Brick and Mortar Visibility

From Broke to Boutique Retail Boss: A Conversation with Sarah Kowal


Listen Later

In this episode of the Brick and Mortar Visibility Podcast, we’re stepping beyond the studio and into the world of boutique retail. Whether you're running a Pilates, yoga, or music studio—or any class-based business—there’s a good chance you’re also selling something on the side. From merch to gear, retail is a powerful revenue stream, and it’s time we treat it like one.

Our guest, Sarah Kowal, knows this firsthand. She went from broke to building two thriving businesses and now mentors and markets for retail brands nationwide. Sarah shares her real-talk wisdom on marketing for small businesses, particularly those running brick-and-mortar or boutique retail operations.

Plus, we kick off the episode with a quick check-in about Profit First—because it’s Q3, and if you’re following the method, it’s time to take that 50% profit and celebrate your progress!

Tune in to hear:

  • Why boutique retail deserves a real marketing strategy
  • Simple shifts to increase your retail sales
  • How to think like a retailer inside your service-based biz
  • A dose of inspiration from Sarah’s journey and hard-won lessons

🎧 Press play to learn how to make your boutique retail space more profitable—without the overwhelm.

More about our guest:
An entrepreneur, Sarah Kowal went from broke-a$$ to owning two successful businesses. She has spoken at numerous business forums (various chambers of commerce, the MN Retailers Association, other business groups, and as a mentor with Twin Cities SCORE) and serves as a judge, mentor, and marketer for business pitch competitions. She has made a difference for thousands of entrepreneurs. Her startup, WeatherVane Creamery, was recognized by the American Cheese Society for its innovation in dairy retail. She hustled to generate funding from over 70 private individuals, pitched to Howard Shultz of Starbucks (and over 10,000 Starbucks shareholders!), and generated a ton of media coverage, including FOX Morning News. Currently, she is the Founder and Master Biz Hacker of Project Biz Lab, an online business academy, and Owner/Operator of InSIGHTful Low Vision, LLC, a boutique marketing agency.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Melissa Rose-: Level UP: Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Newsletter, Referral Partners, and more.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

  1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility 
  2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
  3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. 

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing.  With passion, resilience, and tenacity - she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

Melissa's also a visibility coach and consultant for other local brick + mortar businesses. Providing direction by leveraging SEO best practices, encompassing Google Business Profile optimization, blog writing, and email/text campaigns. When not inspiring or empowering, Melissa's a mama of five kiddos, enjoys long hikes and playing in her garden.  

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Brick and Mortar VisibilityBy Melissa Rose - Business Coach for Studio Businesses

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

79 ratings


More shows like Brick and Mortar Visibility

View all
The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes

The School of Greatness

21,305 Listeners

The GaryVee Audio Experience by Gary Vaynerchuk

The GaryVee Audio Experience

16,795 Listeners

Run a Profitable Gym by Chris Cooper

Run a Profitable Gym

90 Listeners

Why That Worked  – Presented by StoryBrand.ai by StoryBrand.ai

Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai

1,925 Listeners

The Business of Boutique Fitness by Lise Kuecker

The Business of Boutique Fitness

83 Listeners

Small Business Straight Talk | Productivity, Time Management, Mindset, & Business Strategies by Amber De La Garza, The Productivity Specialist For Small Business Owners

Small Business Straight Talk | Productivity, Time Management, Mindset, & Business Strategies

160 Listeners

The Game with Alex Hormozi by Alex Hormozi

The Game with Alex Hormozi

4,389 Listeners

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

7,165 Listeners

Boutique Chat by The Boutique Hub with Ashley Alderson

Boutique Chat

861 Listeners

Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast by Kathy Cruz

Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast

134 Listeners

Sales Maven by Nikki Rausch

Sales Maven

110 Listeners

SmartLess by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

SmartLess

58,143 Listeners

Marketing Made Simple by Powered by StoryBrand

Marketing Made Simple

292 Listeners

Build with Leila Hormozi by Leila Hormozi

Build with Leila Hormozi

887 Listeners

Rooted in Retail by Crystal Vilkaitis

Rooted in Retail

65 Listeners