100 episodes

How do I attract more customers to my store? How do I get more sales? How do I book out my shop’s events and workshops? How do I do retail marketing and social media for my store?

These are the questions that creative retail business owners ask Wendy Batten, creative retail coach and mentor. Wendy works with creative shop owners all over the world and with industry leaders. Her speciality is working with creative retailers to get control over their brick and mortars to avoid burnout and overwhelm while achieving more success and profits.

In Creative Shop Talk, Wendy digs into the problems and solutions that “accidental shopkeepers” and hobbyists turned retail business owners face. Wendy dives deep in mindset and best practices for retailers with masterclass trainings, business strategies, expert guests and industry insiders, and more. Each episode is designed to help busy and passionate creative shop owners take action, work through their overwhelm and get focused on strategic business areas.

Thinking about opening your own creative retail shop? Ready to stop playing shopkeeper and “winging” the business stuff? Looking for more foot traffic? Want to turn your brick and mortar into a viable business? Want predictable profits? Want to take the next step to run your store and not let it run you? Turn to Wendy Batten to take the proven steps to achieving your dream store, living your creative life and helping your amazing customers.

Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten Wendy Batten, Creative Retail Mentor

    • Business
    • 4.9 • 42 Ratings

How do I attract more customers to my store? How do I get more sales? How do I book out my shop’s events and workshops? How do I do retail marketing and social media for my store?

These are the questions that creative retail business owners ask Wendy Batten, creative retail coach and mentor. Wendy works with creative shop owners all over the world and with industry leaders. Her speciality is working with creative retailers to get control over their brick and mortars to avoid burnout and overwhelm while achieving more success and profits.

In Creative Shop Talk, Wendy digs into the problems and solutions that “accidental shopkeepers” and hobbyists turned retail business owners face. Wendy dives deep in mindset and best practices for retailers with masterclass trainings, business strategies, expert guests and industry insiders, and more. Each episode is designed to help busy and passionate creative shop owners take action, work through their overwhelm and get focused on strategic business areas.

Thinking about opening your own creative retail shop? Ready to stop playing shopkeeper and “winging” the business stuff? Looking for more foot traffic? Want to turn your brick and mortar into a viable business? Want predictable profits? Want to take the next step to run your store and not let it run you? Turn to Wendy Batten to take the proven steps to achieving your dream store, living your creative life and helping your amazing customers.

    Best of Retailer Success Series: Meet Inner Circle Member Jeanne Terrill

    Best of Retailer Success Series: Meet Inner Circle Member Jeanne Terrill

     With host retail coach Wendy Batten
     
    https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
     
    Hey Friends! This month, we’re celebrating our retailers in the Retailer’s Inner Circle. It’s Member Appreciation Month! We’re hosting weekly giveaways (including private coaching sessions with me!), launching promotional guides and editable social media graphics, and so much more. It’s not too late to join us - and NOW is the time. 
     
    You don’t have to run your retail business alone! Join the Inner Circle today and get immediate access to countless Masterclasses on topics from merchandising to social media and our coveted monthly playbooks that break your month down for you into bite sized pieces. You’ll also have an opportunity to make peer-to-peer connections in our community with retailers who are facing the same questions and issues as you. Q4 is looming and our revamped Holiday Bootcamp also launches soon. Retail doesn’t have to be so hard! Join us today!
     
    In keeping with our celebration of our members, over the next few weeks on the podcast we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite past interviews with Inner Circle retailer members! These retailer interviews are some of our most popular episodes and what you all are telling us you want more of. This week we are going back a few months to Episode 204 with Jeanne Terrill of Junque Rescuers in Lake Jackson, Texas. Let’s dive in!
     
    In This Episode: 
    I’m taking you behind the counter of Junque Rescuers in Lake Jackson, Texas to chat with shop owner and Inner Circle member Jeanne Terrill in this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast. Buckle up because Jeanne is taking us on a ride and sharing her journey from accidental entrepreneur to thriving shop owner!
     
    In the episode, she shares how her shop has evolved since opening as an antique/vintage shop in 2017. We talk about many of her challenges including moving locations, why incredible success caused her to change her product mix, and learning to put her CEO hat on and the changes that come along with that. Jeanne also shares examples of specific actions she has taken and changes she has made as a result of what she has learned from the Inner Circle masterclasses and our tight-knit community. 
     
    I loved this conversation with Jeanne and I hope you do too! It’s always awesome to catch up with my Inner Circle retailers and share their successes with our podcast listeners. Did anything strike a chord for you? Anything you’ll be reflecting on or changes you are going to make based on the conversation you just listened to? 
     
    Need more?
    Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer’s Inner Circle! You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple. Not ready to join but want to purchase this stand-alone masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE.
     
    Most impactful: Join the small group 6-Week Sales Accelerator course.
    We start April 24! More information HERE.



    Related podcasts we think you’ll like: 
    Episode 154: Retailer Success Series: Christie Carter-Tokairin: 10 Years In
    Episode 122: Retailer Success Series: CEO Mindset and Community with Sylvia Davis of Louisville Mercantile
    Episode 113: Retailer Success Series: Growth Mindset with Jeff Lee of The Vintage Nest
     
    About Jeanne Terrill and Junque Rescuers
    Junque Rescuers LLC is a well-established brick-and-mortar lifestyle boutique located in downtown Lake Jackson, Texas. With eight years of experience, the business has evolved from its roots as a vintage and vintage-inspired home decor store to become a versatile lifestyle brand.
    You can follow along here:
    Website | Instagram | Facebook 
     
    About your host, Wendy Batten
    In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and

    • 58 min
    218. Best of Retailer Success Series: Community Marketing Strategies with Millie Blackwell

    218. Best of Retailer Success Series: Community Marketing Strategies with Millie Blackwell

    With host retail coach Wendy Batten
     
    https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
     
    Happy July! This month, we’re celebrating our retailers in the Retailer’s Inner Circle. It’s Member Appreciation Month! We’re hosting weekly giveaways (including private coaching sessions with me!), launching promotional guides, editable social media graphics, and so much more. It’s not too late to join us - and NOW is the time. 
     
    You don’t have to run your retail business alone! Join the Inner Circle today and get immediate access to countless Masterclasses on topics from merchandising to social media and our coveted monthly playbooks that break your month down for you into bite sized pieces. You’ll also have an opportunity to make peer-to-peer connections in our community with retailers who are facing the same questions and issues as you. Q4 is looming and our revamped Holiday Bootcamp also launches soon. Retail doesn’t have to be so hard! Join us today!
     
    In keeping with our celebration of our members, over the next few weeks on the podcast we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite past interviews with Inner Circle retailer members! These retailer interviews are some of our most popular episodes and what you all are telling us you want more of. This week we are going all the way back to Episode 132 with Millie Blackwell of Mrs. Blackwell’s Village Bookshop in Greytown, New Zealand. Let’s dive in!
     
    In This Episode: 
    If you think you have to be on FB to grow your business, think again! Meet Millie Blackwell - owner of Mrs. Blackwell’s Village Bookshop in Greytown, New Zealand.

    Before opening her shop in December 2020, Millie and her husband owned digital businesses and did a lot of home renovations. Her shop is perfect for romantic, curious minds and romantic souls. Her bookshop is filled with books and creative items such as notebooks, jigsaw puzzles, fountain pens, stationary, etc.
     
    Because Millie opened her shop during the height of the pandemic, she really had to work hard to build their market base in unique and creative ways. Storytelling has been a successful marketing strategy for them with print ads, Instagram, and their quarterly newsletter: The Blackwell Bugle. Fun fact: Millie doesn’t use Facebook for personal use or for her business! It can be done.
     
    All of Millie’s business marketing decisions are based on building community and becoming a destination shop. Listen to her attract strategies! They go against the grain and work for her! She’s doing it her way and making connections, human to human. 
     
    Millie is a member of our Level Up and Accelerate Mastermind group and works hard at business development, and pays close attention to tracking, measuring, tweaking, training, and focusing on foot traffic.
     
    Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. 
    Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop.


    Related podcasts we think you’ll like: 
    Episode 113: Retail Success Series: Growth Mindset with Jeff Lee from The Vintage Nest
    Episode 118: How To Create Loyalty and Amazing Customer Experiences with Guest Expert & Author: Shep Hyken
    Episode 133: Retailer Success Series: Community, Culture, and CEO Mindset with Amy Cseh




    About your host, Wendy Batten
    In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. 
    Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped

    • 44 min
    217. Best of Retailer Success Series: Simplifying Your Retail Business with Louise McManus

    217. Best of Retailer Success Series: Simplifying Your Retail Business with Louise McManus

     With host retail coach Wendy Batten
     
    https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
     
    Happy July! This month, we’re celebrating our retailers in the Retailer’s Inner Circle. It’s Member Appreciation Month! We’re hosting weekly giveaways (including private coaching sessions with me!), launching promotional guides and editable social media graphics, and so much more. It’s not too late to join us - and NOW is the time. 
     
    You don’t have to run your retail business alone! Join the Inner Circle today and get immediate access to countless Masterclasses on topics from merchandising to social media and our coveted monthly playbooks that break your month down for you into bite-sized pieces. You’ll also have an opportunity to make peer-to-peer connections in our community with retailers who are facing the same questions and issues as you. Q4 is looming and our revamped Holiday Bootcamp also launches soon. Retail doesn’t have to be so hard! Join us today!
     
    In keeping with our celebration of our members, over the next few weeks on the podcast we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite past interviews with Inner Circle retailer members! These retailer interviews are some of our most popular episodes and what you all are telling us you want more of. So this week we are going all the way back to Episode 120 with Louise McManus of Vischer Ferry General Store. Let’s dive in!
     
    In This Episode: 
    Inner Circle member Louise McManus has managed to find balance - a profitable and enjoyable shop, balanced with a great quality of life. She’s here to share with us how that’s possible!
     
    Several years ago Louise McManus bought a house, built in 1856, in the historic Erie Canal hamlet and had a dream of creating a beautiful shop the community would love, and the rest is history!  This was a new venture for Louise, as she came from working in a bridal boutique and as a jewelry designer. 
     
    The Vischer Ferry General Store is both a café and a retail gift shop. Her journey as a retail shop owner has been one to watch not only because of her multiple buckets of revenue streams, but the atmosphere she has created for her customers - it truly is a destination shop! 
     
    I have watched her grow into a CEO who is flexible and knows how to think in the future. I know her journey will help yours as well. Take some notes, Louise is living her best life as a shop owner and is still in love with it all!
     
    “It’s my business, and it can be whatever I want it to be.” - Louise McManus
     
    Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. 
    Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop.


    Related podcasts we think you’ll like: 
    Episode 129: Retailer Success Series: Community Attract Strategy with Michelle Emmons
    Episode 39: Retailer Success Series: How Jill Went from Hobbyist to Creative CEO



    About your host, Wendy Batten
    In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. 
    Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. 
    I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column

    • 38 min
    216. Create A Summer Of Ease for Your Retail Shop

    216. Create A Summer Of Ease for Your Retail Shop

     With host retail coach Wendy Batten
     
    https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
     
    In This Episode: 
     
    Can you have a summer of ease and keep your momentum going? Yes. No matter what summertime looks like in your retail shop, you need to balance your work schedule with rest and fun while keeping the momentum at the same time. Sounds challenging, right? Trust me, if you put in the effort, you can get things done and still have time to enjoy the sunshine. In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m sharing some things you can easily cross off of your retail shop’s to-do list this summer.
     
    Some of the things I’ll share thoughts on:
    Setting your schedule and your staff’s schedule as far in advance as you can
    Scheduling out big rocks and promotions between now and September (this is done for you if you are an Inner Circle member!)
    A hot tip for getting a bunch of social media posts and emails scheduled in one hour or less (Inner Circle members have access to a masterclass on content creation and monthly playbooks with email subject lines)
    Easy ideas on how to humanize your brand
    Planning out and delegating roles/responsibilities for your upcoming events
    How hiring/delegating out these tasks can free up your time and actually grow your business
     
    Get out your calendars, my friends! I challenge you to sit down this week and schedule what needs to get done in your retail business so you can sit on a beach in peace this summer.
     
    Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. 
    Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop.


    Related podcasts we think you’ll like: 
    Episode 143: How to Plan and Host Successful Events in Your Retail Shop
    Episode 145: How to Market Promotional Events in Your Retail Shop
    Episode 213: 5 Areas Retailers Should Be Focusing On in Q3
     
    About your host, Wendy Batten
    In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. 
    Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. 
    I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.
    When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ 
     
    For more support from Wendy
     
    Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community
     
    Free resources for shop owners 
     
    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG 
     
    All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. 
    Subscribe & Review on iTunes
    Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not,

    • 29 min
    Coffee Break Chat: Customer Service vs. Customer Experience

    Coffee Break Chat: Customer Service vs. Customer Experience

     
    With host retail coach Wendy Batten
     
    https://wendybatten.com/podcast/
     
    In This Episode: 
     
    As a retail shop owner, have you given much thought to the difference between customer service and customer experience as it relates to your brand? In this short coffee chat episode, I’ll share the difference between the two and what you can do to ensure your brand is having the impact you want it to on your customers. Remember: it doesn’t matter what you sell in your shop, the goal should be to build a brand your ideal customers want to be a part of. 
     
    l also touch on customer journey mapping and becoming a destination shop in this episode. If you want to dig in more on these topics, additional episodes are linked in the Related Podcasts section of the show notes.
     
    So grab a cup of coffee (or tea - or whatever you like!) and let’s dive in!
     
    Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. 
    Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop.


    Related podcasts we think you’ll like: 
    Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map
    Episode 69: Becoming a Destination Shop
     
    About your host, Wendy Batten
    In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. 
    Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. 
    I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.
    When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ 
     
    For more support from Wendy
     
    Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community
     
    Free resources for shop owners 
     
    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG 
     
    All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. 
    Subscribe & Review on iTunes
    Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
    If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

    • 20 min
    214. Coffee Break Chat: Be a Big Deal!

    214. Coffee Break Chat: Be a Big Deal!

     With host retail coach Wendy Batten
     
     https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
     
    In This Episode: 
     
    Let’s have a coffee chat around being a big deal in your community, shall we?
     
    Recently, I had a conversation with a client where she relayed to me that being a “big deal” in her community felt awkward for her because she didn’t want to show off or flaunt herself. I want to be the first to tell you that being a big deal isn’t about you personally, but rather, it’s about making sure your brand is known in your community. It’s about knowing what makes your brand special and making sure your community knows. It’s about having confidence in what you are doing in your retail store and sharing it with your community.
     
    “Confidence comes from doing.”
     
    If you need a little pep talk around gathering the confidence to get your name out there in the community, this coffee chat is for you! Grab yourself a cup and let’s dive in. Be sure to check out the related podcast list this week for a deep dive on visibility. 
     
    Ready to Level Up? Join The Retailer’s Inner Circle. 
    Here’s everything you need to know about the Retailer’s Inner Circle. You’ll have access to countless Masterclasses including Foot Traffic Made Simple, Shop Standards, Money Matters, and so many others. Plus, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group where members can ask questions or share advice and their experiences of running a retail shop.


    Related podcasts we think you’ll like: 
    Episodes 198-200: Stop Hiding and Be Known: The Retailer’s Visibility Series
     
    About your host, Wendy Batten
    In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. 
    Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. 
    I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.
    When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ 
     
    For more support from Wendy
     
    Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community
     
    Free resources for shop owners 
     
    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG 
     
    All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. 
    Subscribe & Review on iTunes
    Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
    If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

    • 12 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
42 Ratings

42 Ratings

C unicorn ,

A Must-Listen for the Small Retail Business Owner

This podcast is a must-listen if you own a retail business! Wendy has been a game-changer for me in running my brick-and-mortar. She “speaks my language”, making it easy for me to understand business concepts (as a non-business major “accidental entrepreneur”), making even the more complicated, un-fun sides of running a business approachable, and yes - fun! She stays on top of trends and the current challenges of running a business in the ever-changing world. I seriously don’t know what I’d do without her!

LeannePressly ,

Wendy’s style is so approachable

Loved being able to chat with Wendy about the work we do to help craft companies thrive. She is a natural interviewer!

Sylvia S Davis ,

You Don’t Want to Miss an Episode

A must subscribe for the small retail business owner. Whether a newbie or you’ve been doing this for a while, there’s always a nugget (or two, etc…) in each episode that will move your business forward.

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