Small Business Blog

Do you love the satisfaction of checking things off a list? (Same!) Today, Ashley dives into how checklists can completely transform the way you plan and lead your boutique. From annual business audits to monthly website cleanups, she shares the key systems that keep your business running smoothly—without letting the small stuff slip. You’ll learn: Use annual, quarterly, and monthly checklists to stay on track Avoid burnout with intentional time-off

Today Bette Bentley, founder of Skimpies, joins the podcast to talk about how she built a viral, one-product brand by solving a very real problem for women. Bette shares about inventing a product that didn’t exist, showing up online when people made fun of her, and building a community of women who feel seen, not sold to. Bette shares how she turned one core product into a movement on TikTok,

Today, Ashley Alderson dives into her favorite tool inside the 2026 Retail Planner — the Month-in-Review feature — and why it’s the single most powerful habit for boutique owners who want to plan smarter and grow faster. Whether you use the Retail Planner or your own notebook, this simple system helps you turn last month’s lessons into next month’s wins. You’ll learn: How to use the Month-in-Review to plan smarter,

Today Ryley Wimer of Savannah 7s joins Ashley to share how she built a nationally recognized western-lifestyle brand—without a storefront. We cover her flatlay & hanging photo system, seasonal shoots, simple Pinterest strategy, smart collaborations, and the ops/delegation moves that gave her time back. Plus: branding that sticks, metrics that matter, and lessons learned while growing a business and a family. You’ll learn: Website-first CX and automated ordering A repeatable

If social media went quiet tomorrow, would your boutique keep selling? In this Five Minute Friday, we’re joined by Bri and RP from Bloomly Digital, the boutique marketing pros behind countless high-performing email and SMS campaigns. They share the exact strategy to keep your sales flowing no matter what happens on social. Social media algorithms change every day, but your email list is yours. Learn how to set up automated

What does it actually take for a thriving brick-and-mortar to make eCommerce half the business in 12 months? Morgan Lancaster breaks it down—brand, photography, Shopify setup, and the paid traffic engine that flipped the switch. 🔑 What you’ll learn – How Morgan grew online sales from 5–10% to 50% of revenue in a year – Why catalog ads are a top-of-funnel workhorse—and how to feed them – The “website first,

In this week’s Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson reveals the missing link that might be holding your business back—employee reviews. If you’ve ever said “kids these days don’t work like they used to,” this episode will challenge that mindset and give you tools to lead better. Learn how to coach your team like a basketball coach, set clear goals, and raise leaders—not leavers. When your employees feel seen, heard, and