Ceri Otero didn’t dream of being a shopkeeper as a kid. But when she decided to open a specialty olive oil and vinegar shop in Carthage, Missouri, it felt like all the threads of her life were coming together.

From selling Avon in 8th grade to a stint as a corporate HR representative to merchandising for Hallmark, each of Ceri’s previous jobs had prepared her for running an independent retail store, even if she didn’t realize it then. Her mom said it best: “Of course, you would. That makes perfect sense.”

While outlining a novel during the early days of COVID, Ceri manifested her food-focused retail store. Her book centered on a bakery on a town square—the exact location of Ceri’s future store, Carthage Olive Oil. Finding that location was a series of magical steps that, combined with Ceri’s hard work, have created a successful, tourist-enticing olive oil shop.

Listen in to hear how Ceri manifested her retail store, why she believes there’s a bit of magic in any successful business, and how Ceri’s courageous marketing strategy has helped the Carthage community attract more visitors.

For show notes, including links to connect with Ceri and get free Savvy Shopkeeper resources, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode231.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper

Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

Customers love visiting indie retail stores and discovering new items, and many indie shopkeepers revel in curating fresh finds for their stores. The part that isn’t enjoyable? Adding new items to your inventory system—especially if your inventory entry process is manual.

Whether you're managing hundreds of new SKUs or reordering popular products, you don't have to feel overwhelmed. Listen in to discover practical tips that can streamline your inventory entry process and reclaim your time.

For show notes, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode230.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper

Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

Jolene Forrester, owner of JoRetro in Havre de Grace, Maryland, has built a thriving legacy retail store with multiple streams of income. What started out in a small antique mall booth has grown into a 5000 square foot retail store with vintage treasures, niche retro-style products, a twice-annual Pyrex & Vintage Festival, and a thriving Airbnb apartment rental business.

With an extensive background in corporate interior design, Jolene’s knack for creative merchandising and unique vintage finds has helped her build JoRetro—along with a few key lessons from Master Shopkeepers.

Listen in to hear how Jolene went from interior designer to indie retail store owner, the key lesson in squares per sale foot that Jolene learned from Kathy inside Master Shopkeepers, and what Jolene envisions for her retail store in the near future.

For show notes, including links to Jolene’s social media and other resources mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode229.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Retail Business Coach For Brick & Mortar Store Owners • Savvy Shopkeeper

Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers