Bringing Business to Retail

Would you let an ads manager spend thousands of dollars every month, even though you’re not getting any new customers or sales? How about having to fire a friend or family member, because they're just not what you need to move you to the next level? Or, would you let a poor-performing employee, bankrupt your business? Believe it or not, these are just 3 scenarios I’ve encountered with retail & ecom business owners over the last couple of weeks, that could potentially bankrupt the business. But even having the threat of going bankrupt hanging over your head, isn't always been to push a business owner to make a decision. So it got me thinking. If bankrupting your business and losing everything that you’ve worked so hard for isn’t enough of a motivator, what is? Join me as I walk you through a real-life scenario of what happens when you make this hiring mistake, plus the advice I gave and of course the happily-ever-after (or is it?). --------- Common scenarios that could potentially bankrupt a business. 0:02 A furniture store owner struggling with work-life balance and financial difficulties. 3:11 Marketing and inventory management for a struggling business. 8:32 Business constraints and potential solutions for a struggling fashion retailer. 12:31 Poor operations management in a business, leading to low sales and aged inventory. 17:25 Improving business operations through delegation and process updates. 21:52 Managing an underperforming employee in a small business. 27:21   Full article: https://salenaknight.com/avoid-this-hiring-mistake/

As business owners, we're always looking for the next best thing. Faster results. Better ROI. More customers. More sales. More profits. In a world that moves fast, it can sometimes be difficult to make the best decision. Do you make the best decision for now, or the best decision for the future? When I interviewed Kristine Zwick, of Curated Dry Goods about her phenomenal growth, she dropped this little inspo bomb. I hope it helps you when you're making decisions moving forward. --------------- Entrepreneurship, business growth, and setting goals. 0:02 Business diagnostics and profitability for independent retailers. 5:01   Full article: https://salenaknight.com/make-better-decisions-with-this-simple-hack/

I walked into a cute little boutique the other day. The store windows were gorgeous and there was a pink top on the mannequin which had caught my eye. Excited that I had stumbled across a piece of clothing that was my "season" (Clear Spring if you were wondering - SOOOO hard to find with all the muted colorways everywhere), I entered the shop and... this probably sounds a little woo-woo, But the energy was just... All Wrong I couldn't pinpoint it at the time, but as I quickly walked around looking for the pink shirt (which I never did find), it all felt a little off. So off is exactly what I did. I headed out of that store, with my money in my wallet. Fast forward a couple of weeks later, and I was chatting with Dean and he was telling me about how music makes such a difference for retail stores. It was during this conversation, that it all clicked. I didn't realise it at the time, but that "cute little boutique" felt dead, because there was no music - no ambiance. But the real kicker came when Dean told me that stores with THE RIGHT playlist, typically see an increase in sales of TEN PERCENT. Say what now? 10% more sales, just for knowing what to play? I'm all for that. But how do you know "what's right", so you can cash in? Listen in and find out.   -------- The impact of music in retail stores. 0:02 Starting a music business, 34 years in the making. 1:43 Music in retail stores and its impact on staff and customers. 7:12 Using brand archetypes to inform music choices for a clothing brand. 12:55 Leadership, creativity, and music preferences. 18:17 Music's impact on retail sales, with studies showing positive results for "right fit" music. 21:38 Music selection and censorship in retail stores. 27:41 Music licensing and compliance for retail stores. 32:26 Music and digital signage for retail stores. 38:42   -------- Full article: https://salenaknight.com/a-retailers-secret-weapon-how-a-simple-playlist-can-increase-sales-by-10-dean-cherny/

Money Tight?   I can safely say, after weathering the GFC, that the economy WILL pick back up.   And I want your business, to still be here when that happens.   In tougher economic times, every dollar counts. This must-listen episode reveals the 3 key areas I think retail and e-commerce owners should invest in to drive sales, increase customer loyalty, boost efficiency, and outmanoeuvre the competition. Discover: The #1 marketing strategy that will give you an edge over big-spending rivals Automation hacks to streamline your business and save on staffing costs Cutting-edge AI tools that can revolutionize your customer experience Don't let this natural part of the economic lifecycle, run you out of business.   Tune in now and learn how to leverage this part of the rollercoaster that is running a business, for long-term success.   --------------- Reducing ad spend and competing in the market. 0:02 Marketing strategies during economic downturn. 2:17 Marketing strategies for e-commerce businesses. 7:12 Marketing KPIs and automation for e-commerce businesses. 13:33 Automating tasks and software for business growth. 19:53 Identifying and addressing key business bottlenecks to improve efficiency and profitability. 22:04 Marketing, staffing costs, and AI implementation for business growth. 26:42 Using AI for customer service chatbots and personalized product descriptions. 31:50 Leveraging AI, marketing, and automation for business growth. 36:58   Full article: https://salenaknight.com/what-should-you-spend-money-on-right-now/

Are you struggling to manage your workload as a busy business owner? Feeling stuck in your routine and lacking creativity? This episode will show you how to boost your productivity and change your results. I'll be sharing my own experience burning out while trying to keep up with tasks. I'll discuss how taking a break from my office to work in a new environment completely transformed my output. Discover how changing your surroundings can clear your mind and spark fresh ideas.  Find out how making small adjustments to your routine or environment can lead to big changes in your business. Take your next step towards success by listening now.   ----- Managing workload and avoiding burnout as a business owner. 0:02 Productivity, creativity, and networking while on a coastal trip. 4:19 Wealth, travel, and ease among older, wealthy individuals. 9:39 Surrounding oneself with supportive people for personal and professional growth. 14:50 Pursuing dreams despite lack of support from loved ones. 18:23 Changing environment to improve work results. 22:58   Full article: https://salenaknight.com/if-you-want-to-see-different-results-do-this/

If you're like most independent retailers and e-commerce store owners, SEO can feel like a never-ending battle. No matter how hard you optimize your site, tweak your content or experiment with keywords, it seems like the big brands always outrank you. In this episode, that's all about to change. My guest Amanda King, is sharing the insider SEO secrets that will level the playing field. Amanda is a leading search engine optimization expert. She's worked with some of the largest brands and retailers optimizing their online presence - and in this podcast, she's finally spilling all their best-kept tricks.  You'll learn how to hack the hidden structures within platforms like Shopify to skyrocket your rankings.  Amanda will show you exactly how to manipulate categories, collections, and product pages to fool Google into thinking you're a bigger player. She'll also reveal how to leverage user-generated content like reviews to rank for highly competitive keywords.  Plus, you'll discover the one sneaky trick that Google has publicly denied but Amanda knows for sure works!!! Don't let the big brands keep these strategies to themselves. It's time to take back control and get found online just like the huge retailers. Tune in to discover the insider SEO secrets that will boost your traffic and sales today. --------------- SEO for eCommerce with tips for category and collection pages. 0:02 Optimizing collection pages for e-commerce sites, with a focus on relevant content and customer needs. 7:49 SEO strategies for e-commerce websites, including internal linking and content optimization. 12:12 Using AI to rewrite product descriptions for e-commerce brands. 18:41 Optimizing Shopify stores for search engines using structured data, prioritizing product URLs, and leveraging content details. 24:27 Optimizing Google Shopping listings for promotions and reviews. 31:19 SEO strategies for e-commerce businesses. 39:48 Full article: https://salenaknight.com/seo-strategies-the-big-brands-dont-use-but-you-should-amanda-king/

Today I've got a real go-getter on the show, Rebecca from Weft and Warp Fabrics. She is no stranger to challenges - she opened her store while still teaching full-time! But with the support of her husband and some creative promotions, she's really leveling up. I was blown away when I heard about Rebecca's secret sale. She took Dionne's epic clearance to the next level with bundles, mystery, and gamification. The results? Over $7k in the first hour! She crushed it. But it wasn't all smooth sailing - she had to get real with herself about staffing as the biz grew. What I love most is that Rebecca is always looking to improve. She's not afraid to admit when she needs help either. Her insights will have you feeling inspired to level up your store too. _______ Promotions and inventory management with a retailer who received a five-star review. 0:02 Opening a fabric shop, husband's support, and personal growth. 5:06 Body image and clothing fit, with a focus on tailoring and self-expression. 10:53 Sustainable fashion, fabric sourcing, and opening a physical store. 15:48 Adapting to online retail during COVID-19 lockdown. 20:44 Challenges faced during COVID-19 pandemic and how a sewing business adapted and grew. 25:08 Business ownership and seeking help to overcome challenges. 30:29 Preparing for a warehouse clearance sale, using gamification and email marketing to attract customers. 42:28 Marketing strategies for a fabric store during a sale event. 48:31 The success of a clothing sale and the importance of changing stock to keep customers engaged. 53:16 Setting goals and overcoming slumps in business. 57:32 Marketing strategies for a small business, including email marketing, promotions, and gamification. 1:02:54 Leadership, growth, and systems for business success. 1:08:45   Full episode: https://salenaknight.com/rebeccas-5-5-promo-you-need-to-copy-rebecca-harper/

As a retailer, I know you're feeling the pressure right now - sales are down and customers are tightening their belts. You're probably wondering how you'll survive this economic storm..   But I have good news!   Your competition is cutting back...   Which means YOU have the chance to acquire (poach?) more customers and market share. Want to know how?   Then this is an episode you can't miss. In this episode, I'm sharing strategies that are wokring in the current economic climate, to bring in more sales. I'll reveal how one of our retailers completely changed their game by gamifying their entire sale process. Their results? Off-the-chart sales and raving fans.   You'll be itching to try it yourself! How Big brands have perfected the customer experience and you can use their makret research to implement what works. Find out what Rolex is doing behind closed doors 9and you can too) to build unshakeable loyalty. And if ads aren't working for you, get ready to boost profits without more spend. A simple tweak could save you thousands each month. This isn't your average podcast it's a masterclass on marketing like a pro even in tough times. Walk away with FOUR impactful ideas you can start using today.   Moving house, outbid at auction, more time to prepare for sale. 0:02 Personalized marketing recommendations for businesses. 2:23 Personalized marketing and customer experience. 6:50 Personalized customer service and targeted ads for small businesses. 10:53 Abandoned carts and interactive experiences in e-commerce. 16:50 Gamification and loyalty programs in marketing. 21:39 Marketing strategies for independent retailers during economic downturns. 27:25   For full show notes, visit  https://salenaknight.com/4-tactics-working-right-now-to-drive-more-sales/

My coconut body wash does more than make me feel like I’m going on holiday.  It also showcases a number of ways that business owners could be increasing their profits. That seems like a lot to get from a $25 bottle of body wash, but trust me, it’s just the start (and yes, it really is a vacation in a bottle). It’s seen me through a lot, including something I’ve personally struggled with and had to overcame to make my business boom. Listen to this week’s podcast as I discuss the 7 things that a business owner can do to increase their profits without losing customers. (You could be doing some of them RIGHT NOW!)

Take it from someone who started a business during the GFC, I know business is challenging right now. I’ve been there. BUT it won’t last forever, and if you still want to be in business in 12 months, you’ll want to hear how to turn this difficult season into a golden opportunity. Yes, business is challenging but with every challenge comes opportunities, and in this podcast, I focus on how and why business owners should be jumping on those rather than blaming the economy or buying into the media’s doom-and-gloom. Discover how I’ve shifted my own mindset to seize opportunities and some of the business opportunities waiting for you.