305: Here's The Advice That Changed Everything For Shelley

In this episode, Susan talks with Inner Circle member Shelley Sandford about what it actually looks like to build momentum when you're starting from zero. Shelley joined the program before she even launched her website, followed the process, asked for help when she got stuck, and made a key messaging shift that changed everything. Seven months later, she ran an event that sold 500 units — and she's breaking down exactly how she got there. This conversation is honest, practical, and especially helpful if you're doing the work but haven't seen the payoff yet. In this episode, you'll learn: how to tell the difference between "this isn't working yet" and "this will never work" what Shelley changed after her 1:1 coaching call — and why it mattered so much how repeated events build skill and clarity, even when results are inconsistent what finally clicked before her most successful event If you've been showing up, following the steps, and wondering when it's going to come together — this episode will give you both perspective and proof that you're not behind.   RELATED LINKS: You can find Shelley's work here: Website: Barkandbone.caInstagram: @Meat.On.Bones Do This When Your Sales Are Down https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/do-this-when-your-sales-are-down-episode-287 A $14K Pop-Up Shop Promo Using POD https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/a-14k-pop-up-shop-promo-using-pod-episode-269 Morgan's strategy to sell out her new collections https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/morgans-strategy-to-sell-out-her-new-collections-episode-221

Sara's built a solid foundation for her handmade business. Now, she's ready to cut back on in-person shows and grow her online sales. But how do you go from "everything's set up" to actually seeing consistent revenue? This episode is a fly-on-the-wall coaching call where we map out a clear, focused plan for hitting $35K in sales between September and December—without burning out or second-guessing every move. Listen in and learn: Why having a strong funnel and good products still won't get you the sales you want How to reframe ad spend as "paying for visibility" (not gambling for sales) The simple two-part ad strategy that builds her audience and drives traffic to her best-sellers How to give your subscribers a reason to buy every week—without creating new products or offering discounts   RELATED LINKS: Handmade Business? See How Janine Will Double Her Online Sales. https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/handmade-business-see-how-janine-will-double-her-online-sales-episode-300 Christina's transitioning from in person to online sales. Here's how. https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/christinas-transitioning-from-in-person-to-online-sales-here's-how-episode-298 The stress free content plan that built a huge audience. https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/the-stress-free-content-plan-that-built-a-huge-audience-episode-190

Louise Buckley grew her list by nearly 2,000 in five months—and now she's on track to hit 10,000 by year-end using simple, strategic moves.  In this episode, Louise shares how she's growing her boutique clothing business with intention. From turning a broken receipt printer into an email-capture tool, to using live sales and collaborations as list-building machines, she's staying focused on what works—and doubling down on her momentum. If you're stuck trying to grow your list, this conversation is full of practical, no-fluff strategies you can start using right away. What you'll learn: Why Louise's popup conversion rates are outperforming industry averages—and what that tells us The key opportunity she was missing in her weekly live sales (and how to fix it fast) A smart collaboration strategy that's bringing in warm, buyer-ready leads Why she's skipping complicated ad funnels and running simple video view ads instead How to turn FOMO into a list-growth engine—using tools she already has   RELATED LINKS: Check out Louise's shop here: Be You Lifestyle Boutique Get on the Reliable Revenue waitlist: https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/reliable-revenue Christina's transitioning from in person to online sales https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/christinas-transitioning-from-in-person-to-online-sales-here's-how-episode-298 The Most Powerful Marketing Activity https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/the-most-powerful-marketing-activity-episode-285 €600+ sales with a list of 40. Here's how. https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/proof-that-action-leads-to-results-episode-135 _______________________   Are you constantly asking yourself how to make your website better or questioning your prices? Do you wonder if you're missing something? If you have made sales in person or on a site like Etsy, I know you can sell more on your site.   Get my FREE mini-course that will show you our step-by-step process to grow your sales without spending a fortune on risky ad strategies or discounting your products here: https://learn.thesocialsalesgirls.com/conversion-school/   "Insightful, actionable and engaging! I learn so much every single time I listen. I can't believe this information is free - If you feel like this too, I'd love it if you would leave us a review. Reviewing the show will help us reach even more store owners, so we can help them grow their sales. Click here, scroll down, tap to rate with 5 stars and select "Write a review". Let us know what you find most helpful about the podcast!   Also, if you haven't already make sure to follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode! Follow now

Valerie DeVito has her email system dialed in, her products are flying off the shelves, and her conversion rate is solid. So why aren't her sales growing? In this coaching session, we dig into the one thing she's been missing—and walk through the simple, repeatable strategies that will help her finally scale. You'll learn: Why a high returning customer rate can stall your growth—and how to fix it The #1 way to turn lurkers into subscribers (and buyers) The exact email opt-in offers that are converting best in Valerie's business The single habit that will help you make better marketing decisions, week after week RELATED LINKS: Check out the landing page that converts at 33%: https://www.gildedolive.com/pages/subscribe-here Valerie's website: www.gildedolive.com Make your business run without you. Here's how. https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/make-your-business-run-without-you-heres-how-episode-201 How to 2x Hayley's Online Sales https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/how-to-2x-hayleys-online-sales-episode-296 Louise is getting sales. How does she build a profitable business? https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/louise-is-getting-sales--how-does-she-build-a-profitable-business-episode-297

What if nearly half your sales came from email—without running lead ads or chasing every marketing trend? In this episode, Susan sits down with Melanie, the founder of Beads in Style. Melanie has completed Reliable Revenue three times, and the backend she's built reflects it—clean data, strong engagement, and forms that are all pulling their weight. But now she wants to grow her list from 300 to 750 leads per month. Together, they dig into the real numbers behind that goal, the opt-ins that are quietly generating revenue every day, and the simple levers she can pull next—without blowing up her ad budget or burning herself out. What You'll Learn Why Melanie's list performs so well How to calculate your real cost per lead using the simplest math possible How she uses pop-ups to bring in meaningful revenue The traffic strategy Susan recommends when all your submit rates are already strong What it would take—financially and operationally—to hit her goal of 750 new leads a month   RELATED LINKS Check out Melanie's website here: https://beads-n-style.com Get on the Reliable Revenue waitlist: https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/reliable-revenue Make your business run without you. Here's how: https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/make-your-business-run-without-you-heres-how-episode-201 How to 2x Hayley's Online Sales: https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/how-to-2x-hayleys-online-sales-episode-296 A year of results that will shock you: https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/a-year-of-results-that-will-shock-you-episode-120  

What if the key to scaling your handmade business isn't launching more products—but doing less, better? In this episode, Susan chats with Janine Duguid, the founder of Wheat & Wildflower, a Canadian kidswear brand that's growing fast—without paid ads. They dive into how Janine doubled her online sales, what's working behind the scenes, and the systems she's using to scale her business in a sustainable way. Whether you're handmade, small batch, or just trying to get more from your existing traffic, this episode will give you fresh ideas and actionable strategies. What You'll Learn: The exact organic tactics that brought in 132 new customers this year—no ad spend The smart move she can make with a gated sales page—and why you should steal it How a monthly "numbers morning" keeps her business focused and profitable Why this isn't the time for ads—and what to do instead to get more leads now How to use collaborations to grow faster—without relying on influencers or TikTok RELATED LINKS   Learn More About Janine's Brand at: wheatandwildflower.ca Instagram & Facebook: @wheatandwildflower.ca Get on the Reliable Revenue waitlist: https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/reliable-revenue Organic Sales: Don't miss these 2 strategies https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/organic-sales-dont-miss-these-2-strategies-episode-282 The free strategy that got 1600 leads and 34 new customers https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/the-free-strategy-that-got-1600-leads-and-34-new-customers-episode-281 The best strategy for Organic Growth https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/the-best-strategy-for-organic-growth-episode-119

Are you still spending your time on something you told yourself you'd stop doing a year ago? That's where Ellie Lum found herself. She runs Klum House, a multi six-figure business with a growing audience and a solid product line. But now she's looking to create more profit—and more space—so she can focus on the work she loves. In this live coaching call, we walk through how to step out of production mode and into the next phase of business. If you're still stuck doing the parts of the job that wear you down (even after all your progress!), this conversation will hit home. What You'll Learn: Why "just doing that one task" is keeping you from thinking clearly about what you actually want your work days to look like The hidden downside of staying in labor roles as the owner (even when they feel easy or efficient) The real barriers to creating freedom in your schedule—and how to move past them What makes you a risky bottleneck (and how to fix it) How to identify which labor to delegate and structure it so your margins stay intact   RELATED LINKS: Check out Ellie's site here: www.klumhouse.com Get on the Reliable Revenue waitlist: https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/reliable-revenue Hiring Help—Get Set Up for Success. https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/hiring-help-get-set-up-for-success-episode-280 Do this now and be more profitable https://www.thesocialsalesgirls.com/blog/do-this-now-and-be-more-profitable-episode-204

How do you grow a handmade, one-of-a-kind product business—without drowning in shipping, customer service, or content creation? That's what we unpack in this coaching call with Christina Archila of La Chaka. After finding in-person success at one of the best markets in D.C., Christina moved her business online—and discovered a new set of challenges. In this episode, you'll learn: How to keep fulfilling orders when you're offline (literally off the grid) Why you don't need to ship every day—even if you're getting daily orders A smart way to hire help without blowing your budget How to price (and position) your one-of-a-kind products What to do when photos aren't selling your product—but videos are RELATED LINKS See Christina's website here: https://www.lakachaka.com/ Get on the Reliable Revenue 2026 Waitlist https://classroom.thesocialsalesgirls.com/reliable-revenue Make your business run without you. Here's how. https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/make-your-business-run-without-you-heres-how-episode-201/  

Louise Middleton isn't guessing her way to sales—she's built a system that works. Three months after completing Reliable Revenue, her email flows and campaigns are bringing in consistent orders. So now what? In this episode, we walk through what it really takes to grow a profitable business—without losing momentum or burning out. If you're sending emails, getting sales, and wondering how to grow this thing the smart way—this one's for you. What you'll learn in this episode: Why building your audience is the best investment you can make (and how Louise did it for free) How to grow your list with what you already have—no ads required What one strategy Louise is using to turn a Facebook group into a high-converting funnel The real reason you need financial clarity before you scale your sales How to use a simple, repeatable email system to grow revenue (without reinventing the wheel every week)   RELATED LINKS See Louise's business here: https://louisesjewellerybox.co.uk/ The stress free content plan that built a huge audience https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/the-stress-free-content-plan-that-built-a-huge-audience-episode-190/ Sales Plateaued? Do this to grow profitably https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/sales-plateaued-do-this-to-grow-profitably-episode-284/ How Erica supersized her profit and wiped out her stress https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/how-erica-supersized-her-profit-and-wiped-out-her-stress-episode-223/  

Hayley runs a beautiful bath and body store in northern Michigan and, like a lot of retailers, her in-store sales are strong but her online channel is lagging behind. Her big goal? Get her online sales to match her brick-and-mortar sales by the end of the year. In this episode, you'll hear us reverse-engineer that goal using simple math, her key metrics, and a few strategic tweaks that any store owner can steal to grow sales quickly and sustainably. In this episode, you'll learn: How to "qualify" your big sales goal so you're not setting yourself up to feel terrible on January 1st The simple spreadsheet exercise that shows you exactly how many extra orders you actually need Why traffic, conversion rate, and average order value work together — and which one you should focus on first The quickest ways to raise your average order value, including front-of-the-line shipping, in-cart upsells, and smart bundles How to rethink your brick-and-mortar counter as a list-building machine (without turning your staff into pushy salespeople) What to expect when you finally turn on the traffic tap with ads and why a lower conversion rate isn't always a bad sign RELATED LINKS: Get on the Reliable Revenue® Waitlist: https://classroom.thesocialsalesgirls.com/reliable-revenue Check out Hayley's Website:  https://harborsidebathandbody.com/ Frequently Bought Together https://apps.shopify.com/frequently-bought-together