Boutique Chat

We’re shifting our focus to your online presence by highlighting one of the most overlooked parts of running a retail business: your website health check. Your website isn’t “set it and forget it.” Just like your inventory or sales floor, it needs regular maintenance to keep customers engaged, build trust, and avoid costly mistakes like broken links or checkout issues. A simple monthly checklist can save you from losing sales and help your brand look polished and professional.

What makes shoes a powerful addition to your boutique? Today, I’m joined by Michael Strauss of MIA Shoes, who shares how the family-owned brand evolved into a comfort-driven, fashion-forward line. Michael reveals how MIA’s signature cushioned footbed and iconic white-bottom sandals reshaped the brand, why trust and merchandising are key to selling footwear, and what trends are set to define Fall and Spring 2026. Resources:  MIA Shoes: Website | Instagram  Michael Strauss:  LinkedIn | Instagram Join The Boutique Hub     Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we’re answering one of the most asked questions inside the Boutique Hub: How do I go live and sell? If you’ve been nervous about starting live selling, or you’re not sure where to begin, this episode gives you the confidence and tools to just start. Live selling is one of the fastest ways to grow your boutique sales, engage your customers, and create urgency online.

What would life look like without small businesses? Today, we’re diving into why they’re the heartbeat of our local economies—and why their role matters more than ever during the holiday rush. I’m joined by Sara Burks, who reveals how small businesses do far more than ring up sales: they create jobs, fund community events, pay taxes, and more. Listen in as we explore how to shift attention from big-box retailers to small businesses through Pink Friday, a bold, colorful event held the Friday before Black Friday.  Resources:  Sara Burks:  LinkedIn Pink Friday 2025 Join The Boutique Hub     Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we’re continuing our Know Your Numbers series by breaking down another retail metrics—your turn—and how it directly impacts your cash flow and profit. If you’ve ever had great margins on paper but no cash in the bank, this episode will show you how to calculate your turn, understand how quickly your inventory “spoils,” and apply strategies to move product faster so you can keep money flowing through your business.

What makes a gift feel truly unforgettable? Today I’m joined by Holly Hachman of Little Red Bird Gifts, who joins the show to share her journey of building a joyful, story-driven retail space. Inspired by her mother's love for shopping, Holly chose to focus on meaningful gifts over apparel, creating a warm, inviting shop. She opens up about the power of storytelling in retail, how it shapes customer experience, and the role of signature lines in connecting with shoppers. Resources:  Holly Hachman:  Website | Facebook | Instagram Join The Boutique Hub     Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we’re continuing our Know Your Numbers series by showing you how to find the most important retail metrics inside your POS, financial reports, and analytics tools. Before you can improve your numbers, you need to know where to find them. This episode gives you the step-by-step to locate data like inventory, markdowns, traffic, and sales—so you can confidently apply the formulas that drive profit.

Get ready to meet Dane Cohen, the newest member of The Boutique Hub team, whose retail roots run deep! Growing up in his family's store, Lester's, a Brooklyn-based business that blossomed from a 500-square-foot shop into a specialty department store, Dane shares how those early experiences shaped his perspective on community, business, and what it really takes to succeed in retail. In this episode, he dives into the lessons learned behind the register and how he’s bringing that same passion and insight to the Hub. Resources:  Dane Cohen:  LinkedIn Join The Boutique Hub     Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we’re continuing our Know Your Numbers series by highlighting one of the most powerful tools in your retail business: conversion rate. Your conversion rate isn’t just a performance stat—it’s your daily truth teller. When you track it consistently, it helps you identify whether you need more traffic or better in-store or online performance to grow your sales.

What happens when a teenage entrepreneur grows up to become the voice of a beloved boutique brand? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Haley Klockenga, Podcast & Marketing Coordinator at Glamour Farms, as she opens up about the realities of working in a fast-paced small business—juggling multiple roles, growing a team, and navigating the joys (and chaos) of motherhood. We talk candidly about faith, family, and the unexpected lessons that come from building a brand rooted in community. Resources:  Haley Klockenga: Instagram Glamour Farms: Website | Podcast   Glamour Farms first order: FIRSTORDER30 Join The Boutique Hub     Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we’re continuing our Know Your Numbers series by unpacking one of the most overlooked but critical metrics in retail: Initial Markup (IMU). Your IMU isn’t just a pricing formula—it’s your profit ceiling. And if you’re not tracking it monthly, you could be limiting your growth without even realizing it.

How do you transform an unexpected rhinestone t-shirt business into a thriving clothing brand with a loyal online following? In this episode, I’m joined by Alinda Hale to talk about how adaptability, authenticity, and deep customer understanding helped her scale—especially through the challenges of COVID-19. She also shares how she brought her family into the business, embraced live selling, and built strong community ties. Resources:  Alinda Hale: Instagram Join The Boutique Hub     Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we’re kicking off our Know Your Numbers series by diving into two of the most important numbers every boutique owner should track daily: Average Order Value (AOV) and Units Per Transaction (UPT). These simple but powerful retail metrics offer a clear path to more revenue, better team training, and a stronger customer experience—without needing more foot traffic or major changes to your business.

Is golf the next big thing in fashion and lifestyle retail? Fresh off the PGA Show in Orlando—a major industry event that draws around 30,000 attendees—today's episode dives into how golf is transforming into a style-forward and inclusive lifestyle. Lisa Langas, Vice President of Business Development at PGA Golf Exhibitions, joins the show to highlight the growing demand for women’s and boutique golf apparel, the sport’s shift toward broader family participation, and how retailers can engage with these expanding markets.  Resources:  Lisa Langas: Website | LinkedIn Join The Boutique Hub     Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

Where are my customers? It’s the #1 question retailers ask when business slows down and it’s not always about the economy or the weather. In this episode of Five Minute Friday, Sara tackles what to do when sales stall. Whether it’s a seasonal dip or a concerning trend, you’ll learn how to step into your customer’s shoes, audit your business with fresh eyes, and get back to what made your boutique shine in the first place. We’re diving into: The 3 core questions to ask when sales drop How your presence (or absence) impacts your customer’s loyalty Why inventory overwhelm could be pushing people away How to reset your experience both in-store and online What to revisit if your average order value is shrinking Bottom line: Slow seasons happen but staying stuck isn’t the answer. Tune in and get the tools to investigate, adapt, and rebuild your momentum.   Join The Boutique Hub Community 

Ever wonder what it takes to turn a family passion into a thriving business? Join us as we chat with Kasey & Kaitlyn Widmyer, the dynamic duo behind Marmalade, a boutique inspired by their mother, Marie Widmeyer, and her fashion dreams. From childhood lessons to steering the business through the storms of the 2007-2008 recession, they share how these experiences crafted their resilience and work ethic. Get ready to be inspired as they recount their journey from playtime in the boutique aisles to orchestrating its expansion after college, proving that perseverance and adaptability can indeed breed success even in the most challenging economies. Resources:          Kasey & Kaitlyn Widmyer (Marmalade): Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Website         Join The Boutique Hub            Ashley Alderson: Instagram            The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube 

This week, Samrin Martin and Sarah Zeigler from the Atlanta Market gift & home team join us to share the latest news, events, and key buyer resources for the upcoming July Market happening in Atlanta, July 15-21.   Resources: About Atlanta Market: https://www.atlantamarket.com/ Atlanta Market Events: https://www.atlantamarket.com/Attend/Events What’s New in July: https://www.atlantamarket.com/Market-Info/Whats-New Details for all upcoming Atlanta markets: https://www.americasmart.com/Markets/Market-Dates-and-Hours

What if sales didn’t have to be about being pushy or intimidating, but instead about solving problems and making life better? Join us as we explore this concept with our guest, Andee Hart, who transformed her corporate sales expertise into a flourishing candle business during the pandemic. Andee's inspiring journey is a masterclass in differentiation and tenacity, from how she successfully stood out in a crowded market to how she scaled her business to hundreds of boutiques.   Listen in as we cover effective pricing strategies, as well as the critical role of personalized retailer outreach for wholesale brands. We also examine how missteps in pricing can affect perceived quality, the importance of market research, and how assuming positive intent can turn customer service challenges into opportunities for creating brand loyalty. This episode is packed with practical advice and personal anecdotes that offer a roadmap for anyone looking to scale their product-based business. Resources:  Andee Hart: Instagr

Is your cash flow feeling tight but you’re still not paying yourself? In this episode of Five Minute Friday, Sara breaks down one of the most common retail traps: tying up cash in things that don’t bring you a return. From unnecessary trips to market to unused apps, pretty packaging, and impulse inventory buys, these hidden money leaks could be holding your business (and paycheck!) back. You’ll learn: How to spot dead cash in your business What purchases to re-think or cut How to create a more purposeful spending plan Why paying yourself first needs to be a priority What to do today to start freeing up money Sara’s challenge for you? Take a look around, your cash is there, it just might not look like dollar bills yet. Join The Boutique Hub Community 

What does it take to grow your boutique into a thriving, sustainable business? In this episode, we sit down with retail expert Sara Burks to walk through the heart of the Retail Bootcamp program, which is all about helping entrepreneurs step into the CEO role with clarity and confidence. You’ll hear practical tips on finding and serving your ideal customer, using time-blocking to stay focused, and building a clear, realistic plan to expand your business. Whether you're just starting out or ready to level up, this episode is packed with real-world strategies and inspiration to help you lead your business with purpose and profit. Listen in as we dive into the financial side of running a business, from getting clear on your numbers to setting up budgets and bank accounts that actually work for you. Sara also shares why moving beyond just checking your bank balance is key to long-term success, especially for women who want to feel confident about money. She keeps it real with advice that feels doable, not overwhe