Welcome to the new year! On the first episode of 2026 Ashley Alderson is joined by Sara Burks for a big-picture retail conversation that every boutique owner needs right now!

Retail is changing fast — and 2025 proved that "business as usual" isn't enough anymore. With reports showing 15,000+ store closures, Ashley & Sara unpack what really happened, what retailers got wrong, and how small businesses can build a stronger, more profitable plan for 2026.

In this episode, Ashley and Sara walk through the six layers of retail (the proven Retail Bootcamp framework) and share what to double down on in each one — from customer clarity and CEO focus, to product profitability, team leadership, sales strategy, content planning, and modern marketing that actually works today.

You'll learn:

• How consumer behavior is shifting: time, trust, and emotional connection

• How the six-layer Retail Bootcamp framework creates a strong, sustainable business from the inside out

• Why trying to be "something for everyone" is a losing strategy

• Why 2025 saw 15,000+ stores close (including major big-box brands)

• What successful retailers are doubling down on in 2026

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Retail Bootcamp

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

In today's Five Minute Friday, I'm officially inviting you to join me for The Best Year Yet Challenge—our biggest free training of the year.

Planning a new year shouldn't feel overwhelming or leave you burned out by March. Instead of chasing perfection or setting goals that fade fast, this challenge is all about creating a clear, realistic, and actionable plan for 2026—one you can actually stick to.

Over three powerful days (January 6–8), we'll review the past year, map out what truly moves the needle, build profitable systems, and create a marketing plan that works now—not six months ago. This is about small, imperfect, consistent action—and doing it together, in community.

Today's Episode:

• Why most New Year goals fail by March—and how to avoid that trap

• How to focus on the 20% of actions that drive 80% of your results

• What to expect from each day of the Best Year Yet Challenge

• How to turn big goals into clear, measurable, team-supported action plans

• Why planning beats perfection every single time

📅 Join the Best Year Yet Challenge

Best Year Yet

Join thousands of retailers who've transformed their business with The Boutique Hub.

🛍️ Join The Boutique Hub

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

As we close out 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this episode isn't about pretty planners or lofty resolutions — it's about the behind-the-scenes work that actually sets your business up for success.

In this solo episode, Ashley Alderson walks you through the five critical areas every retailer must review before the year ends so you're compliant, organized, profitable, and positioned to lead — not just hustle — in 2026.

From money and inventory to operations, goal-setting, and leadership, this is your practical, no-fluff checklist for finishing the year strong and starting the next one with clarity, confidence, and peace.

You'll learn:

• How to close out your money & accounting properly (and why your accountant should be a strategic partner, not a once-a-year contact)

• Why year-end inventory counts are non-negotiable — and how they impact taxes, markdowns, and open-to-buy planning

• Where hidden costs live inside your apps, subscriptions, and operational expenses

• The importance of systems, processes, and community — and who you should (and shouldn't) be surrounding yourself with in the new year

• How to set better goals using leading vs. lagging indicators so your plans actually turn into results

Join The Boutique Hub

Best Year Yet

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Ashley Alderson: Instagram

The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube