3 Quick Wins for Your Busiest Season

What if you could steal the marketing secrets behind powerhouse brands like Lululemon and Pottery Barn, and use them to grow your own retail or ecommerce business? In this episode, Sal sits down with fractional CMO Jessica Shirra, who has led global campaigns, shaped iconic brand identities, and helped companies of all sizes create marketing that builds true community. Jessica breaks down the strategies big brands rely on, and more importantly, how you can adapt them without big budgets, huge teams, or agency-sized resources. From brand storytelling to customer experience, innovation, and emotional connection, this conversation reveals the real levers that move the needle in modern marketing. If you're ready to market your business with the clarity, intentionality, and confidence of the world's top brands, this episode is a must-listen. — Sal

As the holiday season reaches its peak, this re-run of one of our most-loved episodes is the perfect pause-and-reset moment. If you're heading into 2026 wanting to get more sales and more customers, this episode is where you start. Sal breaks down three simple but powerful strategies retailers consistently miss — and they're some of the easiest ways to boost visibility and bring in better customers. Whether you're bricks and mortar, ecommerce, or both, these are grassroots tactics that work even when traffic slows and budgets tighten. ✨ In this episode: • A mindset shift that removes the "I need more customers" panic • The overlooked platform filled with your best buyers • A collaboration opportunity sitting inside your supplier relationships • A real-life example of a no-ad event that pulled in new customers fast A short episode, a big payoff — and the perfect reset as you head into the new year. Grab the 5 Minute CEO reset - salenaknight.com/reset

Most retailers panic on Boxing Day and end up giving away their December profits. In this episode, Sal shares a simple, strategic framework to discount smart, not desperately. Learn how to segment your stock, protect your margins, turn gift card holders into high-value customers, and use "Treat Yourself" messaging to keep sales strong after Christmas. If you want your post-Christmas sales to work for your business (and not drain your bank account), this episode gives you the exact plan to follow. #retailstrategy #boxyingday

Most retailers dread returns, but what if they're not the problem you think they are? In this episode, Sal breaks down the real story behind returns — why they happen, what they reveal about your customers, and how the smartest retailers turn returns into repeat sales instead of lost revenue. You'll learn simple ways to streamline your returns process, reduce unnecessary returns, and create an experience that builds trust rather than frustration. If you've ever wondered how to make returns easier, faster, and more profitable, this episode is your new go-to guide. ✨ In this episode: • Why returns are actually data you can use • The biggest mistakes retailers make with returns • How to turn a return into a new sale • Easy improvements for a smoother returns experience — Sal

Short on time but need big wins? This Black Friday special combines three game-changing strategies from our most popular episodes. You'll learn: The "Most Popular" trick: How one word change increases sales and average order value (backed by behavioral science) From nurse to 7-figures: Why starting before you're ready beats waiting for the perfect plan Subscription box gold: How 400 monthly subscribers created guaranteed revenue and transformed an entire business model Three stories. Three strategies. At least one aha moment for your store. Grab the free Discount Calculator: https://scale.theretailacademy.net/discount-calculator

How do you grow from one small electronics store to over 100 locations in just a few years—while redefining what secondhand retail looks like? In this episode of the Bringing Business to Retail Podcast, Salena Knight sits down with Stephen Preuss, CEO & Co-Founder of PayMore, one of the fastest-scaling secondhand electronics franchises in the U.S. Stephen shares the real story behind PayMore's explosive growth, including: 💡 How a 20-year journey led to a "brand-new" retail category 🔌 The proprietary technology that lets PayMore price and process electronics in minutes ♻️ How the company is keeping millions of pounds of e-waste out of landfills 🏬 Why they blended brick-and-mortar retail with a powerful e-commerce engine 🚀 The decision to franchise—and how it helped them expand coast to coast 🎯 What every retailer needs to know about resale, sustainability, and the circular economy Whether you run a physical store, sell online, or want to inject innovation into your retail business, this conversation will change the way you think about growth, customer experience, and the future of pre-loved products. If you're curious about scaling, franchising, tech-enabled retail, or building a business that customers trust immediately, this episode is for you.

Sales shouldn't feel manipulative or uncomfortable. In this episode, we sit down with Andee Hart, sales coach and founder of *She Sells Differently*, to talk about how to sell with confidence, clarity, and care — without feeling "salesy." Andee shares lessons from 17 years in tech sales, including how to set better goals, follow up effectively, and turn your best products into consistent revenue. Whether you're a retailer, wholesaler, or product-based business, this episode will help you fall back in love with selling.

Black Friday is coming — but before you slash your prices, listen to this. In this episode, Salena Knight shares how to make your Black Friday and Cyber Monday campaigns profitable without destroying your margins or training your customers to only buy on sale. Learn how to segment your customers, reverse-engineer your profit goals, and create irresistible offers that add value — not just discounts. From bundles and gifts with purchase to loyalty point multipliers and VIP exclusives, you'll discover smarter ways to drive sales while keeping your business sustainable. Plus, Salena explains how to run an anti–Black Friday campaign that builds brand trust and attracts the right kind of customers. 🎧 Listen now and grab the free Discount Calculator to plan your next promotion: 👉 https://scale.theretailacademy.net/discount-calculator #RetailStrategy #EcommerceGrowth #BlackFridayTips #BusinessProfitability

You nailed your Black Friday sales — but did your customers come back? In this episode, Salena Knight reveals how to turn one-time holiday buyers into repeat, loyal customers. You'll learn why 75% of shoppers never make a second purchase, and the simple retention strategies that can change that. From the unboxing experience to post-purchase emails and referral programs, Salena walks you through the exact steps to build connection, drive repeat sales, and measure what's working. 🎧 Listen now and grab the free Discount Calculator to plan your next campaign: 👉 https://scale.theretailacademy.net/discount-calculator #RetailStrategy #CustomerRetention #EcommerceGrowth #BusinessProfitability

Imagine having $400K tied up in stock you can't sell. That's what happened to Eva—and it might be happening to you too. In this episode, I'll walk you through a simple 15-minute audit to identify your bottom 25% of products and calculate exactly how much they're costing you in rent, opportunity cost, and lost revenue. You'll discover how one $20 product could generate over $1 million in revenue in just 16 weeks—if you stop holding onto dead stock. Ready to free up cash and space for products that actually sell? Let's dive in. Resources mentioned: Nine Failproof Ways to Move Stock: https://selenaknight.com/stock