Think retail is dying? Think again. This episode will completely shift your perspective on what it takes to thrive in today’s fast-changing retail world, no doom and gloom, just real strategies, fresh insights, and powerful mindset shifts.

In this episode of Richer Retailer, Cathy Donovan Wagner sits down with Crystal Vilkaitis from Rooted in Retail to discuss the evolving retail landscape. They dive deep into the heart of retail marketing, community building, and the role of business mentorship in driving modern retail success.

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Real retail success isn’t about avoiding change, it’s about embracing it, leading with clarity, and building a business that supports the life you want. You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.

How can embracing community values and ethical branding set your retail business apart? 

We explore how community values and ethical branding impact retail businesses in today’s episode with Cadence Kidwell from Fuzzy goat and Janet Avila and String Theory Yarn, a back-to-back guest. Discover why authenticity in your brand message matters more than ever and how personal stories can foster deeper customer loyalty. We also discuss the potential risks of customer backlash when businesses take a stand on ethics or social issues and how to navigate these challenges effectively.

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By staying true to your values and fostering real community connections, you’re not just growing a business—you're creating a branding legacy built on authenticity, loyalty, and trust.

Are you constantly planning but struggling to take action? 

In this episode of Richer Retailer, Cathy Donovan Wagner dives into a common trap many retailers fall into: Getting stuck in strategy mode. While planning is essential, it's easy to get so caught up in perfecting every detail that we forget to take meaningful action. Cathy shares her personal experiences and lessons learned from her coach about moving past perfectionism, focusing on results, and balancing work with fun to keep momentum going. Discover how to shift your mindset, boost productivity, and embrace success in your business growth journey.

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Let’s make retail fun and profitable—never forget, the world is brighter because of the passion and heart you bring to your business. Keep shining, and happy retailing!

What if you could increase your customer’s lifetime value by 30% with just one simple shift?

In Part 7 of the Top 7 Money Makers in 2025 series, Cathy chats with Josh Orr, founder of Capital Commerce, an agency that helps successful brick-and-mortar retailers translate their in-store traction into thriving online e-commerce sales. Josh shares his expertise on creating seamless customer engagement experiences that lead to repeat purchases. He reveals the importance of email marketing, a tip to grow lifetime customer value by 30%, and the mindset shifts necessary for growing a profitable, sustainable retail business. This episode is packed with actionable marketing and sales strategies to boost customer loyalty and drive business growth.

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Thank you for investing your time and energy into your business by being here. Let’s go make magic happen by building loyal customer relationships and driving sustainable e-commerce growth!

Are your live sessions attracting viewers but falling short when it comes to driving sales?

In part 5 of the Top 7 Money Makers in 2025 series, RETAILMavens founder Cathy Donovan Wagner reveals how QVC-style selling can turn your live videos into powerful, revenue-generating events. By integrating personalization, automation, and emotional storytelling, you’ll learn to captivate your audience and drive real results. Whether you're new to social selling or looking to optimize your strategy, this episode is packed with proven tactics to enhance engagement, boost conversion, and strengthen loyalty in your customer relationships.

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Remember, your next million-dollar breakthrough could be just one well-executed live session away. With the right optimization, strategy, and mindset, your audience will stick around, engage deeply, and keep coming back for more. Happy Retailing!

How do you build a team that shares your vision and drives your business forward? 

In Part 5 of the Top 7 Money Makers in 2025 series, RETAILMavens founder Cathy explores the transformative power of effective teamwork and leadership. She’s joined by Holly Floyd, a former retailer who successfully sold her business after 20 years. Holly shares how empowering her team, focusing on alignment, and fostering collaboration helped turn her store into a thriving, innovative space. Whether you’re just starting to build a team or looking to take your existing one to the next level, this episode is packed with insights to boost your team’s motivation, productivity, and growth.

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Building a team that shares your vision is a game-changer. With the right strategy, motivation, and leadership, you can create a team that inspires you every day to make your retail dreams a reality!

Is cash flow keeping you up at night?

This is the fourth episode in our Top 7 Money Makers to Focus on in 2025 series, and we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood aspects of retail success: cashflow. Cathy shares practical, tactical strategies to help retailers plan for expenses, build reserves, and stay ahead of cash flow challenges. With the right budgeting and forecasting tools, you can reduce financial stress, improve profit, and create a business with stronger margins and long-term growth.

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With the right strategies and a proactive mindset, you can take control of your finance, build financial stability, and create a business that truly supports your dreams. You have the power to make it happen because you deserve to be a richer retailer!

Can scaling back actually help you grow?

In this heartwarming third episode in our Top 7 Money Makers to Focus on in 2025 series we sit down with Alana Turner, the passionate owner of Poopsies in Galena, Illinois, to explore how she boosted sales and improved customer engagement by curating her inventory and focusing on quality over quantity. Alana shares her inspiring journey, showing that successful retail isn’t just about increasing liquidity or volume, it’s about building a store that tells a story, deepens connections, and brings joy to your subscribers.

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Remember, growth doesn’t always mean bigger sometimes, it’s about getting more intentional and staying true to what truly matters. You’re on your own unique path, and every step forward is a victory. Keep believing in your vision, and let your story shine brightly!

How do you turn email marketing into your top sales driver in 2025? It all starts with growing your list!

This is Part 2 of our "Top 7 Money Makers in 2025" series and one of the most impactful strategies you can implement this year. With predictive analytics and AI content creation making waves, email marketing remains one of the most profitable tools for reaching customers but success depends on having a strong, steadily growing list. Whether you’re starting from scratch or optimizing your existing strategy, you’ll walk away with actionable tactics to attract new, excited customers while boosting your conversion rates and customer retention.

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Thank you for investing your time and energy into your business by being here. Let’s go make magic happen starting with your email list!

Cash flow challenges often send retailers scrambling to boost traffic or launch sales, but those fixes are just band-aids. 

This episode kicks off our Top 7 Money Makers to Focus on in 2025 series! In this episode, Cathy dives deep into the root cause: cash flow eaters hiding in your inventory. Learn how to manage your inventory more effectively, run strategic clearance sales, and boost your profit margins without slashing prices on your best sellers. This episode is packed with actionable tips on cash flow management, inventory control, and getting rid of dead stock that drains your bottom line.

If you're ready to stop letting your inventory drag your cash flow down and start running clearance sales the right way, this episode is for you.

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Remember, you deserve to be a richer retailer in every sense of the word. Keep moving forward, tackle those cash flow challenges head-on, and know that you are astonishingly fabulous!