238: All About Kathy Cruz: A Vulnerable Interview PART 1

Discover how one shop owner turned a surprise visit and a one-hour coaching call into a 50% increase in retail sales! In Episode 241 of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast, Kathy Cruz shares insights, tips, and lessons from this inspiring success story. Learn how strategic action, even with a low AOV, can drive growth. For show notes, including links to anything mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode240. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website & Mastermind Group:  Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper 

Savvy Shopkeeper Get Traffic Conference Sunday & Monday, May 18-19, 2025 Venue: Biographie, Lakewood Ohio (west of Cleveland) Join us for a 2-day, high-impact conference designed exclusively for independent retailers. With a limited number of seats, this event cuts through the fluff to deliver actionable workshops that will transform both your foot traffic and e-commerce strategies. Expect intimate, hands-on sessions led by industry experts, powerful networking opportunities, and life-changing insights to grow your business with confidence and clarity. Get ready for real transformation that drives results. Ticket sales are live!  https://savvyshopkeeper.com/conference/    

Mark your calendars for the Faire Wholesale Winter Market The Faire Wholesale Winter Market 2025 is scheduled for January 22–24, with early access for Faire Insiders beginning on January 21. Traveling to market might not make sense for you this year. That’s why I’m here with some tips for creating an impactful and fun virtual buying-day for yourself. Consider strategically dedicating a FULL day to Faire’s Winter Market instead. Join the Faire Wholesale Winter Market and maximize your buying this season.   If you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow shopkeeper who could benefit from this idea, too *Some of the links or codes I share are affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission if you make a purchase after using them—at no extra cost to you. I recommend these products because I genuinely believe they’re helpful for shopkeepers, not because of the commission I might earn. Please only purchase items if you feel they’re truly useful and will help you reach your goals.   Timestamps [00:01:37] Listener Shoutout to Katie at Affordable Treasures [00:02:33] The Benefits of Wholesale Buying In-Person [00:03:57] The Costs of Wholesale Buying In-Person [00:04:45] Why a buying trip might not make sense for a store owner [00:06:31] Maximize Buying with the Faire Wholesale Winter Market [00:09:20] The Costs of Wholesale Buying at the Faire Wholesale Winter Market [00:11:20] Tips on Attending an In-Person Market [00:12:19] How to Have an Impactful Virtual Buying Day at the Faire Wholesale Winter Market [00:12:28] 3 Ways to Make Shopping the Faire Wholesale Winter Market a Fun and Productive Day [00:15:25] Preparing a Buying Strategy for the Faire Wholesale Winter Market [00:17:25] How to Find the Right Vendors at Faire’s Wholesale Winter Market [00:18:42] Why the Faire Wholesale Winter Market is a Gamechanger for Independent Retailers   For show notes, including links to anything mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode240. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

We’re kicking off 2025 with part two of this interview series hosted by member of Master Shopkeeper Member Ceri Otero. Tune in to hear how I'm embracing the New Year with 8 lessons from my past. In case you missed last week's episode: All About Kathy Cruz: A Vulnerable Interview PART 1, tune in to hear topics like inclusivity, resilience, dissappointments and mindset.   Timestamps [00:01:26] What's something you thought you weren't any good at professionally that has turned out to either be no big deal or you found ways to work around it? [00:04:53] The one thought that guides Kathy Cruz in any moment [00:06:16] A Master Shopkeeper Testimonial from Ceri Otero [00:06:49] Lesson 1: How Kathy untangles her personal worth from her business performance [00:10:13] Lesson 2: When Kathy Cruz knew she had something magical with the Savvy Shopkeeper Community [00:12:00] Lesson 3: Why Kathy can do hard things [00:12:55] Lesson 4: Kathy Cruz’s New Life Mantra [00:14:51] Lesson 5: When do you get angry in your business? What pushes Kathy Cruz's buttons? [00:20:29] Lesson 6: Why Kathy believes: "Being a broken record is the best gift that I can give." [00:22:00] Lesson 7: What Kathy Cruz has learned from YOU, her listeners and community [00:23:38] Lesson 8: What Kathy is proudest of over these last 8 years [00:25:34] Kathy Cruz’s Secret Projects Launching in 2025   For show notes, including links to anything mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode239. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

To kick off 2025, Ceri Otero, a Master Shopkeeper member and former radio personality (cool, right?), asked if she could interview ME, Kathy Cruz. After episode #231, she decided to flip the script and gather questions from the community for this vulnerable conversation. In part 1 of this episode, we talk through topics like inclusivity, resilience, dissappointments and mindset. Tune in next week for part 2 of this Kathy Cruz interview where I reflect on my business journey as we step into the new year. Timestamps [00:08:02] Why inclusivity is extremely important to Kathy in her work [00:08:39] Why being a detective makes for a great coach and strategist [00:11:18] Two key activities that helped Kathy Cruz step into her Zone of Genius [00:16:25] How Kathy Cruz handles disappointments [00:19:37] How Kathy Cruz has learned to enjoy the journey over the accomplishment [00:21:04] How Kathy Cruz defines success [00:22:32] How Kathy Cruz sets boundaries   For show notes, including links to anything mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode238. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

As independent retail store owners, we’re well-versed in the challenges we face, especially as the retail industry, the economy, and the world continuously shift. So what upcoming trends can help us not just survive but thrive in 2025?  In this episode, we’re diving deep into the future of retail, specifically focusing on how indie retailers can stand out by embracing emerging trends. From curation over stock volume to hyper-personalization via omnichannel retail and embracing AI tools for efficiency, we’re looking at a variety of  strategies that can elevate your retail business in 2025.  But it's not just about the trends—it's about making them work for you! Whether you're looking to enhance your customer experience or explore new revenue streams like subscription models, there's a 2025 retail trend that you should embrace to meet your business goals. For show notes, including links to anything mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode237. Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

DISCLAIMER: This episode was originally scheduled to air on December 5, 2024, but legal developments and a busy week caused some last-minute delays. After months of postponing this topic due to ongoing legal uncertainties, I felt it was finally time to address the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and the BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) requirement—a regulation many small business owners may not even be aware of. However, just as this episode was set to publish, a U.S. District Court in Texas issued an injunction, putting the CTA on hold again. This legal limbo means the requirement could still go into effect in January 2025, but for now, we’re in a holding pattern. I’m sharing this episode to inform you about the potential impacts of the CTA on small businesses, with the understanding that its future is uncertain. Listen in to learn more, and stay tuned for updates as they unfold. Here are the show notes for the original episode I recorded. For show notes, including links to helpful resources and the filing guide, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode236.  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

Understanding the financial health of your retail business extends beyond just recognizing your profit. In this insightful episode, we're diving into the complexities of retail business finances and learning why being profitable doesn't always mean having a positive cash flow. We’re reviewing the three critical financial statements in an indie retail business: the profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. We’ll discover how each statement plays a vital role in evaluating your business's financial status and understand how they interconnect.  Listen in to connect the dots between profitability, financial health, and effective cash management so you can make informed decisions and propel your retail business forward. For show notes, including links to anything I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode235.  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

If you’ve ever faced a cash flow struggle, you know how much stress it can cause you. But before you address the issue, you need to identify the root cause. Are you truly dealing with insufficient income, financial mismanagement, or operational inefficiencies? Or are you experiencing seasonal cash flow crunches that are common in the retail world? Listen in as I break down these four critical areas and provide insights into identifying what's draining your store's cash flow. Understanding your business's financial ebb and flow can seem daunting, but with awareness comes clarity. Let’s dismantle common myths about cash flow issues and explore strategies for overcoming them! Plus, learn how normalizing cash flow crunches as a natural part of the retail cycle can help ease anxiety and promote smarter, more proactive financial management.  For show notes, including links to anything I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode234.  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

As retail business owners, revenue is often top of mind. But revenue alone doesn’t give us the complete picture of your store's financial health! That’s why we’re uncovering the intricacies of cash flow in a new three-part series. Listen in to learn the critical components of cash flow and how managing cash flow effectively protects your indie retail store from financial turmoil. We’ll cover how cash flow ensures liquidity, supports growth, and reveals hidden financial challenges.  Let’s pull back the curtain on the essential cash flow knowledge needed to make sound decisions and maintain a thriving, financially stable retail business! Plus, learn how you can participate in the Cash Flow Clarity challenge I’m hosting in Master Shopkeepers in 2025. For show notes, including links to anything I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode233.  Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers