#716: Buying a Boutique with Zero Experience and Zero Regrets
Release Date: 06/03/2025
Five Minute Friday: Stop Selling Dupes - The Truth About Trademark Infringement in Boutiques
Boutique Chat
Too many boutique owners risk their entire business without realizing it — by selling dupes, knockoffs, or unlicensed products. The consequences can be devastating, from confiscated inventory to losing everything they’ve worked so hard to build. In this episode of Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson shares the truth about trademark infringement and licensing agreements. Drawing from real-life examples in the retail industry, Ashley explains what every boutique owner needs to know to stay protected. Key takeaways from this episode: Why selling dupes is illegal, even if it seems harmless ...
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#729: From T-Shirt Side Hustle to National Wholesale Brand: The Saltwater Boys Story
Boutique Chat
What does it take to turn a creative outlet into a thriving brand? Today I’m joined by Laci Hewett of Saltwater Boys, who shares her journey from nurse to entrepreneur and how printing t-shirts in her closet quickly grew into a national wholesale business. Laci talks about building strong partnerships with retailers, the importance of photography and merchandising in children’s apparel, and the lessons she’s learned about growth, marketing, and legacy along the way. Resources: Saltwater Boys: | | | Laci Hewett: Ashley Alderson: The Boutique Hub:...
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Five Minute Friday: How Much Inventory Should You REALLY Have? | Open to Buy Planning Explained
Boutique Chat
In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we’re answering another frequently asked question from retailers and small business owners: How much inventory should I really have on hand? It’s one of the biggest challenges boutique owners face—and getting it wrong can tie up your cash flow, leave you with dead stock, or cost you sales when you don’t have enough on the floor. In this episode, Sarah from The Boutique Hub breaks down the science of buying inventory using an Open to Buy Plan, so you can stop guessing and start investing wisely. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Why There’s No Easy Button ...
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#728: How Successful Boutiques Scale with Email, SMS & Smart Marketing Systems
Boutique Chat
Are you struggling to keep up with marketing while running your boutique? What if you didn’t have to do it all alone? Today I sit down with Kinsey Harris, a former boutique owner who transformed her burnout into a thriving marketing agency, Boutique Bestie Solutions. Kinsey shares her journey from running a boutique to helping retailers master email, SMS, and Pinterest marketing, as well as practical strategies to build strong customer connections and drive sales. Resources: Boutique Bestie Solutions: | | | Kinsey Harris: Ashley...
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Five Minute Friday: Retail Tips - The REAL Difference Between a Sale and a Promotion
Boutique Chat
In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we’re answering another frequently asked question from retailers and small business owners: What’s the difference between a sale and a promotion? It’s one of the most common points of confusion in retail—and getting it wrong could be costing your business profit. In this episode, Sarah from The Boutique Hub explains how to tell the difference, when to use each strategy, and how to protect your margins while driving customer engagement. 🔑 Key Takeaways: What Is a Sale? A permanent price drop designed to clear inventory quickly. The faster an...
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#727: From Scroll to Sold: The Future of Live Selling & Mobile Apps with CommentSold
Boutique Chat
What if live selling could transform not just your sales, but the way you connect with customers? In this episode, I'm joined by Ciera Elledge of CommentSold to explore how boutiques can harness the power of social commerce. Ciera shares what sets the most successful live sellers apart, as well as how features like CommentChat, AI Clip Hero, and custom mobile apps give boutique owners the tools to work smarter, not harder, while keeping shoppers engaged and loyal. Resources: CommentSold: | | | Ciera Elledge: | Ashley Alderson:...
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Five Minute Friday: Website Health Check- 3 Checks Everyone Should Be Running!
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. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Run a Monthly Website Health Check Create a recurring checklist for your team (or yourself...
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#726: The Shoe That Changed the Game: Inside the MIA Brand
Boutique Chat
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: | Michael Strauss: | Ashley Alderson: The Boutique...
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Five Minute Friday: Why Your Boutique Needs Live Selling (and How to Start Today)
Boutique Chat
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. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Why Go Live? Live selling helps you connect with customers beyond your store hours. Creates urgency and FOMO that drives faster purchases. Lets customers see...
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#725: The Power of Pink Friday: How to Win the Holidays Before Black Friday
Boutique Chat
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: ...
info_outlineWhat’s it like to run a thriving boutique side by side with your partner? In this episode, Serena and Java Patterson share the inspiring story of how they transformed The Farmhouse from a local vendor space into a successful boutique rooted in community. They walk through the key moves that fueled their growth, from switching their POS system from Clover to Shopify to streamline inventory and cut fees, to using smart merchandising to create an inviting shopping experience.
Listen in to hear how they balanced tourist and local customer needs, embraced Retail Bootcamp strategies to master their financials and grow organically through social media, and more. But it’s not just about business—Serena and Java also get real about what it’s like to build and run a store as a couple. They talk about setting boundaries, adding humor to hectic days, and leaning on each other through the highs and lows. Whether you're dreaming of opening your own shop or looking for ways to grow with heart, this episode is packed with personal stories and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss!
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