Running a business is already challenging, but dealing with the symptoms of perimenopause while running a business has made the last two years incredibly difficult. That’s why I’m sharing the ugly truth about perimenopause as an entrepreneur and how it affects not just our personal lives, but our businesses, too.

In this episode, I’m opening up about my journey through this phase of life—experiencing symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, inflammation, and more—while continuing to manage and grow my business. I share the moments of realization that led me to understand I was in the throes of perimenopause, the steps I’ve taken since, and the impact it has had on my work.

Listen in as I discuss the importance of awareness, proactive health measures, and open communication about our experiences. This isn’t just about surviving perimenopause; it’s about thriving and driving a conversation around a topic that has been ignored for far too long.

For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode232.

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

Originally, I planned to record a quick episode to talk about the upcoming Retail Email Bootcamp and let you know that the calendars in the Savvy Shopkeeper planners start now. However, I first want to acknowledge the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, particularly in states like North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. The images and stories coming out of these areas are heartbreaking, and as a brand that deeply values supporting the small business community, I knew I had to act.

After receiving an email from Heart on Main Street, a non-profit that specializes in helping retailers in devastated communities, I decided to donate 50% of all revenue from bootcamp ticket and Savvy Shopkeeper planner sales this week to their Hurricane Helene donation drive. If you're interested in the Retail Email Bootcamp, which is happening October 7-9 with replay access for 60 days, now is a great time to grab your spot and support a good cause at the same time. You can also help by purchasing a planner, knowing that 50% of the revenue will go directly to helping other store owners rebuild. Together, we can make a difference.

For more information:

• Retail Email Bootcamp: www.savvyshopkeeper.com/emailbootcamp
• Planners: www.savvyshopkeeper.com/planner
• Interview with Patrick Kaiser of Heart on Main Street: www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode210
• Donate directly to Heart on Main Street: https://givebutter.com/hurricane-helene-relief

Thank you for your support! I'll share how much we, as a community, donate in a future episode.

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

If there’s one thing that nearly all indie retail store owners struggle with, it’s planning. And when we struggle with planning, using a planner is next to impossible! But our planner problems CAN be solved when we address the real culprit behind our planning struggles.

Listen in to discover the real culprit behind your planning struggles. Plus, you’ll learn how to build new habits when you combine one of my favorite business books with my favorite business tool—the Savvy Shopkeeper Planner!

Can’t wait to grab the new and improved Savvy Shopkeeper Planner? Visit savvyshopkeeper.com/planner to get yours at early bird pricing.

Go to savvyshopkeeper.com/episode228 for links to everything mentioned in this episode.

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

In today's bonus shortie episode I'm delving into the misconceptions surrounding business performance during turbulent times. I explore how the thoughts of business owners directly influence their feelings and, subsequently, their actions.

Election years can indeed be a bumpy ride for small business owners, but it doesn't have to spell disaster for your business. By shifting your mindset and staying focused on strategic actions, you can navigate the noise and come out stronger.

Elisa Vietri always dreamed of opening a retail shop for her ever-growing collection of vintage goods. So when she and a friend drove by an empty storefront in Cleveland, Ohio’s Little Italy neighborhood in 2014, she jumped at the opportunity.

Now the proud owner of Moonstruck CLE, Elisa has ten years of experience selling vintage goods and connecting with other collectors. She’s built a profitable retail business for herself without taking on a penny of debt.

But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had some ups and downs—Elisa learned how to be a shopkeeper on her own, was laid off from her previous career, and then found Master Shopkeepers at the perfect moment.

Listen in to hear the full story of Elisa’s journey as the owner of Moonstruck CLE, along with what stage of her shopkeeping journey Elisa is in, why she plans to stay in that stage, and how joining Master Shopkeepers changed her approach to retail entrepreneurship for the better.

For show notes, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode227.

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