Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten

292. The Real Starting Point for Building a Profitable Retail Business

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   Episode Overview Ever find yourself wondering "Where do I start when I'm juggling multiple priorities in my retail business?" You're not alone. I'm addressing this question that's been asked many times since Episode 290 dropped at the beginning of the year. In this episode, I'll lay out the most important steps to focus on FIRST in order to achieve the success you want this year in your retail business. You'll learn why clarity around your numbers and a growth mindset are the foundations for building a sustainable, profitable shop.  Our Key Topics Fully taking on the CEO and CFO roles within your business The dangers of chasing revenue numbers without understanding profit or margins Defining why your business exists and aligning it with your desired lifestyle Managing inventory as your biggest business asset Identifying and overcoming automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) The importance of seeking professional coaching and support   Let's Prioritize These Things in Your Business Know your numbers beyond just revenue. You must understand the variables like margins, expenses, and inventory turns that lead to actual profit.   A business that supports your life, not the other way around. This requires planning for a personal paycheck and defining success on your own terms.   Paying attention to your "growth mindset" brain. This includes reading financial reports, managing open-to-buy programs, and being comfortable with the discomfort of change, among other things.   Avoid the "accidental entrepreneur" trap. Clearly define your business motivation and reverse-engineer your goals from the bottom up. "Stop chasing other people's version of success." -Wendy Batten Your next step? Choose one small action today to lead your business with intention and clarity. Resources Mentioned: Creative Shop Talk Podcast Episode 290: 7 Things to Focus on in 2026 If You Want a Retail Business That Lasts Back-of-the-Napkin Profit Calculator (Profit Planning Masterclass) A simple, approachable way to understand your core retail numbers without overwhelm or complicated spreadsheets. Retail Sales & Marketing Accelerator (On-Demand)A practical course designed to help shop owners stop guessing and start making clearer, data-informed decisions around sales and marketing. Join my Love List! About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met…I'm Wendy Batten. I've been a small business owner, coach, and mentor for over 25 years. I help thoughtful, established entrepreneurs step into their role as CEO and build businesses that are profitable, meaningful, and supportive of the lives they want to live. My work blends real-world strategy with a life-first philosophy, shaped by lived experience, not theory. I've been there! Through honest conversations and practical insight, I invite you into bigger thinking about leadership, possibility, and how to build both business and life on purpose.  For more support from Wendy Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy's current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!  Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your reviews help other retailers find my podcast, and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

291. It's Not for Me…Until It Is

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   In This Episode: Have you ever dismissed something quickly by thinking, "That's not for me"? I did. Twice on Christmas morning, if we are being honest. And both times, I was wrong. In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I share two very real moments where I resisted things that, in hindsight, were exactly what I needed. Not because I didn't want to grow, but because growth sometimes shows up feeling uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or inconvenient. This conversation is for experienced retail shop owners who are running solid businesses, working hard, and sensing there's another level available. Not through more hustle, but through clarity, awareness, and quietly raising standards. The Big Idea: We don't resist what's irrelevant. We resist what asks us to change how we lead. Often, resistance shows up as dismissal: "It's not for me." "I don't need that." "That's for other people." In this episode, we explore why paying attention to those moments matters and how they can lead to better decisions, more confidence, and stronger leadership in your retail business. Two Lessons From This Episode: Lesson 1: Resistance is information. When something triggers a fast "it's not for me", it's worth pausing. That reaction often shows up when: we don't want to feel like a beginner we don't want to look closely at our numbers we sense that something would require us to change Avoiding numbers, systems, or data doesn't mean they're wrong. It usually means they matter. Clarity doesn't shame you. It gives you options. Lesson 2: "Fine" Can Quietly Limit Growth Many retail businesses aren't broken. They're just settled. Settling can sound like: "This works well enough" "We've always done it this way" "It's fine for now" Raising your standards doesn't mean blowing things up or spending more money. Sometimes it's as simple as deciding you deserve better systems, better support, or a better experience for yourself and your customers. What This Means for Retail Business Owners You don't need to overhaul your entire business. You don't need to love numbers. You don't need to do what everyone else is doing. You do need to notice where you're dismissing things too quickly. Start with one number, one decision, or one raised standard. That's how clarity builds without burnout. Resources Mentioned: Back-of-the-Napkin Profit Calculator (Profit Planning Masterclass) A simple, approachable way to understand your core retail numbers without overwhelm or complicated spreadsheets. Retail Sales & Marketing Accelerator (On-Demand)A practical course designed to help shop owners stop guessing and start making clearer, data-informed decisions around sales and marketing. Related podcasts we think you'll like:  Episode 257: Spring Cleaning for Your Retail Business: Refresh Your Mind, Shop, and Sales Episode 271: Back-of-the-Napkin Math: Simplifying Profit Planning for Retailers Episode 278: Behind the Counter with Megan Macdonald: How She Built a Profitable Two-Location Shop and Gained Her Freedom About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met you…I'm Wendy Batten. I've been a small business owner, coach, and mentor for over 25 years. I help thoughtful, established entrepreneurs step into their role as CEO and build businesses that are profitable, meaningful, and supportive of the lives they want to live. My work blends real-world strategy with a life-first philosophy, shaped by lived experience, not theory. I've been there! Through honest conversations and practical insight, I invite you into bigger thinking about leadership, possibility, and how to build both business and life on purpose.  For more support from Wendy Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy's current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!  Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your reviews help other retailers find my podcast, and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

290. 7 Things to Focus on in 2026 If You Want a Retail Business That Lasts

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   In This Episode: You know that shop down the street that always seems to be doing well? The one that looks calm, confident, and steady while everyone else feels frantic? In this Season 6 kickoff episode of Creative Shop Talk, I'm pulling back the curtain on what's actually happening behind the scenes and sharing my 7 predictions for what independent retailers need to focus on in 2026 if they want a business that lasts. This episode is not about doing more. It's about focusing on what matters. We're talking about building a brand that means something, understanding profit instead of just chasing sales, making smarter inventory decisions, designing intentional customer experiences, building systems that don't rely on you, stepping fully into your CEO role, and defining success in a way that includes your life, not just your revenue. If you're an established shop owner who wants sustainability, clarity, and momentum going into 2026, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters. Key Takeaways A real brand is built on trust, standards, and consistency, not just visuals. Sales don't equal profit. You need clarity on what actually drives profit. The strongest decisions come from a blend of intuition, experience, and data. Inventory is working capital, not decor. You're not competing with Amazon. You're competing with indifference. If your business can't function without you, you've built a job, not a company. CEO-level leadership brings calm, clarity, and direction. A successful business that costs you your life is not success. 7 Focus Areas in Your Retail Biz in 2026: 1. Build a brand that actually means something. Your brand is the promise you keep. Standards, consistency, and trust matter more than aesthetics. 2. Get real profit clarity. Revenue can look impressive while profit quietly disappears. Understand margins and true profit drivers. 3. Treat inventory like the asset it is. Inventory is cash tied up on your shelves. Buy intentionally and review performance regularly. 4. Design the customer experience on purpose. Experience is strategy. Every touchpoint should be intentional. 5. Build systems that don't rely on you. If everything funnels through you, growth stalls. Systems create leverage. 6. Step fully into your CEO role. CEO leadership means direction, standards, and decision-making, not people-pleasing. 7. Define success in a way that includes your life. Start with the life you want, then build the business to support it.   "Your business should support your life. That's not indulgent. It's intelligent." -Wendy Batten   Related podcasts we think you'll like:  Episode 118: How To Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Guest Expert & Author: Shep Hyken Episode 243: Behind the Counter: Creating Customer Joy in Retail with Kim Williams of The Polka Dot Press Episode 274: Is Your Customer Journey Map Working? Audit it Now! About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met you…I'm Wendy Batten. I've been a small business owner, coach, and mentor for over 25 years, and I help thoughtful, established entrepreneurs step into their role as CEO and build businesses that are profitable, meaningful, and supportive of the lives they want to live. My work blends real-world strategy with a life-first philosophy, shaped by lived experience, not theory. I've been there! Through honest conversations and practical insight, I invite you into bigger thinking about leadership, possibility, and how to build both business and life on purpose.  For more support from Wendy Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy's current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!  Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your reviews help other retailers find my podcast, and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Tha

289. Become the CEO Your Life May Need in 2026

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   In This Episode: Season Five wraps with a heartfelt, honest conversation you don't want to miss. In this final episode of the year, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing the real-life alignment shifts, boundaries, and mindset resets that shaped my 2025 - and how you can step confidently and intentionally into 2026. If you've ever felt out of sync with your business, overwhelmed by hustle culture, or unsure whether your decisions still match the life you want today… this episode will feel like a deep breath. Wendy talks openly about anxiety, intuition, "right-fit" clients, protecting your energy, and designing a business that actually supports your life - not the other way around. Grab a cozy drink, settle in, and get ready to reflect, recalibrate, and realign for the year ahead. Insights to Guide Your 2026 Planning Why your business can only grow as sustainably as you can The difference between chasing clients vs. attracting aligned ones Intuition whispers before it screams Why a full calendar isn't the goal – spaciousness is The power of boundaries as leadership How to identify fuels vs. drains in your business The importance of checking whether your business still aligns with who you are today Your Next Steps: Revisit your 2025 experiences: What felt aligned? What felt heavy? Review your client base: Who energizes you? Who doesn't? Set or reinforce boundaries that support your CEO role Explore deeper support if you're ready – whether that's joining the Level Up Mastermind, or finding coaching or community. Need help with your 2026 business planning? Grab my Best Year Ever standalone masterclass. It's available for free for Inner Circle members and for purchase from non-members. Members and non-members alike will meet with me live on Zoom on January 13th at 2pm ET.  A replay will be available for those who cannot make it live. Related podcasts we think you'll like:  Episode 136: Coffee Break Chats with Wendy: Annual Planning That Fills Your Life Buckets Episode 186: Choose Joy: Reframe Your Mindset and End Your Retail Year Happy Episode 197: A Monthly Debrief: A Simple Activity All Retail Shop Owners Should Be Doing About your host, Wendy Batten   In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably—with more confidence and joy. I've had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I've supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.  For more support from Wendy   Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community Free resources for shop owners   Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy's current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!  Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your reviews help other retailers find my podcast, and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

288. Become the CEO Your Retail Business Actually Needs in 2026

With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   In This Episode: Ready for a truth bomb? Your business can only grow if you do.  In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I'm diving deep into what it really takes to step into the CEO identity your retail business needs in 2026 and beyond. From letting go of the "do-it-all shopkeeper" mindset to making braver, clearer decisions rooted in vision rather than fear, this episode is your invitation to level up. I'll share real stories of retailers who shifted their identity, embraced discomfort, built supportive systems, and created more profitable, life-friendly businesses proving that leadership growth isn't optional…it's transformational. Retail Leadership Strategies to Elevate Your Business How to shift from shopkeeper to CEO mindset The difference between operational decisions and visionary decisions The real impact of stepping into bigger, bolder thinking Why removing unprofitable tasks or categories can accelerate growth How identity work fuels better planning, profitability, and joy "You cannot plan a visionary year without first stepping into the identity of a visionary." Your Next Steps: Ask yourself and really think about this question: Who do I need to become next year? Take some time to journal through some of the other prompts in this episode. If you aren't an Inner Circle member, you can still plan alongside us for your Best Year Ever! Purchase the masterclass here and join us (members and non-members alike!) on January 16th at 12pm ET for a live Q+A. If you are looking for high-level support in your retail business, I'd love to see you inside my Level Up Mastermind. You can apply for the 2026 cohort here. This is where the magic happens, my friends.   Related podcasts we think you'll like:  Episode 178: 3 Top Success Mindset Musts for Retailer Owners Episode 183: Fine Tuning Your Retail Business Operations with Business Strategist Gwen Bortner Episode 285: Avoiding Retail Burnout: Closing Loops and Leaning In to Your People   About your host, Wendy Batten   In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably—with more confidence and joy. I've had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I've supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.  For more support from Wendy   Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community Free resources for shop owners   Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy's current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!  Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your reviews help other retailers find my podcast, and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!