Boutique Chat

The Boutique Hub with Ashley Alderson
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Explore real-life strategies, growth hacks, and proven marketing advice through powerful interviews with top leaders and retailers in the retail industry. Join Ashley Alderson, the Founder of The Boutique Hub, as she talks with retailers, boutiques, wholesale brands, vendors, and industry insiders. Discover the invaluable secrets that have propelled companies to success while maintaining a healthy balance between life and business. Embrace the spirit of Community over Competition, and uncover the next great idea or connection for your small business.

  1. 5H AGO

    Five Minute Friday: Why Most New Year Plans Fail And How to Do 2026 Differently

    In today's Five Minute Friday, I'm officially inviting you to join me for The Best Year Yet Challenge—our biggest free training of the year. Planning a new year shouldn't feel overwhelming or leave you burned out by March. Instead of chasing perfection or setting goals that fade fast, this challenge is all about creating a clear, realistic, and actionable plan for 2026—one you can actually stick to. Over three powerful days (January 6–8), we'll review the past year, map out what truly moves the needle, build profitable systems, and create a marketing plan that works now—not six months ago. This is about small, imperfect, consistent action—and doing it together, in community. Today's Episode: Why most New Year goals fail by March—and how to avoid that trap How to focus on the 20% of actions that drive 80% of your results What to expect from each day of the Best Year Yet Challenge How to turn big goals into clear, measurable, team-supported action plans Why planning beats perfection every single time   📅 Join the Best Year Yet Challenge Best Year Yet Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub. 🛍️ Join The Boutique Hub  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

    8 min

  2. 3D AGO

    #744: The End-of-Year Checklist Every Retailer Actually Needs

    As we close out 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this episode isn't about pretty planners or lofty resolutions — it's about the behind-the-scenes work that actually sets your business up for success. In this solo episode, Ashley Alderson walks you through the five critical areas every retailer must review before the year ends so you're compliant, organized, profitable, and positioned to lead — not just hustle — in 2026. From money and inventory to operations, goal-setting, and leadership, this is your practical, no-fluff checklist for finishing the year strong and starting the next one with clarity, confidence, and peace. You'll learn: How to close out your money & accounting properly (and why your accountant should be a strategic partner, not a once-a-year contact) Why year-end inventory counts are non-negotiable — and how they impact taxes, markdowns, and open-to-buy planning Where hidden costs live inside your apps, subscriptions, and operational expenses The importance of systems, processes, and community — and who you should (and shouldn't) be surrounding yourself with in the new year How to set better goals using leading vs. lagging indicators so your plans actually turn into results   Join The Boutique Hub Best Year Yet  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

    21 min

  3. 12/26/2025

    Five Minute Friday: The Strategic Shifts Top Retailers Are Making for 2026

    As we head into 2026, one thing is clear - the gap between average retailers and top performers is widening — and it has nothing to do with effort. In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down what the top 10% of retailers do differently right now, and why those decisions are positioning them to grow and scale while others feel stuck. Hard work isn't the issue. Strategy is. Ashley shares the four key differences separating high-performing retailers from those struggling to gain traction — and how you can start applying these shifts immediately as you plan for the year ahead. You'll learn: How building systems before you need them changes everything Why top retailers operate like CEOs — not reactive entrepreneurs What it really means to use AI as a strategic partner (not a shortcut) Why customer retention is outperforming reach and visibility The retailers winning in 2026 aren't guessing. They're operating with clarity, data, and intention — and you can too.   🛍️ Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub.    Join The Boutique Hub   Ashley Alderson: Instagram The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

    12 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    #743: Plan 2026 in 26 Minutes

    If you're getting ready to plan 2026 and want clarity—not chaos, this episode is for you. Today, we're planning your entire year in 26 minutes. This is not a to-do list episode. This is a guided planning session designed for you to pause, reflect, write things down, and make intentional CEO-level decisions about what stays, what goes, and what actually moves your business forward. Grab your planner, notebook, or favorite gel pens — this episode is meant to be paused, rewound, and revisited as you work through it. You'll learn: How to define what you want your business to feel like by the end of 2026 The exact reflection questions to review 2025 before planning forward How to identify the ONE thing that could change everything next year How to reverse-engineer your revenue goals using leading indicators How to reclaim time through systems, automation, and delegation   Links & Resources: Best Year Yet Retail Bootcamp Traffic Calculator 2026 Retail Planner   🛍️ Join The Boutique Hub  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

    28 min

  5. 12/19/2025

    Five Minute Friday: The 4 Mistakes Costing Retailers Profit Going Into 2026

    As we close out the year and head into a new one, it's time to get honest. Most businesses won't fail in 2026 because of the economy — they'll fail because they're still operating like it's 2019. In today's Five Minute Friday, I'm breaking down the four biggest mistakes I saw retailers make over the last year — mistakes that are quietly costing you time, money, margin, and momentum. If your business feels busy but not profitable, chances are one (or more) of these is holding you back. You'll learn: What winning retailers will do differently in 2026 The shift from "pretty branding" to real customer relationships How ignoring cash flow and margin creates long-term stress Why underutilizing AI and automation is no longer an option  The dangerous gap between sales and actual profitability   🛍️ Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub.    Join The Boutique Hub   Ashley Alderson: Instagram The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

    12 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    #742: The Rise of Western Lifestyle Brands and What Retail Can Learn

    In this episode, Ashley sits down with Allie Falcon to unpack what it really looks like to build a recognizable brand rooted in story, style, and grit. Allie shares her journey from ranch life and handmade leather goods to manufactured apparel, wholesale growth, and a showroom at Dallas Market Center. They talk wholesale growth, brand consistency, and what successful boutiques do differently when they market brands with a story. Plus: Round Top with Junk Gypsy stories, pricing strategy, learning to say "no," and the legacy Allie hopes to leave. You'll learn: Why cohesiveness matters more than random "good products" when building a line sheet and wholesale presence How to move from handmade/custom work into a more sustainable model without losing your creative identity What boutiques do best when they market story-driven brands (and why displaying collections together matters) How wholesale can stabilize a business when social algorithms shift Two key business lessons: price for future wholesale now + know when to say no   Join The Boutique Hub Best Year Yet Allie Falcon: Website: Alliefalcon.com Instagram: @alliefalcon TikTok: @alliefalcon 🛍️ 10% off with code BHub Alliefalcon.com    ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

    44 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    Five Minute Friday: The Trends Taking Over Trade Shows Right Now (And Why It's Working)

    In this Five Minute Friday, Samantha Conner continues our market conversation by diving into the actual product trends hitting trade show floors right now — and more importantly, how they apply across every retail category. From apparel to home + gift, children's, and even western, today's trends are crossing categories faster than ever. You'll learn: The bold color trends coming for 2026 The rise of faster trend cycles (every 8–10 weeks) and how to keep up without overbuying How cost-per-wear and cost-per-use are driving smarter buying decisions How pop culture moments are shaping what customers want next Why quiet luxury is fading and maximalist, personality-driven style is back    🗓️ Download the 2026 Tradeshow Calendar: 2026 Tradeshow Calendar   🛍️ Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub.    Join The Boutique Hub   Ashley Alderson: Instagram The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

    11 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    #741: How Working With Sales Reps Elevates Your Retail Business

    Retail buying doesn't have to be overwhelming—or lonely. This week, Ashley sits down with Angela Schmook (Roadrunners, Reps Are Local Too) and Kelly Bristol (Just Gotta Have It, GHTA leader) to reveal why your local sales reps might be the most powerful, underused resource in your business. Fresh from the GHTA Conference in Park City, they break down how reps support retailers far beyond taking orders: helping with events, securing promos and exclusives, spotting local trends, and giving you insider knowledge you'll never get from ordering online. They also unpack the shift toward lifestyle retail—where home, gift, and apparel collide—and how to approach markets with confidence, even if you've never stepped inside a showroom before. You'll learn: What reps really do and why working with one is free How reps help you buy smarter, plan better, and spot trends early How showrooms actually work (and why you shouldn't feel intimidated) Why home, gift, and apparel are merging into lifestyle retail How to prepare for January markets and build stronger vendor relationships    🛍️ Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub.    Join The Boutique Hub   Angela Schmook & Kelly Bristol Website: repsarelocaltoo.com Instagram: @repsarelocaltoo Facebook: repsarelocaltoo  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

    45 min
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4.9
out of 5
857 Ratings

About

Explore real-life strategies, growth hacks, and proven marketing advice through powerful interviews with top leaders and retailers in the retail industry. Join Ashley Alderson, the Founder of The Boutique Hub, as she talks with retailers, boutiques, wholesale brands, vendors, and industry insiders. Discover the invaluable secrets that have propelled companies to success while maintaining a healthy balance between life and business. Embrace the spirit of Community over Competition, and uncover the next great idea or connection for your small business.

Information

  • Creator
    The Boutique Hub with Ashley Alderson
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    483
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Boutique Hub, Inc 2018
  • Show Website
    Boutique Chat

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