Richer Retailer - Scaling Retail Stores Past 7 Figures

LVMH, the luxury empire behind Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Moët, just moved to buy a stake in HyROX, a fitness race, in a deal that values it at up to a billion dollars. Cathy couldn't stop thinking about it, and not because she cares about fitness races.

In this solo episode, Cathy breaks down why one of the biggest luxury companies in the world is pulling back on traditional ads and pouring money into belonging instead. She walks through the three-rung Experience Ladder LVMH has climbed, from borrowing an audience, to building an experience inside their o...

Sales are coming in. Just... slower and harder to get than they used to be. If you've felt like you're working just as hard as last year but getting less for it, Cathy wants you to know: it's not you, and it's not just a feeling.

In this solo episode, Cathy breaks down what's actually happening in retail right now, a cautiously warm environment where spending is up but transactions per store are down, shoppers are spreading their money across more stops, and import costs are creeping up on the other side. Then she gets specific about...

Chelsea Jones has spent over 20 years building websites for some of the most recognizable names in retail; J.Lo Beauty, Liverpool Los Angeles, Chroma Wellness, and more. As co-founder of Sunny Road, a Shopify Platinum agency, she works with retail brands every day and sees exactly where they're leaving money on the table.

In this episode, Chelsea and Cathy get into what's actually happening in AI search right now, why your products may not be showing up when shoppers search on ChatGPT or Perplexity, and how to fix it. Chelsea also breaks down why most people are...

In Part 1, Cathy and Joey talked about clearing the calendar. Going from 38 meetings a week to 11. Identifying what was water, what was food, and what was mushroom coffee.

Part 1 was about seeing the problem clearly. Part 2 is about what you actually do with the space once you have it and why most people quietly fill it right back up.

Joey is back, and this time they go into the practical frameworks, the mindset work that holds all of it together, and the one daily habit that Cathy says has changed her more than anything else...

Cathy had 38 meetings a week and no open space on her calendar. She couldn't eat lunch without it being scheduled around something else. Her business was growing, she was delegating, and she still couldn't get ahead.

Then she started working with Joey Gourdji and got it down to 11 meetings a week.

Joey is a coach at Conversion Engineering, the agency she runs with her husband Ross. She spent a decade in online education, finishing as Director of Operations at Mirasee, where she was part of the team that grew the company from $5M to $13M...

July is slow. Every store owner knows it. So when Jesse McNaughton, co-founder of Lift Bridge Yarns in Fairport, New York, decided to run a four-day Anti-Prime Days campaign instead of just waiting for things to pick up, she wasn't sure what would happen.

She ended up with a 286% increase in sales.

Jesse opened Lift Bridge Yarns four months before the pandemic, with a six-month-old baby at home and a community of customers who followed her from a previous shop. She and her co-founder Dawn built the business from the ground up, community first, sales...

You have built something real. The inventory, the team, the loyal customers who come back year after year. What happens if all of that gets wiped out not by a bad buying decision or a slow season, but by a hurricane, a flood, a fire, or a ceiling that collapses the day before your biggest event?

Most store owners have never thought about it. And the ones who have faced it will tell you: there is almost no one coming to help. Not FEMA, not the Red Cross, not the grants that end up going somewhere else...

You have done the math. You know the metrics. Now comes the part where it gets real.

This is Part 3 of the Inventory Engine Workshop, the Q&A. Cathy and Coach Maven Dana Connell open the floor to the questions store owners actually lose sleep over. What do you do when your open to buy says one thing and your gut says another? How do you handle reorders when the cash just isn't there? What does asking a vendor for markdown dollars even mean, and are you really allowed to do that? And what happens when sales...

Your floor can look full and your bank account can still feel empty. That is not a mystery. It is a math problem. And once you see the numbers behind it, you cannot unsee them.

This is Part 2 of the Inventory Engine Workshop. Cathy and Coach Maven Dana Connell are back, and this time they get into the metrics, the ones that tell you, without any guessing, exactly how healthy your inventory really is. Inventory turn. Stock to sales ratio. The 90-Day Freshness Factor. The 48% rule. Never Out Ofs. And a live audit that walks through a...

Inventory is not a guessing game. It is a financial tool. It's wealth building in real time. And if you've ever felt like money moves through your store but you can't quite track where it goes, this episode is for you.

This is Part 1 of a special live workshop episode. Cathy sat down with our very own Coach Maven Dana Connell, retail professor at Columbia College Chicago and former buyer for Marshall Field's and Macy's for a live Inventory Engine Workshop. Dana has been running Open to Buy every single Monday for 43 years. She has seen every...

If you've ever felt the tension between posting pink pictures and party invitations while the world feels like it's on fire, this episode is for you.

Cathy's guest today is Lauren, founder of three boutiques in the Chicago area; Pink Slip and two locations of Parker James. Eighteen years in, she has built exactly what so many retailers dream of: a true destination where people don't just shop, they come back, they bring their friends, and they feel something. One look at her Instagram and the FOMO is real.

She wrote something recently that stopped...

If you've been online this week, you've probably seen something about tariff refunds. And if you're anything like most store owners, you either glazed over thinking it was government bureaucracy you don't have time for or you got a little excited thinking a check might be headed your way.

This episode is for both of you. Cathy cuts through all the noise, breaks down exactly what's happening, who it actually applies to, and what a Richer Retailer does with this information right now because the tariff story is the door, but your buying strategy is the room...

You pour everything into your store, your time, your energy, your heart. And yet, somehow, the financial freedom you're working toward still feels just out of reach. 

If Part 1 lit a spark in you, get ready because Part 2 is where things get really personal. Cathy sits back down with her friend and personal financial planner Kaitlyn Carlson for a continuation of one of the most important conversations this podcast has ever hosted. You've been showing up for your store every single day, pouring your heart into it and in this episode, Cathy and Kaitlyn take everything they s...

You're running a successful store. Revenue is coming in. You're reinvesting, growing, doing all the things. So why doesn't it feel like you're actually getting ahead?

This is the episode Cathy has been waiting to record because the conversation you're about to hear completely changed the way she thinks about money. And she knows it's going to do the same for you.

Cathy sits down with her friend and personal financial planner, Kaitlyn Carlson, Founder & CEO of Theory Planning Partners, the first boutique wealth creation firm built exclusively for female entrepreneurs in the United States...

What's the most powerful thing you can do to grow your business? It's not another spreadsheet, Facebook ad, or reel. It's sitting across the table from someone who truly understands the journey.

In this heartfelt and energizing episode, Cathy sits down with Angie Noll; bookkeeper, profit strategist, and fellow entrepreneur for a conversation that started over fish and champagne and turned into something neither of them expected. They open up about the loneliness of running a business, the power of vulnerability, and why finding your "business sisterhood" might be the missing piece in your path to the...

Welcome to a favorite episode of the Richer Retailer! In this Q2 check-in, Cathy dives into what this quarter really means for independent retailers.

From focusing on your top customers (“thumbs”) to creating value through clarity and thoughtful merchandising, Cathy shares actionable strategies to help you convert browsers into buyers and buyers into lifelong fans. She also explores trends shaping retail right now, from the importance of a dynamic in-store experience to integrating your physical and digital presence. Whether your store is brick-and-mortar, online, or both, this episode will give you the clarity and focus you need to s...

What does a global conflict have to do with your retail store?

In this episode, Cathy breaks down the ripple effects of the March 2026 crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and why events like this always make their way into retail. From rising fuel costs to shifting consumer behavior, these global disruptions can feel overwhelming… but they don’t have to control your business.

Instead of reacting with panic, Cathy walks you through how to stay grounded, focused, and proactive. You’ll learn what’s happening, what it actually means for retailers, and most importantly what you...

In this episode, Cathy welcomes back PR expert Gloria Chou to talk about one of the most powerful (and overlooked) ways small businesses can get visibility without spending thousands on PR agencies.

Gloria reveals why gift guides aren’t just for the holiday season and how entrepreneurs can get featured in them all year long. Even better, she shares how the rise of AI-powered shopping and search makes PR features more important than ever for getting discovered.

Gloria breaks down a simple, actionable process for pitching your products to journalists and getting featured in gift gu...

Retail is changing faster than ever and ignoring generational shifts is no longer an option.

In Part 2 of this conversation, Cathy Wagner welcomes back RETAILMavens coach and retail professor Dana Connell to move from theory to action. If Part 1 helped you understand generational differences, this episode focuses on what independent retailers should actually do about it.

Dana shares practical ways to grow your “new thumbs” the next generation of high-value customers who will drive the future of your business. From sustainability messaging to social media strategy, website optimization, and community partnerships, this episode is packed with...

Generational shifts aren’t coming… they’re already here.

In this episode, Cathy Wagner sits down with Columbia College Chicago retail professor and RETAILMavens coach Dana Connell to unpack what shifting generations mean for independent retailers today.

Dana brings 35+ years of retail and teaching experience to the table, sharing how Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha shop differently and why ignoring these shifts is no longer an option. From spending power and values to how customers discover brands and where they “treat themselves,” this episode sets the foundation for how retailers can adapt what...

In this episode, Cathy shares a powerful reminder every retailer needs to hear: you are not behind, you are becoming.

If you’ve found yourself looking at your goals, numbers, or plans and thinking “I should be farther along,” this conversation is for you. Cathy walks through why progress isn’t linear, why discomfort often means growth is happening, and how staying committed even when results aren’t obvious yet, is what truly builds momentum.

This is a mindset episode for store owners who are showing up, doing the work, and quietly wondering if it’s paying off...

In today’s Q&A-style episode, Cathy Wagner answers real financial questions from independent retailers inside the RETAILMavens community. She breaks down the financial framework every store owner needs to understand without accounting jargon and tackles one of the most stressful challenges in retail: negative cash flow during peak buying seasons.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Welcome to Episode 69: A Retailer’s Guide to Margins.

In this episode, Cathy Wagner dives into the simplest shift that can dramatically increase your cash flow: understanding gross margin (maintained markup) and raising your initial markup so you keep more money from every sale without working harder.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Welcome to Part 5 of the Million Dollar Store series!

In this final episode of our Million-Dollar Store series, Cathy Wagner dives into the most important system of all: Titanium Leadership. This is about who you become as a CEO before what you do.

Cathy breaks down how million-dollar store owners think, decide, and show up differently and why identity always comes before action. You’ll learn how to protect your CEO time, lead with data instead of fear, and build the kind of mindset and nervous system that can handle massive growth.

If yo...

Welcome to Part 4 of the Million Dollar Store series!

In this episode, Cathy Donovan Wagner breaks down “The Magic of Marketing” the core system she’d use to grow a million-dollar store by creating unforgettable customer experiences and building a world people want to be part of. This is a tactical, no-fluff episode focused on what actually drives traffic, conversions, and repeat sales: focusing on your best customers, using storytelling to sell, planning marketing with intention, and measuring the numbers that matter.

If you’ve been posting consistently but still feel like you’re winging it… or you...

Welcome to Part 3 of the Million Dollar Store series!

In this episode, Cathy Donovan Wagner dives into one of the most misunderstood and most powerful elements of building a million-dollar retail business: Your team.

After laying the foundation with cash confidence and inventory strategy, this conversation shifts to what truly allows a business to scale sustainably: Building a team that runs with you, not because of you. Cathy breaks down the mindset shifts, systems, and leadership decisions required to create a dream team that supports growth without burnout.

This episode challenges the belief...

Welcome to Part 2 of the Million Dollar Store series!

In the first episode, Cathy Donovan Wagner shared the cash confidence system that lays the foundation for building a profitable retail business from scratch. Now, in this episode, she dives into the core of inventory strategy, the crucial next step to scaling a store.

Listeners will learn how to create a million-dollar inventory plan by curating with intention, mastering an open-to-buy budget, tracking best sellers, and buying smarter not more. This episode delivers practical steps to help retailers control their largest expense and unlock real profit...

What would you do if you had to start over tomorrow with no email list, no team, and no safety net but all the wisdom you have now?

To kick off the new year, the Richer Retailer podcast is launching a brand new 5-part series exploring exactly that question: How Cathy Wagner would start over and build a million-dollar retail store from scratch.

In this first episode of the Million Dollar Store series, Cathy goes deeper into one of the most downloaded Richer Retailer episodes of all time. She breaks down the exact cash confidence...

Welcome to the first Richer Retailer episode of the new year! 

In this Q1 2026 State of Retail check-in, Cathy Wagner reframes the idea of a “slow season” and invites you to see Q1 for what it truly is: a reset season.

In a cautious economy where customers are spending more intentionally, Cathy breaks down three major retail trends shaping early 2026 and exactly what to do in January, February, and March to stay profitable, connected, and confident as a CEO. From smarter pricing and leaner inventory to cozy in-store moments and small-but-smart tech, this episode is packe...

January can be one of the most challenging months for retailers; slower traffic, softer sales, and inventory left over from Q4 that simply didn’t move. In this episode Cathy answers real questions from the retail community about the January slump, aging inventory, and the fear many store owners have around running clearance sales.

Cathy breaks down why the January slowdown isn’t actually a seasonal problem, but an inventory and strategy issue. She explains how trapped cash in stale inventory quietly erodes profit and momentum and why a strategic, well-planned clearance sale can increase future margins with...

Ready to add a little extra joy and profit to your retail shop? 

In this episode of The Richer Retailer, Cathy sits down with one of our amazing clients, Alana Turner, the passionate owner of the joy filled store Poopsies, who’s making her second guest appearance on the podcast. Alana is back to share why books are one of the best-kept secrets in specialty retail. She spills the tea on how books create emotional connections, keep customers browsing longer, and boost sales, all while being low-risk and super easy to start. Whether you’re overwhelmed by choic...

Celebrating the Most Powerful Moments from Year One of the Richer Retailer Podcast

What a year it’s been. This special Best Of episode is a heartfelt celebration of the moments you told us mattered most, the clips that made you think differently, laugh out loud, and say, “Okay… I can actually do this.”

This episode brings together the Top 5 most-loved episodes of Year One and the lessons that continue to transform retail businesses around the world.

Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or just found us, this is the perfect episode to anchor...

In this inspiring conversation, Cathy sits down with Samantha, the owner of Jane Boutique and one of our amazing RETAILMavens clients to talk about the real journey behind opening a store. From construction delays and rezoning setbacks to having thousands of dollars of inventory arrive months early, Sam’s path to launch was anything but easy.

But what truly stands out is her emotional resilience, her abundant mindset, and her unwavering commitment to clienteling and customer experience. You’ll hear how she turned obstacles into long-term wins, opened with a visual boom, and leveraged years of authentic comm...

December is here and if you want next December to look totally different with more cash flow, less chaos, and a smoother-running store, now is the moment to act. Cathy breaks down the current retail climate, what’s shifting in consumer behavior, and the strategies retailers must use to create momentum and finish the year strong.

From understanding your “thumb” customers, to increasing items per sale, to using AI tools to make smarter decisions, this episode is full of clear, actionable retail insights that help you elevate the customer experience, boost holiday shopping performance, and drive business growth...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything in your store and still not getting the results you want… this episode is for you.

Cathy sits down with our incredible Coach Maven, Krystal Perry, to pull back the curtain on our strategic Game Plan Calls, the same calls that have helped retailers go from overwhelmed, underwater, and exhausted… to clear, confident, and finally profitable again.

Krystal shares her 25-year retail journey, the framework she uses on every Game Plan Call, the most common struggles she hears from store owners, and the powerful question that cha...

You don’t need to do more to achieve more, you just need to think differently. This episode will remind you of the power of pausing, dreaming, and daring to share your story with the world.

In this inspiring continuation of Cathy’s conversation with visionary business coach Sarah Victory, you’ll learn how to describe your store in a way that sticks, so customers and partners can easily share your story even when you’re not in the room.

Sarah shares her proven “Know How” formula to help you stand out from the crowd, plus practic...

Every bit of business growth begins with a spark of magic, the courage to imagine something bigger and believe it’s possible.

Get ready to be inspired, my friends. In this episode of Richer Retailer, Cathy is joined by Sarah Victory, the powerhouse Chief Visionary Officer of The Victory Company, best known for helping entrepreneurs and business owners double their success. She’s the author of Double Your Business in One Year or Less!, Do Something Brave Every Day, and How to Be Powerful, and the host of The Inspiring Victory Show, where she shares stories of cour...

November can feel like a whirlwind, the holidays are here, your to-do list is growing, and it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle. 

Shoppers may not be spending wildly, but they are spending thoughtfully and that’s great news for independent retailers who know how to connect, curate, and stay focused.

Cathy shares how smarter spending, authentic storytelling, and intentional experiences are shaping success this season. Plus, she reveals how to use AI as your behind-the-scenes helper (without losing your human touch) and why focus beats frenzy in November.

If you’v...

Change is never easy, but what if the only thing standing between you and your next level of success is your ability to handle discomfort?

In this episode, Cathy dives deep into what it truly means to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Cathy reveals how fear of change often keeps store owners stuck and how embracing discomfort can actually be the gateway to growth, expansion, and freedom.

If you’ve ever said “everything’s fine” when you know it’s not quite good enough, this episode is your wake-up call to move forward with grace...

What if the very thing holding your business back could become the key to your next big breakthrough?

In this powerful episode of the Richer Retailer Podcast, Cathy Wagner takes you inside the magical world of masterminds, where independent retailers come together to brainstorm, collaborate, and turn challenges into opportunities for business growth and success.

You’ll hear how one mastermind session transformed a stressful tariff problem into a creative retail solution that boosted profits and inspired every store owner in the group. Cathy reveals how community-driven collaboration can spark ideas that one person alone co...