about it. For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode257  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Savvy ShopkeeperInstagram: @savvyshopkeeperMastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

Ever wonder what's really happening behind the scenes at Savvy Shopkeeper? In this special bonus episode, I'm catching you up on ALL the projects, lessons, and tools I've been working on! And there's quite a bit. If you're not in MSK, this is your chance to hear what goes on behind the curtain. And if you are in MSK? You'll appreciate the momentum we're building. 🔗 Helpful Links & Resources Want to explore something I mentioned in this bonus episode? Here's where to go: 📝 Rewiring Retail Recap Notes – Listen to my key takeaways and sign up for the Retail Brew newsletter. 📱 Traffic Tally (Foot Traffic App) – Get on the Savvy Shopkeeper newsletter list to hear more about this and find out when we launch the web app. Scroll down on the home page to sign up. 📍 Retail Location Scorecard Lesson (MSK) – Apply to join the membership or book a discovery call with me. 📅 Event Promotion Timing Study – Complete the form and help us collect as much information as possible. Click here to access the Google Form. 📐 Store Intensives – Interested in a store intensive? Visit the store intensive page on the Savvy Shopkeeper website. 📄 Retail Isn't Dying, It's Starving – White Paper – Get on the Savvy Shopkeeper newsletter list to hear more about this. 📘 Retail Roadmap Book Waitlist – Get on the Savvy Shopkeeper newsletter list to hear more about this and find out when you can pre-order the book! 📢 Tariffs, Advocacy & MSK Member Spotlight – Learn more about this incredible work on the Advocacy page of the Savvy Shopkeeper website. 🤖 AI Agents & Automations (Impromptu MSK Lesson) – Apply to join the membership or book a discovery call with me. 🚪 Retail Exit Roadmap (Exit Strategy Program) – Find out when this program opens up by getting on the Savvy Shopkeeper newsletter list! 🎉 2027 Conference – More coming soon! Same applies here: get on the newsletter list!

Planning isn't just for staying organized—it's how you lead. In this episode, I help you step into your CEO role with strategic tools, reflection practices, and mindset shifts. You'll learn how to use your planner to make high-level decisions, reduce friction, and finally feel in control—even as a team of one. 👉 Website & Mastermind Group: savvyshopkeeper.com 📲 Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Planner: savvyshopkeeper.com/planner

Want to stop scrambling and start executing with ease? This episode covers how smart store owners plan their promotions, inventory, and events before the chaos hits. I break down the retail systems built into the Savvy Shopkeeper Planner so you can run your shop like a well-oiled machine. 👉 Website & Mastermind Group: savvyshopkeeper.com 📲 Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Planner: savvyshopkeeper.com/planner

Tired of work creeping into every open space? In this episode, I share how planning your life before your to-do list can reduce burnout, increase clarity, and help you run your business on your terms. Learn how to reverse engineer your week, make space for joy, and use your planner to lighten your mental load—not add to it. 👉 Website & Mastermind Group: savvyshopkeeper.com 📲 Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Planner: savvyshopkeeper.com/planner

In this episode, I'm diving into a concept that's shifted the way I make decisions in my business—and how quickly I take action: The Speed Bar. If fear, overthinking, or "what if" spirals tend to keep you stuck, this one's for you. I'll share what the speed bar is, how mine has evolved over the years, and why increasing yours can completely change the momentum in your business. Plus, I'll walk you through the real cost of a slow speed bar, how to tell if fear is running the show, and what small steps you can take to start making bolder, faster decisions as a store owner. Let's move through the fear and get you unstuck. Visit the shownotes for this episode. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website & Mastermind Group: Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper

In this episode, I'm sharing how I went from paying myself minimum wage to setting—and hitting—a real CEO-level salary. If you're a store owner who wants to make more and work smarter, this one's for you. I'll walk you through how to set a salary goal, calculate the revenue needed to support it, and start delegating tasks so you can focus on growing your business. Plus, we'll talk about the revenue cap solo store owners hit and why hiring a store lead is a game-changer once you hit $350K+ in annual revenue.  Ready to step into your leadership role? Let's do this. Visit the shownotes for this episode and grab the free CEO Pay Workbook that goes with this episode at:  www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode252  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website & Mastermind Group:  Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper 

In this bonus episode, I'm introducing Retail Reset—a brand new Zoom workshop for store owners who feel like their business is being held together by duct tape and guesswork. This is not about analyzing reports or digging into deep financials. Retail Reset is the class for store owners who feel behind on the business side of things—and are ready to fix it. Retail Reset is about setup, cleanup, and getting your business on solid ground—so you can finally see your numbers, track what matters, and make better decisions in the future. It's the foundational work you've needed but either didn't know how to ask for it or you've been avoiding it. If your inventory feels out of control, your books are a mess (or nonexistent), and you've been avoiding all the behind-the-scenes stuff…this is where your reset starts. 🎟 Click HERE to register now – $67 includes replay access + 3 practical bonuses!

One of my favorite parts of hosting a yearly conference for retail store owners is sharing the tools I use (and love) to market, support, and get insight into my brick-and-mortar store. These tools can seriously support and streamline your retail business—and they made great door prizes as sponsors at this year's conference—but here's a little more about what they do, who they're for, and why I believe they're valuable. Listen to epsiode 251 of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast for the 3 Tools for Retail Store Owners That'll Save You Time (And Help Generate Revenue). Find shownotes to this episode at www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode251. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website & Mastermind Group:  Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper 

When economic uncertainty rises, consumers don't just "spend less," they fundamentally change how they make decisions. Research shows that during periods of instability, people shift from "promotion-focused" thinking (seeking gains and opportunities) to "prevention-focused" thinking—avoiding losses and protecting what they have. Your customers aren't just being more careful with money; they're operating from an entirely different psychological framework. If you, as a retailer, can't adapt your marketing strategy to better fit this mindset, it'll be difficult to grow or even maintain your current sales or recover from a dip. Listen to episode 250 for six behavioral strategies to build certainty in uncertain times. For show notes, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode250. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website & Mastermind Group:  Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper 

In this bonus episode, Kathy shares heartfelt reflections and key takeaways from the Get Traffic Savvy Shopkeeper Conference in Cleveland. From Amanda Herring's unforgettable Instagram session to the video memorial honoring April to Mamita's surprise visit, this episode captures the magic, learning, and love that filled the room. Kathy also opens up about what she learned as a leader, why this event has to happen again, and the power of connecting with fellow shopkeepers. Whether you attended or not, this recap is full of insight, inspiration, and gratitude. Mentioned in the episode: The event venue webiste for Biographie: The Colab Concepts  Want to find out about future events? Sign up for the Savvy Shopkeeper Newsletter Follow La Petite Maison on Instagram

If there's something that every store owner wants to review or discuss, but the discomfort of the conversation is convincing you to avoid it, it's your margins.  With rising costs, inflation, and the constant pressure to keep your customers happy, this is one of the trickiest but most important things you need to dial in this year. So, if you've been wrestling with pricing decisions or you're feeling nervous about charging "too much," then this is for you! Listen to episode 249 for seven ways you can improve and protect your profit margins. For show notes, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode249. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website & Mastermind Group:  Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper 

At first glance, extending store hours might seem like a simple decision. Just "stay open a little later, and customers will come," right? But, not quite. A decision like this deserves a thoughtful approach, and that's where a cost-benefit analysis can make all the difference. But, if you're wondering why, this is for you. Here are five reasons why you should do a cost-benefit analysis of extending your store hours.  Listen to episode 248 for five reasons why conducting a cost-benefit analysis is so valuable when you're considering extending your store hours. For shownotes visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode248. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website & Mastermind Group:  Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper 

When you're running a brick-and-mortar business, there's a fear you probably didn't expect to have, thanks to taxes: the fear of making more profit. Avoiding profit is not the best financial strategy, and it can actually hurt your business both short-term and long-term. While I'm going to share WHY this is, I want to also remind you to consult your CPA, financial advisor, and/or bookkeeper for clarification on if you can use this for your business and financial situation. Listen to episode 247 for tips on how to navigate tax brackets as an indie retail brick-and-mortar business owner and visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode247 for show notes to this episode. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website & Mastermind Group:  Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper 

One of the most common challenges brick-and-mortar store owners face is in their financial planning. From filtering through the advice that actually applies to you and juggling factors out of your control (like tariffs), it's hard to find something that works. In today's episode, I'm sharing 6 common financial planning tips that work and how to tell if financial advice is meant for you (and if it's not). I'm also sharing BOTH the why they may or why they may not work for your retail business. I want you to think carefully about whether or not it would work for YOU. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website & Mastermind Group:  Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper