Small Business Blog

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 explains the three major areas of HR

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 storefront from the ground up, they share the behind-the-scenes reality of growing

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, and repeat customers. You’ll learn:

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.

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.

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 business instead of just another hustle.