Boutique Chat

Pink Friday Website and Map

Encouraging Consumers to Shop Small First and Celebrating the 4th Annual Pink Friday Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

This is a big week! The 4th annual Pink Friday is this Friday, and I am so excited to celebrate with all of you. This year will be bigger and better than ever with more than 5,000 boutiques around the world will be taking part in Pink Friday. There's nothing I love more than seeing boutiques and small business owners come together in their communities to support each other and promote shopping small first.

Because Pink Friday is such a huge day for us at The Hub, we are launching our PINK FRIDAY SUPER SALE this Friday, which will run through Cyber Monday and includes discounts on all Boutique Hub products (with the exception of the new planner). This is the one and only sale we do all year, so don't miss your chance to save on our masterclasses, handbooks and products!

Resources:

Pink Friday Promotional Ideas

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Small Business Marketing Handbook

Small Business Hiring Handbook

Boutique Owner Basics

How to Start a Boutique Handbook

Instagram Ignite Masterclass

Content Sanity Masterclass

FTV: 7 Ways to Get More Bang for Your Buck When it Comes to Pricing Your Products Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

Whether you're an experienced boutique owner or just a beginner, this episode may have you rethink your old pricing ways. This Season 2 solo still resonates, and in it I go over some important topics such as turn rates, how to rethink markdowns, and why your pricing is unique to your business. We want you to be able to capitalize on all the hard work and effort you've been putting into your business, that is why the strategy behind your pricing is so important!

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 and resources, see links below or click here.

First released August 2019.

Resources:

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

10 Takeaways from the First 10 Months of 2023 Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

I've rounded up 10 of my favorite lessons, tips and words of wisdom offered by guests this season all in one episode!

You'll hear from Ferne Boutique's Laura Horwath on the importance of networking; Little Details Boutique owner Jessica Throneburg on perseverance and size inclusivity; Angela Schmook, VP of Operations at Road Runners LLC, on the best ways to buy home & gift; producer and entrepreneur Lyn Graft on using story to grow your business; ZigZag Stripe's Leslie Hall on creating genuine community online; Katsch Boutique owner Amy DeFauw on utilizing your numbers; Blooming Boutique founder Michiko Seto of on energy, leadership and team building; Anthony and Amy Ekren, co-owners of Inherit Clothing Co., on metrics and management; Jane Kasper on the guidelines and restrictions you need to know for text message marketing; and designer/boutique owner Emily McCarthy on how to break into wholesale.

Click the guests names to find their full episodes and show notes!

Resources:

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

FTV: Marketing to Your Audience on a Personal Level with Erica Kelley, Whiskey Darling Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

Erica Kelley, founder of Whiskey Darling Boutique, joined me in Season 2 to talk about Marketing to Your Audience On a Personal Level. Erica's mission is empowering women of every shape and size to be themselves and knowing they can feel confident in her boutique's clothing. Erica covers other topics such as marketing to a large age range, photo editing, and Facebook ads.

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 and resources, see links below or click here.

First released June 2019.

Resources:

Whiskey Darling Boutique: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Ask Ashley Anything! Listener Questions Part 2 Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

This week I'm at my kitchen table for another edition of Ask Ashley Anything, and I'm doing my best to answer all of your questions!

You guys submitted so many great questions, not only about your business growth and strategy but also work-life balance and personal development. I do my best to address them all. This episode is overflowing with what I hope will be helpful information, tips and advice from my own personal experiences. My sister even gets involved in this one!

Have more questions for me? Hopefully I have answers! Reach out to The Boutique Hub team or to me personally on social media. I would love to hear from you.

Resources:

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

FTV: Being a Successful Business Owner Means Knowing Your Customer with Dani Flaming, The Fringed Pineapple Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

Dani Flaming, owner of The Fringed Pineapple, came on the show in the height of winning Idaho's overall boutique of the year and the top 10 global boutique of the year in 2019 to tell us what it's like to run a powerful, small-town business. Dani gives us insight on what social media outlets work best for her, how she stays real, and why finding your ideal customer is so important. In this episode, you'll get some prime tips on the do's and don'ts of starting a business.

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 and resources, see links below or click here.

First released October 2019.

Resources:

Fringed Pineapple: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Trend Report: What's Hot for Fall/Winter and What's Up Next in 2024 Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

Today we're talking trends! I want to give you a sneak peek at the latest Boutique Hub Trend Report and talk through some of the trends we're currently seeing for fall/winter and holiday, as well as what will carry into and what you can expect to see next in the new year.

I highlight some of the biggest trends in women's apparel, accessories and home décor — from colors and patterns to textures and metals to cuts and styles — so that you can not only work them into your inventory but also capitalize on them in your marketing and merchandising. So be sure to take notes!

If you're a Hub member, you can download our Trend Reports anytime from your Hub membership dashboard, which directly link to brands carrying the featured trends. If you want to see actual products associated with any given trend, we've built boards for you, highlighted brands and linked up products as well.

Resources:

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

The Boutique Hub Membership

FTV: Buying Strategy & Cash Flow Analysis for Retail Growth with Dan Jablons Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

How can retailers make smarter buying and inventory management decisions to make more money? This episode is PACKED with information about the flow of inventory, data analysis, point of sale systems, merchandised plans and all the details retailers need to manage a successful cash flow and buying strategy. Meet Dan Jablons, Founder of Retail Smart Guys, analyst, consultant, speaker and Management One affiliate.

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

First released February 23, 2018.

For show notes & resources see below or click here.

Resources:

Retail Smart Guys: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Gearing Up for Pink Friday Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

Pink Friday is officially one month away! For those of you who don't already know, Pink Friday is an annual event held every November before Black Friday with one mission: to promote shopping small first. It's a chance for you to get consumers in the door before all of the big guys and Black Friday deals. So, today I'm talking all things Pink Friday – why we celebrate, ideas for how to do so and the tools at your disposal.

Trust me, I know how crazy fourth quarter can get, and I want to make it as easy as possible for you to get involved — which is why The Hub has all the tools you need to make the most of Pink Friday. If you sign up online using the link in the show notes, you can be listed our #ShopSmallFirst map, be invited to our public Facebook event to get tips from and collaborate with other store owners, plus we will send you our Pink Friday media kit full of digital marketing materials and a press release template.

We want to help your business have the best fourth quarter yet and continue to grow the #SupportSmallFirst Movement. So, mark your calendars for November 17 and visit the link below to join us in celebrating the Fourth Annual Pink Friday!

Resources:

Pink Friday Promotional Ideas

The Boutique Hub Membership

Ashley Alderson: Instagram