276. What Holiday Prep Actually Looks Like (Step by Step, Inner Circle Style)
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
Release Date: 09/01/2025
276. What Holiday Prep Actually Looks Like (Step by Step, Inner Circle Style)
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
With host retail coach is now a standalone masterclass! Click to grab it now. You can walk through the sessions at your own pace and rewatch it year after year. ? Join me and a small group on September 15th and let’s get down to business. Limited seating for this quarterly planning session. In This Episode: September is here - and for retailers, that means it’s time to get serious about holiday planning! In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing why Q4 doesn’t have to feel overwhelming and chaotic. Instead,...
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275. How Top Shop Owners Are Planning Their Holiday Strategy
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
Add graphic here With host retail coach is now a standalone masterclass! Click to grab it now. You can walk through the sessions at your own pace and rewatch it year after year. ? Join me and a small group on September 15th and let’s get down to business. Limited seating for this quarterly planning session. In This Episode: Are you heading into the holiday season feeling overwhelmed, reactive, and unsure how to hit your numbers? You’re not alone—but the good news is there’s a better way. In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk...
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274. Is Your Customer Journey Working? Audit It Now!
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
With host retail coach In This Episode: The holidays are coming. Time to revisit this crucial part of your business. One bad shopping experience can send a loyal customer packing. The good news? You have the power to make every visit unforgettable. Let’s talk about your customer’s journey. In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing actionable strategies to enhance every stage of your customer journey—from first discovery to post-purchase follow-up. I’ll walk you through a 5-stage audit that ensures shoppers feel welcomed, valued, and eager to...
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273. Train Your Retail Team to Sell Without Feeling Pushy
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
With host retail coach In This Episode: Struggling to improve retail staff sales training without turning your store into a pushy sales zone? You're not alone! Let’s talk about it. In this episode, I’m sharing how independent retailers can flip the script from selling to serving—while boosting revenue. Learn how to build a positive sales mindset and create a sales culture in retail that feels good for everyone involved: for you, your staff, and your customers. Key Takeaways on Selling Confidently: Train your team to confidently engage customers without feeling...
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272. Unlocking Team Potential: Nurturing a Culture of Ownership
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
With host retail coach In This Episode: Ready to transform your team from task-doers to strategic thinkers? In Episode 272 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m answering a question from one of my Mastermind members, Dan Haynes: How do we flip the mindset of management-level team members from task-oriented to strategic thinking? I’m diving deep into nurturing effective leadership and fostering genuine team buy-in. You’ll discover how to empower your employees, cultivate ownership, and build the culture you've always envisioned. I’m tackling the common...
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271. Back-of-the-Napkin Math: Simplifying Profit Planning for Retailers
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
With host retail coach In This Episode: Let’s simplify the numbers you need to know and why in your retail business. Don’t be that retailer that is overwhelmed by numbers in retail—or worse, avoiding them altogether. In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing the surprisingly simple method I use to help retailers finally understand their sales goals, profit margins, and growth potential. Say goodbye to spreadsheet stress and hello to clarity with my and “back-of-the-napkin” profits calculator. It’s the calculator you have been...
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270. Progress Over Perfection: How to Break Through Retail Business Overwhelm
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
With host retail coach In This Episode: Feeling stuck in perfectionism or weighed down by self-doubt? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay there! In this quick yet powerful coffee chat, I’m sharing real conversations I’ve had with shop owners navigating mindset challenges like imposter syndrome, overwhelm, and lack of confidence. You’ll walk away with practical mantras, empowering reminders, and actionable strategies to help you move forward—even when things feel messy. What You’ll Learn: Why “done is better than perfect” is a game-changing...
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269. Coffee Break Chats: Is Your Google Business Listing Costing You Customers in Your Retail Shop?
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
With host retail coach In This Episode: Is Your Google Business Profile Costing You Customers? Your Google Business profile is one of the easiest and most powerful tools to drive retail growth. In this Coffee Break episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing ten quick, high-impact ways to audit and refresh your profile—just in time for the fall retail rush. Updating your Google Business profile takes 10 minutes. We all have 10 minutes! Use them to update your digital storefront and start showing up where your customers are already searching: GOOGLE!...
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268. Awesome Isn’t Accidental: Raise the Retail Standards in Your Shop
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
With host retail coach In This Episode: It’s not luck. It’s not magic. Running a successful retail shop takes purpose, planning, and showing up as your best self. In this inspiring episode, I’m sharing a powerful reminder from one of my favorite authors, Jon Acuff: “Awesome is never accidental.” Let’s talk about how you can intentionally create a business that feels great for you and your customers—on purpose, not by chance. We don’t want average businesses or lives: strive for AWESOME. Tips on Raising Your Retail Standards: “Awesome”...
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267. Retail Planning Midyear Check-In: The Essential Steps
Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
With host retail coach In This Episode: I want you to ask yourself this question: “Why wouldn’t I be checking in mid-year with my retail business? Is there something I am avoiding? Am I making excuses like I’m ‘too busy’?” (Your words, not mine!) As a retail coach, it’s my job to not only teach you the steps you need to take to do a midyear check-in in your retail business but also encourage you to get it done. Trust me: this will make a huge difference in your mindset and in how you run your beautiful business. In this episode I’m walking...
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With host retail coach Wendy Batten
https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/
Holiday Success Planning Guide is now a standalone masterclass! Click HERE to grab it now. You can walk through the sessions at your own pace and rewatch it year after year.
Want to plan your entire Q4 with me LIVE? Join me and a small group on September 15th and let’s get down to business. Limited seating for this quarterly planning session.
In This Episode:
September is here - and for retailers, that means it’s time to get serious about holiday planning!
In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I’m sharing why Q4 doesn’t have to feel overwhelming and chaotic. Instead, with a little intention and front-loaded planning, you can step into the season with more joy, profit, and ease.
Whether you’re joining the Inner Circle live coaching week (free for members September 15-19) or DIY-ing the Holiday Success Guide, this episode will inspire you to take action now so the season feels aligned and profitable.
Key Takeaways:
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Why defining your version of success is the key to a great Q4.
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How to map out your “profit path” and choose what to prioritize.
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The importance of scheduling “big rocks” to avoid burnout and missed opportunities.
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Practical strategies for marketing, promotions, and prepping your team.
Your Next Steps:
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Define what success looks like for you this holiday season.
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Review your revenue streams and decide where to focus.
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Block out your “big rocks” on the calendar—both business and personal.
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Share your Q4 goals with us inside the Retailer’s Inner Circle or tag me on Instagram!
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Get the Tools & Support – Grab the Holiday Success Planning Guide for step-by-step guides, calculators, and planning templates to make 2025 your best and most relaxed holiday season yet. At only $97, you can’t afford not to! (It’s free for Inner Circle Members!)
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Plan With Me Live – Join the upcoming CEO Planning Workshop to map out your holiday strategy alongside me and other shop owners.
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Join the Inner Circle - Don’t let another holiday season go by without my and other likeminded retailers’ support! And remember: your membership gets you unlimited access to the Holiday Success Bootcamp, the Profit Planning Masterclass, and so much more.
Related podcasts we think you’ll like:
Episode 275: How Top Shop Owners Are Planning Their Holiday Strategy
Episode 121: Holiday Prep: 5 Tips to Help You See More Profits & Ease During the Holidays
Episode 94: The Retailer’s Ecosystem: Where To Spend Your Time and Focus Within Your Business
About your host, Wendy Batten
In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably—with more confidence and joy.
I’ve had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I’ve supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.
For more support from Wendy
Join Wendy’s CEO Planning Session for Retailers
Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community
Free resources for shop owners
Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG
All of Wendy’s current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.
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