Boutique Chat

Small Business Hiring Handbook

FTV: Legal Tips for Small Businesses with Andrea Sager, founder and CEO of The Legalpreneur Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the #BoutiqueChat Podcast, Andrea Sager joined me for Legal Tips for Small Businesses. As an attorney and former boutique owner, Andrea knows all the legal information small business owners may overlook. I chatted with her in season 3 about how to choose the right entity, how to avoid infringement, and trademarks. Bring a pencil and paper for this episode because Andrea addresses all the critical legal tips small business owners need to know about!

I so hope you enjoy this bonus episode From The Vault. It's one that is definitely worth hearing again — and taking notes!

For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here.

First released November 2020.

Resources:

Andrea Sager: Instagram

The Legalpreneur: Website | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

How to Register for Market

How Regional Markets Can Benefit Your Business with Tara Thorn, Cedar and Cypress Designs Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

Today we're talking all things market – what sets regional markets apart from national shows, the benefits of both, the importance of attending market, and tips for success while there.

In addition to being the owner and founder of Cedar and Cypress Designs, my friend Tara Thorn is also on the board at the Minneapolis Mart, which holds six annual shows and is considered the number one regional mart in the country. Tara shares how MPLS helped grow her business and the unique opportunities it provides for both buyers and brands.

Resources:

2024 Trade Show Calendar

5 Tips for Attending Wholesale Markets as a Boutique Owner

Attending Apparel Markets: Tips from Boutique Owners

Cedar and Cypress Designs: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Minneapolis Mart: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

FTV: Scaling from Entrepreneur to CEO with host Ashley Alderson Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

I reflected on some of my personal experiences as a business owner in this solo episode on Season 3. When I started to look backward through the evolution of The Hub, I identified five steps that I think we took to grow our business and that I have seen mirrored in other businesses.

I call them the 5 Steps for Scaling from Entrepreneur to CEO, and in this episode, I talk through them in detail, focusing on growth mindset versus fixed mindset, setting hard boundaries, building systems, how to create a better culture within your team, and how to properly allocate your time as a CEO.

I so hope you enjoy this bonus episode From The Vault. It's one that is definitely worth hearing again — and taking notes!

For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here.

First released July 2020.

Resources:

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

If You Don't Adapt, It's Not Going To Work with Taylor Jones McClellan, The Tiny Closet Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

Diversifying sources of revenue, building a personal brand, social media marketing and running a business through different seasons of life – Taylor and I talk about it all in this episode!

The founder of The Tiny Closet, Taylor Jones McClellan is back on the podcast to update us on her life and business. Since last being on the show in Season 2, Taylor has been busy! She's gotten married, become a mom, moved storefronts and started several other businesses.

We talk about how The Tiny Closet has evolved throughout the last seven years, her evolution as a business owner and boss, adapting to a changing industry, how to find new channels of income, breaking into wholesale, and the ins and outs of social media , among other things!

Resources:

Taylor Jones McClellan: Instagram

The Tiny Closet: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

FTV: 12 Crucial Tips for Boutique Owner Success with Sara Burks Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I was joined by our retail professor Sara Burks to talk about the 2020 Retail Bootcamp and go through our 12 Crucial Tips for Boutique Owner Success that were a key focus of the course.

Retail Bootcamp isn't just for those who feel their business is failing; your business will always have areas to improve on and grow. Retail is shifting and expanding every day, it's time to be prepared. After today's podcast, you will be astounded by all aspects of your business you may have overlooked. Let's start transforming your business today!

Our biggest annual educational program at The Hub is Retail Bootcamp (think college for boutique owners!) Sara and I do live coaching sessions, plus we're joined by more than 50 industry experts. Enrollment is now open for 2024! Click the link below to learn more about this year's Retail Bootcamp and enroll today! Best of all, once you sign up, you have lifetime access to participate each semester.

I so hope you enjoy this bonus episode From The Vault. It's one that is definitely worth hearing again — and taking notes!

For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here.

First released January 2020.

Resources:

Retail Bootcamp

Sara Burks: Instagram

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

How EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) Can Transform Your Business and Team with Tom Wesner, founder of EOS Worldwide Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

This episode is a little different. This week I am joined by my business coach Tom Wesner of EOS Worldwide — so you're going to get all the juicy details of what it's really like at The Hub behind the scenes! Aside from reminding me of the things I need to continue to work on, Tom breaks down what the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) Model actually is and how EOS can transform your business.

To learn more about how EOS can transform your business, contact Tom at tom.wesner@eosworldwide.com.

EOS provides a structure and framework for organizing and scaling your business based on a clear vision, as well as building a team that works with focus and accountability. As Tom and I talk through the six components of EOS — people, vision, data, process, traction, and issues — he emphasizes the importance of responsibility and accountability within an organization, the key to strong leadership and the need to have the right people in the right seats. Tom also highlights the benefits of delegating and elevating oneself as a leader and explains the significance of data and the use of a scorecard to track key metrics.

EOS has been so essential to our success at The Hub, so I want to encourage you to listen to this one at full volume! And also to reach out to Tom - he would love to hear from you, and I promise you will thank me later!

Resources:

Tom Wesner: tom.wesner@eosworldwide.com

EOS Worldwide: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

FTV: How To Maximize Your Market Experience with Amy Harper, DMC Sr. Vice President of Retail Development and Market Services Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

Dallas Market Center's Amy Harper joined me in Season 2 for How to Maximize Your Market Experience. In this episode, Amy gives some amazing tips on attending to market, whether it's your first time or you are a veteran buyer! She gives us valuable information on why going market is so important, how to plan your time at market, what to expect at Dallas Market Center this October, upcoming trends, and so much more. The lovely and bubbly Amy will keep you all ears in this episode, so bring along your notepad and pen!

I so hope you enjoy this bonus episode From The Vault. It's one that is definitely worth hearing again — and taking notes!

For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here.

First released October 2018.

Resources:

Dallas Market Center: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Key Components of the Six Layers of Retail in 2024 with Sara Burks, Director of Partnerships & Education at The Boutique Hub Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

Our very own retail professor is back on the podcast! Today Sara Burks, Director of Partnerships and Education at The Boutique Hub, is joining me to dive into the six essential pieces of growing and mastering your business, which we refer to as the Six Layers of Retail, and the most important components of each of these layers specific to 2024.

As we all know, the tides are changing, and we want to ensure that you are set up for success in the new year! None of us are in the business of competing with the likes of Shein and Temu, so it's essential to set yourself apart and make changes as your customer changes to meet their needs.

Our biggest annual educational program at The Hub is Retail Bootcamp (think college for boutique owners!), and Retail Bootcamp is designed around these six layers. Throughout the 14 weeks of Retail Bootcamp, we break down each of these layers and their components, Sara and I do live coaching sessions, plus we're joined by more than 50 industry experts. Enrollment is now open for 2024! Click the link below to learn more about Retail Bootcamp and enroll today! Best of all, once you sign up, you have lifetime access to participate each semester.

Resources:

Retail Bootcamp

Sara Burks: Instagram

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

FTV: Creating a Strategic Marketing Plan for Your Business, with Brand Expert DruStew Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

What does it mean to sit down and create a strategic marketing plan for your business? In Season 1, I visited about it with my friend Dru Stewart, a marketing and branding expert who works with Cactus Ropes, Pro Equine Group, Hatco, and many more. Not only do we cover marketing strategies working for the world's largest brands in western, but we also cover some critical questions like 'Is print media dead?' Make sure you stick around for the end to hear Dru's take on fatherhood and business. As a dad of twins, you're going to like this takeaway.

I so hope you enjoy this bonus episode From The Vault. It's one that is definitely worth hearing again — and taking notes!

For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here.

First released March 2018.

Resources:

Dru Stewart

Ashley Alderson: Instagram