Richer Retailer - Scaling Retail Stores Past 7 Figures

What’s really happening in independent retail right now? 

We’re kicking off a brand-new monthly State of Retail episode to help you clear through the noise, get grounded in the data, and take purposeful action based on current retail trends.

In this May episode, Cathy Donovan Wagner shares the latest shifts she’s seeing across the industry, everything from slowing traffic to changing customer behavior and customer sentiment and wha...

What if the only way forward... was to walk away?

In this powerful episode, Cathy sits down with internationally acclaimed speaker and award-winning business coach Pat Mussieux, who shares the boldest transformation of her life  and the mindset that made it possible. Through raw, real conversation, Cathy and Pat unpack what it really takes to be “richer”,  not just in dollars, but in health, wealth, and happiness. This episode is a...

Tired of the same old sourcing strategies?

Ready to shake up your retail strategy and discover fresh opportunities? This week, Cathy sits down with Darrin Stern from H&H Americas to explore the power of trade shows for independent retailers. They dive into how these events can help you uncover new products, connect with a thriving community, and gain invaluable insights to evolve your business.

What You'll Learn:

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the business side of retail, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode Cathy answers a heartfelt question from Ali, a store owner who’s been pouring her passion into her business but is struggling with financial management, taxes, and tracking expenses. Sound familiar? Cathy breaks down the two most powerful actions retailers can take to stop spinning their wheels: Outsourcing and getting a c...

Ever set a big business goal and thought, “What do I need to do to get there?

In this powerful, unplanned episode, Cathy sits down with RETAILMavens COO & CMO Cecilia Kautzman after an inspiring walk and team retreat to unpack the mindset shifts, self-awareness, and strategic growth moves required to grow into the business and the business owner you want to become.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the Be...

Tariffs are shifting, costs are rising, and retailers are feeling the squeeze so how do you protect your profits?

Cathy sits down with retail expert and coach Dana to tackle the challenges of cost management in today’s unpredictable economy. From supply chain disruptions to navigating price adjustments that don’t scare off your customers, this episode is packed with smart, actionable strategies to help independent store owners stay...

Retail is evolving, but one thing remains constant: the power of customer connection. In this episode, Cathy sits down with Nick McHenry from OneShop to explore how retailers can strengthen relationships through email marketing, a tool that’s far from outdated.

They break down why personalized emails are more relevant than ever, how to boost open rates, and why email automation can be a game-changer for both small and growing reta...

If your books are a mess, your business is bleeding money and you might not even know it yet. We joke that this topic is “dry as dust” but in reality it’s like water to your store’s thirsty soil - If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by bookkeeping or tempted to ignore your numbers, this episode is for you!

Cathy sits down with Kirk Johnson, RETAILMavens’ Profit First Maven, to discuss why your store’s money management systems are the h...

Think retail is dying? Think again. This episode will completely shift your perspective on what it takes to thrive in today’s fast-changing retail world, no doom and gloom, just real strategies, fresh insights, and powerful mindset shifts.

In this episode of Richer Retailer, Cathy Donovan Wagner sits down with Crystal Vilkaitis from Rooted in Retail to discuss the evolving retail landscape. They dive deep into the heart of retail m...

How can embracing community values and ethical branding set your retail business apart? 

We explore how community values and ethical branding impact retail businesses in today’s episode with Cadence Kidwell from Fuzzy goat and Janet Avila and String Theory Yarn, a back-to-back guest. Discover why authenticity in your brand message matters more than ever and how personal stories can foster deeper customer loyalty. We also discuss th...

Are you constantly planning but struggling to take action? 

In this episode of Richer Retailer, Cathy Donovan Wagner dives into a common trap many retailers fall into: Getting stuck in strategy mode. While planning is essential, it's easy to get so caught up in perfecting every detail that we forget to take meaningful action. Cathy shares her personal experiences and lessons learned from her coach about moving past perfectionism, f...

What if you could increase your customer’s lifetime value by 30% with just one simple shift?

In Part 7 of the Top 7 Money Makers in 2025 series, Cathy chats with Josh Orr, founder of Capital Commerce, an agency that helps successful brick-and-mortar retailers translate their in-store traction into thriving online e-commerce sales. Josh shares his expertise on creating seamless customer engagement experiences that lead to repeat pur...

Are your live sessions attracting viewers but falling short when it comes to driving sales?

In part 5 of the Top 7 Money Makers in 2025 series, RETAILMavens founder Cathy Donovan Wagner reveals how QVC-style selling can turn your live videos into powerful, revenue-generating events. By integrating personalization, automation, and emotional storytelling, you’ll learn to captivate your audience and drive real results. Whether you're ...

How do you build a team that shares your vision and drives your business forward? 

In Part 5 of the Top 7 Money Makers in 2025 series, RETAILMavens founder Cathy explores the transformative power of effective teamwork and leadership. She’s joined by Holly Floyd, a former retailer who successfully sold her business after 20 years. Holly shares how empowering her team, focusing on alignment, and fostering collaboration helped turn he...

Is cash flow keeping you up at night?

This is the fourth episode in our Top 7 Money Makers to Focus on in 2025 series, and we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood aspects of retail success: cashflow. Cathy shares practical, tactical strategies to help retailers plan for expenses, build reserves, and stay ahead of cash flow challenges. With the right budgeting and forecasting tools, you can reduce financial stress, improve p...

Can scaling back actually help you grow?

In this heartwarming third episode in our Top 7 Money Makers to Focus on in 2025 series we sit down with Alana Turner, the passionate owner of Poopsies in Galena, Illinois, to explore how she boosted sales and improved customer engagement by curating her inventory and focusing on quality over quantity. Alana shares her inspiring journey, showing that successful retail isn’t just about increa...

How do you turn email marketing into your top sales driver in 2025? It all starts with growing your list!

This is Part 2 of our "Top 7 Money Makers in 2025" series and one of the most impactful strategies you can implement this year. With predictive analytics and AI content creation making waves, email marketing remains one of the most profitable tools for reaching customers but success depends on having a strong, steadily growing ...

Cash flow challenges often send retailers scrambling to boost traffic or launch sales, but those fixes are just band-aids. 

This episode kicks off our Top 7 Money Makers to Focus on in 2025 series! In this episode, Cathy dives deep into the root cause: cash flow eaters hiding in your inventory. Learn how to manage your inventory more effectively, run strategic clearance sales, and boost your profit margins without slashing prices o...

Struggling to keep your sales up during those dreaded J-Months? You’re not alone but you don’t have to settle for slow sales anymore. 

In this episode, Cathy shares a high-energy game plan and a proven strategy to tackle the dreaded J-Months: January, June, and July, known for their slow sales. Listeners will discover how to turn these often sluggish months into profitable opportunities by transforming lazy inventory into an exciti...