In the current retail climate customers can choose to shop any time of the day from just about anywhere. So what do you, as an independent retailer, offer up that makes their shopping experience different?

In this episode I can't wait to share with you three seriously simple (but super effective) personal touch points that will enhance your customers experience shopping in your store.

When Florence (Floss) Kelly and her two business partners Drew and Mark, opened online tile company Tile Cloud, they completely disrupted the stalwards of the tile industry. In this episode Floss shares with us how they've taken their business from super to superstars, in a mere three years.

Learn what they did to build trust, brand awareness and deliver on an exceptional level of customer engagement. And discover their secret to connecting with DIY Rennovation influencers Three Chicks.

For more click here

Got a premium brand and wondering if that excludes you from Black Friday / Cyber Monday? With over 86% of US and UK retailers taking part in the largest sales events of the year and retailers realising an average 500% increase in traffic to their store - you'd be well placed to considering enticing customers to your store.

When it comes to premium brands, most retailers don't want to be seen to be cheapening their brand by giving discounts - and fair enough too. In this episode I share with you how you can create promotional opportunities that cashes in AND stays true to your branding guidelines.

For more click here

In the lead up to the holiday season I'm joined by David Dundas, director of social media agency Hello Convo and creator of Instagram hashtag app Tribe List. Together we explore how Instagrams sophisticated algorithms rely on the power of hashtags and unique content that resonates with your customers. Join us to discover the power of Instagram TV, hashtags, influencers and the much anticipated roll out of Instagram Shopping to grow your retail or ecommerce business.

For more click here

In this episode I'm joined by Rob Hango-Zada, co-founder and co-CEO of Australian order fulfilment company Shippit. Providing shipping and order fulfilment services for some of Australia's biggest retail names including; Sephora, Kathmandu, CottonOn and Temple & Webster, Shipit has build a brand where innovation and customer experience are at their core.

Join me to get the inside story on how Shipit succeeded where so many have failed. Discover if the journey from start up to superstar was all smooth sailing and share an honest story about risk, friendship, sacrifice, self-awareness and the lessons Rob learned along the way.

For more click here

Make 2019 the year you don't leave your Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales campaign to guess work. In this episode I dive into my top tips for ensuring you run a well planned and profitable promotion in the lead up to the busiest time of the retail year. Plus give you access to my free Black Friday / Cyber Monday download.

For more click here

Live from The 2019 Sydney Retail Festival I'm joined in a panel discussion by retail industry leaders Andy Homan, Jo-Anne Mui-Miller, rob Martell, David Bush and Yianni Giovanoglou.

The landscape of retail is changing, providing unique opportunities for retailers and brands to come together and create exciting partnerships. In this discussion we explore how Retailers and Suppliers Can Build Mutually Beneficial Relationships. Including;

- The biggest obstacles in retailer / supplier relationships
- How to extend your partnership beyond the transactional
- Store design
- Customer attraction and engagement
- Working together to weather an economic downturn

For more click here

Vanessa Van Edwards is a Behavioural Investigator who specialises in the psychology behind what makes people behave in the ways they do. A few years back Vanessa joined me on the podcast to discuss how retailers can use charisma and body language to sell just about anything to anyone and why it's important to be the perfect blend of approachable and knowledgable when it comes to sales.

This has become one of my most listened to episodes, with dozens of retailers writing in to tell me how much value they gained from Vanessas insights. Especially when we start stepping through how to spot a shoplifter simply by watching their body language!

Listen here

Adam Lean knows exactly how it feels to be under financial pressure; following a short career as an Accountant he started a sporting goods enterprise.  A few years in he realised he was in significant financial trouble, despite having the background to have seen the warning signs.

Adam has combined his accounting and entrepreneurial experience to create the 4 Step Process; Path To Profitability, where he works with other independent business owners to ensure their business financially healthy. 

For more click here

Starting a retail or e-commerce business often unleashes a whole raft of secrets you wish you knew before you went into business. None seems to hit quite as hard as discovering working for yourself can be a very isolating and lonely experience.

As humans we're hard wired to connect with other people - even if we actually really like our own company. But sometimes that's easier said than done.

Today I'm throwing some light on one of the dark secrets haunting retailers and getting serious about how you can find business and personal connections that will help you thrive and prosper as an independent retailer.

For more click here

With your customers inboxes bulging with everything from invoices to out and out junk mail, how do you send emails that not only connect and generate sales but actually get opened in the first place?

In this episode professional copywriter Megan O'Leary shares her experiences writing copy for some of the biggest names in the marketing business, including why email marketing is still one of the best investments you can make in your business.

How to maximise your email subject line to get your emails to stand out from the crowd. And how you can ensure your brand voice is communicated if you outsource your social media or copywriting to a professional.

For more click here

Even with massive advances in online and social media advertising, email marketing remains the strongest and highest returning method of communicating directly with your customers.

In this episode I'm busing open the top three email marketing secrets no one else is telling you. Tune in to find out how you can use these secrets to increase the traffic to your store AND start making money with every every email you send.

For more click here

How much thought do you give the entire journey your customer passes through - from attraction and acquisition, through to purchase and retention?

In this episode Digital Marketer Louise Griffith shines a new light on what she refers to as the eco-system of the customer journey. Tune in and discover how you can increase your sales and retain customers by focusing on a more holistic version of online marketing and meeting your customers where they are with the information they're looking for.

Louise generously shares;
- the importance of having a well planned digital strategy
- where to focus your energy
- knowing what stops your customers from buying
- why empowered staff are your strongest retention tool
- how to develop, manage & nurture online communities

For more click here

Economies have a cycle, and it doesn't take much to see the world is perched on the edge of a downturn. As a retailer this means more than ever, you need to be constantly innovating, surveying your customers, analysing your product mix and keeping on top of your cash flow.
 
But what exactly are customers looking for and what will you need to do to stay on top of your game moving into the future?

In this episode I'm sharing my top predictions moving towards 2020, based on the take-home messages being shared at the recent Online Retailer.

For more click here

If you've ever worked with me 1:1 you'll know I love Brand Archetyping AND I love Brooke Lawson!! Which is why I'm super excited to have her on the show with me this week.

Former graphic designer turned branding expert Brooke is now director of Filament Branding, where she helps entrepreneurs not only discover their unique voice but helps them use it to attract customers to their business.

In this episode Brooke and I explore how you can unlock your brand archetype from the 12 set out by Carl Jung, begin to understand draws people to you and your business, and why being your amazing, unique, kickarse self is the very best branding strategy you can use.

For more click here

Losing weight isn’t something I often talk about but after shifting about 9kg (20lbs) in the past six months I’m ready to share how what I’ve learnt through this journey has impacted on a series of other aspects of my life and business.

This is a lesson in how doing ‘all the things you’re supposed to do’ is sometimes the least effective way of reaching your goals.

Listen in to find out how my weight loss lessons can translate into your business.

For more click here

Do the locals high tail it to the big city to do their shopping, passing your store on the way out of town? Would your customers prefer to pay higher shipping costs than support your small town store? Tearing your hair out trying to keep stock your entire town will like?

It's time to stop 'geo-blaming' and start making it big in your small town.

In this episode, I'll walk you through the fundamentals of running a successful business in a country town or regional center.

We'll chat all things financial planning, why the whole town isn't your ideal customer, why embracing change isn't optional, how to get out of towners into your store (even if you're not a tourist destination) and how to grow through collaboration.

For more click here

Do you employ staff in any part of your business, or are considering doing so? If the answer is yes (or you'd like it to be yes!) you're going to find my conversation with Sarah Riegelhuth both informative and inspiring. As the CEO of remote employment specialists, Grow My Team, Sarah has a unique view of the employee / employer relationship. Together we discuss;

- the benefits of hiring a remote employee
- why employing a VA often ends badly
- why you need to get clear on exactly what you want
- the importance of employing for skill and personality
- the benefits of performance based salaries

Listen here

It's a retail catch 22. You know if you could just get more customers in the door or drive more traffic to your e-commerce site, you'd make more money. But how do you attract those elusive new customers when you don't have a whole lot of money to splash around on customer acquisition?

In this episode I'm going to let you in on my 5 most popular strategies for getting new customers into your store, without spending a cent. And not just any old "give me your stuff and see ya' later" customers. We're talking the kind of customers that stick around for the long haul, love your brand and sing your praises from the roof tops!

For more click here

Over the past six months I've had the great pleasure of getting to know Anna Wythes, as she's worked her way through my small group coaching program.

Anna's story will resonate with you; school teacher by day, ethical fashion retailer by night, Anna is a Retail Superhero juggling single parenthood, work and running a business she's passionate about. Anna uses her store to make a difference to others and share her message about ethically produced fashion.

You will be inspired by Annas story of embracing change, rolling out automations and using technology to lighten the load and understanding the importance of making a profit in order to afford to keep giving to others.

For more click here

Five years after opening her bespoke letterpress business, Sara McNally realised things were no longer working out the way she planned. Rather than close her store she made the brave decision to completely pivot and recreate a new version of her business Constellation and Co. Including opening a store front, on a whim! Join Sara and I as we chat about;

- new opportunities that have come from changing direction
- why reinvention should be a constant activity
- the importance of connecting with people who understand
- how running a business impacts on mental health
- how mental health impacts on your business
- why building a customer base at the expense of your own value and worth is one of the most damaging things you can do

For more click here

I love talking to industry experts, picking their brains on your behalf for their hot tips and the kind of know-how you have to pay crazy town dollars to get as a consulting client.

Kurt Elster from Ethercycle just went very close to the top of my Most Enjoyable list! Kurt is a Senior Ecommerce Consultant who helps Shopify merchants (like Jay Leno’s Garage) uncover hidden profits in their websites.

He very kindly took time away from his own show; The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, to chat to me on the Bringing Business to Retail Podcast. Join us as we talk about why "beautiful" design doesn't mean profitable design, three strategies you can roll out this afternoon to improve the conversion rate on YOUR website and a fun look at what features Kurts retail e-commerce site of choice has that others don't.

Listen here

When you start a business, you can manage most things. Bust as your business grows, it’s easy to crumble under the pressure of wearing all the hats.

It’s a question that I’m sure many of you have asked yourself over time, maybe many times a day even.

So if you’re struggling, whether it’s with your business or your home, your health or your mindset, this episode is for you.

For more click here