Boutique Chat
Business & Finance
About
Explore real-life strategies, growth hacks, and proven marketing advice through powerful interviews with top leaders and retailers in the retail industry. Join Ashley Alderson, the Founder of The Boutique Hub, as she talks with retailers, boutiques, wholesale brands, vendors, and industry insiders. Discover the invaluable secrets that have propelled companies to success while maintaining a healthy balance between life and business. Embrace the spirit of Community over Competition, and uncover the next great idea or connection for your small business.
Episodes
- #814: Retail Summer Strategy: Do This to GROW Your Boutique!
Are you leaving money on the table during the summer slow season? June and July are the most underrated months in retail — and the smartest boutique owners use them to set up a record-breaking fall. Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks break dow…
- Five Minute Friday: The People Side of Retail: HR Basics for Boutique Owners
HR is one of the biggest hats boutique owners wear — whether they realize it or not. From employee paperwork and legal compliance to hiring the right people and building strong team culture, every boutique owner is responsible for creating…
- #813: From Facebook Lives to 47X ROAS: The Strategy Behind Their Growth
What happens when a mother-daughter duo combines entrepreneurship, authenticity, and community? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Karen Monroe and Erin Pisani of K Marie Boutique to talk about how they built a thriving boutique brand…
- Five Minute Friday: The Merchandising Fix That Increases Sales + Repeat Customers
Are your customers walking into your store and instantly seeing how your products fit into their lives — or are they left trying to figure it out on their own? In this Five Minute Friday, Sara Burks breaks down one of the biggest merchandi…
- #812: How to Add $200K+ in Revenue to Your Boutique
Can a simple add-on service completely change the revenue of your boutique? Ashley Alderson sits down with Michelle Peth, CEO of Beettan, to unpack how boutique owners are adding a high-margin, repeat-customer service to their businesses t…
- Five Minute Friday: Stop Offering Loyalty Programs Like This… It's Costing You Sales
Why do so many loyalty programs fail… even when businesses pour time, money, and effort into them? Sara Burks breaks down the biggest reasons most loyalty programs don't actually create loyal customers — and why discounts, points, and punc…
- #811: Turning a Side Hustle into a Sustainable Business
What does it actually take to build a boutique business that lasts — not just for a season, but for decades? Jennifer Kok of Next Wave Business Coaching joins Ashley to share the lessons she learned after building, scaling, and eventually…
- Five Minute Friday: How to Design a Boutique That Increases Sales: 10 Must Have Features
What actually makes a boutique work — beyond just looking beautiful? In this Five Minute Friday, Joell from JR Visual Design breaks down the top design and functional features every boutique owner should be thinking about when creating or…
- #810: The Growth Blueprint Behind Record-Breaking Stores
What if the difference between struggling stores and record-breaking ones isn't luck… but a clear blueprint ? Ashley Alderson sits down with Scarlett Murphy, of Boutique Hub Black, to break down what's actually driving growth inside some o…
- Five Minute Friday: How To Create An Eye-Catching Window Display that Draws Customers In
Your storefront might be your most powerful marketing tool… but most boutique owners are completely missing it. Today, we're breaking down how to create a window display that doesn't just look good — it actually drives foot traffic, tells…
- #809: How to Win with Ads in the New Algorithm Era
Marketing has completely changed—and most boutique owners are still using strategies that no longer work. Ashley Alderson sits down with Zoe Spencer, one of the lead coaches inside Boutique Hub Black, to break down what's actually driving…
- Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): What is a Boutique?
What actually makes a boutique… a boutique? In this Couch Conversation, Ashley and Sara dive into the heart behind boutique businesses — what sets them apart, why they still matter in today's world, and how boutique owners can confidently…
- #808: Shopify Best Practices for Boutique Owners
Most boutique owners are pouring money into ads expecting more sales — but if your website isn't built to convert, you're just paying to lose customers. Ashley Alderson sits down with Dylan Welling, Shopify expert and ad strategist inside…
- Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): What No One Talks About in Business
Welcome back to Five Minute Friday – Couch Conversations! Today's conversation dives into something no one talks about enough… the loneliness that can come with building a business. You'll learn: The pressure to always show up and look suc…
- #807: Andromeda Changed Everything: What Retailers Need to Know
Want to make more sales and grow your boutique in 2026? Retailers everywhere are pouring money into ads, creating endless content, and still wondering why conversions aren't happening. The truth? The game has changed—and most boutique owne…
- Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): Why Most Boutique Owners Never Finish What They Start
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by too many ideas, struggled to stay focused, or wondered why your business isn't growing as fast as it should… this conversation is for you. Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks dive into the reality of being a v…
- #806: The Messy Middle of Building a Business
Sponsored by Color Guru This episode is sponsored by Color Guru. Boutique Chat listeners receive $350 off Color Guru Academy with code: BOUTIQUE350. Learn more at: https://www.colorguruacademy.com/ _____________________ What does it actual…
- Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): The Real Questions Boutique Owners Need to Answer
What happens when you stop avoiding the hard questions about your business—and actually answer them? Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks are back for another Couch Conversation to unpack the real, unfiltered truth about building a business whil…
- #805: Why Community Is the Secret to Long-Term Success
Sponsored by Color Guru This episode is sponsored by Color Guru. Boutique Chat listeners receive $350 off Color Guru Academy with code: BOUTIQUE350. Learn more at: https://www.colorguruacademy.com/ _____________________ What does it really…
- Five Minute Friday (Couch Conversations): The Ins & Outs of Business
What if you could sit down on the couch with other boutique owners and just talk about what's really working right now? Welcome to a brand new Five Minute Friday series —Couch Conversations! In this first episode, Ashley Alderson and Sara…
- #804: The Ultimate Market Buying Tool Every Boutique Owner Needs
What if the biggest inventory mistakes in your business are happening before the product ever arrives? Ashley Alderson is joined by Ulla Hald, founder of FAVES, to talk about how boutique retailers can buy smarter by planning ahead, tracki…
- Five Minute Friday: Sales Are Down... Now What?
Sales are down… so what should you actually do next? If you've ever had a slow day (or week) where your stomach drops, your heart starts racing, and you're refreshing Shopify every 10 seconds… this episode is for you. Ashley breaks down ex…
- #803: How to Navigate Cash Flow, Inventory, and Survival Seasons
Sponsored by Color Guru This episode is sponsored by Color Guru. Boutique Chat listeners receive $350 off Color Guru Academy with code: BOUTIQUE350. Learn more at: https://www.colorguruacademy.com/ _____________________ What do you do when…
- Five Minute Friday: 3 CEO Shifts for Working Moms
How do you build a business while raising a family without feeling like you're failing at one or the other? For many working moms and boutique owners, the pressure to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship can feel overwhelming. The truth…
- #802: The Financial Foundations Every Retailer Needs to Get Right
Numbers do not have to be the part of business you avoid. Ashley is joined by Christyne Gray of She Profits Now, for a practical & helpful conversation on the money side of running a Boutique - bookkeeping, cash flow, inventory planning, a…
- Five Minute Friday: 5 Biggest Misconceptions About Being a Boutique Owner
In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down the FIVE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS about owning a boutique—the myths that often surprise new business owners once they're actually in the trenches of running a retail business. While sta…
- #801: The 2026 Retail Reset: Retail Is Changing. Are You?
We are officially back! Season 8 kicks off with a powerful conversation about the 2026 Retail Summit and why this next season of retail will require new tools, new strategies, and a new level of connection. Ashley Alderson and Samantha Con…
- Five Minute Friday: The 13 Strategies Boutique Owners Need for 2026
As we wrap up Season 7 of the Boutique Chat Podcast, I wanted to pause—right where you're listening—and take an honest look at where the retail industry stands today and where it's headed next. Based on 1,000's of conversations with boutiq…
- #747: Blending Home, Gift, Apparel, and Events into One Profitable Business
What if the fastest way to grow your boutique… isn't more products, but a better experience? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Hannah Carlson of Mulberry Market Co. Hannah shares her story of how she went from selling jam at a veggie…
- Five Minute Friday: You Can't Build a Business While Running on Empty
Burnout is one of the most common struggles for boutique owners, retailers, and small business owners—and it's rarely caused by laziness or lack of passion. More often, it comes from trying to do too much, growing too fast, and drifting aw…
- #746: How Knowing Your Customer Starts With Knowing Yourself
In this episode, Ashley sits down with Kristi Briceno (Mom Buns and Ruffles) for a conversation that's equal parts deeply personal and highly tactical. Kristi shares her journey from nursing to photography to direct sales, the moment her c…
- Five Minute Friday: The Six Layers Behind Retail Bootcamp (And Why They Work)
Retail Bootcamp didn't come from a textbook or a perfectly mapped business plan — it was built in the middle of failure, fear, and figuring things out the hard way. In this Five Minute Friday (okay… a little longer than five minutes 😉), A…
- #745: Why 15,000 Stores Closed in 2025 and What YOU Can Do About It
Welcome to the new year! On the first episode of 2026 Ashley Alderson is joined by Sara Burks for a big-picture retail conversation that every boutique owner needs right now! Retail is changing fast — and 2025 proved that "business as usua…
- Five Minute Friday: Why Most New Year Plans Fail And How to Do 2026 Differently
In today's Five Minute Friday, I'm officially inviting you to join me for The Best Year Yet Challenge—our biggest free training of the year. Planning a new year shouldn't feel overwhelming or leave you burned out by March. Instead of chasi…
- #744: The End-of-Year Checklist Every Retailer Actually Needs
As we close out 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this episode isn't about pretty planners or lofty resolutions — it's about the behind-the-scenes work that actually sets your business up for success. In this solo episode, Ashley Alders…
- Five Minute Friday: The Strategic Shifts Top Retailers Are Making for 2026
As we head into 2026, one thing is clear - the gap between average retailers and top performers is widening — and it has nothing to do with effort. In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down what the top 10% of retailers do di…
- #743: Plan 2026 in 26 Minutes
If you're getting ready to plan 2026 and want clarity—not chaos, this episode is for you. Today, we're planning your entire year in 26 minutes. This is not a to-do list episode. This is a guided planning session designed for you to pause,…
- Five Minute Friday: The 4 Mistakes Costing Retailers Profit Going Into 2026
As we close out the year and head into a new one, it's time to get honest. Most businesses won't fail in 2026 because of the economy — they'll fail because they're still operating like it's 2019. In today's Five Minute Friday, I'm breaking…
- #742: The Rise of Western Lifestyle Brands and What Retail Can Learn
In this episode, Ashley sits down with Allie Falcon to unpack what it really looks like to build a recognizable brand rooted in story, style, and grit. Allie shares her journey from ranch life and handmade leather goods to manufactured app…
- Five Minute Friday: The Trends Taking Over Trade Shows Right Now (And Why It's Working)
In this Five Minute Friday, Samantha Conner continues our market conversation by diving into the actual product trends hitting trade show floors right now — and more importantly, how they apply across every retail category. From apparel to…
- #741: How Working With Sales Reps Elevates Your Retail Business
Retail buying doesn't have to be overwhelming—or lonely. This week, Ashley sits down with Angela Schmook (Roadrunners, Reps Are Local Too) and Kelly Bristol (Just Gotta Have It, GHTA leader) to reveal why your local sales reps might be the…
- Five Minute Friday: The BIGGEST Trade Shows Trends Every Retailer Must Know!
Today, Samantha Conner kicks off a two-part Five Minute Friday series breaking down the lifeblood of every retail business: inventory . And to understand inventory, we're taking it all the way back to where it begins — trade shows and mark…
- #740: Retail Predictions for 2026 and How to Make It Your Best Year Yet
What if 2026 could be the year you finally stop spinning your wheels and actually run your boutique like a CEO? In this episode, Ashley sits down with "Retail Professor" and denim twin, Sara Burks, to unpack their biggest retail prediction…
- Five Minute Friday: Merchandising That Moves Product Faster
Great visual merchandising doesn't just look pretty — it sells . In today's episode, Director of Partnerships & Education, Sara Burks shares how great merchandising goes far beyond pretty displays. It creates emotion, inspires discovery, i…
- #739: Inside the Rise of a Western Lifestyle Powerhouse: Rodeo Quincy
Today, Western fashion designer and Rodeo Quincy founder, Quincy Eldridge joins the podcast to share how she turned her unique, hand-painted rodeo style into a nationally recognized fashion brand. From designing boots with Ariat at 18 to r…
- Five Minute Friday: Turn Scrolls into Sales with Live Selling
Why is live selling exploding — and why does every retailer need to be doing it? In this Five Minute Friday, Sara Burks dives into one of the biggest shifts happening in retail right now — live selling. Live selling is becoming one of the…
- #738 Pink Friday 2025: Why This Week Matters (and How to Make the Most of It)
Pink Friday Week is finally here — and Ashley is diving deep into how to make this the most profitable and peaceful kickoff to your holiday season. Ashley shares the heart behind Pink Friday, why it began, and how retailers all over the wo…
- Five Minute Friday: How Color Analysis Can Elevate Your Boutique Styling Game
On this Five Minute Friday, Amanda Fairley and Nikki Bogardus of PrismXI join us to unpack one of the most transformative tools in personal style: color analysis. Nikki has spent sixteen years studying the science of color, and together, A…
- #737 Building a Boutique That Stands Out with Authenticity and Strategy
Today Bekah Turner, owner of Pink Possum, joins Ashley to unpack her business journey— from growing up in a salvage-store family—and how that shaped a boutique brand that wins with relatable content, smart buying, and customer trust. We di…
- Five Minute Friday: The CEO's Guide to Smarter Planning - Tracking the Right Numbers (Part 3)
Today Ashley dives into one of her favorite phrases — "Only a tracked number grows." If you've ever felt like you're posting on social media without seeing results, this episode breaks down exactly what numbers to track, how to measure the…