Boutique Chat

Boutique Chat

Explore real-life strategies, growth hacks, and proven marketing advice through powerful interviews with top leaders and retailers in the retail industry. Join Ashley Alderson, the Founder of The Boutique Hub, as she talks with retailers, boutiques, wholesale brands, vendors, and industry insiders. Discover the invaluable secrets that have propelled companies to success while maintaining a healthy balance between life and business. Embrace the spirit of Community over Competition, and uncover the next great idea or connection for your small business.

Episodes

June 27, 2025 8 mins

Where are my customers?
It’s the #1 question retailers ask when business slows down and it’s not always about the economy or the weather.

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, Sara tackles what to do when sales stall. Whether it’s a seasonal dip or a concerning trend, you’ll learn h...

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Ever wonder what it takes to turn a family passion into a thriving business? Join us as we chat with Kasey & Kaitlyn Widmyer, the dynamic duo behind Marmalade, a boutique inspired by their mother, Marie Widmeyer, and her fashion dreams. From childhood lessons to steering the business through the storms of the 2007-20...

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This week, Samrin Martin and Sarah Zeigler from the Atlanta Market gift & home team join us to share the latest news, events, and key buyer resources for the upcoming July Market happening in Atlanta, July 15-21.

 

Resources:

About Atlanta Market: https://www.atlantamarket.com/

Atlanta Market Events: https://www.atlantamarket.co...

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What if sales didn’t have to be about being pushy or intimidating, but instead about solving problems and making life better? Join us as we explore this concept with our guest, Andee Hart, who transformed her corporate sales expertise into a flourishing candle business during the pandemic. Andee's inspiring journey is a mastercla...

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Is your cash flow feeling tight but you’re still not paying yourself?
In this episode of Five Minute Friday, Sara breaks down one of the most common retail traps: tying up cash in things that don’t bring you a return. From unnecessary trips to market to unused apps, pretty packaging, and impulse inventory buys, these hidden money leaks could be holding your b...

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What does it take to grow your boutique into a thriving, sustainable business? In this episode, we sit down with retail expert Sara Burks to walk through the heart of the Retail Bootcamp program, which is all about helping entrepreneurs step into the CEO role with clarity and confidence. You’ll hear practical tips on finding and serving your ideal customer, using time-blocking to stay focused, and bui...

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This Five Minute Friday hits close to home. Ashley shares the raw, real side of what it feels like to hear those words: “Mom, you're always working.” Whether it’s coming from your kids, your spouse, or even extended family, that statement can carry a heavy dose of guilt, frustration, and burnout.

Ashley opens...

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What’s it like to run a thriving boutique side by side with your partner? In this episode, Serena and Java Patterson share the inspiring story of how they transformed The Farmhouse from a local vendor space into a successful boutique rooted in community. They walk through the key moves that fueled their growth, from switching their POS system from Clover to Shopify to streamline inventory and cut fees...

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In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley is getting real about the numbers that actually drive growth in your business. It’s not just about sales—because sales are a lagging indicator. If you want to grow, you need to start tracking the leading metrics that influence your results before they show up in your bank account.

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Struggling with excess inventory? In this episode, we sit down with Melodie van der Baan, founder of Max Retail, to explore how boutique owners can turn unsold merchandise into serious revenue. Listen in as Melodie shares her journey from sales rep to tech entrepreneur and reveals how Max Retail helps over 2,000 retailers move past-season inventory through top third-party marketplaces li...

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In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley is bringing the heat with a powerful reality check: Are you truly being effective in your life and business or just keeping yourself busy?

If your to-do list is never-ending, your calendar is overflowing, and you're constantly wondering wh...

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What does it take to future-proof the next generation in a world that’s changing faster than ever? In this episode, educational consultant and award-winning innovator Britni Walz joins the show for a powerful conversation about the intersection of education, business, and technology. Britni shares her journey from high school educator to nonprofit consultant, helping young people thrive in a workforce...

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This week, we’ve got a special guest episode for Five Minute Friday straight from the Atlanta Apparel team!

Join Sarah Beth Jackson, Director of Buyer Services, and Alejandra Trombetta, Senior Events Manager, as they dish on everything you need to know about June Atlanta Apparel, happening June 3–6, 2025.

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What happens when a casual conversation turns into the biggest event in boutique retail? In this episode, we're diving into the origin story of the Boutique Summit—how a spontaneous chat at the Dallas Market Center in 2013 sparked an industry-shaping movement. Listen in to hear about the challenges and triumphs of hosting the Summit, from behind-the-scenes logistics and unexpected hiccups (yes, includ...

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In this personal and honest Five Minute Friday, Ashley opens up about the behind-the-scenes reality of growing a business while navigating the emotions, expectations, and communication struggles that can come up with your spouse or partner.

If you’ve ever felt like your spouse just doesn’t get your business or...

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What’s the secret to growing a thriving brand online in today’s ever-changing digital world—and how can small businesses stand out? Peg Fitzpatrick, acclaimed author of The Art of Small Business Social Media: A Blueprint for Marketing Success, joins us today to break it all down. Drawing from her own experience moving from traditional marketing to social media mastery, Peg shares expert ...

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In this Five Minute Friday episode, Ashley shares powerful and practical tips to increase your Average Order Value (AOV) -- without relying on more traffic or more hours.

If you're focused on growing sales, AOV is one of the most effective metrics to improve. Ashley bre...

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How does a personal gift idea quickly evolve into a thriving brand? Just ask Annabelle DeGrazio, a former lawyer turned entrepreneur, who joins us today to share her inspiring journey of launching a distinctive candle business from scratch. With no prior experience in candle-making, Annabelle committed ...

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In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley shares the mindset shift that every business owner eventually faces: what got you here won't get you there.

If you’ve felt stuck lately, it might be time to reexamine what you’re holding onto in your business. Ashley breaks down four key areas to evaluate—marketing, vendors, ...

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Ready to make smarter inventory decisions? In this episode of Boutique Chat, we’re joined by our very own Samantha Conner, Director of Wholesale at The Boutique Hub, to break down the pros, cons, and strategies behind shopping in-person at market vs. buying online through platforms like Hubventory. We’re sharing how to p...


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