Small Business Blog

Empowering Entrepreneurs, One Blog at a Time.

All Blogs

Staying In Your Lane: Building a Business Without Debt

Sometimes we get sucked into thinking bigger is always better and assume that it takes massive amounts of debt to start a successful business—but that’s not necessarily the case. Mary Hill of H2G Boutique joins the show today to talk about how she has built her business without using debt. You will hear how she uses cash, how she does inventory, why she pays herself first, and her long-term strategy for growth. 

Read More

The Power of Your Company Scorecard

Welcome back to Five Minute Friday! Today, I want to share a powerful strategy that has significantly impacted how I run my business at the Boutique Hub and how I’ve coached countless members through our Mastermind and Retail Bootcamp programs. The topic of today’s discussion is the company scorecard—a simple yet transformative tool for measuring success.

Read More

The Power of the Pivot: Navigating Big Shifts in Business

Recognizing when it’s time to make a shift in your business is key when it comes to building a long-lasting and successful career, and my guest today is a testament to that. Lori Harder has built incredible things, overcome the odds, and shown how to pivot and reinvent your personal brand and business in an effective way. In this episode, she shares from her own experiences and difficult leadership moments that have allowed her to pivot successfully.

Read More

Negotiating Your Lease: The 3 Essentials Every Retailer Must Know

When opening or relocating a brick-and-mortar retail space, negotiating your lease is a critical step for setting up your business for success. Abby and Sheila from Petal Retail Advisors, experts in retail real estate, share their top three tips for negotiating your lease and why these steps can make or break your business.

Read More

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Getting Back to Basics in Retail

Change is inevitable in life, which is why it’s so important that we master the art of learning, growing, and evolving appropriately with each shift. My guest today is Kary Jackson, who has done just that. I have had the privilege of seeing how Kary’s business keeps evolving over time, and it’s impossible not to admire her tenacity as she has grown and kept going through it all. Listen in as she opens up about dealing with personal life events while keeping her business going, transitioning from having a business partner to working solo again, and more. 

Read More

Beyond the Boutique: The Business of Fashion

Are you curious about how to rise through the ranks in the fashion industry? In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to have a conversation with Kelly Helfman, MAGIC. Kelly’s journey from customer service to overseeing one of the largest fashion trade shows in the world is nothing short of inspirational.

Read More

A Heart for Retail: Supporting Stores in Times of Crisis

What does it take for local retailers to thrive after facing disasters and challenges? In this episode, Patrick Keiser, Executive Director of Heart on Main Street, shares how he founded the organization in 2022 to provide tools and resources to help Main Street retailers succeed within their communities. Patrick explains the pivotal role that retailers play in rebuilding hope after a disaster and how his mission has evolved since its inception.

Read More

Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

Black Friday is upon us and holds so much potential for small businesses. However, if you want to ensure a seamless and successful Black Friday for your small business, you need to start planning now! We have you covered with Black Friday marketing ideas for your small businesses PLUS another annual retail event you do not want to miss out on this year! 

Read More

The Power of Persistence: Navigating Failure and Finding Your Niche

What happens when your business fails, and you lose everything? Kelly Shiley, CEO of Mary Square, joins the show to share her raw and inspiring journey from launching her business in the kitchen with a baby by her side to losing her home after a business deal fell through. Learn how she bounced back from early failures, the importance of believing in yourself, and how to persist when everything seems to be falling apart. Kelly shares insights on finding traction, understanding market gaps, and why failure is often the first step to success.

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

Staying In Your Lane: Building a Business Without Debt

Sometimes we get sucked into thinking bigger is always better and assume that it takes massive amounts of debt to start a successful business—but that’s not necessarily the case. Mary Hill of H2G Boutique joins the show today to talk about how she has built her business without using debt. You will hear how she uses cash, how she does inventory, why she pays herself first, and her long-term strategy for growth. 

Read More

The Power of Your Company Scorecard

Welcome back to Five Minute Friday! Today, I want to share a powerful strategy that has significantly impacted how I run my business at the Boutique Hub and how I’ve coached countless members through our Mastermind and Retail Bootcamp programs. The topic of today’s discussion is the company scorecard—a simple yet transformative tool for measuring success.

Read More

The Power of the Pivot: Navigating Big Shifts in Business

Recognizing when it’s time to make a shift in your business is key when it comes to building a long-lasting and successful career, and my guest today is a testament to that. Lori Harder has built incredible things, overcome the odds, and shown how to pivot and reinvent your personal brand and business in an effective way. In this episode, she shares from her own experiences and difficult leadership moments that have allowed her to pivot successfully.

Read More

Negotiating Your Lease: The 3 Essentials Every Retailer Must Know

When opening or relocating a brick-and-mortar retail space, negotiating your lease is a critical step for setting up your business for success. Abby and Sheila from Petal Retail Advisors, experts in retail real estate, share their top three tips for negotiating your lease and why these steps can make or break your business.

Read More

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Getting Back to Basics in Retail

Change is inevitable in life, which is why it’s so important that we master the art of learning, growing, and evolving appropriately with each shift. My guest today is Kary Jackson, who has done just that. I have had the privilege of seeing how Kary’s business keeps evolving over time, and it’s impossible not to admire her tenacity as she has grown and kept going through it all. Listen in as she opens up about dealing with personal life events while keeping her business going, transitioning from having a business partner to working solo again, and more. 

Read More

Beyond the Boutique: The Business of Fashion

Are you curious about how to rise through the ranks in the fashion industry? In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to have a conversation with Kelly Helfman, MAGIC. Kelly’s journey from customer service to overseeing one of the largest fashion trade shows in the world is nothing short of inspirational.

Read More

A Heart for Retail: Supporting Stores in Times of Crisis

What does it take for local retailers to thrive after facing disasters and challenges? In this episode, Patrick Keiser, Executive Director of Heart on Main Street, shares how he founded the organization in 2022 to provide tools and resources to help Main Street retailers succeed within their communities. Patrick explains the pivotal role that retailers play in rebuilding hope after a disaster and how his mission has evolved since its inception.

Read More

Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

Black Friday is upon us and holds so much potential for small businesses. However, if you want to ensure a seamless and successful Black Friday for your small business, you need to start planning now! We have you covered with Black Friday marketing ideas for your small businesses PLUS another annual retail event you do not want to miss out on this year! 

Read More

The Power of Persistence: Navigating Failure and Finding Your Niche

What happens when your business fails, and you lose everything? Kelly Shiley, CEO of Mary Square, joins the show to share her raw and inspiring journey from launching her business in the kitchen with a baby by her side to losing her home after a business deal fell through. Learn how she bounced back from early failures, the importance of believing in yourself, and how to persist when everything seems to be falling apart. Kelly shares insights on finding traction, understanding market gaps, and why failure is often the first step to success.

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
Skip to content