230. Takeaways from my Mastermind Retreat: Building Connections and Strong Businesses

Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/

In This Episode:

Do you know who your “people” are in your business life? Do you have a trustworthy sounding board for your big ideas? A mentor to guide you in the right direction when you feel stuck in your retail business? I just hosted my Level Up Mastermind members here in my hometown of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and I am vibrating with excitement to share the takeaways with you on the podcast. I believe that being a part of a group like this is so important for so many reasons that I touch on in this episode. It was such an inspiring week, and I hope you can take away a few nuggets of wisdom to implement in your retail business!

Major Takeaways from the Retreat:

• Care About Your People: Truly caring about your customers and clients makes all the difference. It's not just about sales; it’s about creating an experience that makes your customers feel seen, heard, and valued.

• You Can’t Create in a Silo: Ideas flourish in conversation with other like-minded business owners. Sparks fly when you surround yourself with peers who understand the retail grind and inspire you to level up.

• Invest in Personal and Business Development: Successful retailers invest in their growth. Financials, marketing, skill development - Whether it's attending retreats or working with mentors, personal development fuels business success.

• Relationships Are Rocket Fuel: Your business thrives when you nurture relationships—with customers, team members, vendors, and fellow shop owners. Building intentional connections leads to greater success.

• Protect Your CEO Time: As retail business owners, it’s easy to get caught up in the small tasks, but your job is to focus on the big strategy. Delegate the small stuff and be the visionary your business needs.

Podcast Mentions

• Sandwick Bay Candles

• Mrs. Blackwell's Village Bookshop

Related podcasts we think you’ll like:

Episode 89: Money Talk & Mindset with Profits First Coach April Stroink

Episode 132: Retailer Success Series: Community Marketing Strategies with Millie Blackwell

Episode 169: 5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Profit Margins (and Why You Should!)

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer’s Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I’m not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/

For more support from Wendy

Retailer’s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer’s community

Free resources for shop owners

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG

All of Wendy’s programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Subscribe & Review on iTunes

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I’d love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won’t miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

If you want to be more of a rockstar, I’d love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well. Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!