Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast

One of the most common challenges brick-and-mortar store owners face is in their financial planning. From filtering through the advice that actually applies to you and juggling factors out of your control (like tariffs), it’s hard to find something that works.

In today's episode, I’m sharing 6 common financial planning tips that work and how to tell if financial advice is meant for you (and if it’s not). I’m also sharing BOTH the w...

I received an email that compelled me to address "the small business struggle." The struggles you face as a small business owner often follow what we like to think of as “patterns.”

Pandemic, inflation, election years, seasonal slumps—these aren’t new challenges. They’ve happened before, and they’ll happen again regardless if the economy is booming or not.

In the small indie retail business world someone is always thriving, someone...

You've got questions about the 2025 Savvy Shopkeeper Conference—I’ve got answers! In this bonus episode, I’m sharing all the juicy details: the finalized agenda, the workshop-style sessions, the incredible door prizes, what’s actually included in your ticket, and why this isn’t just another business event—it’s an experience designed to help you grow tr...

Hiring can feel daunting, no matter what stage of business ownership you’re in, especially when you’re managing so much already. You’re worried about trusting someone else with your business, so it’s no wonder the idea of bringing another person, even an employee, causes so much stress.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. By the end of this podcast episode, you’l...

I’m going to be honest with you, I can’t summarize the tariffs situation for you—too much is happening at once and you never know when it’ll change again. That said, what I can do is share solutions and strategies to navigate these tariffs as an indie retailer.

With creativity, strategy, and a proactive approach, you can minimize disruption, protect your profit margins, and even uncover new opportunities. 

In this episode, we’re ...

Have you said “no” to something that could have been a game-changer for your business? If so, it’s not too late to revisit it—or to say “yes” to the next opportunity that comes your way. In this episode, I go over mindset traps such as fear of change, imposter syndrome, skepticism, and how to overcome these mindset traps.

If any of these mindset traps pull at your strings visit my blog at www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode242 for show...

Discover how one shop owner turned a surprise visit and a one-hour coaching call into a 50% increase in retail sales! In Episode 241 of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast, Kathy Cruz shares insights, tips, and lessons from this inspiring success story. Learn how strategic action, even with a low AOV, can drive growth.

For show notes, including links to anything mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode240.

K...

Savvy Shopkeeper Get Traffic Conference

Sunday & Monday, May 18-19, 2025

Venue: Biographie, Lakewood Ohio (west of Cleveland)

Join us for a 2-day, high-impact conference designed exclusively for independent retailers. With a limited number of seats, this event cuts through the fluff to deliver actionable workshops that will transform both your foot traffic and e-commerce strategies.

Expect intimate, hands-on sessions led by industr...

Mark your calendars for the Faire Wholesale Winter Market

The Faire Wholesale Winter Market 2025 is scheduled for January 22–24, with early access for Faire Insiders beginning on January 21.

Traveling to market might not make sense for you this year. That’s why I’m here with some tips for creating an impactful and fun virtual b...

We’re kicking off 2025 with part two of this interview series hosted by member of Master Shopkeeper Member Ceri Otero. Tune in to hear how I'm embracing the New Year with 8 lessons from my past.

To kick off 2025, Ceri Otero, a Master Shopkeeper member and former radio personality (cool, right?), asked if she could interview ME, Kathy Cruz. After episode #231, she decided to flip the script and gather questions from the community for this vulnerable conversation.

In part 1 of this episode, we talk through topics like inclusivity, resilience, dissappointments and mindset.

Tune in next week for part 2 of this Kathy Cruz inter...

As independent retail store owners, we’re well-versed in the challenges we face, especially as the retail industry, the economy, and the world continuously shift. So what upcoming trends can help us not just survive but thrive in 2025? 

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the future of retail, specifically focusing on how indie retailers can stand out by embracing emerging trends.

From cur...

DISCLAIMER: This episode was originally scheduled to air on December 5, 2024, but legal developments and a busy week caused some last-minute delays. After months of postponing this topic due to ongoing legal uncertainties, I felt it was finally time to address the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and the BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) requirement—a regulation many small business owners may not even be aware of.

However, jus...

Understanding the financial health of your retail business extends beyond just recognizing your profit. In this insightful episode, we're diving into the complexities of retail business finances and learning why being profitable doesn't always mean having a positive cash flow.

We’re reviewing the three critical financial statements in an indie retail business: the profit and loss statement, balance sheet, ...

If you’ve ever faced a cash flow struggle, you know how much stress it can cause you. But before you address the issue, you need to identify the root cause. Are you truly dealing with insufficient income, financial mismanagement, or operational inefficiencies? Or are you experiencing seasonal cash flow crunches that are common in the retail world?

Listen in as I break down these four critical areas and pro...

As retail business owners, revenue is often top of mind. But revenue alone doesn’t give us the complete picture of your store's financial health! That’s why we’re uncovering the intricacies of cash flow in a new three-part series.

Listen in to learn the critical components of cash flow and how managing cash flow effectively protects your indie retail store from financial turmoil. We’ll cover how cash flow ...

Running a business is already challenging, but dealing with the symptoms of perimenopause while running a business has made the last two years incredibly difficult. That’s why I’m sharing the ugly truth about perimenopause as an entrepreneur and how it affects not just our personal lives, but our businesses, too.

In this episode, I’m opening up about my journey through this phase of life—experiencing sympt...

Originally, I planned to record a quick episode to talk about the upcoming Retail Email Bootcamp and let you know that the calendars in the Savvy Shopkeeper planners start now. However, I first want to acknowledge the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, particularly in states like North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. The images and stories coming out of these areas are heartbreaking, and as a brand that deeply values supportin...

Ceri Otero didn’t dream of being a shopkeeper as a kid. But when she decided to open a specialty olive oil and vinegar shop in Carthage, Missouri, it felt like all the threads of her life were coming together.

From selling Avon in 8th grade to a stint as a corporate HR representative to merchandising for Hallmark, each of Ceri’s previous jobs had prepared her for running an independent retail store, even...