The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of Seasonal Trade

Nicole Keleher
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The Seasonal Operator Podcast is dedicated to Christmas and the business of seasonal trade.Hosted by Nicole Keleher, the podcast explores what it really takes to run a successful seasonal business — across Christmas retail, decorating, installations, suppliers and wholesale.Episodes feature real conversations with industry operators and customers, alongside insights on Christmas trends, customer experience, planning, strategy and practical marketing ideas.If you work in the Christmas industry or run a seasonal business with a tight selling window, this podcast is designed to help you plan smarter and get more from your season.

  1. 4D AGO

    Trust Sells: The Testimonial Strategy Seasonal Businesses Need

    n the Christmas industry, you don’t get endless chances to impress. You get one season. One install. One delivery window. One buying decision. In this episode of The Seasonal Operator Podcast, I break down why testimonials are not optional for retailers, decorators, installers and wholesalers working in Christmas and seasonal trade. We look at the numbers behind online reviews and why recent, relevant social proof directly impacts trust, pricing confidence and speed of decision-making. I also unpack why testimonials matter even more in an industry built on emotion, tight timeframes and significant seasonal spend. You’ll hear practical examples of how to ask for reviews without it feeling awkward, how to redirect issues into private conversations, and simple systems you can put in place now so this doesn’t get forgotten when you’re flat out in peak trade. We cover: Retail and e-commerce confidence buildersResidential, corporate and commercial installationsWholesale orders placed months ahead of deliveryPrint prompts, follow-up emails, SMS scripts and video toolsWhere to use testimonials so they actually drive salesWhy responding properly to reviews mattersIn a high-pressure, short selling season, trust isn’t a bonus — it’s your safety net. This episode walks you through how to collect, use and respond to testimonials in a way that protects your revenue and strengthens your reputation year after year. Instagram: @theretailmarketers Website: theretailmarketers.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theseasonaloperator

    26 min

  2. FEB 16

    The Business Behind Christmas Decorating: Interview with Jake Harlow

    In this episode of The Seasonal Operator Podcast, Nicole is joined by Jake Harlow from Jake Decorates for an honest conversation about the business behind Christmas decorating. Jake shares how a lifelong love of Christmas, combined with a background in marketing and filmmaking, led him into professional Christmas styling. He talks through how the business has grown, what actually goes into creating high-end Christmas installs, and the less-visible work that sits behind the finished result — planning, prep, pricing and time management in a very short selling window. The conversation explores what it’s like running a seasonal business where most of the revenue is made in just a few weeks, how Jake thinks about valuing his work, and why systems, boundaries and the right clients matter as much as creativity. There’s also a practical discussion around marketing — using social media as a portfolio, the role of a strong website, and why older-school channels like print can still work when they suit your audience. Jake also shares how he approaches trends without losing sight of what clients actually want, the importance of referrals and industry relationships, and why collaboration has played a role in growing his business. This episode is for Christmas decorators, installers and seasonal business owners who want a clearer picture of how to build a creative business that’s commercially sustainable, not just visually impressive. You can find Jake at: www.jakedecorates.com.au  Instagram @jakedecorates. Subscribe to The Seasonal Operator Podcast for weekly conversations focused on the business of Christmas and seasonal trade.  Instagram: @theretailmarketers Website: theretailmarketers.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theseasonaloperator

    46 min

  3. FEB 9

    Christmas Trends 2026: What the US Gift Fairs Are Telling Us Early

    We’ve all seen the beautiful social posts coming out of the US gift fairs in January — Atlanta, Dallas and Las Vegas. In this episode, I break down what’s actually standing out beneath the scroll. I’m sharing the early Christmas trends emerging for 2026, including colours, materials, styling elements and themes that are gaining momentum, along with a few looks that feel like they’re starting to soften or slow down. This episode is designed to help seasonal operators start thinking ahead — not to lock decisions in, but to notice patterns early, spot opportunities for customers who want something fresh, and make smarter buying decisions. Instagram: @theretailmarketers Website: theretailmarketers.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theseasonaloperator

    27 min
  4. The Seasonal Operator - Christmas and the Business of Seasonal Trade

    FEB 2

    The Seasonal Operator - Christmas and the Business of Seasonal Trade

    Welcome to the first episode of The Seasonal Operator Podcast. In this episode, Nicole explains why the podcast has evolved from Customer Connect into a show dedicated to the business of Christmas and seasonal trade — and what you can expect going forward. After years of working closely with Christmas and seasonal businesses, it became clear this industry has its own challenges, rhythms and pressures that deserve focused conversations and practical strategy. The Seasonal Operator is designed to support that reality. Across future episodes, you’ll hear interviews with Christmas retailers, decorators, installers, suppliers and wholesalers — and at times, customers themselves. The podcast also covers industry trends, seasonal planning, customer experience, strategy and practical marketing ideas that can be applied before, during and after peak season. If you’re new here, the earlier Customer Connect episodes are still available and remain incredibly valuable. They’re packed with practical customer experience insights and ideas that apply to any business owner, across retail and service-based industries. Going forward, The Seasonal Operator will focus firmly on Christmas and seasonal businesses, exploring the decisions, planning and thinking that shape stronger, more profitable seasons. Instagram: @theretailmarketers Website: theretailmarketers.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theseasonaloperator

    26 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    The 2025 Wrap Up!

    This final episode of the year is a chance to stop, take a breath and look at what actually shaped 2025 for independent retailers and service providers. I’m sharing the patterns I saw across client work, audits and conversations—what worked, what held businesses back and the areas that consistently created momentum. We walk through the lessons worth carrying into 2026, the customer experience advantages independents must hold onto, and a real-life online shopping experience that reminded me exactly why human-led retail still wins. I’m also talking about the shift I saw this year in retailers finally allowing themselves support, and why that mindset is going to matter even more next year. To wrap up, I outline the priorities that will set you up well for January and February, so you can walk into 2026 clearer and more focused. Instagram: @theretailmarketers Website: theretailmarketers.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theseasonaloperator

    14 min

  6. 12/01/2025

    Becoming the Leader Your Small Business Needs

    Stepping into the role of “leader” isn’t something most independent retailers plan for. It usually happens because the business grows, you hire someone, and suddenly the way you show up matters in a new way. In this conversation, Krista Williamson joins me again to talk about the parts of leadership we rarely discuss—why it feels uncomfortable, the habits that hold us back, and the skills that actually make a difference. We dig into the moments that trip business owners up: wanting to be liked, trying to avoid hard conversations, doing instead of leading, oversharing with the team, and hiring people but not really letting go. Krista also explains the difference between coaching a team member and realising you’ve simply hired the wrong fit, plus what “steady leadership” looks like on the tough days. We finish by connecting it back to customer experience—because if expectations aren’t clear for your team, the customer feels it. This episode is practical, honest, and full of examples from two retailers who learned leadership the long way. Instagram: @theretailmarketers Website: theretailmarketers.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theseasonaloperator

    1 hr

  7. 11/24/2025

    Stop Wasting Time on the Wrong Tech: What Small Businesses Really Need

    These days, small business owners have access to all the same types of tech that big brands use — but that doesn’t mean every tool is worth your time. In this episode of The Customer Connect Podcast, I’m talking about how to pick the technology that actually helps your customer experience — and how to avoid the tools that just add more work to your day. We’ll go through the tech that genuinely makes life easier for both you and your customers, what to watch out for before adding something new, and how to keep things feeling human even when you’re automating. You’ll hear some real examples of what works, what doesn’t, and a few simple ways to improve your systems without needing a big budget or a big team. And at the end, I’ll share one easy thing you can do this week to start improving the experience for your customers straight away. Instagram: @theretailmarketers Website: theretailmarketers.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theseasonaloperator

    14 min

  8. 11/17/2025

    Quick Fixes to Prepare for Christmas Trade

    Christmas is coming fast, and for most small business owners it’s exciting — and a bit chaotic. In this episode of The Customer Connect Podcast, I’m sharing six quick fixes you can make right now to get ready for Christmas trade — three for online stores and three for those of you running bricks-and-mortar. They’re simple things that don’t take long but make a real difference to how your business runs and how your customers feel. We’ll talk about how to:  • Improve your top product listings online so they actually convert  • Make your checkout and customer communication clear and stress-free  • Get your team organised, confident, and ready for the rush  • Turn the dreaded queue into a positive part of the experience — maybe even a sales opportunity And at the end, I’ll share one small thing you can do this week to make your customer experience smoother before the Christmas crowds hit. Instagram: @theretailmarketers Website: theretailmarketers.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theseasonaloperator

    14 min
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The Seasonal Operator Podcast is dedicated to Christmas and the business of seasonal trade.Hosted by Nicole Keleher, the podcast explores what it really takes to run a successful seasonal business — across Christmas retail, decorating, installations, suppliers and wholesale.Episodes feature real conversations with industry operators and customers, alongside insights on Christmas trends, customer experience, planning, strategy and practical marketing ideas.If you work in the Christmas industry or run a seasonal business with a tight selling window, this podcast is designed to help you plan smarter and get more from your season.

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