The Resilient Retail Game Plan - retail insights, retail trends and best practices

If managing your stock feels like a total guessing game, you’re not alone. And it’s not your fault. In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many product business owners feel completely overwhelmed by stock decisions and what you can start doing about it.

We’re talking about:

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3. Why “gut instinct” isn’t a stock strategy
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7. The silent cost of overbuying (or underbuying) stock
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11. How to break out of the cash flow hamster wheel
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And if this hits home for you, I’ve got something that will help…

🎉 Join me for a free talk on Monday, 16th June at 10:00 AM. It’s called Stop Letting Stock Eat Your Profit. In this free session, I’ll show you three quick fixes that can immediately help you feel more in control of your stock.

👉 https://futureretail.lpages.co/stop-stock-eating-profit/

Resources

Book: Tame Your Tiger

Webinar: Stop Letting Stock Eat Your Profit

Mentioned in this episode:

Capify

Get a look at how one founder built a product business with staying power. This episode is a sneak peek into Retail ROAR, my free annual virtual summit for product business owners.

I’m joined by Claire Burrows, founder of Air & Grace. She shares how she built a values-led footwear brand known for comfort, quality, and loyal customers.

We talk about manufacturing setbacks, staying close to your customer, and why refusing to compromise on quality can fuel your long-term growth.

If you’d like early access to the next Retail ROAR, you can sign up here to be the first to know when it opens.

[02:18] The “wardrobe of regret” moment that sparked her mission

[06:38] How Claire overcame early manufacturing setbacks

[08:14] Why face-to-face customer feedback shaped her direction

[10:37] How one customer request turned into half the product line

[14:06] Claire's most memorable pinch-me moments in business

[14:51] How she secured early investment in the business 

[17:09] The financial realities of managing your cash flow

[18:39] Why strong supplier relationships matter

Resources:

Get Early Access to ROAR 2026

Air & Grace

Mentioned in this episode:

Capify

Storytelling gets talked about a lot, but what does it actually look like day to day?

With AI-generated content flooding our feeds, original stories are more powerful than ever. Today, Char Dixon is here to tell us why.

We talk about how to make your content feel more like a conversation, why your behind-the-scenes moments are more valuable than you think, and how to stop overthinking your posts and start sharing what’s already happening in your business.

If you’ve been second-guessing your content or feeling stuck on what to say, this advice might just help you get out of your own way.

Char spent two decades in marketing for major retailers before shifting her focus to small businesses. Now she helps founders find their voice and share their stories in a way that feels natural, not forced.

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Grab your essential FREE guide - How to clear excess stock without damaging your brand.

Mentioned in this episode:

Capify

What do you do when your business looks like a success, but doesn’t feel like one?

Katie Glickman started Bibbilyboo after struggling to find a bib that worked for her own child. What began with a sewing machine at the kitchen table grew into an award-winning business, with over 64,000 bibs sold and stockists across the UK, including the country’s largest baby store.

But success doesn’t always feel the way we expect it to. After years of sewing, scaling, and saying yes to every opportunity, Katie hit a point where the business felt more draining than energising. She was navigating a factory partnership, juggling cash flow, and questioning what came next.

That’s when she joined Retail By Design. She shares what happens when your shop reaches a transition point—and how she reconnected with her purpose and started enjoying her business again.

[01:35] The everyday parenting struggle that sparked a business idea

[07:48] The biggest pinch-me moments in business

[10:43] Why joining Retail By Design felt like the right next step

[14:32] What it looks like to grow and evolve in your business

[17:48] How Katie stopped second-guessing her stock decisions

[19:57] How she reconnected with the parts of the business that bring her joy

Resources:

Bibbilyboo

Retail By Design 

Mentioned in this episode:

Capify

As a product business owner, taking time off can feel like a luxury you simply can’t afford. There’s always something that needs your attention—customers, orders, stock, marketing. The idea of stepping away can feel more stressful than restful.

In this special 250th episode, I’m sharing a rare behind-the-scenes look at my own business. Last month, I took three separate trips, and it made me reflect on what success really means. Yes, turnover matters. But so does the ability to take a proper break without everything falling apart.

Although I run a service-based business, I’ve worked with hundreds of indie retailers over the years, and I realize how difficult it is to carve out that space.

If stepping back feels impossible, I want you to know it doesn’t have to be. And if you’d like help creating a business that truly works for you, Retail By Design might be just what you need. There are still a few places left!

[00:00] Why taking time off can feel impossible for product business owners

[01:49] What three trips in one month taught me about success and balance

[03:27] The real cost of not taking proper breaks from your business

[11:44] How to plan ahead so you can step away with confidence

[17:05] How support and clear priorities make time off possible

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Stop winging it. Take your business to the next level of growth.

Retail by Design is a high-performance, six-month programme, combining award-winning business mentoring with the magic of masterminding. It’s built for ambitious, established small business owners turning over £100K+ who are ready to step out of survival mode and grow with clarity, structure and calm confidence. Learn More at https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-business-mentoring/

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Today, I’m joined by luxury knitwear designer Genevieve Sweeney, who’s been part of both our Retail By Design mastermind and the Stock Doctors programme.

In this conversation, she shares how those programmes helped her move a long-held idea into action, which was bringing part of her production in-house after nearly a decade in business. It’s a shift that’s given her more control over stock, space to test new products, and the ability to respond to demand more quickly.

We also talk about planning around seasonal sales, building customer loyalty, and managing creative work alongside the day-to-day demands of running a business. 

[02:55] What kept Genevieve rooted in British manufacturing

[05:56] Why in-house production changed how Genevieve plans and sells

[07:39] The hardest parts of running her business over the last decade

[09:13] What happens when your customer base grows with you

[15:07] Why Genevieve joined the mastermind after Goldman Sachs

[17:16] What she learned from Retail By Design and Stock Doctors

Resources:

Genevieve Sweeney Knitwear 

Retail by Design

Stock Doctor

Mentioned in this episode:

Capify

Grab your essential FREE guide - How to clear excess stock without damaging your brand.

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What do you do when your business grows, but your pay doesn’t? It’s a common issue for product business owners. Today, we’re talking about how to pay yourself sustainably.

Paying yourself from your product business isn’t always straightforward. In this episode, I’ll explain why it’s more complicated than it seems and walk you through some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

We’ll also address myths, like the idea that reaching six figures means you can automatically pay yourself more. It’s not always that simple. You might see your sales grow but still struggle with cash flow.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why cash flow can feel chaotic and what you can do to get it back on track. If you’re ready to start paying yourself properly, this episode is for you!

What's Inside?

[02:32] Why product businesses need different strategies

[06:10] Money myths and the metrics that matter

[08:02] The importance of cash flow forecasting

[15:02] What business owners need to pay themselves

[18:46] How to start letting go of your financial fears

[22:56] Get 1:1 support to sort out your retail finances

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Retail By Design

 Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

Mentioned in this episode:

Capify

Join my Free Webinar - Scale To 7 Figures Without The Overwhelm on Wednesday April 30, 2025, at 10am UK time. Discover proven strategies that help you grow your business sustainably and profitably.

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In this episode, I’m breaking down a hard truth for product-based business owners: What got you here, won’t get you there. If you're a retailer stuck at six figures—or feel like your business is running you instead of the other way around—this one's for you.

I dive into the essential mindset and structural shifts that independent retailers need to make to grow their business sustainably, without sacrificing their sanity or freedom.

Plus, I invite you to my free live webinar on how to scale your product business to seven figures without burnout. 🎧 Tune in for insights and actionable steps!

What's Inside:

Mentioned in this episode:

Capify

Grab your essential FREE guide - How to clear excess stock without damaging your brand.

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Thinking about using TikTok for your retail business, but unsure where to start—or if it's worth your time? In this week's episode, I talk to Penny Walker, TikTok strategist and founder of BarBrusa Social, about how to get started (or smarter) on the app.

She breaks down how TikTok’s search features are transforming how people shop, why you don’t need to dance or go viral to succeed, and how to build a strategy that actually drives sales.

What’s Inside:

[00:00] Why TikTok still matters for retailers in 2025

[01:25] Meet Penny Walker: TikTok trainer & content strategist at BarBrusa Social

[01:56] What’s trending now (and how to reuse old trends)

[04:54] TikTok is now a search engine—here’s how to use it

[09:41]   How realistic is it for small businesses to drive sales directly through the TikTok app?

[15:08] Real-world retail TikTok success stories

[17:15] What type of content is working on TikTok?

[20:23] Where to start: Penny’s step-by-step intro TikTok strategy

[24:04] Connect with Penny

Mentioned in this episode:

Capify

Grab your essential FREE guide - How to clear excess stock without damaging your brand.

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You don’t need a hefty budget to create displays that customers can’t resist.

How you present your products in a physical space can directly impact how customers shop and what they spend. Whether you’re running a brick-and-mortar store, setting up at pop-ups, or showcasing at events, visual merchandising is key to drawing customers in and driving sales.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Michelle Sherrier. She’s a seasoned visual merchandising expert who’s transformed independent retailers and wholesale showrooms across the U.S. Michelle shares some fascinating insights and unexpected tips from her work with both big and small retailers.

We’ll uncover the psychology behind product placement, dive into clever merchandising tricks, and arm you with actionable strategies to make your displays irresistible.

[02:44] What visual merchandising involves

[04:43] Tips to create a strong presence in a small retail space

[06:50] Creative high-impact visual merchandising on a budget

[11:05] Merchandising by category vs. lifestyle merchandising

[14:43] How visual merchandising affects the way your customers shop

[18:16] Tips for driving add-on purchases with your merchandising

[22:08] How to find that spark of inspiration for a display

Mentioned in this episode:

Capify