The Retail Whore

Michelle Sherrier
  • 4.9 (47)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Retail Whore by me, Michelle Sherrier: a podcast of stories and lessons from a life in retail. After decades spent in the retail industry, I’ve seen and done it all. Join me every week as I interview people from all walks of retail, the service industry, the wholesale gift industry, and more. We’ll talk about what drives them, the things they love, and some of the biggest lessons they have learned along the way. Brace yourself for The Retail Whore, a show that entertains and educates!

  1. 3D AGO

    EP 232: MASTERING THE NUMBERS & BUILDING A PROFITABLE RETAIL BUSINESS WITH MARGO KOPMAN

    Margo Kopman lives, eats, and breathes all things retail. With over 15 years of retail consulting experience as the President of Project Retail, Margo is extremely passionate about inspiring clients with her vision and authenticity when tackling the complex business of the independent retailer. She believes that you can achieve the highest levels of success if you work hard, believe in your dreams, and stay focused on results. She grew up in a family that instilled a strong work ethic and a character built on integrity. Soon after graduating from Southern Methodist University, she followed her dreams and opened Byrd, a contemporary women’s boutique in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. As an owner & buyer of an independent retail store, she understands the ins and outs of the business, having experienced it firsthand. Margo’s passion for the science of retail-led her down the path of consulting independent retailers like herself. Because of her ability to simplify complex data & analytics paired with her strong critical thinking skills, she coaches her clients to maximize the opportunities while facing the challenges head-on. Margo embodies the skill set and the drive for success needed in the independent retail world of today. In her free time, you can find her soaking up the Los Angeles, CA sunshine. She loves being outdoors, surfing, cooking, traveling, and spending time with family & friends. Margo is committed to the pet rescue movement through animal rescues and shares her loving home with her little white dog, Bubbie. In this episode, we dive deep into the numbers behind retail success—breaking down open-to-buy, inventory strategy, and the real reason many stores struggle with cash flow and profitability. What’s Inside:  Why open-to-buy is the key to controlling cash flow and inventory How overbuying, underbuying, and over-assorting are quietly killing your sales  The truth about reports, sell-through, and making smarter buying decisionsMentioned In This Episode: The Project Retail Instagram Facebook Twitter Support the show

    1h 37m

  2. APR 1

    WHAT THE ASD SHOW REVEALS ABOUT RETAIL TODAY — SHELF TALK WITH CO-HOST SUSAN ESAYIAN

    In this episode, Michelle and Susan recap their experience at the ASD Las Vegas trade show, sharing what makes it different from traditional markets and why it can be a valuable supplemental resource for retailers. They also explore creativity beyond the store through The Artist’s Way, and dive into a mix of thoughtful and unexpected questions that reveal real merchandising lessons, personal stories, and behind-the-scenes retail insights.  Ask Michelle and Susan for Shelf Talk! Michelle and Susan will be co-hosting an episode every month! We’re diving into all things design, display, and merchandising—and we want to hear from you! Got a question? Submit it by going to theretailwhorepodcast.com, clicking on SHELF TALK, and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode. Let’s talk shop and bring your ideas to life! What's Inside: 1. Key insights from the ASD Las Vegas trade show and how it fits into a retail buying strategy  2. A conversation on creativity in retail inspired by The Artist’s Way  3. Honest merchandising lessons, mistakes, and real behind-the-scenes storiesSupport the show

    1h 14m

  3. MAR 25

    EP 231: ROLLING THE DICE ON MAHJONG AND WINNING IN RETAIL WITH JAMIE CARL, EMILY BUTLER AND MISTY STACHEL

    Jamie Carl is the Owner + Founder of Serge + Jane in Mpls, MN, a Lifestyle Boutique featuring Men's, Women's, Kids, Pets, Vinyl, Home + Gifts in a 3 story shop (4 including an open air rooftop where they host fashion shows, trunk shows, pop-ups + always a DJ + dance party). She spent 15 years at Target Corporation across Merchandising, Buying, and Marketing before leading the Internal Events Team, producing everything from Board Meetings to 10,000 person National Team Meetings with guest speakers, musicians, and fashion shows. She later stepped away to focus on family while fine-tuning her vision for the shop. In this episode, Jamie shares how she translated large-scale event expertise into immersive in-store experiences. Misty Stachel is the founder and owner of 85 Local, a boutique that blends locally made goods with unique, high-quality finds while supporting small businesses. With a strong focus on curation, merchandising, and community, she creates an elevated and inspiring shopping experience through events, vendor partnerships, and thoughtful displays. In this episode, Misty shares how she leverages local makers and trends to drive engagement and customer loyalty. Emily Butler is the co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Karson Butler Hospitality Co. and the visionary behind the historic Ah Louis Store in San Luis Obispo. She has reimagined the 150+ year old shop into a hospitality-driven retail experience, blending curated gifting with community initiatives like The Bell Society and Mahjong Social Club. With nearly two decades in event design and brand strategy, she brings a unique lens to modern retail. In this episode, Emily shares how hospitality and storytelling can transform retail into a space for connection. In this episode, Jamie, Misty, and Emily break down how modern retailers are evolving beyond traditional selling into experience-driven spaces that build community, increase foot traffic, and create long-term customer loyalty through events, merchandising, and intentional in-store strategy. What’s Inside:  How retailers are using Mahjong and events to drive foot traffic, community, and repeat visits  The real economics behind workshops, classes, and in-store experiences (and where profit actually comes from)  Practical ways to start small with experiential retail—from setup and staffing to product strategy and partnerships Mentioned In This Episode: Oh My Mahjong Mini Mahr Bo & Mei Jamie Carl  Facebook Sergeandjane.com Serge and Jane on Instagram Mahjong Montage - wholesale tiles + gaming pieces, decor, apparel and more Gumball Poodle - socks Soiree Sisters - napkins + gifts  Misty Stachel 85 Local on Instagram 85 Local on Facebook Emily Butler  Instagram Ah Louis Store Karson Butler Hospitality Co. Support the show

    1h 8m

  4. MAR 18

    EP 230: MASTERING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IN RETAIL WITH MEGHAN WAGNER

    Meghan Wagner is the owner of The Go Girl Shoppe, a unique retail store located in Mebane, NC. She began her entrepreneurial journey in 2012 with a mobile shop on wheels, offering a curated selection of home décor and gifts. In 2014, she opened a brick-and-mortar location in Raleigh, NC, and after 8 successful years, relocated to a larger store in Mebane in 2019. As a local to Mebane, Megan wanted to bring a little happiness to the corner of downtown, with a shop that constantly evolves with new décor and seasonal items. The Go Girl Shoppe prides itself on offering one-of-a-kind pieces that bring a smile to customers’ faces and foster a sense of community. Megan believes in the importance of relationships and connections, ensuring that every customer feels like they are walking into a place where they belong. Whether you're entering as a stranger or a longtime customer, Megan and her team are dedicated to making everyone feel like family. In this episode, Meghan shares how she built a thriving retail business rooted in connection, creativity, and customer experience—along with the real behind-the-scenes of running a store through every season. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who listens to and shares this podcast! If you’ve found value in our episodes and want to help us keep creating, we’ve made it easy through Buy Me a Coffee. Any contributions from $5 up to $200 help cover the real costs of podcasting—editing, hosting fees, and everything else that goes into bringing you quality content. It's a way for you to invest in the conversations and topics that matter to you. Head to buymeacoffee.com/retailwhorb, and as always, thank you for your continued support!  What’s inside: How to create a loyal customer base through genuine relationships and community-buildingSmart merchandising, buying strategies, and adapting to trends while knowing your customerCreative ways to drive sales through in-store experiences, events, and storytellingMentioned In This Episode: Episode 206: Creating Connection and Community through Retail with Meghan Instagram Facebook Go Girl Shoppe Support the show

    1h 24m

  5. MAR 11

    EP 229: THE POWER OF SCENT AND MEMORY WITH TORI DAHL

    Tori Dahl’s passion for scent began when she was a little girl growing up on three acres in the Texas hill country. In the spring, Mountain Laurel would bloom with fragrant purple blossoms. On Saturday mornings she would wake to the sound of her father mowing the lawn and open her window to breathe in the scent of freshly cut grass mixed with Mountain Laurel. Years later, that scent still triggers memories of comfort and home. Smell and emotion are stored in our brains as one memory. This is why fragrance has the powerful ability to influence our mood and well being. With a background in business, design, and home decor, Tori understands the importance of curating beautiful spaces not only through art and furnishings but also through fragrance. In 2019 she began developing a line of home fragrances and perfume. Her collection is built around custom blended signature scents made with carefully selected ingredients. Each fragrance is thoughtfully named to reflect the emotion or feeling it evokes. The signature fragrances Love, Clarity, Refuge, Shine, Serenity, Escape, and Tranquility are available in wax melts, linen and room sprays, reed diffusers, and perfume. With every breath, her hope is to help people reconnect with meaningful memories while creating a beautiful atmosphere within their homes. In this episode, Tori shares the story behind her fragrance brand and the inspiration that came from childhood memories, creativity, and a passion for designing meaningful spaces. She discusses the process of creating signature scents and how fragrance can shape the emotional experience of a home. We are doing our first-ever open call! You can submit your store or favorite store to be on the podcast because every store has a story behind it! Go to theretailwhorepodcast.com, click on SUBMIT YOUR STORE, fill out an easy form and we’ll see you on the mic! What’s Inside This Episode Why scent and memory are so strongly connected in the brainThe process behind creating custom signature fragrancesHow fragrance can transform the mood and atmosphere of a homeMentioned In This Episode: Instagram The Dahl Farmhouse Website Support the show

    1h 28m

  6. MAR 4

    EP 228: FROM MASS PRODUCTION TO MAIN STREET MAGIC WITH EMILY WEBB

    Emily Webb is the owner of Emily's Garden. She is 69 years old and lives three miles from a town of 154 people in the northern Sierras of California. She comes from a family of artists and designers who are all good with their hands. She started Emily's Garden in 1981 as a manufacturing company in her laundry room, beginning with a scented hot pad. Over the years she grew, acquiring sales reps and show rooms across the country. The scented hot pads quickly gave way to personal care, with fabric microwavable products like aromatherapy neck wraps, booties and eye pillows sold to high end hotel spas and gift shops like the Pebble Beach Resort, Ritz Carlton and Fairmont. In the early 2000's she created custom designs and private labeling for stores and national catalogs like Smith & Hawken, Red Envelope and The Wedding Channel, shipping large volume orders from a 150 year old building in Taylorsville with a team of seven. In 2009 she stepped away from mass production and opened a 270 sq ft. retail store in Quincy, CA. She loved it even though she made almost no money. She sold beauty. She sold pretty. She sold nature. Her window displays became known throughout town and after she left, Main St. never felt the same. At 67 she was burnt out from a lifetime of go, go, go. She closed her store and retired. Today she keeps a small display in the Made in Plumas County store and an active website, spending her time hiking and foraging with her dog, working in her garden and creating flower arrangements from the flowers she grows. In this episode she shares how she built a national wholesale brand from her laundry room, why she chose creativity over scale when mass production no longer felt aligned, and what burnout, reinvention and retirement look like when you choose beauty, nature and quality of life over constant growth. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who listens to and shares this podcast! If you’ve found value in our episodes and want to help us keep creating, we’ve made it easy through Buy Me a Coffee. Any contributions from $5 up to $200 help cover the real costs of podcasting—editing, hosting fees, and everything else that goes into bringing you quality content. It's a way for you to invest in the conversations and topics that matter to you. Head to buymeacoffee.com/retailwhorb, and as always, thank you for your continued support!  What’s inside: Growing from handmade beginnings to national wholesale accountsStaying true to your retail identity instead of chasing trendsRedefining success through simplicity, creativity and quality of lifeMentioned In This Episode: Pinterest Facebook Emily Garden Website Support the show

    1h 30m

  7. FEB 25

    EP 227: CAR CONFESSIONS, SHOW SEASON RECAP & SMARTER BUYING MOVES

    In this episode I recap a busy show season, share lessons from designing and buying for multiple showrooms and stores, and explain how reports, floor plans, and thoughtful merchandise windows can revive retail sales and creativity. I also talk about testing categories, moving away from what doesn't work, building seasonal delivery windows, and tips for keeping stores fresh and inspiring. We are doing our first-ever open call! You can submit your store or favorite store to be on the podcast because every store has a story behind it! Go to theretailwhorepodcast.com, click on SUBMIT YOUR STORE, fill out an easy form and we’ll see you on the mic! What's inside How using sales reports transformed buying choices and revealed what to stop or grow.Practical merchandising moves: four big store flips a year, cross-merchandising, and delivery windows to keep inventory fresh.Trend highlights and product ideas: bright fruit and Mediterranean vibes, food-themed kids' items, men's gift growth, and giftable personal care. Support the show

    55 min

  8. FEB 18

    TREASURE HUNT BUYING, BOLD TRENDS & STORYTELLING THAT SELLS — SHELF TALK WITH CO-HOST SUSAN ESAYIAN

    In this episode, we’re fresh off the Gift Show and gearing up for ASD as we unpack why “treasure hunt” buying might be the smartest margin move independent retailers can make right now. From under-the-radar vendors to bold color trends and food-inspired merchandising, we’re sharing what excited us most on the show floor and how to turn it into sales. We also dive into why bright, joyful product is everywhere, how heritage ornament buying differs from trend-driven holiday, and how thoughtful storytelling, yes even with pasta and ribbon, creates moments customers remember and buy from. Ask Michelle and Susan for Shelf Talk! Michelle and Susan will be co-hosting an episode every month! We’re diving into all things design, display, and merchandising—and we want to hear from you! Got a question? Submit it by going to theretailwhorepodcast.com, clicking on SHELF TALK, and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode. Let’s talk shop and bring your ideas to life! What’s Inside: ASD as Hidden Margin Goldmine. Why this show flies under the radar, what categories are surprisingly strong including fashion, beauty, licensed, and regional, and how treasure hunt sourcing can increase profitability.Trend Takeaways from the Floor. Chartreuse, lilac, cabana stripes, Mediterranean vibes, sardines, citrus, farm to table displays, pressed florals, and bold joyful color everywhere.Storytelling That Converts. From charcuterie inspired displays and tomato vine candles to ribbon bars and heritage ornament strategy, how to merchandise with intention, not just product.We also talk about Dallas being up, independent retail momentum, education at trade shows, and why wrapping paper and ribbon might be your most underrated marketing tool. Support the show

    1h 2m
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Retail Whore by me, Michelle Sherrier: a podcast of stories and lessons from a life in retail. After decades spent in the retail industry, I’ve seen and done it all. Join me every week as I interview people from all walks of retail, the service industry, the wholesale gift industry, and more. We’ll talk about what drives them, the things they love, and some of the biggest lessons they have learned along the way. Brace yourself for The Retail Whore, a show that entertains and educates!

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Sherrier
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    240
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Retail Whore
  • Show Website
    The Retail Whore

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