256. How to Plan Like a CEO—Even If You're the Only Person on Payroll

In this episode, I’m opening up about something personal—and still unfolding. For years, I’ve suspected I might have ADHD. I usually wait until I’ve got everything figured out before I share, but this time I’m bringing you with me in real-time. If you’ve ever wondered whether your brain works a little differently—if you’ve struggled with focus, follow-through, forgetfulness, or feeling scattered—this episode might hit home. I’ll explain why I’m finally getting tested, what common ADHD symptoms look like (especially in women), and why so many of us feel dismissed when we try to talk about it. I’m not a doctor—but after 51 years and a lot of patterns I can’t ignore, I’m ready to get answers. Let’s talk about it. For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode257  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: Savvy ShopkeeperInstagram: @savvyshopkeeperMastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

Ever wonder what’s really happening behind the scenes at Savvy Shopkeeper? In this special bonus episode, I’m catching you up on ALL the projects, lessons, and tools I’ve been working on! And there's quite a bit. If you're not in MSK, this is your chance to hear what goes on behind the curtain. And if you are in MSK? You’ll appreciate the momentum we’re building. 🔗 Helpful Links & Resources Want to explore something I mentioned in this bonus episode? Here’s where to go: 📝 Rewiring Retail Recap Notes – Listen to my key takeaways and sign up for the Retail Brew newsletter. 📱 Traffic Tally (Foot Traffic App) – Get on the Savvy Shopkeeper newsletter list to hear more about this and find out when we launch the web app. Scroll down on the home page to sign up. 📍 Retail Location Scorecard Lesson (MSK) – Apply to join the membership or book a discovery call with me. 📅 Event Promotion Timing Study – Complete the form and help us collect as much information as possible. Click here to access the Google Form. 📐 Store Intensives – Interested in a store intensive? Visit the store intensive page on the Savvy Shopkeeper website. 📄 Retail Isn’t Dying, It’s Starving – White Paper – Get on the Savvy Shopkeeper newsletter list to hear more about this. 📘 Retail Roadmap Book Waitlist – Get on the Savvy Shopkeeper newsletter list to hear more about this and find out when you can pre-order the book! 📢 Tariffs, Advocacy & MSK Member Spotlight – Learn more about this incredible work on the Advocacy page of the Savvy Shopkeeper website. 🤖 AI Agents & Automations (Impromptu MSK Lesson) – Apply to join the membership or book a discovery call with me. 🚪 Retail Exit Roadmap (Exit Strategy Program) – Find out when this program opens up by getting on the Savvy Shopkeeper newsletter list! 🎉 2027 Conference – More coming soon! Same applies here: get on the newsletter list!

Planning isn’t just for staying organized—it’s how you lead. In this episode, I help you step into your CEO role with strategic tools, reflection practices, and mindset shifts. You'll learn how to use your planner to make high-level decisions, reduce friction, and finally feel in control—even as a team of one. 👉 Website & Mastermind Group: savvyshopkeeper.com 📲 Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Planner: savvyshopkeeper.com/planner

Want to stop scrambling and start executing with ease? This episode covers how smart store owners plan their promotions, inventory, and events before the chaos hits. I break down the retail systems built into the Savvy Shopkeeper Planner so you can run your shop like a well-oiled machine. 👉 Website & Mastermind Group: savvyshopkeeper.com 📲 Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Planner: savvyshopkeeper.com/planner

Tired of work creeping into every open space? In this episode, I share how planning your life before your to-do list can reduce burnout, increase clarity, and help you run your business on your terms. Learn how to reverse engineer your week, make space for joy, and use your planner to lighten your mental load—not add to it. 👉 Website & Mastermind Group: savvyshopkeeper.com 📲 Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper Planner: savvyshopkeeper.com/planner

In this episode, I’m diving into a concept that’s shifted the way I make decisions in my business—and how quickly I take action: The Speed Bar. If fear, overthinking, or “what if” spirals tend to keep you stuck, this one’s for you. I’ll share what the speed bar is, how mine has evolved over the years, and why increasing yours can completely change the momentum in your business. Plus, I’ll walk you through the real cost of a slow speed bar, how to tell if fear is running the show, and what small steps you can take to start making bolder, faster decisions as a store owner. Let’s move through the fear and get you unstuck. Visit the shownotes for this episode. 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

In this episode, I’m sharing how I went from paying myself minimum wage to setting—and hitting—a real CEO-level salary. If you’re a store owner who wants to make more and work smarter, this one’s for you. I’ll walk you through how to set a salary goal, calculate the revenue needed to support it, and start delegating tasks so you can focus on growing your business. Plus, we’ll talk about the revenue cap solo store owners hit and why hiring a store lead is a game-changer once you hit $350K+ in annual revenue.  Ready to step into your leadership role? Let’s do this. Visit the shownotes for this episode and grab the free CEO Pay Workbook that goes with this episode at:  www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode252  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 

In this bonus episode, I’m introducing Retail Reset—a brand new Zoom workshop for store owners who feel like their business is being held together by duct tape and guesswork. This is not about analyzing reports or digging into deep financials. Retail Reset is the class for store owners who feel behind on the business side of things—and are ready to fix it. Retail Reset is about setup, cleanup, and getting your business on solid ground—so you can finally see your numbers, track what matters, and make better decisions in the future. It's the foundational work you've needed but either didn't know how to ask for it or you've been avoiding it. If your inventory feels out of control, your books are a mess (or nonexistent), and you’ve been avoiding all the behind-the-scenes stuff…this is where your reset starts. 🎟 Click HERE to register now – $67 includes replay access + 3 practical bonuses!

One of my favorite parts of hosting a yearly conference for retail store owners is sharing the tools I use (and love) to market, support, and get insight into my brick-and-mortar store. These tools can seriously support and streamline your retail business—and they made great door prizes as sponsors at this year’s conference—but here’s a little more about what they do, who they’re for, and why I believe they’re valuable. Listen to epsiode 251 of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast for the 3 Tools for Retail Store Owners That’ll Save You Time (And Help Generate Revenue). Find shownotes to this episode at www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode251. 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 

When economic uncertainty rises, consumers don’t just “spend less,” they fundamentally change how they make decisions. Research shows that during periods of instability, people shift from “promotion-focused” thinking (seeking gains and opportunities) to “prevention-focused” thinking—avoiding losses and protecting what they have. Your customers aren’t just being more careful with money; they’re operating from an entirely different psychological framework. If you, as a retailer, can’t adapt your marketing strategy to better fit this mindset, it’ll be difficult to grow or even maintain your current sales or recover from a dip. Listen to episode 250 for six behavioral strategies to build certainty in uncertain times. For show notes, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode250. 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