Richer Retailer - Scaling Retail Stores Past 7 Figures

#010: How to Identify and Eliminate “Cash Flow Eaters” in Inventory

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 on your best sellers. This episode is packed with actionable tips on cash flow management, inventory control, and getting rid of dead stock that drains your bottom line.
If you're ready to stop letting your inventory drag your cash flow down and start running clearance sales the right way, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn:
How to spot cash flow eaters in your inventory and eliminate them
Why inventory turnover is crucial for maintaining healthy profit margins
Using the Good, Bad, Ugly framework to categorize stock
Shifting your mindset: Why clearance sales aren’t a failure they’re a smart sales strategy
Key Takeaways:
[01:25] The hidden costs of relying on storewide sales as a “band-aid” solution
[09:55] Why inventory is like a banana, not a fine wine – the importance of inventory control
[11:05] How to categorize inventory into Good, Bad, and Ugly and what to do with each category
Resources and Links:
Episode 8: The Hidden Costs of Inventory Hoarding
Episode 9: Eradicating Dead Stock with a New Income Stream
Clearance Sale Secrets: Get the program that helps you liquidate unwanted retail inventory in just six weeks without destroying your profit margins or discounting best sellers
Ready to coach up? If you’re already at 6 figures and ready to scale up to 7 figures, watch our free class: 3 Steps to Maximize Profit & Reduce Overwhelm.
If you’re not there just yet, watch: How to Increase Your Sales So You Can Consistently Pay Yourself & Your Staff. Together, we'll help you build the profitable, sustainable business you've always dreamed of – one that lets you sleep better at night knowing your retail dreams are becoming reality.
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Millie Moment:
Calculate Your Inventory at Retail: Make sure it doesn’t exceed half your annual sales.
Organize Sales Inventory: Use the Good, Bad, Ugly method to identify what’s helping or hurting your cash flow.
Run a Clearance Sale the Right Way: Eliminate cash flow eaters without slashing your profit margins.
Share This Episode: Send it to a fellow retailer who needs help managing their inventory and improving their cash flow.
Remember, you deserve to be a richer retailer in every sense of the word. Keep moving forward, tackle those cash flow challenges head-on, and know that you are astonishingly fabulous!

#009: Eradicating the J months with a New Income Stream

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 exciting income stream. Listen in for lots of insights on how to energize retail businesses during traditionally quiet months and boost cash flow with creative sales promotions.
What You’ll Learn:
Why the J-Months slow down sales for most retailers.
How to create irresistible promotions that move lazy inventory, including BOGO deals and flash sales.
The key to turning quiet months into profitable ones through enhanced customer engagement and innovative retail marketing strategies.
Key Takeaways:
[03:13] The secret to identifying lazy inventory and giving it new life.
[09:12] Proven promotion strategies to drive traffic and sales.
[10:43] How successful retailers have turned slow months into profit powerhouses by staying ahead of retail trends.
Resources and Links:
Get the Clearance Sale Secrets program now to liquidate unwanted retail inventory in 6 weeks, without destroying margins or discounting best sellers.
Check out this blog for the third type of customer you’ll deal with in your store!
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group.
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Listener Action Steps
Never miss a moment, subscribe to Richer Retailer on your favorite podcast platform!
Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review to help more retailers find us!
Join the Retail Mavens community at retailmavensfb.com to brainstorm ideas and gain support from fellow retailers. 
Millie Moment: 
When it comes to J-Months, you don’t have to let slow sales define your success. With the right strategy, you can turn lazy inventory into an income generating powerhouse!
You are fabulous, loved, and capable of eradicating those J-Month woes. Let’s make retail fun and profitable! Happy Retailing!

#008: The Hidden Costs of Inventory Hoarding

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels, trying everything to boost sales but nothing seems to work? 
In this episode, retail expert Cathy Donovan Wagner shares a guaranteed strategy that transformed one desperate retailer's sales by $30,000 in just one week. From mindset shifts to actionable strategies, Cathy will guide you, step-by-step, on how to provide exceptional customer service and turn your top customers into loyal, raving fans.
If you're ready to overcome your fears, embrace your CEO mindset, and deliver personalized, high-impact service that sets your store apart—hit play now!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why your mindset might be blocking your sales success and how to fix it.
The five steps to leverage your top customers for a significant sales boost and revenue growth.
The secret to delivering exceptional customer service that no competitor can match.
How strategic engagement leads to higher conversion and long-term profit.
Key Moments
[02:33] The step-by-step strategy to engage your top 100 customers. 
[06:31] Overcoming mindset challenges and embracing your role as a retail leader.
[10:12] How one retailer made $30,000 in a week with this proven sales strategy.
Resources & Links
Sample customer call script and actionable checklist
Is slow traffic impacting your sales, check out this marketing blog post for a great tip!
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Listener Action Steps
Never miss a moment, subscribe to Richer Retailer on your favorite podcast platform!
Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review to help more retailers find us!
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Your feelings are part of the journey, but they aren’t the drivers. Keep your hands on the wheel, celebrate your wins, and watch your business growth soar with ease.

#007: The #1 Step to Take to Increase Your Profits

Are you unknowingly sitting on a pile of cash by holding onto slow-moving inventory?
From inventory that overstays its welcome to cash flow struggles, this episode unpacks the hidden costs of holding onto unsold merchandise. Learn how bold markdown strategies, efficient inventory turnover, and a shift in mindset can transform your profit and free up cash to reinvest in your best sellers.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why holding onto slow-moving inventory is costing you more than you realize.
The benefits of bold markdown strategies and cash flow reinvestment.
How to identify best sellers and maximize inventory turnover for higher profit and sales.
Key Moments
[03:28] A story about the real cost of keeping lazy inventory. 
[07:28] Strategies to turn stale merchandise into cash flow. 
[09:55] How a mindset shift about markdowns increases profit.
Resources & Links
Get the Clearance Sale Secrets program now to liquidate unwanted retail inventory in 6 weeks, without destroying margins or discounting best sellers
Read this blog to learn why you should never do a storewide sale!
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Listener Action Steps
Never miss a moment, subscribe to Richer Retailer on your favorite podcast platform!
Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review to help more retailers find us!
Join the Retail Mavens community at retailmavensfb.com to brainstorm ideas and gain support from fellow retailers. 
Thanks for tuning in to Richer Retailer, where we help you build a retail business that serves your life. See you next time, and remember: YOU ARE LOVED!

#006: Retail Meets Politics - What Store Owners Need to Know

Retail and politics, two worlds you might think should never mix, but what if embracing your values could strengthen your business, build deeper customer loyalty, and set your store apart?
In this episode of Richer Retailer, host Cathy Donovan Wagner dives into a topic that sparks both passion and hesitation: the intersection of retail and politics. With her signature blend of energy and wisdom, Cathy explains why the old advice to "never mix business and politics" might no longer hold true in today’s retail landscape.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How sharing your values can deepen customer connections.
Ways to turn cultural events into memorable customer experiences and boost engagement.
Why embracing authenticity strengthens your branding and relationships.
Key Moments
[06:25] Cathy’s personal story: Overcoming hesitation.
[10:10] Creative ways to tie cultural events into your store experience.
[12:13] Building community by standing for your values and connecting authentically.
Resources & Links
Jon Batiste’s Website: Let his creativity inspire you to think outside the box in your business!
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Listener Action Steps
Never miss a moment, subscribe to Richer Retailer on your favorite podcast platform!
Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review to help more retailers find us!
Join the Retail Mavens community at retailmavensfb.com to brainstorm ideas and gain support from fellow retailers. 
Remember, your authenticity is your superpower. It’s what sets your retail business apart. Strong branding, genuine engagement, and unwavering values build customer loyalty that lasts. Happy retailing!

#005: Need Sales Now? Try This Proven Strategy

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels, trying everything to boost sales but nothing seems to work? 
In this episode, retail expert Cathy Donovan Wagner shares a guaranteed solution that transformed one desperate retailer's sales by $30,000 in just one week. From mindset shifts to actionable strategies, Cathy will guide you, step-by-step, on how to provide exceptional customer service and turn your top customers into loyal, raving fans.
If you're ready to overcome your fears, embrace your CEO mindset, and deliver personalized, high-impact service that sets your store apart - hit play now!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why your mindset might be blocking your sales success and how to fix it.
The five steps to leverage your top customers for a significant sales boost.
The secret to delivering exceptional customer service that no competitor can match.
Key Moments
[02:33] The step-by-step guide to engaging your top 100 customers.
[06:31] Overcoming mindset challenges and embracing your role as CEO.
[10:12] How one retailer made $30,000 in a week with this strategy.
Resources & Links
Sample customer call script and actionable checklist
Is slow traffic impacting your sales, check out this blog post for a great tip!
Ready to coach up? If you’re already at 6 figures and ready to scale up to 7 figures, watch our free class: 3 Steps to Maximize Profit & Reduce Overwhelm. If you’re newer and not there just yet, watch: How to Increase Your Sales So You Can Consistently Pay Yourself & Your Staff. Together, we'll help you build the profitable, sustainable business you've always dreamed of – one that lets you sleep better at night knowing your retail dreams are becoming reality.
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Listener Action Steps
Never miss a moment, subscribe to Richer Retailer on your favorite podcast platform!
Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review to help more retailers find us!
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Connect With Us
Explore all we have to offer, check out our website today!
Remember, you have the power to create a retail business that not only thrives but also makes a lasting impact, one intentional step at a time. You've got this!

#004: Part 3 - The Only Way to Grow Your Store with Ease - 3 Steps to Embrace Change Well

Feelings are important, but they shouldn’t be in control.
In this episode, we’ll tackle the balance between emotions and execution, helping you take charge of your business growth journey.
Entrepreneurship is full of ups and downs, but learning how to separate feelings from actions is key to staying on track. We’ll explore practical strategies for maintaining focus, optimizing retail sales, and embracing retail innovation without letting emotions get in the way.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How to separate emotions from actions to stay on track.
The importance of goal setting while balancing self-care.
Why celebrating wins (big & small), like a “Millie Moment,” keeps you motivated.
How omnichannel retailing and social commerce can help scale your store.
Key Moments
[02:36] The flower reminder: A story of emotions vs. goals.
[04:18] Unhooking emotions from your execution process.
[06:18] A client’s “Millie Moment” that exemplifies success.
Resources & Links
Ready to coach up? If you’re already at 6 figures and ready to scale up to 7 figures, watch our free class: 3 Steps to Maximize Profit & Reduce Overwhelm.
If you’re newer and not there just yet, watch: How to Increase Your Sales So You Can Consistently Pay Yourself & Your Staff. Together, we'll help you build the profitable, sustainable business you've always dreamed of – one that lets you sleep better at night knowing your retail dreams are becoming reality.
Need a reminder of why you do this? You need this blog post!
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Listener Action Steps
Never miss a moment, subscribe to Richer Retailer on your favorite podcast platform!
Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review to help more retailers find us!
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Your feelings are part of the journey, but they aren’t the drivers. Keep your hands on the wheel, celebrate your wins, and watch your business growth soar with ease.

#003: Part 2 - The Only Way to Grow Your Store with Ease - 3 Steps to Embrace Change Well

Fear and discomfort are natural parts of a growth mindset, but they don’t have to hold you back.
In Part 2 of this series, RETAILMavens founder Cathy Donovan Wagner dives into the power of overcoming fear head-on and embracing discomfort to drive business transformation.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How fear of failure can become your biggest bottleneck and how to break through it.
Why embracing discomfort is essential for small business growth.
Practical questions to identify what’s holding you back and how to apply positive thinking to move forward.
Key Moments
[04:01] The messy but real impact of fear on growth mindset.
[12:01] Recognizing common fears like fear of failure, rejection, and disapproval.
[14:08] A powerful takeaway inspired by Marianne Williamson.
Resources & Links
Limitless Podcast - Cathy’s inspiration to make a podcast
Check out this blog post on how the right retail systems can fuel your business growth!
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Listener Action Steps
Never miss a moment, subscribe to Richer Retailer on your favorite podcast platform!
Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review to help more retailers find us!
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Millie Moment
Spend time in that discomfort, face your fears, and watch your business and confidence soar. Happy retailing! Join us next time for Part 3!

#002: Part 1 - The Only Way to Grow Your Store with Ease - 3 Steps to Embrace Change Well

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “My store can’t support me,” this is your episode.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to embrace change by rewiring your business mindset, tackling Automatic Negative Thoughts to turn doubt into action.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why a growth mindset is essential for retail success.
How to identify and replace Automatic Negative Thoughts.
The power of the thought ladder to transform limiting beliefs and create a lasting mindset shift.
How developing a CEO mindset helps overcome retail challenges and fosters small business growth.
Key Moments
[01:40] Why retail challenges feel harder than ever and what you can control.
[04:05] Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset: Which one’s holding you back?
[07:29] Using the thought ladder to shift from “I can’t” to “I’ve got this!”
Resources & Links
Ready to coach up? If you’re already at 6 figures and ready to scale up to 7 figures, watch our free class: 3 Steps to Maximize Profit & Reduce Overwhelm.
If you’re newer and not there just yet, watch: How to Increase Your Sales So You Can Consistently Pay Yourself & Your Staff.
Together, we'll help you build the small business growth you’ve always dreamed of – one that lets you sleep better at night knowing your retail strategy is working.
Need a reminder of why it’s worth pushing through your fear? Check out this blog post on overcoming self-doubt!
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Listener Action Steps
Never miss a moment, subscribe to Richer Retailer on your favorite podcast platform!
Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review to help more retailers find us!
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group
Millie Moment
The key to handling expansion is learning to navigate discomfort with ease. This week, your challenge is to identify your biggest Automatic Negative Thought, your “ANT,” and swap it out using the thought ladder. Just take one step up at a time. You’ve got this! Cultivating a retail resilience mindset and applying mindset coaching techniques will help build your confidence in business.

#001: It's Me. Hi

From sleepless nights to thriving success, retail expert Cathy Donovan Wagner shares her journey from an accidental retailer to a richer retailer. If you’ve ever struggled with inventory management, cash flow management, or sleepless nights, you’re not alone! In this episode, Cathy reveals the pivotal moments, tough lessons, and proven scientific retail strategies that transformed her retail business and how they can help you align your store with your life, profits, and dreams.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
The power of knowing your numbers and managing inventory management effectively.
How hiring a coach changed Cathy’s business growth strategies forever.
Why your store should serve your life, not the other way around, and how to achieve work-life balance.
Key Moments
[01:30] Cathy’s journey from an accidental retailer to a richer retailer.
[08:20] How retail coaching brought Cathy direction and growth.
[10:55] Cathy’s mission to empower women retailers like you through entrepreneurial mindset and profit maximization.
Resources & Links
Ready to coach up? If you’re already at 6 figures and ready to scale up to 7 figures, watch our free class: 3 Steps to Maximize Profit & Reduce Overwhelm.
If you’re newer and not there just yet, watch: How to Increase Your Sales So You Can Consistently Pay Yourself & Your Staff.
Wondering what action to take first? Read this blog post!
Follow us on social media for more updates! Facebook / Instagram 
Have questions? Reach out via email!
Listener Action Steps
Never miss a moment, subscribe to Richer Retailer on your favorite podcast platform!
Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review to help more retailers find us!
Join the community with ambitious store owners in our Richer Retailer Facebook Group.
Remember, every challenge you face is just another step toward the thriving, fulfilling retail business you deserve. Keep believing, keep growing, and know that you’re never alone on this journey, we're cheering you on every step of the way!