Boutique Chat

Latest Episodes:

Five Minute Friday: How To Create An Eye-Catching Window Display that Draws Customers In May 01, 2026

Show notes

Your storefront might be your most powerful marketing tool… but most boutique owners are completely missing it.

Today, we're breaking down how to create a window display that doesn't just look good — it actually drives foot traffic, tells a story, and sells your product 24/7. Joell from JR Visual Design shares exactly how to transform your window into a silent salesperson that works even when your doors are closed.

You'll learn:

Why your window display is your store's "handshake"
The simple way to choose a theme that actually converts
How props + decor create a story customers understand instantly
How to merchandise your window to increase both in-store AND online traffic

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JR Visual Design & Merchandising:

Website: jrvisualdesign.com Instagram: @jrvisualdesigns

#809: How to Win with Ads in the New Algorithm Era Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Marketing has completely changed—and most boutique owners are still using strategies that no longer work.

Ashley Alderson sits down with Zoe Spencer, one of the lead coaches inside Boutique Hub Black, to break down what's actually driving growth right now—from content and ads to SEO and website strategy. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what successful boutiques are doing differently—and why so many others feel stuck despite working harder than ever.

You'll learn:

Why there's NO "one-size-fits-all" marketing strategy
The biggest mistake boutique owners make with ads
Why content volume is now non-negotiable
How the algorithm (Andromeda) is changing everything
Why your website won't grow without traffic strategy

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Join Boutique Hub Black

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): What is a Boutique? Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

What actually makes a boutique… a boutique?

In this Couch Conversation, Ashley and Sara dive into the heart behind boutique businesses — what sets them apart, why they still matter in today's world, and how boutique owners can confidently respond to the doubt and noise around them.

From the question of whether brick-and-mortar retail can survive… to what to do when competitors start copying your ideas — this conversation is real, honest, and packed with perspective every boutique owner needs to hear.

You'll learn:

What truly defines a boutique (it's not just what you sell)
How small businesses impact their communities in a powerful wa
What to say when people question your business model
Why being copied isn't always a bad thing

Join The Boutique Hub

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

#808: Shopify Best Practices for Boutique Owners Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Most boutique owners are pouring money into ads expecting more sales — but if your website isn't built to convert, you're just paying to lose customers.

Ashley Alderson sits down with Dylan Welling, Shopify expert and ad strategist inside of Boutique Hub Black, to break down what actually drives conversions online — and the biggest mistakes boutique owners are making right now.

You'll learn:

The ideal homepage layout that drives conversions
What your product pages MUST include
The biggest trust-killers on boutique websites
How shipping pricing impacts conversion rates
The #1 metric you should be tracking before running ads

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Learn more about Boutique Hub Black

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): What No One Talks About in Business Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to Five Minute Friday – Couch Conversations!

Today's conversation dives into something no one talks about enough… the loneliness that can come with building a business.

You'll learn:

The pressure to always show up and look successful
Why it's hard to share your wins (and losses) with others
Feeling isolated in your own community
The impact of who you surround yourself with

Running a boutique isn't just about sales and strategy — it's about navigating the emotional side of entrepreneurship too. If you've ever felt like you're building something big but don't have anyone to share it with… this episode is for you.

Join The Boutique Hub

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

#807: Andromeda Changed Everything: What Retailers Need to Know Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Want to make more sales and grow your boutique in 2026?

Retailers everywhere are pouring money into ads, creating endless content, and still wondering why conversions aren't happening. The truth? The game has changed—and most boutique owners are playing by outdated rules.

Ashley sits down with Jeff Fenn — the marketing director and lead coach of Boutique Hub Black —to break down exactly what's working RIGHT NOW in Facebook ads, organic content, website optimization, and local foot traffic. Whether you're brick and mortar, online, or both, this episode is packed with actionable strategy.

You'll learn:

Why 80% of new foot traffic for boutiques starts on Google
Facebook's new Andromeda algorithm: what it is, why it changes EVERYTHING
The #1 mistake killing your ad performance (hint: it's NOT your ads)
Why AI search (ChatGPT Shop, Google AI) is the new SEO frontier
How Boutique Hub Black works, who it's for, and how to protect your Facebook page from getting hacked

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Learn more about Boutique Hub Black

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): Why Most Boutique Owners Never Finish What They Start Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by too many ideas, struggled to stay focused, or wondered why your business isn't growing as fast as it should… this conversation is for you.

Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks dive into the reality of being a visionary entrepreneur, why not every idea is meant for right now, and how understanding your role (and building the right support around you) can completely change your business.

You'll learn:

Why having too many ideas can actually slow your growth
The difference between a visionary and an integrator
How to prioritize what actually drives revenue
Why "who you know" matters more than "what you know"

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

#806: The Messy Middle of Building a Business Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Sponsored by Color Guru This episode is sponsored by Color Guru. Boutique Chat listeners receive $350 off Color Guru Academy with code: BOUTIQUE350. Learn more at: https://www.colorguruacademy.com/

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What does it actually look like to grow a boutique from nothing… into multiple thriving businesses?

Ashley sits down with Alyssa Wagler, owner of Top Notch Boutique, who built her business from the ground up—beginning in a mini barn and growing into storefronts, wholesale, and custom manufacturing.

But growth didn't come with a clear plan… and it definitely didn't come easy. This is the real, unfiltered conversation about what happens when your business starts working—and you're forced to figure out how to scale it in real time.

You'll learn:

How Alyssa started her boutique with no experience
The moment her business unexpectedly took off
Growing from one location into multiple revenue streams
What scaling actually feels like (and why it's overwhelming)

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Alyssa Wagler & Top Notch Boutique:

Website: shoptopnotchboutique.com Instagram: @shoptopnotchboutique

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): The Real Questions Boutique Owners Need to Answer Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you stop avoiding the hard questions about your business—and actually answer them?

Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks are back for another Couch Conversation to unpack the real, unfiltered truth about building a business while raising a family. From playing small out of fear to the resentment that can build when expectations aren't clearly communicated, this conversation hits the tension most boutique owners quietly carry.

They walk through the moment things shift—from treating your business like a "cute side thing" to owning it as a real, revenue-driving responsibility—and what it takes to bring your family along in that journey.

Join The Boutique Hub

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

#805: Why Community Is the Secret to Long-Term Success Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

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What does it really take to stay in business for nearly two decades in the boutique world?

In this episode, Ashley sits down with April Burks, owner of Love Ivy Boutique to unpack the real story behind longevity in retail. From starting at 24 years old with no roadmap to building a thriving store rooted in community, confidence, and customer relationships.

You'll learn:

Why confidence—not clothing—is the real product you're selling
How community over competition can transform your local business
The biggest shift that happens when your customer grows with you
The truth about hiring, leadership, and staying relevant in a changing retail landscape.

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April Burks & Love Ivy Boutique:

Website: loveivyboutique.com Instagram: @Loveivy.os

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

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