Jan 30, 2026
Every January, I take a step back and talk about trends in independent retail. But this year, I’m doing it differently.
Instead of a long list of what’s “in” or “out,” I’m sharing the six lenses I use to make sense of retail trends and decide what actually matters for a real, independent store.
In this...
Jan 23, 2026
This episode is about traffic, but not tactics.
When store owners say they have a traffic problem, they’re often reacting to low sales and reaching for visible fixes like ads, promotions, or new platforms. In this episode, I explain why that approach can get expensive, and why clarity has to come before action.
I...
Jan 1, 2026
Fear rarely looks like fear. It shows up as hesitation, overthinking, or waiting for “the right time.” And for many independent retailers, it quietly becomes the biggest barrier to profit.
In this episode, Kathy shares the true story of a high-revenue store owner whose business looked successful on the outside but...