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Small Business Blog

Empowering Entrepreneurs, One Blog at a Time.

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#738 Pink Friday 2025: Why This Week Matters (and How to Make the Most of It)

Pink Friday Week is finally here — and Ashley is diving deep into how to make this the most profitable and peaceful kickoff to your holiday season. Ashley shares the heart behind Pink Friday, why it began, and how retailers all over the world can use this week to tell their story before big-box media announces theirs. You’ll learn how to prepare your store, communicate with your local community, calculate

Read More

Five Minute Friday: How Color Analysis Can Elevate Your Boutique Styling Game

On this Five Minute Friday, Amanda Fairley and Nikki Bogardus of PrismXI join us to unpack one of the most transformative tools in personal style: color analysis. Nikki has spent sixteen years studying the science of color, and together, Amanda and Nikki break down how the right colors impact confidence, first impressions, shopping habits, and the way you show up in life and business. They explain why traditional four-season color

Read More

The Boutique Hub to Deliver Retail Education at Mode Market 2026

Mode Market 2026 is raising the bar for dance retailers everywhere. In an exciting new partnership with The Boutique Hub, the February event will now open with a full day of business education designed to help retailers boost sales, sharpen strategy, and build stronger brands. Taking place Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, this collaboration blends Mode Market’s industry expertise with The Boutique Hub’s proven track record of empowering independent retailers. From mastering email marketing to optimizing in-store merchandising and turning local wins into online growth, attendees will gain the tools and insights needed to thrive in today’s ever-evolving retail landscape.

Read More

#737 Building a Boutique That Stands Out with Authenticity and Strategy

Today Bekah Turner, owner of Pink Possum, joins Ashley to unpack her business journey— from growing up in a salvage-store family—and how that shaped a boutique brand that wins with relatable content, smart buying, and customer trust. We dive into her weekly content rhythm, live selling, email/SMS/app strategy, vendor red flags, how she handles photo theft/dupes, and the storefront decision she regretted (then fixed). You’ll learn: A repeatable weekly content

Read More
What’s Trending in Gift & Home: A Holiday Buying Guide for Independent Retailers

What’s Trending in Gift & Home: A Holiday Buying Guide for Independent Retailers

Discover what’s trending in the gift and home industry with this Holiday Buying Guide for Home & Gift Retailers. In partnership with the Reps Are Local Too community, this guide highlights top holiday product trends, buying timelines, and merchandising ideas to help independent retailers plan inventory and maximize profits. Learn when to order, what to stock, and how to connect with local reps to keep your store ahead this season.

Read More

Five Minute Friday: The CEO’s Guide to Smarter Planning – Tracking the Right Numbers (Part 3)

Today Ashley dives into one of her favorite phrases — “Only a tracked number grows.” If you’ve ever felt like you’re posting on social media without seeing results, this episode breaks down exactly what numbers to track, how to measure them, and how to get your team on the same page heading into the new year. Ashley shares how The Boutique Hub tracks every post, follower, engagement, and conversion across

Read More

#736: Merch Like You Mean It – The Road Tested Playbook for Pop Ups That Sell Out

Pop-Ups, Mobile Boutique Life & Merchandising That Sells Today Brianna Williams, of Wildly Midwest, joins the podcast to share how she built a thriving mobile boutique business traveling to more than 45 markets a year across nine states. Brianna opens up about pivoting from handmaking baby clothes on Etsy to running a successful women’s boutique on the road, what it really takes to make markets profitable, and the merchandising secrets

Read More
Turn Overstock Into Opportunity: How Max Retail Helps Boutique Owners Recoup Their Wholesale Costs

Turn Overstock Into Opportunity: How Max Retail Helps Boutique Owners Recoup Their Wholesale Costs

Got past-season styles still sitting on your shelves? Max Retail helps boutique owners turn leftover inventory into cash—fast. With access to 400+ million shoppers across 20+ e-commerce sites, you can recoup your wholesale costs without slashing prices or risking your brand reputation.

Read the full blog to learn how Max Retail is helping 2,500+ retailers like you sell smarter.

Read More

Holiday Merchandising Must-Haves for Small Business Owners

Seasonal merchandising during the holidays can make a significant difference in your business’s success. It’s not just about offering the right products; it’s also about creating a festive and inviting atmosphere that draws customers in and encourages them to make purchases. In this blog, we’ll explore some holiday merchandising essentials for small business owners, along with tips on why they are essential for your success.

Read More

#738 Pink Friday 2025: Why This Week Matters (and How to Make the Most of It)

Pink Friday Week is finally here — and Ashley is diving deep into how to make this the most profitable and peaceful kickoff to your holiday season. Ashley shares the heart behind Pink Friday, why it began, and how retailers all over the world can use this week to tell their story before big-box media announces theirs. You’ll learn how to prepare your store, communicate with your local community, calculate

Read More

Five Minute Friday: How Color Analysis Can Elevate Your Boutique Styling Game

On this Five Minute Friday, Amanda Fairley and Nikki Bogardus of PrismXI join us to unpack one of the most transformative tools in personal style: color analysis. Nikki has spent sixteen years studying the science of color, and together, Amanda and Nikki break down how the right colors impact confidence, first impressions, shopping habits, and the way you show up in life and business. They explain why traditional four-season color

Read More

The Boutique Hub to Deliver Retail Education at Mode Market 2026

Mode Market 2026 is raising the bar for dance retailers everywhere. In an exciting new partnership with The Boutique Hub, the February event will now open with a full day of business education designed to help retailers boost sales, sharpen strategy, and build stronger brands. Taking place Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, this collaboration blends Mode Market’s industry expertise with The Boutique Hub’s proven track record of empowering independent retailers. From mastering email marketing to optimizing in-store merchandising and turning local wins into online growth, attendees will gain the tools and insights needed to thrive in today’s ever-evolving retail landscape.

Read More

#737 Building a Boutique That Stands Out with Authenticity and Strategy

Today Bekah Turner, owner of Pink Possum, joins Ashley to unpack her business journey— from growing up in a salvage-store family—and how that shaped a boutique brand that wins with relatable content, smart buying, and customer trust. We dive into her weekly content rhythm, live selling, email/SMS/app strategy, vendor red flags, how she handles photo theft/dupes, and the storefront decision she regretted (then fixed). You’ll learn: A repeatable weekly content

Read More
What’s Trending in Gift & Home: A Holiday Buying Guide for Independent Retailers

What’s Trending in Gift & Home: A Holiday Buying Guide for Independent Retailers

Discover what’s trending in the gift and home industry with this Holiday Buying Guide for Home & Gift Retailers. In partnership with the Reps Are Local Too community, this guide highlights top holiday product trends, buying timelines, and merchandising ideas to help independent retailers plan inventory and maximize profits. Learn when to order, what to stock, and how to connect with local reps to keep your store ahead this season.

Read More

Five Minute Friday: The CEO’s Guide to Smarter Planning – Tracking the Right Numbers (Part 3)

Today Ashley dives into one of her favorite phrases — “Only a tracked number grows.” If you’ve ever felt like you’re posting on social media without seeing results, this episode breaks down exactly what numbers to track, how to measure them, and how to get your team on the same page heading into the new year. Ashley shares how The Boutique Hub tracks every post, follower, engagement, and conversion across

Read More

#736: Merch Like You Mean It – The Road Tested Playbook for Pop Ups That Sell Out

Pop-Ups, Mobile Boutique Life & Merchandising That Sells Today Brianna Williams, of Wildly Midwest, joins the podcast to share how she built a thriving mobile boutique business traveling to more than 45 markets a year across nine states. Brianna opens up about pivoting from handmaking baby clothes on Etsy to running a successful women’s boutique on the road, what it really takes to make markets profitable, and the merchandising secrets

Read More
Turn Overstock Into Opportunity: How Max Retail Helps Boutique Owners Recoup Their Wholesale Costs

Turn Overstock Into Opportunity: How Max Retail Helps Boutique Owners Recoup Their Wholesale Costs

Got past-season styles still sitting on your shelves? Max Retail helps boutique owners turn leftover inventory into cash—fast. With access to 400+ million shoppers across 20+ e-commerce sites, you can recoup your wholesale costs without slashing prices or risking your brand reputation.

Read the full blog to learn how Max Retail is helping 2,500+ retailers like you sell smarter.

Read More

Holiday Merchandising Must-Haves for Small Business Owners

Seasonal merchandising during the holidays can make a significant difference in your business’s success. It’s not just about offering the right products; it’s also about creating a festive and inviting atmosphere that draws customers in and encourages them to make purchases. In this blog, we’ll explore some holiday merchandising essentials for small business owners, along with tips on why they are essential for your success.

Read More