Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
How do I attract more customers to my store? How do I get more sales? How do I book out my shop's events and workshops? How do I do retail marketing and social media for my store? These are the questions that creative retail business owners ask Wendy Batten, creative retail coach and mentor. Wendy works with creative shop owners all over the world and with industry leaders. Her speciality is working with creative retailers to get control over their brick and mortars to avoid burnout and overwhelm while achieving more success and profits. In Creative Shop Talk, Wendy digs...
324. Feeling Behind on Your Q4 Goals? Diagnose the Problem Before You React!
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
I just got off a coaching call with a client who is behind on her Q4 goals. The conversation inspired me to record this episode to bring you along for what my client and I talked through. By mid-November, some shop owners are noticing the season isn't tracking the way they planned, while others are right where they want to be. This is not a failure episode. It's about how to pivot without panicking.
When sales fall...
323.
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, I talk about what shop owners can focus on from late October through the end of the year. The inspiration for this episode started with a conversation with a client, where I told her that her Q4 outcomes are mostly already set. The inventory is ordered, the staff is in and hopefully trained, and the marketing is built and running. What is left is executing the plan, building the plan should be over. It's...
322. Energy Debt and Burnout: Running on Empty Isn't a Time Management Problem, with Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur is a Canadian naturopathic doctor who supports high-achieving women who feel like they have hit a wall. Many of them have ignored their health for a long time and perhaps feel destabilized. Dr. Sarah and I use this episode to talk about burnout, brain fog, and the grief that comes when you can no longer perform the way you used to.
This matters for shop owners because so many of us have...
321. Customizing Your Vision and Values as Your Business Grows
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
As our businesses grow, our roles change. The things that worked in an earlier stage may not be what we need in the next one. In this episode, I'm talking about what it means to stay true to your own vision, values, taste, and way of doing business as your shop evolves.
I share a story from the days when I taught paint workshops and how a room full of people could start with the...
320. Curating Your Business: When Your Ambition Evolves
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Want to work with me to plan out your week so it's built with intention? Something that works easily for you and your business? I'm hosting a workshop on September 29th to help you do just that! Join me for Your CEO Time: From Spinning to Soaring. It's only $47 and will change the way you look at your time - I promise.
Episode Overview
It's story time. In this episode, I'm sharing something personal about how my...
319. The One Thing Retailers Need to Know Before October
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
As October approaches, it seems that most retailers are either fired up and ready for the season or feeling frozen and overwhelmed by everything that is coming. Q4 is usually quite busy for most making it easy to move into a reactive mode: doing what we have always done without being strategic about where the business is headed. Kind of like, "we know this (whatever this is) works, so let's just do that again." Sound familiar?
Before...
318. Navigating the "Messy Middle" of Business Growth
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what it feels like to be in the messy middle of making big, important changes in a business. My friends, I am in the middle of it! So let's talk about it: In this episode, I'm sharing the challenges (and major wins) I've been facing while upgrading my own business, from competing priorities and projects taking longer than expected to learning new things and asking for help.
<...317. Take Control of Your Time as a Business Owner
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
Of course you love what you do - and that's why you started your business. But perhaps you also took this leap because you wanted more control over your schedule and more freedom to do the things you love outside of work.
This episode centers around answering a question that has come up countless times in my years as a retail coach and that I have even grappled with in the past as a business owner: where...
316. How to Build a Business That Works for Your Life
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
I'm back after taking a longer-than-expected summer pause from the podcast! That pause gave me space to think about what I want next for my business, what I want my life to look like, and how those two things fit together. After years of building, coaching, and running a business, I've been thinking a lot about what deserves my energy and what no longer needs to come along for the climb.
In this episode, I'm sharing some...
315. What Really Happens at a Mastermind Retreat and Why It Matters for Business Growth
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
A profitable, smooth holiday season is not a lucky accident. It's what happens when someone who actually prepared gets to execute. And the best time to prepare? July. Join me and other retailers in Camp Q4 this summer to set yourself up for a kick-butt Q4! Camp begins with a fireside chat (opening coaching) on July 13th. Grab your sit-upon (fellow Girl Scouts unite!) and join me!
Episode Overview
I recently hosted my Level Up Mastermind members for a...
314. The Memento Generation: Creating More Meaningful Buying Experiences in Retail
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
Fresh off my Level Up Mastermind retreat with retailers from around the world, I'm reflecting on something that feels increasingly important in retail right now: experiences. Your customers are looking for connection, meaning, and events they can remember.
In this episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on some of the findings from a research report from the Portas Agency titled "The Momento Generation". The concept explores how many younger consumers are placing greater value on memories...
313. Why Community Is the Future of Retail with Guest Expert Mark Schaefer
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, I sit down with best-selling marketing author and speaker Mark Schaefer to talk about what matters most for independent retailers in a world that's being increasingly shaped by AI. While technology continues to change how customers find the places they love to shop, Mark makes a compelling case that the strongest advantage for brick-and-mortar retailers is still something AI cannot replicate: a completely human experience.
We talk about the role of personal...
312. Midyear Business Review: Are You Building a Business or a Passion Project?
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
We have officially reached the middle of the year, and now is the perfect time to pause for just a few minutes to take an honest look at what we're building. Beyond reviewing numbers and planning for the months ahead, I want to pose a bigger question: is your business becoming a valuable asset, or have you simply created a job (that you love!) for yourself?
In this episode, I share my thoughts around long-term...
311. Why Real Connection Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI with Deanne Fitzpatrick
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Deanne Fitzpatrick of Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio for an honest and raw conversation about AI, authenticity, and what it means to run a meaningful business. We talk about the parts of AI that feel helpful, the parts that feel icky, and why trust and real connection matter more than ever for small business owners.
As business owners who have both embraced technology over the years...
310. 7 Things That Might Be Holding You Back in Your Retail Business
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I'm sharing seven common patterns I see repeatedly with independent retailers who are working hard but still feeling stuck. These are habits, mindset patterns, and blind spots that can keep us from reaching the goals we truly want. As I was making this list from conversations with clients, I realized I've experienced every one of these things myself throughout my years in business.
Some of the...
309. From Good to Great: Dream Bigger Now
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, I'm sharing details of a conversation that challenged me to think differently about what's possible in business and life. I've been reflecting on the ways we can reach a point where things feel "good" so we stop stretching toward what could feel even better: more alignment, more joy, and being more fulfilled.
Through personal stories and examples from my clients, I'm exploring the idea that growth is not always about doing more...
308. Hospitality is the Product in Brick-and-Mortar Retail with Guest Expert Chris Deferio
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
Struggling shop owners aren't struggling because they need more tools. Perhaps they are struggling because they've moved away from what actually matters for success in retail.
In this conversation, I sit down with Chris Deferio of the Keys to the Shop podcast to talk about what really drives success in brick-and-mortar businesses today: the role of hospitality, leadership, and being intentional with training your team. We also talk about how seemingly small decisions can shape...
307. Spring Cleaning Your Retail Business Starts With Your Mindset
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
What if spring cleaning your business had nothing to do with your shelves and everything to do with what's going on in your head? Let me explain.
In this episode, I'm talking about spring cleaning your retail business, but not in the way you might expect. We all know how to tidy up our shops, review inventory, or refresh marketing, but knowing what to do is not usually the problem. It is taking the time...
306. How to Handle Donation Requests: A Simple System for Shop Owners
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
I'm hearing from so many shop owners right now about the sheer volume of donation requests coming through their doors and inboxes. Silent auctions, raffles, sponsorships, gift cards: it can feel constant. For many of us, it brings up a mix of emotions ranging from generosity to frustration.
In this episode, I'll walk you through a practical way to stay community-minded while also protecting your business. This is about setting a necessary boundary and creating...
305. Building Loyalty Through Positive Customer Experience
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, I'm reframing what customer loyalty really means for independent retailers. Rather than focusing on loyalty programs or post-purchase follow-up, I'll explain how customer loyalty is formed long before a transaction ever happens. From the first impression to the in-store experience, every touchpoint plays a role in shaping how customers feel about your retail business.
This episode is your reminder to step back and look at the full customer journey with purpose and...
304. Hospitality is an Inside Job: How Leadership and Small Moments Shape Your Shop's Reputation with Guest Expert Stephanie Miller Vincent
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, we're continuing our series on building an exceptional reputation in our retail businesses by looking at hospitality through a leadership lens. I'm joined by Stephanie Miller Vincent, founder of SMillerVision and former guest on the podcast. We dig into what hospitality really means beyond being friendly or providing good service. We talk about why it starts inside your business and how your team experience directly impacts your customer experience.
We also explore...
303. How to Build an Exceptional Retail Brand That Attracts the Right Customers
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this first episode of a three-part series, I'm talking about what it really means to create an exceptional brand in today's retail environment. I'm sharing what I'm seeing in shops right now and why being "fine" or average is no longer enough to stand out or stay relevant.
We'll look at how your reputation shapes your brand, why trust and meaningful connection matter more than ever, and how to start refining your brand to...
302. Retail Mystery March: Why Your Shop Has a Big Following but You Aren't Making Money
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this final episode of the Retail Mystery Series, I'll walk you through one last fictional case where a well-established shop with a strong brand and large social media following was still not making money. On the surface, everything looked successful, but the business ultimately closed. Why?
This episode unpacks what was really happening behind the scenes and why growth in followers did not translate into profit. I'll share what went wrong, what could have...
301. Retail Mystery March: Why Strong Sales Don't Always Equate to Healthy Profits
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Retail Mystery Series, I'll walk you through a common situation many shop owners experience but struggle to explain. Sales are strong. The shop is busy. Yet there is little cash left at the end of the day and bills are starting to pile up.
Through another fictional case study, I'll explore how this happens and what shop owners need to examine when revenue looks good but the numbers still do...
300. Episodes Later: Consistency, Passion, and the Reality of Long Haul Leadership
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this 300th episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I'm sharing a personal reflection on what it takes to keep showing up in business over the long haul. Rather than revisiting past highlights, I'm sharing honestly about consistency, passion, and the ongoing work of building something that lasts, like your beautiful business - and like this podcast.
I'll explore why business owners need to pause and ask whether the things they do consistently are...
299. Retail Mystery March: Is Your Inventory Priced for Profit?
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
Why would a shop that has been open for over a decade, has loyal customers, strong brands, and steady traffic have stalled growth or even a decline in business?
In this second installment of the Retail Mystery series, I share the fictional case of a home decor shop owner who feels stuck after 13 years in business. Profits are still coming in, but not at the level they once did. The owner points to the economy...
298. Mystery March: Why Sales Decline When Shop Standards Slip
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this first Mystery March episode, I'm sharing a fictional case study about a thriving yarn shop that begins to see a quiet decline in sales after the owner steps back into her CEO role. On the surface, everything looks fine: is it the economy? What is going on?
Instead of blaming the economy or foot traffic, I'll reveal what really happened. This episode explores how small, overlooked shifts in standards can slowly erode customer...
297. The 15-Minute Monthly Reset for Retailers
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, I'm sharing a practical look at the power of a monthly business debrief. Sparked by a coaching client who resisted the process at first, this conversation walks through what a debrief actually is, why it matters, and how it can be done in as little as 15 minutes per month. We all have that kind of time!
For experienced shop owners who feel profitable but unclear, busy but reactive, this episode offers a...
296. Building a Retail Business Through Live Social Selling with Mastermind Member Amy Cseh of Schoolhouse Salvage
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, I'm talking with Level Up Mastermind & Inner Circle member Amy Cseh about how live social selling utterly transformed her retail business at her shop, Schoolhouse Salvage in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Amy shares how live selling began as a way to use slow in-store hours more effectively and gradually evolved into the primary way customers shopped with Schoolhouse Salvage.
Amy talks us through how her business shifted over 13 years, including the move from...
295.
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
In this episode, I'm addressing a question that comes up often at the beginning of the year for many retailers, after the hustle and bustle of Q4 ends and we naturally start reflecting on what we want next. I'm talking directly to shop owners who are quietly wondering if it's time to make a big change in their role in their retail business: whether that looks like taking some things off your plate or stepping away from...
294. The Rise of Analog Wellness and Why Brick-and-Mortar Retail Is Perfectly Positioned to Thrive
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
There is a retail trend I'm seeing that is growing across independent retail shops worldwide and I'm sharing all about it in this episode. Let's talk about analog wellness. So what exactly is it? I'm diving into just that in this episode: what it is; how customers are craving slower, more human experiences and how brick-and-mortar retailers are uniquely positioned to meet that need.
I'll explain why this shift has little to do with what...
293. The Difference Between 'Nice' and 'Kind' in Leadership
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
Many shop owners lead with good intentions, but being nice instead of kind can quietly create resentment, burnout, and instability in a retail business.
In this episode, I'm exploring a distinction that quietly shapes many retail businesses: the difference between being nice and being kind. While niceness can feel good in the moment, it often leads to avoidance, resentment, and exhaustion over time. Kind leadership, by contrast, is clear, fair, and professional, and it supports...
292. The Real Starting Point for Building a Profitable Retail Business
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Episode Overview
Ever find yourself wondering "Where do I start when I'm juggling multiple priorities in my retail business?"
You're not alone. I'm addressing this question that's been asked many times since Episode 290 dropped at the beginning of the year. In this episode, I'll lay out the most important steps to focus on FIRST in order to achieve the success you want this year in your retail business. You'll learn why clarity around your numbers and a...
291. It's Not for Me…Until It Is
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
In This Episode:
Have you ever dismissed something quickly by thinking, "That's not for me"?
I did. Twice on Christmas morning, if we are being honest. And both times, I was wrong.
In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I share two very real moments where I resisted things that, in hindsight, were exactly what I needed. Not because I didn't want to grow, but because growth sometimes shows up feeling uncomfortable, unfamiliar...
290. 7 Things to Focus on in 2026 If You Want a Retail Business That Lasts
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
In This Episode:
You know that shop down the street that always seems to be doing well? The one that looks calm, confident, and steady while everyone else feels frantic? In this Season 6 kickoff episode of Creative Shop Talk, I'm pulling back the curtain on what's actually happening behind the scenes and sharing my 7 predictions for what independent retailers need to focus on in 2026 if they want a business that lasts.
This episode is not about doing...
289. Become the CEO Your Life May Need in 2026
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
In This Episode:
Season Five wraps with a heartfelt, honest conversation you don't want to miss. In this final episode of the year, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing the real-life alignment shifts, boundaries, and mindset resets that shaped my 2025 - and how you can step confidently and intentionally into 2026.
If you've ever felt out of sync with your business, overwhelmed by hustle culture, or unsure whether your decisions still match the life you want today… th...
288. Become the CEO Your Retail Business Actually Needs in 2026
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
In This Episode:
Ready for a truth bomb? Your business can only grow if you do.
In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I'm diving deep into what it really takes to step into the CEO identity your retail business needs in 2026 and beyond. From letting go of the "do-it-all shopkeeper" mindset to making braver, clearer decisions rooted in vision rather than fear, this episode is your invitation to level up.
I'll share...
287.
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
In This Episode:
Is your business steering your life instead of the other way around?
In this episode, I'm reminding creative shop owners that thriving retail doesn't happen by accident – it's designed with purpose. As we wrap up the year and move forward into 2026, I'm sharing my "captain your own ship" approach to intentional business planning. Let me teach you how to stop drifting with the tides of the economy, staff changes, or trends, and start charting yo...
286. 5 Simple Prompts to Help Your Retail Team Sell with Confidence
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
In This Episode:
Let's face it – most shop owners can sell naturally, but teaching your team to do the same without feeling "salesy" can often be tricky.
In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I'm sharing five easy, actionable prompts you can teach your staff to boost confidence, build genuine customer connections, and make sales feel natural (not pushy!). These simple, human-centered tools will help your team move from awkward to authentic – and you can star...
285. Avoiding Retail Burnout: Closing Loops and Leaning In to Your People
With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
In This Episode:
Are you feeling burnout creep in? Are you just plain tired of making all of the decisions? You're not alone.
In this episode, I'm getting honest about burnout, decision fatigue, and what really causes that drained, frazzled feeling. (Hint: it's not just working too much!) Through my own recent experience, I'm sharing how leaning into trusted mentors and peers can reignite clarity, confidence, and momentum. I know you'll walk away inspired to simplify, close...
