At first glance, extending store hours might seem like a simple decision. Just “stay open a little later, and customers will come,” right? But, not quite. A decision like this deserves a thoughtful approach, and that’s where a cost-benefit analysis can make all the difference.

But, if you’re wondering why, this is for you. Here are five reasons why you should do a cost-benefit analysis of extending your store hours.

Listen to episode 248 for five reasons why conducting a cost-benefit analysis is so valuable when you’re considering extending your store hours. For shownotes visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode248.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website & Mastermind Group: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper

When you’re running a brick-and-mortar business, there’s a fear you probably didn’t expect to have, thanks to taxes: the fear of making more profit. Avoiding profit is not the best financial strategy, and it can actually hurt your business both short-term and long-term.

While I’m going to share WHY this is, I want to also remind you to consult your CPA, financial advisor, and/or bookkeeper for clarification on if you can use this for your business and financial situation.

Listen to episode 247 for tips on how to navigate tax brackets as an indie retail brick-and-mortar business owner and visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode247 for show notes to this episode.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website & Mastermind Group: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper

One of the most common challenges brick-and-mortar store owners face is in their financial planning. From filtering through the advice that actually applies to you and juggling factors out of your control (like tariffs), it’s hard to find something that works.

In today's episode, I’m sharing 6 common financial planning tips that work and how to tell if financial advice is meant for you (and if it’s not). I’m also sharing BOTH the why they may or why they may not work for your retail business. I want you to think carefully about whether or not it would work for YOU.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website & Mastermind Group: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper

I received an email that compelled me to address "the small business struggle." The struggles you face as a small business owner often follow what we like to think of as “patterns.”

Pandemic, inflation, election years, seasonal slumps—these aren’t new challenges. They’ve happened before, and they’ll happen again regardless if the economy is booming or not.

In the small indie retail business world someone is always thriving, someone is always breaking even, someone is always treading water, and someone is always fighting to stay afloat. Shift your mindset to think that navigating hard times are your baseline - it's not about ignoring or escaping them—it’s about learning to succeed because of them.

Whether you're thriving or struggling in your business, listen to episode 245 of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast at www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode245 and learn how you can join the Master Shopkeeper community - a group for brick-and-mortar store owners in all stages of business.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website & Mastermind Group: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper

You've got questions about the 2025 Savvy Shopkeeper Conference—I’ve got answers! In this bonus episode, I’m sharing all the juicy details: the finalized agenda, the workshop-style sessions, the incredible door prizes, what’s actually included in your ticket, and why this isn’t just another business event—it’s an experience designed to help you grow traffic and sales with tech-savvy, modern strategies.

If you're a brick-and-mortar store owner who isn’t afraid to embrace technology—and you’re ready to multiply your investment—this event is for you. Scholarships are still open (but not for long!), and tickets won't last, so don’t wait.

🎟️ Conference Details & Tickets: savvyshopkeeper.com/conference
💸 Savvy Support Fund: https://savvyshopkeeper.com/savvy-support-fund
📅 Master Shopkeepers Scholarship Deadline: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 8pm EST
📅 General Scholarship Deadline: Within a week of this episode—check your email inbox if you're on the list!

This is your chance to connect, learn, implement, and finally focus on smart growth—without a single sales pitch. Are you coming?

Hiring can feel daunting, no matter what stage of business ownership you’re in, especially when you’re managing so much already. You’re worried about trusting someone else with your business, so it’s no wonder the idea of bringing another person, even an employee, causes so much stress.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. By the end of this podcast episode, you’ll feel more informed, confident and ready to tackle hiring your retail employees head-on. Or, at least, more prepared. Listen to episode 244 where I share eight hiring tips for indie retail business owners that they need to know. Visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode244 for the show notes to this episode.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website & Mastermind Group: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper

I’m going to be honest with you, I can’t summarize the tariffs situation for you—too much is happening at once and you never know when it’ll change again. That said, what I can do is share solutions and strategies to navigate these tariffs as an indie retailer.

With creativity, strategy, and a proactive approach, you can minimize disruption, protect your profit margins, and even uncover new opportunities.

In this episode, we’re going to cover both traditional and out-of-the-box tariff solutions independent retailers can use to navigate the increased tariffs with confidence. For show notes and resources mentioned in this episode visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode243.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website & Mastermind Group: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper

Have you said “no” to something that could have been a game-changer for your business? If so, it’s not too late to revisit it—or to say “yes” to the next opportunity that comes your way. In this episode, I go over mindset traps such as fear of change, imposter syndrome, skepticism, and how to overcome these mindset traps.

If any of these mindset traps pull at your strings visit my blog at www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode242 for show notes and resources.

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website & Mastermind Group: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper