Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten

Our main job as retail business owners is to learn and get better and better. There are always going to be storms to weather and we can only strive for being prepared.

The bottom line is the retailers with core foundations are the ones who are doing exceptionally well -- and even thriving -- through these current times.

In today's episode, I have tried-and-true tips for being prepared for the worst… and how to make it out on top while building our "entrepreneurial grit."

Yes, I acknowledge that now is exceptionally tough for retailers. But I want to lighten the mood, share my own personal shop story about how things can go sideways at any given moment… especially when skunks are involved.

Listen up to hear what I learned from #skunkgate.

Wondering what to do next in your retail business? Download the Shop Owner's Game Plan.

https://wendybatten.com/gameplan

Learn more about the Creative Shop Owner's Inner Circle:

https://wendybatten.com/paintpreneurs-inner-circle/

Let's Continue the Conversation

Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

Need more retailer specific advice & encouragement? Hop on my email list and I'll keep it coming:

• http://wendybatten.com/subscribe

XO Wendy

When we're in the middle of hard times, no one wants to think about the "lessons" we are learning at the same time. It's so much easier to look back at those events ⁠—from a safe distance⁠— and reflect on our takeaways years later.

Right now, as retailers it is tough. We are facing pandemic shutdowns and change, social unrest and more. We are too deep living in it. It's hard to see the good right now. We are personally developing, testing our strength and stepping up to the challenges.

I can't help but remember the lessons I learned running my cafe years ago. I had something horrible happen in my business. I lost trust with my employees, completely lost confidence and just got tired. Luckily, my loyal customers rallied behind me and helped me realize I still had a passion.

This is a story about endurance and committed to the success of a retail business with questions to ask yourself if the business is still viable.

You can't make business decisions from deep inside exhaustion and being emotionally heightened. So let's chat about this, because we're all going through these emotions and tiredness now.

Wondering what to do next in your retail business? Download the Shop Owner's Game Plan.

https://wendybatten.com/gameplan

Learn more about the Creative Shop Owner's Inner Circle:

https://wendybatten.com/paintpreneurs-inner-circle/

Let's Continue the Conversation

Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

Need more retailer specific advice & encouragement? Hop on my email list and I'll keep it coming:

• http://wendybatten.com/subscribe

XO Wendy

This is what I'm hearing from creative retailers from all over the world: I'm exhausted.

During the last 3 months, you've been working 10 times harder to stay afloat, to get curbside orders to customers, to show up on social media, and to keep your business going. This quarantine hasn't been a down time to focus on your hobbies and home projects. You've been working!

This is a special episode to let you know I'm proud of you and that other brick and mortar retailers are feeling the same emotions! You are not alone. You have a dream, a passion and a business that you love, let's take some time for YOU. I absolutely do not want to see you burnout as you reopen your store.

Learn more about the Creative Shop Owner's Inner Circle:

https://wendybatten.com/paintpreneurs-inner-circle/

Let's Continue the Conversation

Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

Need more retailer specific advice & encouragement? Hop on my email list and I'll keep it coming:

• http://wendybatten.com/subscribe

XO Wendy

It's overwhelming enough right now as we adjust our retail businesses to online orders, curbside pickup and appointments, and deliveries. On top of this, us scrappy retailers are getting orders from FB lives and comments, Instagram direct messages, phone calls, websites and emails.

How do we keep track of it all without dropping orders through the cracks?

How do we keep our sanity and not burn out?

How do we get our team on the same page?

The struggle is real and you're not alone if you're feeling swamped by all of the channels and platforms that clients can interact with you. This episode will help you come up with a system (and some must-needed boundaries) when it comes to collecting orders and communicating with your clients.

Enjoy!

Let's Continue the Conversation

Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

Need more retailer specific advice & encouragement? Hop on my email list and I'll keep it coming:

• http://wendybatten.com/subscribe

XO Wendy

A positive effect of this tragic Pandemic is it's helping creative retailers who I coach to take a honest look at their business and really ask deep questions, like:

Why am I in business?

What is my purpose here?

Am I doing everything I can to lay strong business foundations to make my retail shop a viable and profitable business?

Am I committed?

It's not a bad thing to be attached to our retail businesses. But if we're going to really commit to success, we can't drift anymore and we can't wing it anymore.

It's not going to be easy, but it's time to evaluate your goals and level of commitment. Listen to this episode to hear stories of what other retailers are deciding and accomplishing, and how they are pivoting.

Enroll in the Success Path for Creative Shop Owners:

https://wendybatten.com/success-path/

Let's Continue the Conversation

Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

Need more retailer specific advice & encouragement? Hop on my email list and I'll keep it coming:

• http://wendybatten.com/subscribe

XO Wendy

Today I'm chatting with fellow creative retailer Kim Smith whose paint retail business The Oromocto Galleria in Oromocto, New Brunswick, had to shut down due to the Coronavirus restrictions.

Her brick and mortar business depended on in-person workshops for clients, both children and adults. She pivoted very quickly to social shopping, online orders, curbside pick-up and DIY workshop kits.

Kim shares her story of how she's in-tune with her customers and how she helped her First Nation and military communities with her kits.

Stay tuned, next week I will sit down with another fellow creative retailer to find out what's working for her retail business during the CoVid-19 shutdowns.

Connect with Kim and follow what she's doing

Facebook @oromoctogalleria https://www.facebook.com/oromoctogalleria/

Instagram @theoromoctogalleria

Let's Continue the Conversation

Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

Need more retailer specific advice & encouragement? Hop on my email list and I'll keep it coming:

• http://wendybatten.com/subscribe

XO Wendy

Today I'm chatting with fellow creative retailer Lisa Casey about how she is running her retail business during the pandemic.

Lisa had just rebranded her paint retail shop in Moncton, New Brunswick, just one week before the Coronavirus shutdowns forced her to close her doors.

She's since pivoted her business to accommodate her customers who still want to DIY and paint while at home and still want to buy from her. As a silver lining, her store is up 20% year-to-date.

She's going to share what she's doing in her store, how she's managing her social media and other keys to her success during this uncertain time.

Stay tuned, next week I will sit down with another fellow creative retailer to find out what's working for her business during the CoVid-19 shutdowns.

Connect with Lisa and follow what she's doing

Facebook @thepaintedpineapplemoncton https://www.facebook.com/thepaintedpineapplemoncton/

Instagram @thepaintedpineapplemoncton

https://www.instagram.com/thepaintedpineapplemoncton/

Let's Continue the Conversation

Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

Need more retailer specific advice & encouragement? Hop on my email list and I'll keep it coming:

• http://wendybatten.com/subscribe

XO Wendy

There's no doubt that life and retail business will be different after this pandemic is over and behind us.

I've been talking with many brick and mortar shop owners about the positive changes we will see in our customers' buying habits and what things will look like on the other side.

There are silver linings!

Stay tuned, next week I will sit down with a fellow creative retailer and find out what's working for her business during the CoVid-19 shutdowns.

Need more retailer specific advice & encouragement? Hop on my email list and I'll keep it coming:

• http://wendybatten.com/subscribe

Let's Continue the Conversation

Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

XO Wendy

The next few weeks are going to be tricky for business owners facing this COVID-19 pandemic. Many non-essential retail businesses have been forced to shut down and will struggle to pay their expenses, especially payroll, rent, etc.

In this podcast, I wanted to help you get a game plan for the next 8 weeks in your brick and mortar business. This means taking a hard look at finances, bills, inventory and having a contingency plan so your business can survive.

I have good news: there are great stories of communities and businesses rallying together to figure things out. I put together a few resources for you to get started.

It's going to be okay!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Please read my Facebook post (https://www.facebook.com/WendyBattenPaintpreneur/posts/521972035085266) for updated information and resources for retail business owners.

The Paintpreneur's Inner Circle

• I've opened my coaching group and community during this time: https://wendybatten.com/paintpreneurs-inner-circle/

Let's Continue the Conversation

My free FB Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

XO Wendy

These are unprecedented times for small businesses. I am not going to pretend like I have all the answers in the upcoming weeks and months with the coronavirus spreading and businesses shutting down, but I can help you navigate through it.

Let's talk through all your fear and uncertainty as a creative shop keeper right now. I have suggestions and encouragement for you. And most importantly, I'd like you to realize you are not alone and I am here for you.

Need more retailer specific advice & encouragement? Hop on my email list and I'll keep it coming:

• http://wendybatten.com/subscribe

Let's Continue the Conversation

Rockstar Creative Shop Owners Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rockstarcreatives/

Let's Connect:

• IG @frontporchmercantile
• FB @wendybattenpaintpreneur
• WendyBatten.com

Subscribe to Creative Shop Talk

Here's what to do next, subscribe to Creative Shop Talk and then head over to our private Facebook community to meet other creative retailers.

I could really use your help getting my new podcast going and helping retailers find the show. Would you please leave me a review? Just visit ‎Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten on Apple Podcasts, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review". I may pick your review to highlight on an upcoming episode. Make sure you leave your business name, Instagram handle and location so I can give your shop a shoutout.

XO Wendy