What would life look like without small businesses? Today, we’re diving into why they’re the heartbeat of our local economies—and why their role matters more than ever during the holiday rush. I’m joined by Sara Burks, who reveals how small businesses do far more than ring up sales: they create jobs, fund community events, pay taxes, and more. Listen in as we explore how to shift attention from big-box retailers to small businesses through Pink Friday, a bold, colorful event held the Friday before Black Friday.

Resources:

• Sara Burks: LinkedIn
• Pink Friday 2025
  
• Join The Boutique Hub
• Ashley Alderson: Instagram
• The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, we’re continuing our Know Your Numbers series by breaking down another retail metrics—your turn—and how it directly impacts your cash flow and profit.

If you’ve ever had great margins on paper but no cash in the bank, this episode will show you how to calculate your turn, understand how quickly your inventory “spoils,” and apply strategies to move product faster so you can keep money flowing through your business.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Understand What Turn Really Means

• Learn the definition of turn rate and how it measures how many times you sell through your inventory in a given period.

• Understand why a high margin doesn’t always mean more cash—and why turn is a better cash flow indicator.

How to Calculate Your Turn

• Use the simple formula: Total Sales ÷ Average Inventory at Retail.

• Identify your category benchmarks (e.g., women’s fast fashion: 5–6 turns/year; luxury: 3.5–4.5 turns/year; home & gift: slower turns).

Prevent “Spoiling” Inventory

• Learn the expiration dates for your category’s inventory and when to take markdowns to free up cash.

• Recognize when merchandise is aging past its prime and how to move it before it becomes dead stock.

Pro Strategies to Improve Turn

• Track your on-hand inventory monthly to know exactly how much cash is tied up on the floor.

• Invest in faster-turning categories to improve ROI.

• Use marketing tools—social media, email campaigns, store placement—to push slow movers before resorting to markdowns.

Not a member yet? These are the kinds of strategies and tools waiting for you inside the Hub to help you grow smarter.

Want more? Join the Boutique Hub: https://tbhub.co/podcastjoin

What makes a gift feel truly unforgettable? Today I’m joined by Holly Hachman of Little Red Bird Gifts, who joins the show to share her journey of building a joyful, story-driven retail space. Inspired by her mother's love for shopping, Holly chose to focus on meaningful gifts over apparel, creating a warm, inviting shop. She opens up about the power of storytelling in retail, how it shapes customer experience, and the role of signature lines in connecting with shoppers.

Resources:

• Holly Hachman: Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Join The Boutique Hub
• Ashley Alderson: Instagram
• The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube