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Why 15,000 Stores Closed in 2025 and What YOU Can Do About It

#745: Why 15,000 Stores Closed in 2025 and What YOU Can Do About It

January 6, 2026

Welcome to the new year! On the first episode of 2026 Ashley Alderson is joined by Sara Burks for a big-picture retail conversation that every boutique owner needs right now! Retail is changing fast — and 2025 proved that “business as usual” isn’t enough anymore. With reports showing 15,000+ store closures, Ashley & Sara unpack what really happened, what retailers got wrong, and how small businesses can build a stronger,

Read More
10 Costly Retail Mistakes Boutique Owners Make (And How to Fix Them With Retail Bootcamp)

10 Costly Retail Mistakes Boutique Owners Make (And How to Fix Them With Retail Bootcamp)

January 5, 2026

Running a boutique business can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—adventures. Whether you’re just starting your boutique or you’ve been in business for years, it’s easy to fall into common traps that hold your growth back. The good news? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own either.

That’s where Retail Bootcamp comes in. This proven boutique coaching program is designed to help boutique owners like you grow smarter, more profitably, and with a clear plan in place.

Read More
Winter Market Roundup: Atlanta, Dallas & Las Vegas A Boutique Hub Guide for Gift, Home & Lifestyle Retailers

Winter Gift & Home Market Roundup: Atlanta, Dallas & Las Vegas

January 4, 2026

A Boutique Hub Guide for Gift, Home & Lifestyle Retailers Winter markets are where the buying year truly begins and 2026 is no exception! From gifts and décor to lifestyle and curated home goods, Atlanta, Dallas, and Las Vegas offer three of the most essential winter buying experiences for retailers. Whether you’re a seasoned gift shop owner or an apparel boutique expanding into lifestyle categories, these markets are key to

Read More

Five Minute Friday: Why Most New Year Plans Fail And How to Do 2026 Differently

January 2, 2026

In today’s Five Minute Friday, I’m officially inviting you to join me for The Best Year Yet Challenge—our biggest free training of the year. Planning a new year shouldn’t feel overwhelming or leave you burned out by March. Instead of chasing perfection or setting goals that fade fast, this challenge is all about creating a clear, realistic, and actionable plan for 2026—one you can actually stick to. Over three powerful

Read More

#744: The End-of-Year Checklist Every Retailer Actually Needs

December 30, 2025

As we close out 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this episode isn’t about pretty planners or lofty resolutions — it’s about the behind-the-scenes work that actually sets your business up for success. In this solo episode, Ashley Alderson walks you through the five critical areas every retailer must review before the year ends so you’re compliant, organized, profitable, and positioned to lead — not just hustle — in

Read More
Your Boutique Has a Voice. It’s Time Your Marketing Did Too

Your Boutique Has a Voice. It’s Time Your Marketing Did Too.

December 30, 2025

“Your boutique already has a voice customers trust. SellSavvy helps you make sure your marketing finally sounds like it.”
Your audience doesn’t need more noise — they want more you. They want connection, personality, and that one-on-one feel that made them fall in love with your brand in the first place. SellSavvy helps you deliver that at scale, turning every customer interaction into an opportunity to sell smarter — not louder.

Read More

Five Minute Friday: The Strategic Shifts Top Retailers Are Making for 2026

December 26, 2025

As we head into 2026, one thing is clear – the gap between average retailers and top performers is widening — and it has nothing to do with effort. In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down what the top 10% of retailers do differently right now, and why those decisions are positioning them to grow and scale while others feel stuck. Hard work isn’t the issue. Strategy is.

Read More

#743: Plan 2026 in 26 Minutes

December 23, 2025

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

Read More

Five Minute Friday: The 4 Mistakes Costing Retailers Profit Going Into 2026

December 19, 2025

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

Read More

The Boutique Hub is Heading to PGA Orlando!

December 17, 2025

The Boutique Hub is heading to the PGA Show in Orlando. Tapping into the fast-growing golf apparel market projected to hit $13B by 2032. Golf fashion is evolving beyond the course, creating big opportunities for boutique retailers. The Hub team will be connecting with brands, discovering new trends, and offering live education and retail audits at the event on July 28th. Boutique owners interested in athleisure, activewear, or preppy styles should consider adding golf-inspired looks to their lineup. VIP perks available through The Hub’s exclusive registration link.

Read More
Why 15,000 Stores Closed in 2025 and What YOU Can Do About It

#745: Why 15,000 Stores Closed in 2025 and What YOU Can Do About It

January 6, 2026

Welcome to the new year! On the first episode of 2026 Ashley Alderson is joined by Sara Burks for a big-picture retail conversation that every boutique owner needs right now! Retail is changing fast — and 2025 proved that “business as usual” isn’t enough anymore. With reports showing 15,000+ store closures, Ashley & Sara unpack what really happened, what retailers got wrong, and how small businesses can build a stronger,

Read More
10 Costly Retail Mistakes Boutique Owners Make (And How to Fix Them With Retail Bootcamp)

10 Costly Retail Mistakes Boutique Owners Make (And How to Fix Them With Retail Bootcamp)

January 5, 2026

Running a boutique business can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—adventures. Whether you’re just starting your boutique or you’ve been in business for years, it’s easy to fall into common traps that hold your growth back. The good news? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own either.

That’s where Retail Bootcamp comes in. This proven boutique coaching program is designed to help boutique owners like you grow smarter, more profitably, and with a clear plan in place.

Read More
Winter Market Roundup: Atlanta, Dallas & Las Vegas A Boutique Hub Guide for Gift, Home & Lifestyle Retailers

Winter Gift & Home Market Roundup: Atlanta, Dallas & Las Vegas

January 4, 2026

A Boutique Hub Guide for Gift, Home & Lifestyle Retailers Winter markets are where the buying year truly begins and 2026 is no exception! From gifts and décor to lifestyle and curated home goods, Atlanta, Dallas, and Las Vegas offer three of the most essential winter buying experiences for retailers. Whether you’re a seasoned gift shop owner or an apparel boutique expanding into lifestyle categories, these markets are key to

Read More

Five Minute Friday: Why Most New Year Plans Fail And How to Do 2026 Differently

January 2, 2026

In today’s Five Minute Friday, I’m officially inviting you to join me for The Best Year Yet Challenge—our biggest free training of the year. Planning a new year shouldn’t feel overwhelming or leave you burned out by March. Instead of chasing perfection or setting goals that fade fast, this challenge is all about creating a clear, realistic, and actionable plan for 2026—one you can actually stick to. Over three powerful

Read More

#744: The End-of-Year Checklist Every Retailer Actually Needs

December 30, 2025

As we close out 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this episode isn’t about pretty planners or lofty resolutions — it’s about the behind-the-scenes work that actually sets your business up for success. In this solo episode, Ashley Alderson walks you through the five critical areas every retailer must review before the year ends so you’re compliant, organized, profitable, and positioned to lead — not just hustle — in

Read More
Your Boutique Has a Voice. It’s Time Your Marketing Did Too

Your Boutique Has a Voice. It’s Time Your Marketing Did Too.

December 30, 2025

“Your boutique already has a voice customers trust. SellSavvy helps you make sure your marketing finally sounds like it.”
Your audience doesn’t need more noise — they want more you. They want connection, personality, and that one-on-one feel that made them fall in love with your brand in the first place. SellSavvy helps you deliver that at scale, turning every customer interaction into an opportunity to sell smarter — not louder.

Read More

Five Minute Friday: The Strategic Shifts Top Retailers Are Making for 2026

December 26, 2025

As we head into 2026, one thing is clear – the gap between average retailers and top performers is widening — and it has nothing to do with effort. In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down what the top 10% of retailers do differently right now, and why those decisions are positioning them to grow and scale while others feel stuck. Hard work isn’t the issue. Strategy is.

Read More

#743: Plan 2026 in 26 Minutes

December 23, 2025

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

Read More

Five Minute Friday: The 4 Mistakes Costing Retailers Profit Going Into 2026

December 19, 2025

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

Read More

The Boutique Hub is Heading to PGA Orlando!

December 17, 2025

The Boutique Hub is heading to the PGA Show in Orlando. Tapping into the fast-growing golf apparel market projected to hit $13B by 2032. Golf fashion is evolving beyond the course, creating big opportunities for boutique retailers. The Hub team will be connecting with brands, discovering new trends, and offering live education and retail audits at the event on July 28th. Boutique owners interested in athleisure, activewear, or preppy styles should consider adding golf-inspired looks to their lineup. VIP perks available through The Hub’s exclusive registration link.

Read More

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