You've been running your retail business for years, so why does it still feel heavy? In this episode, Kathy Cruz breaks down the difference between time in business and business maturity, and explains why many independent shop owners feel exhausted even when sales are steady. If your store still depends heavily on you, this conversation will help you understand why, and what needs to shift for it to feel lighter and more sustainable.

For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

Every January, I take a step back and talk about trends in independent retail. But this year, I'm doing it differently.

Instead of a long list of what's "in" or "out," I'm sharing the six lenses I use to make sense of retail trends and decide what actually matters for a real, independent store.

In this episode, I look back at past trend conversations, explain how these six lenses emerged, and walk through real examples, like AI and short-form video, to show how the same trend can be a yes for one store and a no for another.

If you're tired of chasing trends and want a steadier way to think about 2026, this episode is for you.

For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode267

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers

This episode is about traffic, but not tactics.

When store owners say they have a traffic problem, they're often reacting to low sales and reaching for visible fixes like ads, promotions, or new platforms. In this episode, I explain why that approach can get expensive, and why clarity has to come before action.

I share a real story from a group member who invested in visibility without enough context, introduce the idea of the visibility gap, and explain why I'm focusing an entire year on visibility inside Master Shopkeepers.

If traffic has felt unpredictable or frustrating, this episode will help you rethink where to start.

For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode266

Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here:

Website: Savvy Shopkeeper
Instagram: @savvyshopkeeper
Mastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers