Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

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

In This Episode:

Season Five wraps with a heartfelt, honest conversation you don't want to miss. In this final episode of the year, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing the real-life alignment shifts, boundaries, and mindset resets that shaped my 2025 - and how you can step confidently and intentionally into 2026.

If you've ever felt out of sync with your business, overwhelmed by hustle culture, or unsure whether your decisions still match the life you want today… this episode will feel like a deep breath. Wendy talks openly about anxiety, intuition, "right-fit" clients, protecting your energy, and designing a business that actually supports your life - not the other way around.

Grab a cozy drink, settle in, and get ready to reflect, recalibrate, and realign for the year ahead.

• Why your business can only grow as sustainably as you can

• The difference between chasing clients vs. attracting aligned ones

• Intuition whispers before it screams

• Why a full calendar isn't the goal – spaciousness is

• The power of boundaries as leadership

• How to identify fuels vs. drains in your business

• The importance of checking whether your business still aligns with who you are today

Your Next Steps:

• Revisit your 2025 experiences: What felt aligned? What felt heavy?

• Review your client base: Who energizes you? Who doesn't?

• Set or reinforce boundaries that support your CEO role

• Explore deeper support if you're ready – whether that's joining the Level Up Mastermind, or finding coaching or community.

• Need help with your 2026 business planning? Grab my Best Year Ever standalone masterclass. It's available for free for Inner Circle members and for purchase from non-members. Members and non-members alike will meet with me live on Zoom on January 13th at 2pm ET. A replay will be available for those who cannot make it live.

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 136: Coffee Break Chats with Wendy: Annual Planning That Fills Your Life Buckets

Episode 186: Choose Joy: Reframe Your Mindset and End Your Retail Year Happy

Episode 197: A Monthly Debrief: A Simple Activity All Retail Shop Owners Should Be Doing

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably—with more confidence and joy.

I've had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I've supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.

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 current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Never miss an episode!

Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your 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!

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

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

In This Episode:

Ready for a truth bomb? Your business can only grow if you do.

In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I'm diving deep into what it really takes to step into the CEO identity your retail business needs in 2026 and beyond. From letting go of the "do-it-all shopkeeper" mindset to making braver, clearer decisions rooted in vision rather than fear, this episode is your invitation to level up.

I'll share real stories of retailers who shifted their identity, embraced discomfort, built supportive systems, and created more profitable, life-friendly businesses proving that leadership growth isn't optional…it's transformational.

• How to shift from shopkeeper to CEO mindset

• The difference between operational decisions and visionary decisions

• The real impact of stepping into bigger, bolder thinking

• Why removing unprofitable tasks or categories can accelerate growth

• How identity work fuels better planning, profitability, and joy

"You cannot plan a visionary year without first stepping into the identity of a visionary."

Your Next Steps:

• Ask yourself and really think about this question: Who do I need to become next year?

• Take some time to journal through some of the other prompts in this episode.

• If you aren't an Inner Circle member, you can still plan alongside us for your Best Year Ever! Purchase the masterclass here and join us (members and non-members alike!) on January 16th at 12pm ET for a live Q+A.

• If you are looking for high-level support in your retail business, I'd love to see you inside my Level Up Mastermind. You can apply for the 2026 cohort here. This is where the magic happens, my friends.

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 178: 3 Top Success Mindset Musts for Retailer Owners

Episode 183: Fine Tuning Your Retail Business Operations with Business Strategist Gwen Bortner

Episode 285: Avoiding Retail Burnout: Closing Loops and Leaning In to Your People

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably—with more confidence and joy.

I've had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I've supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.

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 current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Never miss an episode!

Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your 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!

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

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

In This Episode:

Is your business steering your life instead of the other way around?

In this episode, I'm reminding creative shop owners that thriving retail doesn't happen by accident – it's designed with purpose. As we wrap up the year and move forward into 2026, I'm sharing my "captain your own ship" approach to intentional business planning. Let me teach you how to stop drifting with the tides of the economy, staff changes, or trends, and start charting your course toward profit, joy, and freedom.

Smart Retail Strategies to Design Your Best Year Yet:

• Learn how planning brings the future into the present so you can take control now.

• Learn how to shift from reacting to leading with clarity and purpose.

• Create a one-page plan that keeps your business focused and flexible.

• Embrace the CEO mindset every creative shop owner needs for the year ahead.

"Hope is not a strategy. Clarity is."

Your Next Steps:

• Reflect on what worked and what didn't this year. What are you super proud of? What wouldn't you do again?

• Grab my Design Your Best Year Ever Workshop to create your intentional 2026 plan. We will meet live on January 13th at 2pm ET for a Q+A. Anyone who purchased the stand-alone class and anyone in my Inner Circle or Level Up Mastermind (this masterclass is included in your membership) is invited to this live workshop!

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 196: New Revenue Stream Ideas for Your Retail Business

Episode 212: Pushing Through Business Blocks with Guest Expert Jane Bellante

Episode 263: Why CEO Time Isn't Optional in Your Retail Business

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably—with more confidence and joy.

I've had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I've supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.

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 current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Never miss an episode!

Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your 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 yo

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

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

In This Episode:

Let's face it – most shop owners can sell naturally, but teaching your team to do the same without feeling "salesy" can often be tricky.

In this episode of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, I'm sharing five easy, actionable prompts you can teach your staff to boost confidence, build genuine customer connections, and make sales feel natural (not pushy!). These simple, human-centered tools will help your team move from awkward to authentic – and you can start right now.

Actionable Sales Strategies for Your Retail Team:

• 5 conversation starters to guide sales without pressuring your customers

• How to use demos and storytelling to connect with customers

• Why choice-based language makes buying easier

• The power of curiosity and gratitude in every sale

• How to create a culture of service, not sales scripts

Your Next Steps:

• Teach the 5 conversation starters outlined in this episode to your team. Share this episode with them, even!

• Pick one of them and start using it today.

• Practice it on the sales floor.

• Share your results with me on Instagram! (I hope you are already following along @wendybatten.biz)

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 272: Unlocking Team Potential: Nurturing a Culture of Ownership

Episode 208: Stacking Your Team with Guest Expert Shelli Warren

Episode 84: 6 Tips to Amplify Your Team's Performance this Holiday

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably—with more confidence and joy.

I've had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I've supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.

For more support from Wendy

Join Wendy's CEO Planning Session for Retailers

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 current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Never miss an episode!

Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your 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!

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

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

In This Episode:

Are you feeling burnout creep in? Are you just plain tired of making all of the decisions? You're not alone.

In this episode, I'm getting honest about burnout, decision fatigue, and what really causes that drained, frazzled feeling. (Hint: it's not just working too much!) Through my own recent experience, I'm sharing how leaning into trusted mentors and peers can reignite clarity, confidence, and momentum. I know you'll walk away inspired to simplify, close open loops, and stop overcomplicating your next steps.

What You'll Learn About Burnout and Overwhelm in Retail:

• Why burnout often stems from indecision, not just overwork

• The power of leaning into the support of others instead of trying to "figure it out" alone

• How to fast-track decision-making by trusting mentors and peers

• The importance of investing in both mindset and skill-building at every stage

Your Next Steps:

• What "open loops" from your to-do/results list can you close this week? Make a short list and carve out a small amount of time everyday to get them closed. Remember: You don't have to do it alone! You can do, delegate, delete, or defer.

• If you are looking for a place for valuable support from your peers in retail, I'd love to see you inside my Level Up Mastermind. We are a small group of retailers who are growing our businesses with trusted support, honest feedback, and the accountability that keeps burnout at bay. Apply now and take your next step toward light, confident leadership.

Related podcasts we think you'll like:

Episode 185: Avoid Burnout with Guest Expert Dr. Ashley Margeson Episode 230: Takeaways from my Mastermind Retreat: Building Connections and Strong Businesses

Episode 261: How to Stay Focused and Get Things Done

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably—with more confidence and joy.

I've had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I've supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.

For more support from Wendy

Join Wendy's CEO Planning Session for Retailers

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 current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.

Never miss an episode!

Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your 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!