Welcome to the first Richer Retailer episode of the new year! 

In this Q1 2026 State of Retail check-in, Cathy Wagner reframes the idea of a “slow season” and invites you to see Q1 for what it truly is: a reset season.

In a cautious economy where customers are spending more intentionally, Cathy breaks down three major retail trends shaping early 2026 and exactly what to do in January, February, and March to stay profitable, connected, and confident as a CEO. From smarter pricing and leaner inventory to cozy in-store moments and small-but-smart tech, this episode is packed with practical moves you can implement immediately.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Key Takeaways:

Your Millie Moment: Finish like a Richer Retailer CEO.

Choose one focused upgrade to work on this quarter, not five, not ten, just one. Treat Q1 as your setup season by committing to a single improvement that will make the rest of the year easier and more profitable.

That action might be:

Put blinders on, finish what you start, and complete that one upgrade before moving on. Progress comes from finishing, not from doing more.

Resources & Links

💚 Remember: Q1 isn’t asking you to hustle harder, it’s asking you to breathe, reset, and choose with intention. You don’t need to do everything right now. You just need to choose one thing that truly matters and follow it through. Small, focused actions done with care create powerful momentum. You are building something meaningful, and you’re doing it with heart. Trust that and trust yourself.

January can be one of the most challenging months for retailers; slower traffic, softer sales, and inventory left over from Q4 that simply didn’t move. In this episode Cathy answers real questions from the retail community about the January slump, aging inventory, and the fear many store owners have around running clearance sales.

Cathy breaks down why the January slowdown isn’t actually a seasonal problem, but an inventory and strategy issue. She explains how trapped cash in stale inventory quietly erodes profit and momentum and why a strategic, well-planned clearance sale can increase future margins without devaluing a brand.

This episode offers clarity, mindset shifts, and practical guidance for retailers who want to regain cash flow, energy, and confidence heading into Q1.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Key Takeaways:

Your Millie Moment:

Resources and Links:

Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group

💚 Remember: January struggles are not a sign of failure, they are feedback. When retailers release inventory that is holding cash hostage, they create space for fresh products, renewed energy, and forward momentum. Strategy, clarity, and action, not luck are what move businesses forward. Retailers are reminded that they are capable, supported, and never alone on this journey.

Ready to add a little extra joy and profit to your retail shop? 

In this episode of The Richer Retailer, Cathy sits down with one of our amazing clients, Alana Turner, the passionate owner of the joy filled store Poopsies, who’s making her second guest appearance on the podcast. Alana is back to share why books are one of the best-kept secrets in specialty retail. She spills the tea on how books create emotional connections, keep customers browsing longer, and boost sales, all while being low-risk and super easy to start. Whether you’re overwhelmed by choices or unsure how to begin, Alana’s got simple, practical tips to help you dive into the wonderful world of books and turn them into your store’s new favorite category.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Key Takeaways:

Millie Moment:

Resources and Links:

Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group

💚 Remember: You are a remarkable retailer making a meaningful impact in your community. Every choice you make, big or small, adds to the story your store tells and the connections you create. Embrace new opportunities like books to bring joy, learning, and comfort to your customers. Keep believing in your vision, keep showing up with your unique passion, and know that your dedication is seen and deeply appreciated. You’ve got this, and your store is a bright light in the world. Keep shining!

Celebrating the Most Powerful Moments from Year One of the Richer Retailer Podcast

What a year it’s been. This special Best Of episode is a heartfelt celebration of the moments you told us mattered most, the clips that made you think differently, laugh out loud, and say, “Okay… I can actually do this.”

This episode brings together the Top 5 most-loved episodes of Year One and the lessons that continue to transform retail businesses around the world.

Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or just found us, this is the perfect episode to anchor into what it really means to become a Richer Retailer.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Key Takeaways:

Millie Moment:

Resources and Links:

Loved what you heard in this Best Of Episode? Keep the momentum going by diving deeper into the full conversations featured today: Listen to the Top 5 Episodes of Year One

Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group

💚 Remember: You don’t have to have it all figured out to be moving forward. Every insight you’ve picked up, every small change you’ve made, and every time you chose to show up even on the messy days counts. You are growing, you are learning, and you are becoming the richer retailer you’re meant to be. Your store can support you, your dreams matter, and you are never walking this journey alone.

In this inspiring conversation, Cathy sits down with Samantha, the owner of Jane Boutique and one of our amazing RETAILMavens clients to talk about the real journey behind opening a store. From construction delays and rezoning setbacks to having thousands of dollars of inventory arrive months early, Sam’s path to launch was anything but easy.

But what truly stands out is her emotional resilience, her abundant mindset, and her unwavering commitment to clienteling and customer experience. You’ll hear how she turned obstacles into long-term wins, opened with a visual boom, and leveraged years of authentic community relationships to create a wildly successful launch.

This is a must-listen if you’re opening a store, rebuilding your mindset, or strengthening customer relationships.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Key Takeaways:

Millie Moment: Your Mid-Year Reset Action Plan

No matter where you are in your retail adventure whether just starting out or navigating unexpected delays embrace the power of emotional resilience.

Start today by picking one of these steps to focus on small consistent actions that build unstoppable momentum.

Resources & Links

Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group

💚 Remember: Every connection you make with your customers is a chance to build something meaningful, whether it’s a smile, a story, or a moment that turns a visitor into a loyal friend. Your passion and care are what truly set your store apart. Keep shining, and know that every small effort is part of your bigger journey to success.

December is here and if you want next December to look totally different with more cash flow, less chaos, and a smoother-running store, now is the moment to act. Cathy breaks down the current retail climate, what’s shifting in consumer behavior, and the strategies retailers must use to create momentum and finish the year strong.

From understanding your “thumb” customers, to increasing items per sale, to using AI tools to make smarter decisions, this episode is full of clear, actionable retail insights that help you elevate the customer experience, boost holiday shopping performance, and drive business growth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Key Takeaways:

Your Millie Moment: Simple, High-Impact Actions You Can Take This Week

Resources & Links

This episode is your reminder that TODAY is the last day to grab your ticket to the Planning Palooza, a powerful, hands-on planning event that sets up your entire year for success.

💚 Remember:  No matter how the year has gone, you are more than enough, a brilliant, courageous soul pouring your heart into your business every single day. Your kindness, your vision, and your dedication matter deeply to your customers and your community.

Take a deep breath. You are not alone. You have the strength to finish this year with grace and step into 2026 with renewed hope and unstoppable confidence. Remember: every small effort, every genuine connection, and every thoughtful moment adds up to something beautiful. Keep shining your light. Your best season is yet to come.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything in your store and still not getting the results you want… this episode is for you.

Cathy sits down with our incredible Coach Maven, Krystal Perry, to pull back the curtain on our strategic Game Plan Calls, the same calls that have helped retailers go from overwhelmed, underwater, and exhausted… to clear, confident, and finally profitable again.

Krystal shares her 25-year retail journey, the framework she uses on every Game Plan Call, the most common struggles she hears from store owners, and the powerful question that changes everything for her clients. You’ll hear real stories, real breakthroughs, and real next steps you can take today.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Key Takeaways:

Millie Moment: Your Mid-Year Reset Action Plan

Resources & Links

Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group

💚 Remember: You deserve so much more than just surviving, you deserve to feel truly rich in your profits, your time, and your happiness. Sometimes just one clear step can light the way to a whole new chapter. And no matter where you are, you’re never alone on this journey. We believe in you, and we’re here to walk beside you every step of the way. 

You don’t need to do more to achieve more, you just need to think differently. This episode will remind you of the power of pausing, dreaming, and daring to share your story with the world.

In this inspiring continuation of Cathy’s conversation with visionary business coach Sarah Victory, you’ll learn how to describe your store in a way that sticks, so customers and partners can easily share your story even when you’re not in the room.

Sarah shares her proven “Know How” formula to help you stand out from the crowd, plus practical ways to build authentic partnerships, generate powerful word-of-mouth, and turn every event into a magnet for new customers. If you’ve ever struggled to explain what makes your shop special or how to keep traffic coming during slow seasons, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Key Takeaways:

Your Millie Moment:

Resources & Links

Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group

💚 Remember: You are seen, you are powerful, and your light is needed. You don’t have to fit into anyone else’s story or wait to be “ready.” Like the Statue of Liberty, you can stand tall, dressed in your own strength and truth, lighting the way for others. Trust yourself, lean on those who believe in you, and keep shining because your courage and light make the world better every single day.

Every bit of business growth begins with a spark of magic, the courage to imagine something bigger and believe it’s possible.

Get ready to be inspired, my friends. In this episode of Richer Retailer, Cathy is joined by Sarah Victory, the powerhouse Chief Visionary Officer of The Victory Company, best known for helping entrepreneurs and business owners double their success. She’s the author of Double Your Business in One Year or Less!, Do Something Brave Every Day, and How to Be Powerful, and the host of The Inspiring Victory Show, where she shares stories of courage, creativity, and unstoppable growth.

Together, Cathy and Sarah explore the mindset that fuels extreme business growth, magical thinking. They reveal how to set bold goals, create powerful partnerships, and build the kind of support systems that make your retail dreams real. This episode will remind you that what the mind can conceive, you can achieve, especially when you believe in a little magic.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Key Takeaways:

Your Millie Moment 

Resources & Links

Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group

💚 Remember: Magic only works when your mind is open. When you believe in what’s possible and take that first brave step, the universe meets you halfway. Trust yourself, your magic is already working.

November can feel like a whirlwind, the holidays are here, your to-do list is growing, and it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle. 

Shoppers may not be spending wildly, but they are spending thoughtfully and that’s great news for independent retailers who know how to connect, curate, and stay focused.

Cathy shares how smarter spending, authentic storytelling, and intentional experiences are shaping success this season. Plus, she reveals how to use AI as your behind-the-scenes helper (without losing your human touch) and why focus beats frenzy in November.

If you’ve been feeling the holiday hustle already kicking in, this episode will help you pause, refocus, and lead your store with clarity and calm confidence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Key Takeaways:

Your Millie Moment: Focus Beats Frenzy

Because when you stay focused, you create calm, clarity, and profit — even in the busiest retail season of the year.

Resources & Links

💚 Remember: You are not just managing a busy season, you’re creating moments of magic for your customers and your community. November is your reminder to slow down, focus on what truly matters, and let go of the rest. When you lead with clarity and heart, you don’t just survive the holidays, you shine through them.