Shows
Retail Success SeriesThe New Power Shopper: Rethinking Retail for a Stylish, Social GenerationToday, we’re challenging outdated ideas about what aging looks like — and why it’s time retail caught up.There’s a vibrant, stylish, and switched-on generation with the time, confidence, and spending power to match — but too often, they’re overlooked. In this episode, we’re exploring the massive opportunities in designing better store experiences, smarter product ranges, and more inclusive marketing that truly welcomes customers of all ages and stages.From small layout tweaks to smarter product design and empowering events, we’ll talk about how small businesses can lead the way in making shopping...2025-05-0813 minRetail Success SeriesNew Chapters & Bold Moves: Rosie Wauchope’s Journey into Boutique BusinessIn this inspiring episode, Nicole Keleher sits down with Rosie Wauchope, the passionate owner of Mallalieu Lifestyle — a boutique fashion and lifestyle store based in Auburn Village, Melbourne. Rosie shares her journey from corporate life to retail business ownership during Melbourne’s lockdowns, and how a spontaneous opportunity led her to purchase an existing boutique rather than build from the ground up.Together, they explore the realities of running a small retail business in Australia, the advantages of buying an established store, and how Rosie transformed Mallalieu from a hybrid café-retail space into a thrivi...2025-05-0554 minRetail Success SeriesStyle It, Use It: The Simple Content Series That Builds Loyalty and Boosts SalesIf you want customers to buy, love, and keep what they buy, you need more than great products—you need to show them how to use them. In this episode of the Retail Success Series, I’m sharing one simple marketing strategy you can launch this week: the Style It, Use It content series. This approach builds customer confidence, reduces returns, and keeps them coming back for more. Whether you're camera-shy or love to go live, I’ll walk you through exactly how to create inspiring, confidence-boosting content that fits your style. Let’s dive in...2025-05-0107 minRetail Success SeriesThe Little Things: How Personal Service Makes a Big Impact!What if the most powerful retail lessons weren’t found in a store, but on a spontaneous holiday in tropical Far North Queensland?In this episode of the Retail Success Series, I’m sharing the story of a resort stay that flipped the switch from cautious consumer to raving fan—and unpacking exactly why it worked so brilliantly. From a private pool to personalised pre-arrival touches that made me feel like royalty, I’ll walk you through how this luxury experience can inspire game-changing shifts in your own retail business.Whether you’re an in-store or e-comme...2025-04-2815 minRetail Success SeriesBrava Lingerie: The Gold Standard in Customer ExperienceFor Australian retail business owners, creating an exceptional customer experience is key to long-term success—and Brava Lingerie is leading the way. Specialising in bra fittings for fuller-busted women, Brava has transformed what is often a frustrating shopping experience into one that is empowering, inclusive, and confidence-boosting.With expertly trained fitters who provide no-tape-measure fittings, personalised customer service both in-store and online, and marketing that represents real women of all shapes and sizes, Brava sets a new benchmark for retail excellence. Their ability to foster trust, loyalty, and repeat business is something every retailer should aspire to....2025-04-2409 minRetail Success SeriesCustomer Experience: Building Trust, Consistency, and Wow Moments with Mat UnwinIn this episode of the Retail Success Series, I sat with the brilliant and ever-insightful Mathew Unwin—a customer experience strategist whose journey has taken him from top-tier sales to concierge desks, robotic engineering (yes, really), and building digital-first experiences at Telstra and Deakin University.Together, they unpack:Why unmet expectations are the #1 reason relationships break downThe power of setting (and meeting!) clear expectations across every customer touchpointHow small tweaks to your online experience can build—or break—trustWhat not to do with pop-ups and sales nudgesWhy understanding your ideal customer profil...2025-04-2156 minRetail Success SeriesThe Secret to Customer Loyalty: Lessons from Taking ShapeWhat makes a retail brand truly stand out and keep customers coming back? For me, Taking Shape (TS) has been that brand for years. From their rewarding loyalty program to fast, reliable shipping and seamless in-store experiences, they’ve created a shopping journey that feels effortless and enjoyable.In this episode of the Retail Success Series, I’m sharing what makes TS so successful and what retailers can learn from them. I’ll talk about their engaging fashion parades, their easy return process (both online and in-store), and why their retail team makes such a difference. Plus, I’ll s...2025-04-1711 minRetail Success SeriesCreativity Meets Strategy: Behind the Brand with inSync Design’s Iris Saar IsaacsThis week on the Retail Success Series, I’m joined by the incredibly talented Iris Saar Isaacs – the designer and founder behind inSync Design. Iris' story is a brilliant example of how creativity and strategy can co-exist to build a business that’s not only successful but deeply fulfilling. From selling 70 brooches at a local market to becoming stocked in over 90 museums around the world, her journey is packed with lessons for creatives and retailers alike.We chat about how Iris pivoted during the pandemic from a wholesale model to a direct-to-consumer approach and the steep learning curve...2025-04-1428 minRetail Success SeriesRetail Raves: How Evidence Skin Care Turns Customers into Raving FansIn this Retail Rave episode, I’m spotlighting Evidence Skin Care (ESK)—a brand that’s setting the standard for customer experience in the skincare industry. From their BS-free marketing and real customer testimonials to their rewarding loyalty program and customer-first policies, ESK is a prime example of how integrity and smart strategies drive business success.I’ll break down the key elements that make them stand out, including: The power of authenticity in branding How incentivised testimonials build trust A loyalty program that keeps customers engaged A refund policy that balances generosity with business protection Their persona...2025-04-1009 minRetail Success SeriesMastering Facebook & Instagram Live: Connect, Engage & Sell with ConfidenceGoing live on Facebook or Instagram is one of the best ways to engage with your audience, showcase your products, and boost sales in real time. But if the idea of being on camera makes you anxious, you’re not alone! Many business owners struggle with the fear of live video, but the good news is—you don’t need to be perfect to make an impact.In this episode of the Retail Success Series, I’ll walk you through why live streaming is such a valuable tool for your business, how to structure your sessions for maximum...2025-04-0713 minRetail Success SeriesHow Your Personal Social Media Affects Your BusinessHave you ever thought about how much your personal social media profile impacts your business? Whether you’re oversharing, forgetting to mention your business, or posting strong opinions, your personal accounts shape how customers, suppliers, and potential partners see your brand.In this episode of the Retail Success Series, I’m breaking down: ✅ The dangers of oversharing and how to set privacy boundaries ✅ Why linking your business on your personal profiles is a must ✅ How public opinions—political or otherwise—can impact your brand’s success ✅ Real-world examples of businesses using social media to their advantage...2025-04-0308 minRetail Success SeriesLet’s Talk Retail Sales Strategy: Interview with Trinity MerwynIn this episode of the Retail Success Series, I’m joined by Trinity Merwyn from Bellwether, a company dedicated to helping bricks-and-mortar retailers boost sales with data-driven insights.I first came across Bellwether on Instagram and was immediately hooked by their content. Instead of just talking about analytics, they were sharing real, actionable tips to help retailers sell more effectively—and that’s exactly what we’re diving into today.Trinity breaks down the GMCU framework—Greet, Meet, Close, Upsell—a simple yet powerful approach to maximising every customer interaction. We discuss: - Why most r...2025-03-3153 minRetail Success SeriesThe Secret to High-Converting Product Pages: How to Turn Browsers into Buyers Your product pages are the heart of your online store—they can either convince customers to hit "Add to Cart" or drive them away. But are yours doing their job?In this episode, we’re diving deep into what makes a product page truly effective: How to showcase your products with high-quality images that highlight key featuresProvide essential details like sizing and materialsCreate trust-building FAQs that answer customer concerns before they even ask. We’ll also discuss why standard supplier images aren’t enough and how small tweaks—like adding lifestyle shots, size comparisons, and mobile-friend...2025-03-2711 minRetail Success SeriesHow to Optimise Your Retail Business for Voice Search in 2 Simple Steps!"Hey Siri, where can I buy this?" More and more customers are using voice assistants to shop and find local businesses—is your retail store ready?In this episode of Retail Success Series, I’m breaking down two simple yet powerful changes you can make today to boost your voice search visibility and improve your customer experience:✅ Adding a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to your product pages✅ Optimising and maintaining your Google Business ProfileWe’ll cover why these steps matter, how to implement them easily, and real-life examples of businesses already se...2025-03-2415 minRetail Success Series7 Essential Tips to Optimise Your Social Media Profile for More CustomersYour social media profile is your digital storefront—it’s often the first impression potential customers get of your business. So, are you making it count?In this episode of Retail Success Series, I’m sharing seven key ways to optimise your social media profile to attract and retain customers. Whether you run a bricks-and-mortar store or an online business, these tips will help you refine your online presence and drive real results.We’ll cover: ✔ Choosing the right platforms for your audience ✔ Maximising engagement without spreading yourself too thin ✔ Aligning your soc...2025-03-2012 minRetail Success SeriesUnlocking UGC for Retail Success: A Chat with Tegan HawesUser-generated content (UGC) is something I’ve always been curious about—how to find the right creators, what it costs, and how it actually works for retailers. When I had my retail store, I struggled to navigate this space.So, in this episode of the Retail Success Series, I’m thrilled to welcome UGC creator and influencer Tegan Hawes to break it all down. We dive into: ✅ The difference between influencers and UGC creators ✅ How UGC can help retail businesses ✅ How to connect with creators and what to expectIf you've ever...2025-03-1738 minRetail Success SeriesHow Birdsnest Creates an Unforgettable Customer ExperienceFor this first episode of Retail Raves, I’m kicking off a brand-new segment where I highlight retailers who are absolutely killing it in different areas of business. My goal? To break down what makes these businesses stand out and share real-life strategies that you can apply to your own store.Today, I’m diving into one of my absolute favourite retailers—Birdsnest. While I’ve admired them for years, I only recently made my first purchase, and I was blown away by the experience. From their beautifully curated outfit collections to their seamless returns process, Birdsnest has maste...2025-03-1308 minRetail Success SeriesThe Secret to Effortless Content? Let Your Customers Create It!Struggling to keep up with content creation? Feel like you're always scrambling for fresh ideas? What if I told you there’s a way to make your social media more engaging and easier to manage—without spending a fortune? Enter User-Generated Content (UGC).In today’s episode of the Retail Success Series, we’re diving into how UGC can transform your marketing. From customer reviews and photos to unboxing videos and testimonials, real content from real people builds trust in a way traditional marketing just can’t.I’ll be sharing simple strategies to encourage your custome...2025-03-1012 minRetail Success SeriesExpert Insights with Karen Thrussell Part 2: Pricing Strategies & Maximising Retail ProfitIn part two of my chat with Karen Thrussell from remarketable.com.au, we continue our deep dive into the world of retail, focusing on one of the biggest challenges for business owners—pricing strategies and maximising profit. If you haven’t caught part one yet, I’d recommend starting there to get the full picture.In this episode, Karen breaks down the key differences between markup and margin and why relying on a simple formula to set prices might mean leaving money on the table. We discuss why understanding your gross margin is crucial to covering busine...2025-03-0626 minRetail Success SeriesExpert Insights with Karen Thrussell Part 1: Mastering Stock Management & Retail SuccessIn this episode, I sit down with retail industry expert Karen Thrussell from remarketable.com.au, who brings over 30 years of experience working with both large corporations and independent retailers. Together, we dive deep into one of the most critical yet challenging aspects of retail—stock management.Karen shares invaluable insights on inventory control, demand forecasting, and the strategies retailers can use to stay competitive in a fast-changing market. We talk about how independent retailers can differentiate themselves from major players like Amazon, Kmart, and Temu, and why having the right stock at the right time is ke...2025-03-0241 minRetail Success SeriesCustomer Service vs. Customer Experience: The Retail Game-ChangerToday I'm tackling a topic that can transform your business: the difference between customer service and customer experience. If you think they’re the same thing, think again—because making this crucial shift in mindset can take your store from simply good to truly unforgettable.Many retailers focus solely on customer service—ensuring staff are polite, helpful, and quick to resolve issues. And while that’s essential, it’s only one part of the equation. To build a thriving retail business, you need to think bigger. You need to craft an 2025-02-2707 minRetail Success SeriesAre Your Loyal Customers Cheating on You?Ever had a customer gush about how much they love your store, only to catch them raving about a competitor?I have. And at first, I took it personally.I thought their loyalty meant exclusivity—that they would only shop with me. But in retail, customer relationships don’t work that way. They’re polyamorous.Loyalty Doesn’t Mean ExclusivityCustomers don’t just shop at one store, no matter how much they love your brand. Research backs this up—88% of consumers say they’re more loyal to brands that co...2025-02-2409 minRetail Success SeriesEnhance Your Retail Space with these Sensory Marketing TipsSensory Marketing is all about creating an immersive, memorable experience for customers by engaging their senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and even taste. Rather than relying solely on traditional advertising or visual merchandising, sensory marketing taps into how people feel in a space, influencing their emotions, behaviour, and ultimately, their buying decisions. A well-designed retail environment can evoke nostalgia, excitement, or comfort, encouraging shoppers to stay longer and connect more deeply with your brand. Whether it’s the warm glow of lighting, the inviting scent of fresh coffee, the texture of high-quality fabrics, or the perfect background music...2025-02-2016 minRetail Success SeriesEaster Retail Success: Creative Strategies to Boost Sales & Customer EngagementEaster isn't just about chocolate eggs and festive decorations—it’s a prime opportunity to drive sales, engage customers, and create experiences that keep them coming back! In this episode, we dive into smart and practical ways retailers can take full advantage of the Easter shopping season.From eye-catching table displays and hands-on in-store demonstrations to social media campaigns and Easter-themed giveaways, we’ll explore unique tactics to capture your audience’s interest. Discover how partnerships with local businesses, downloadable Easter egg hunt guides, and thoughtful in-store experiences—like free treats and kid-friendly activities—can enhance customer loyalty and...2025-02-1713 minRetail Success SeriesSmell Sells: Creating an Unforgettable In-Store ExperienceDid you know that customers decide how they feel about your store before they even make a purchase? Sensory marketing isn't just for big brands—it’s a game changer for independent retailers too. And the best part? You don’t need a massive budget to create an unforgettable shopping experience.In this episode of our Keep It Simple series, we’re diving into the power of scent in retail. From fresh-baked cookies to carefully chosen candles and essential oils, scent can influence emotions, encourage customers to linger, and even boost sales. I’ll share practical...2025-02-1309 minRetail Success SeriesShould You Add a Subscription Box? Lessons from My ExperienceThinking about adding a subscription box to your retail business? In this episode, I’m sharing my experience running a subscription model for over 12 months—what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently.From the excitement of launching with 125 subscribers to the unexpected challenges of sourcing stock during COVID, I’ll walk you through the highs and lows of the journey. You’ll learn about the benefits of predictable income, customer connection, and bulk buying advantages, as well as the hidden stresses of curating the right products and managing fluctuating subscriber numbers.If a subscri...2025-02-1017 minRetail Success SeriesWant More Email Subscribers? Try This Genius Pop-Up!Email marketing is one of the most powerful tools for retailers—but are you using it effectively? In this episode, I break down a simple but genius pop-up strategy that can dramatically increase your email sign-ups. Inspired by BOO Beauty Bar, this mystery discount pop-up is a game-changer for grabbing attention and converting visitors into subscribers.I’ll walk you through how it works, why it’s so effective, and how you can implement it on your own website. Whether you're using Shopify, Klaviyo, MailChimp, or a third-party app, I’ll share easy ways to get started—even if yo...2025-02-0607 minRetail Success SeriesMaximising Email Sign-Ups: The Power of Website Pop-UpsPop-ups often get a bad rap—many people find them irritating or disruptive, and as a result, business owners either avoid them entirely or don’t use them to their full potential. However, pop-ups can be a powerful tool for growing your email list, which is essential for long-term business success.Let's break down why pop-ups deserve a place on your website and how to optimise them for higher conversion rates. Come with me to review valuable insights, including key statistics on pop-up effectiveness, practical strategies to encourage sign-ups, and the role of incentives in boosting engagement. From...2025-02-0317 minRetail Success SeriesHappy Kids = More Sales: The Secret to Family-Friendly RetailShopping with young children can be stressful for parents, but as a retailer, you have the power to make their experience smoother—and more profitable for your business. In this episode, we explore simple, cost-effective ways to create a family-friendly shopping environment that keeps kids occupied and encourages parents to stay longer (and spend more).The key is to think about your store’s accessibility and layout. Are your aisles wide enough for prams? Is there a safe space where kids can sit while parents shop? Small changes, like a ramp at the entrance or designated stroller-friendly aisl...2025-01-3011 minRetail Success Series5 Revenue Boosters That Don’t Require New StockWhen it comes to growing your retail business, it’s easy to focus solely on selling more products. But what if you could increase your revenue without purchasing any new inventory? In this episode, we’re diving into five innovative and practical strategies to boost your bottom line without adding stock to your shelves.We’ll explore options like adding shipping insurance to your e-commerce checkout, monetizing your social media engagement through subscription-based broadcast channels, and forming strategic partnerships to earn affiliate income or collaborate on pre-orders. These ideas are not only easy to implement but also provid...2025-01-2823 minRetail Success SeriesSocial Media: The Ultimate Equaliser for Small BusinessSocial media has transformed the way small businesses connect with their audience, levelling the playing field between big brands and small enterprises. In this episode, we’re diving into how you can leverage social platforms to build trust, strengthen relationships, and ultimately drive sales—without ever having to step in front of the camera.We'll explore five practical strategies that allow you to showcase your business authentically while maintaining your comfort zone. From using personal language in captions to sharing behind-the-scenes content, you'll discover how to engage your audience in a way that feels natural and genuine.2025-01-2311 minRetail Success SeriesHow to Manage your Stock Space NeedsIn Episode 41 of the Retail Success Series, we tackle a common challenge for product-based business owners: running out of space. Whether you're managing an e-commerce store, a bricks-and-mortar shop, or a hybrid business, storage issues can become overwhelming as your inventory grows. This episode explores practical solutions for managing stock and space throughout the year, helping you avoid costly mistakes and keep operations running smoothly.Nicole shares firsthand experiences managing inventory through different stages of business growth, from working at home to transitioning into retail spaces, storage units, and shared warehouse solutions like CLIK Collective...2025-01-2023 minRetail Success SeriesStrategies for Retail Success: The Power of ConnectionIn this episode of the Retail Success Series, we’re diving into why connection is the key to unlocking growth for independent retail businesses in 2025. As small business owners, competing on price alone is tough—but building meaningful connections with customers and other businesses can set you apart. I’ll share personal stories about how small steps outside my comfort zone led to big wins, and why fostering relationships can drive sales and create valuable opportunities for growth.One major focus is the power of business collaborations. Partnering with like-minded retailers can expand your a...2025-01-1606 minRetail Success SeriesMaking 2025 Your Best Retail Year Yet: Connection, Growth & SuccessWelcome back to the Retail Success Series, and Happy New Year! I’m Nicole, and I’m thrilled to kick off 2025 with fresh energy and focus. Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the podcast, I’m so glad you’re here. After taking time over the holidays to reflect, I’ve gained clarity on how I can better support independent retail business owners like you. This year, it’s all about building stronger connections—with your customers, other businesses, and your own passion for your store.In this episode, I’m sharing my core focus areas for 20...2025-01-1408 minRetail Success Series2025 Business Growth Blueprint - Part 2 of 2As we hit the final week of the Christmas trade, many of us are busy with last-minute sales, helping customers, and wrapping up what has been a whirlwind season. But once the dust settles, it’s the perfect time to step back and think about what lies ahead. For me, this is when planning for the new year begins—a chance to reflect, reset, and strategise for the year ahead.Planning for 2025 might feel like just another thing to add to the to-do list, but trust me, a little forward thinking now will save you stress and set...2024-12-1934 minRetail Success Series2025 Business Growth Blueprint: Part 1 of 2Ready to make 2025 your most successful year yet? 🚀 Whether you’re excited about planning or feeling a little overwhelmed, this episode is packed with simple, actionable strategies to help you grow your retail business—without the stress.Welcome to the first episode in our 2-part series on planning for success in 2025! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into three key activities you can start focusing on right now to boost sales, improve cash flow, and create a business that’s both profitable and enjoyable in the year ahead.If you’re someone who loves strategy, this is the perfect time...2024-12-1619 minRetail Success SeriesThe Good, The Bad and The Ugly Planning SessionsAre you ready to make 2025 your most successful year yet? In this episode of the Retail Success Series, host Nicole Keleher shares a powerful strategy for evaluating your business and planning for growth. Drawing inspiration from her seasonal review process, aptly named "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," Nicole reveals how to assess what worked, what didn’t, and what needs a complete overhaul to set your business up for success.Nicole kicks off the episode by explaining the importance of reflection and honest evaluation. She highlights how breaking down your business operations into categories—products, proc...2024-12-1312 minRetail Success SeriesThinking of outsourcing order fulfillment? Here’s what to know!In Episode 35 of the Retail Success Series Podcast, we dive into one of the biggest decisions product-based businesses face—how to manage order fulfillment. Should you continue packing orders in-house, or is it time to partner with a third-party logistics provider (3PL)? Host Nicole Keleher shares her personal journey from handling orders herself to outsourcing fulfillment, detailing the pros, cons, and surprising insights along the way. If you’ve spent countless hours packing orders this holiday season, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to help you rethink your approach for 2025.Nicole recounts how outsourcing star...2024-12-0928 minRetail Success SeriesDefining your Business for SuccessIn today's episode Nicole shares her thoughts on how we can define our retail business to ensure a Customer First thinking. Stop thinking about what you sell and start thinking about the problem you solve.Instagram: @theretailmarketersWebsite: theretailmarketers.comYouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers2024-12-0509 minRetail Success SeriesAre Loyalty Programs Worth It?Are Loyalty Programs Worth It? Learn How to Make Them Work for Your Business!Loyalty programs are one of the most effective tools for independent retailers to build customer relationships and drive repeat business. In fact, 57% of small retailers report loyalty programs as their top-performing marketing strategy. In this episode of the Retail Success Series Podcast, we break down the benefits of loyalty programs, how to set them up, and creative ways to maximize their impact. Whether you're already running a program or considering one, this episode provides actionable tips to make your program work harder for...2024-12-0214 minRetail Success SeriesMarketing Lessons from Black FridayThere is so much we can learn from Black Friday sales to help us with planning for future special events such as Boxing Day sales or other major events in your business.In this episode of our KISS (Keep it Simple Series) Nicole shares a few tips on what you can do to ensure you have this information available for use in future planning.Instagram: @theretailmarketersWebsite: theretailmarketers.comYouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers2024-11-2807 minRetail Success SeriesAvoiding "Shiny Object Syndrome" to help your business prosper.It's easy to get sucked into spending too much time on the next "big thing" when we have a business that needs our support and concentration. It is part of the entrepreneur DNA to keep considering what's next. But in this episode Nicole shares 3 of her favourite techniques for getting the important work done and not loosing focus.Instagram: @theretailmarketersWebsite: theretailmarketers.comYouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers2024-11-2513 minRetail Success SeriesDon't stop selling a product because you are bored!In retail we can get tired of seeing the same items in our store, and assume our clients feel the same way. In this episode Nicole looks at why we need to re-consider the need to delete good sellers because we are bored with them.Instagram: @theretailmarketersWebsite: theretailmarketers.comYouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers2024-11-2104 minRetail Success SeriesFrom Product Idea to New Business: Interview with Morgan Uhl, Inventor of KnobezMorgan Uhl had an idea for a Christmas decoration for her home, and when she couldn't buy it anywhere she decided to invent it.The result is the fabulous product Knobez - seasonal decorations that can easily fit on cabinetry including handles and cylinder rod door handles. Since coming up with the idea in 2021 Morgan has created her original collection, and added collections for all major holidays - and this is just the beginning!Listen as Morgan explains how she went from idea to plan to production, and some of the lessons she has learnt a...2024-11-1844 minRetail Success SeriesRefund & Exchange Policies can help your business grow!There is one aspect of your e-commerce site that often gets neglected but is critical to the customer experience. This is your returns and exchange policy. With Christmas around the corner take a moment to listen to the episode to help you ensure your store is set for the gift giving period.Instagram: @theretailmarketersWebsite: theretailmarketers.comYouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers2024-11-1410 minRetail Success SeriesNeed Cash? This interview will help the banks say yes to your cash needs.In this insightful podcast episode, Nicole welcomes back Jo Attard, director of Hart Financial, to share expert advice on securing bank loans for business growth or acquisition. Jo brings over 20 years of finance experience, offering practical tips on how entrepreneurs can prepare their financials and proposals to maximize their chances of getting approved. Whether you're looking to buy an established business or expand your current operations, Jo highlights the importance of detailed planning, financial transparency, and showcasing your vision for profitability to lenders.Jo emphasizes that buying an existing business often presents fewer hurdles than starting one...2024-11-1134 minRetail Success SeriesHow to Source Exclusive Products without directly importing from AsiaCarrying a range of exclusive products is one of the keys to success for any retail store. Many people assume exclusive products means importing container loads from China.In this KISS (Keep it Simple Series) episode Nicole shares why exclusive products are vital for your store, and shares 5 ways you can source exclusive products without buying large volumes from overseas factories.Instagram: @theretailmarketersWebsite: theretailmarketers.comYouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers2024-11-0710 minRetail Success SeriesLeadership for Small Business Owners - Interview with Shelley FlettShelley Flett is passionate about leadership development and team performance and has built a successful business centred around supporting leaders at all levels to become more effective, more balanced and more successful in all that they do.Shelley has written 3 books on leadership and also created a great game designed to develop communication and leadership skills.In this discussion Shelley and Nicole look at leadership for small business owners. The pain points felt by CEO's, managers or business owners leaning into their role of leader is often the same and in this episode Nicole and S...2024-11-0450 minRetail Success SeriesWhy you must "invest" in your supplier relationshipsIn this KISS (Keep it Simple Series) episode Nicole looks at why you should work to create strong relationships with your key suppliers and the benefits to both you and the supplier.Instagram: @theretailmarketersWebsite: theretailmarketers.comYouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers2024-10-3105 minRetail Success SeriesWant to Crush Black Friday Goals?In today's episode Nicole looks at a number of techniques you can use to tease and entice your customers to spend with you during your Black Friday sale. This technique can be used for any major sales event in your store.Nicole references the recent sale of Frankie4 Footwear, where they created great buzz and foot traffic from their pre-sale promotions.Instagram: @theretailmarketersWebsite: theretailmarketers.comYouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers2024-10-2820 minRetail Success SeriesCompeting with the Big GuysIn this KISS (Keep it Simple Series) episode of the Retail Success Series, Nicole addresses a common challenge many small retail business owners face: competing with large discount retailers like Kmart and Walmart. She highlights how these big players often replicate popular products from smaller stores, leading to a sudden drop in sales for independent retailers. Nicole emphasizes that while small businesses can't compete on price, they can differentiate themselves by offering value beyond the product itself.Nicole encourages retailers to stay informed about what big-box stores are offering by monitoring their websites and social media. This...2024-10-2409 minRetail Success SeriesHow Virtual Assistants can help you and your business.If you are over-worked and overwhelmed then you probably need support. One option is a virtual assistant. In today's podcast Nicole interviews her Philippine's based virtual assistant Dianne Estuart. They discuss how you find an overseas based virtual assistant and the types of jobs that may be suitable for outsourcing to them.Here are the links referred to in the podcast:PARALLAXhttps://withparallax.com/refer/dianneeFACEBOOK GROUPShttps://www.facebook.com/groups/vasavvies2024-10-2229 minRetail Success Series3 Winning Techniques to Boost your Retail SalesIn this KISS (Keep it Simple Series) short episode Nicole looks at 3 things you can with very little effort or cost to maximise the returns both now, and in the future, from the many additional visitors you have to the store during the Christmas trading period.Instagram: @theretailmarketersWebsite: theretailmarketers.comYouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers2024-10-1707 min