The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of Seasonal Trade

Nicole Keleher

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. 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

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About

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.