#823: Retail Trends, Networking & Business Growth: What Boutique Owners Need to Know

Welcome to the Boutique Chat Podcast, where we're gonna help you build a profitable, sustainable business without you having to sacrifice your profitability, your family, or your sanity. Each week we're gonna dive into real conversations with retailers who have been exactly where you are and industry experts so you can learn and know exactly what to do next, all in community over competition. Whether you're just getting started or you're growing past an 8-figure business, you're in the right spot. So let's get into it. Welcome to this week's episode. Hey guys, welcome back to the podcast this week. I am so glad that you're here, and Samantha Connor, I'm so glad that you're here to join me today. Thanks for being on the podcast.

I'm excited to be here, Ashley. We're going to talk about my favorite thing, so I'm excited. I know.

Guys, the countdown is on. In case you have not met Samantha yet, um, she is our fearless leader, the queen. She is leading this train to the station. We are heading all the way to Dallas Samantha's hometown, for the Boutique Summit, for the summit. And we've got a lot to talk about, not just about the summit, whether you guys are listening and you're able to join us this year. Maybe this year didn't work out for you, it wasn't in the cards. But I think overall, one thing, Samantha, you and I, you know, share a lot and talk about a lot and teach a lot on is just the importance of live events, whether it's an event like this or it's going to market and getting in the space with people. There is just such a huge opportunity when you get out of your four walls and go to another place to really expand your horizons and to learn and discover and meet people. I mean, talk to me. You're all over the country at markets. Talk to me about your thoughts on just the importance of going to live events and what that opportunity is in your business. Yes.

Yeah, for sure. I am so passionate about live events because they're really transformative. And the reason that they are is because we are all inundated all the time with so much information. We're multitasking all the time. And when you can finally set aside, you know, the notifications, turn off the phone for a minute and get in a room with people and really focus, the conversations and the education you get is transformative. You leave a different person. You go, it's like when you go on vacation, you know, you come back and you're like, I feel totally different. I want to bring that into my life. That's what an event like Summit does. It transforms your way of thinking, how you feel. And really get you out of kind of that, that like echo chamber that we sometimes get in. You know, we talk to the same people and we think the same thoughts. When you get in a room with other people, suddenly you're like, I'd never seen it that way before. I'd never considered that. So that's super powerful.

It is so powerful. I think there's just something. I think, what is it? There's 3 ways to learn, right? Like there's learning by just listening. So audible learning. And then there's like learning by doing and repetition. But then there's like learning by like being surrounded by the energy of people that are like-minded, doing the same things as you, and just like bouncing those ideas and, and you know what to do, but not only what not to do, those things off of one another. And for me personally, that was one of the biggest turning points here at the Boutique Hub was when I started to get out of my four walls and honestly was at a time where I probably couldn't afford it. It was scraping everything I had together to buy a plane ticket, let me tell you, and using a credit card and all the things. But being able to get out of my four walls for the first time and get in proximity with people that were not only at my level, but people that were above me and really could show me where I was trying to go. It's like it illuminated this path for me that I didn't know was there. And all of a sudden what felt impossible and felt like it was so far away suddenly became possible for me. And then it's like, oh my gosh, the implementation comes so much faster because you see the people who are proving what you're trying to do can be done. And I just think, you know, again, whether it's going to market and just the small little educational opportunities or going to something big like the summit, there's just power in being in the energy of the room with people who are on the same path as you.

Yes. Yeah. I'm always surprised every time we go to a show, you know, last year the team and I did 28 markets. This year we're on track to about hit the same pace. And we go, we do a lot of, you know, walking tours. We'll hit the floor and we'll talk to vendors and we'll connect buyers with new brands and collection ideas and products. And every time I've never failed to have this happen, there will be a conversation that surprises me. And it's maybe someone that I've emailed with before, but when we're in person, we have a different kind of connection and we think of a collaboration or there's something that sparks a conversation of movement and a change. And it just won't happen when I'm behind my computer or behind my phone. It only takes place in person. And that's what I think is so exciting about going, like you said, get to Market, get to an event. Do something where you're outside of your regular four walls because you will be astounded by the changes and the opportunities that really reveal themselves.

So true. So true. And I love that what you said about just collaborations too. It's not what you know, it's who you know. And that's what Community Over Competition's all about. It's finding people who, okay, yes, there's a great idea, but wow, we could actually work together on this great idea. Two are definitely more powerful than one. That's something, um, I want you to talk for a minute about the tours you've done this year. 'Cause like you said, last year, 28 markets. I don't know what your count is so far this year, but you're crushing it. But you're always so good at markets about spotting trends, not just product trends, but business trends. And then leading people on these tours to show them like what's possible and what other people are doing that's bringing success. I know you're gonna bring that same thing to the summit and we'll talk about summit in just a second, but can you kind of gimme a sneak peek into some of the tours you've done this year and some of the big trends that you've been helping people like kind of capture and bring back home with them?

Yes. Yeah. You know, before we focused really on, like we said, those, those product-based things of what products should you have. And now what we're seeing, the retailers that are seeing the most success is what are they doing with those products to create experiences?

Yeah.

People really, that analog trend is no joke. People are listening to records, they're buying magazines again, they're putting, you know, wired earphones into their ears and listening to cassette tapes. They want to have that connection. And so over the past couple of months, we've seen a huge increase in in-store events where people are coming in kind of for 3 reasons. One, they're looking for a transformation. So whether you're, you know, redoing their closet or their wardrobe, they want to feel a change that way. Another is an education. They're learning a new skill. Maybe it's needlepoint or playing mahjongg or, you know, some kind of game and event that way. And then the third really is that piece of community. And they're looking to build a network. And so what we do at Market when we go around and we do those things that we're modeling for our retailers and our brands, go do this in your store, go do this in your space, go do this in your booth. So if you can hit one of those big three, whether you're making that transformation, they're learning a new skill, or they're able to build community in your store, you're going to see people come in because it's not just about the products anymore. It's not about the white t-shirt. They want more than that, and you can provide more than that.

I love that. It's so funny, you know, specifically I'm thinking about needlepoint. You and I were on this tour, and we went to a booth that sells these little needlepoint kits. And it's something that just took me by surprise. It made me feel like I was in the space with my grandma all over again. I didn't realize it was as much of a trend as it was. But we got these cute little samples when we were on the tour. And I'm curious if this happened to you too, but we both have daughters the same age. And so I took the needlepoint home to Hadley, and I was like, I'm like, have you seen this trend? Like, do you know this is going on? She's like, oh my gosh, I've always wanted one of these. Like, this is so cool, Mom. And my mind was blown because had I not been there and had that experience, I would have had no idea. Because I feel like trends— again, I grew up in North Dakota, so trends were always like the last to come to North Dakota. But today with social media, trends travel across the country so fast. And unless we get out of our four walls, we don't know what's You know, standing there ready to have a prime opportunity. Our customers are actually hungry for it, looking for it. We just don't even know that it's a trend yet unless we get out and experience that opportunity. I'm sure, you know, same. Did you take this home for Maisie? What'd she think about needlepoint?

Oh my gosh, they love it. And I've got a college girl. So, you know, the college girls are always ahead of our high school girls. And so my college girl had been doing needlepoint all year long. And that's when my husband and I were like, you went to college to sit around in a circle and do needlepoint? Like we were thinking back to our days in college and we were like, why would I get so proud of you? This is a little bit different than, you know, the— You do a cake stand? Oh, no! Yeah, yeah. And I asked her, you know, same thing, why are you interested in this? And she said, because everybody puts their phone down and we just get to talk, you know? And so I think that's so refreshing. I'm excited about that, you know? And so those are our site— those are things that I would look for. And we're going to carry that kind of education on into Summit and then connect you actually with the product because you may say, I love the idea of Needlepoint. Now where do I buy it? Um, I'm gonna shout out Duo Threads. I know for sure she's gonna be at Summit in our expo. She's gonna have those. She's actually providing a free gift for everybody if you got a ticket. So you'll be able to take one home, maybe surprise and delight your daughter or yourself. So yeah, it'll be exciting. I love it.

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Yes. Yeah. So exciting. So number one, every ticket holder is going to get a stuffed bag of product samples because we do believe when you get that product in your hand, you can touch and feel it and you can learn how to use it and how to sell it. You're going to be more successful with it. But beyond just getting the freebies, you get to have that one-on-one time to walk the show floor. We've got over 40 vendors that are going to be at the Boutique Hub Summit Expo, which, like you said, is basically a mini trade show. The advantage of this We love, you know, traditional market, but this is small and curated. So we've got very specific jewelry brands, footwear, apparel, t-shirt, and then our service providers as well. And you'll have time actually to be slow enough to have that one-on-one conversation, to look them in the eye, touch and feel the product, to ask the questions, to tell them about your store and your needs, and then help find a solution for that. So, you know, calling out, you know, some jewelry brands, Gemelli, we've got Quirky Shoes, we've got Very G. I'm really excited to bring, um, Timing and Lumiere as well. So you're going to get, you know, some apparel that way. Graphic tees are doing great again. I know some people are like, they've always done great, but they're hitting high fashion again, which is kind of fun. So Limeberry will be there, you know, and then the Sis Kiss with her jewelry. So, um, Jessilee Wholesale. We've got a variety. We want to cover all of our bases when it comes to what should your full, like, product portfolio look like.

I love that. It's such a great opportunity. And like you said, I love with the service providers there too. You don't always get that experience when you're going to a market, not like the service providers that are coming to the expo for us, um, are not your typical ones you're always going to see at market. So if you want to sit down and have real one-on-one conversations with people who can help you with website, e-commerce, obviously the Boutique of Black team, Facebook ads, and just all things conversion, um, there's many that can dig into the nuts and bolts of your business as well.

Yes. Yeah, for sure. Ola Hall, who owns Faves, you know, help you with that, that buying organization and making smarter decisions at market. Lightspeed, who a lot of us know for POS, they're really coming ahead with some new technology when it comes in terms of e-commerce and selling. Aptile has really created a great live selling program. Live.me up, CommentSold. There's a lot of options now that are tailored for your business. Taylor Roal with ALR, Crystal Chapman. Basically whatever piece of support you need, we're going to have it there. And like you said, they don't go to markets. Like when you go to a traditional apparel market, there's not a ton of booths of service providers. And so this is your chance to really talk to them one-on-one, which is so much to me richer than, like you said, sending an email or going to their website and kind of trying to figure out what is it you do? How could you help me? You can just ask that in person and get the answer right there. I love it.

All right, let's talk about the schedule and the main stage and our breakout sessions, the education part. So you've got the people, you've got the connections. We'll talk about networking with your peers in just a minute. But as far as education that we're going to experience, let's kind of walk through. I've got the schedule pulled up, Samantha. So let's talk about some of our highlights and things. Maybe we kind of tag team back and forth, but let's talk about day 1. So the summit's August 16th and 17th in Dallas, Texas. You guys, you can still grab a ticket to come and join us in person. If you're not able to make it, there are digital tickets. You're gonna be able to grab one of those to watch from home as well. But let's talk about what are some of the topics that you're really excited to see covered specifically on day 1?

Yes, on day 1 is, like I said, Sunday, August 16th, we're gonna kick it off. I'm really excited about how to turn the Western trend into the mainstream sales opportunity. So we've seen Western trending all over. I know you've been team rodeo for years and you've just been waiting for the rest of us to catch up. But welcome. Yes, welcome. Yes, that really is, it's not a trend, it's a way of thinking. This year you guys have seen a huge rise in Americana with the, you know, 250th birthday. Ralph Lauren is having his moment again. And all that really comes down to the hardworking values of Americans building their own brand, building their own businesses. So we're going to get some of those Western retailers that have built their own brands, um, as well as a crossover with contemporary and have them share about those values and how they've put in the hard work to get the success and the lessons they've learned so that maybe the, the journey isn't so hard for you.

Yeah, I think that's so true. I think there's such an opportunity for that crossover, not just in trend, like you said, but just in the, the business mindset that I admire so much in that industry. So One panel, or one, not panel, but one speaker I'm looking forward to on day one, you guys, this is someone who's been a personal mentor of mine for years. Literally since the beginning of the Boutique Hub, I have looked up to this man. I have admired him. He's got more stories than you can carry in a, I don't know, hulking bag. But on the main stage is going to be Keith Mundy, who is the president of American Hat Company. Now that is like our Mecca in Team Rodeo, is American Hat. And when he takes the stage, again, whether you're Western, whether you sell purses, jewelry, as far from Western as you could be, it doesn't matter. There's gonna be so much to learn and take away from what he's gonna share because the connections, just the things he's seen in business, the decisions he's made, the leadership that he's had to deploy, I'm just always impressed with him. And I hope you guys learn as much from him as I've been fortunate to over the years. Who else are you looking forward to seeing on day one? Samantha.

Yeah, yeah. So I'm saying, well, and you know what he does too? He speaks in parables. I told somebody the other day when I met him with you, I said, He sounds like the voice of God. Like it's the voice, voice goes down and everything he said, I was like, I should write that down. I'm gonna put that on a magnet. I'm gonna put that on a t-shirt. So you guys are gonna find inspiration there. And then moving on to, like I said, with that, that whole blast of, then let's move into really the power of your website and building out collections. I've had several retailers when I'm not at market, I'm on phone calls with retailers all day long and you know, we'll look at their websites and, and kind of evaluate Why is it not converting? What's, what's the matter with my website? Right? That's what they always say. Is it my product? Is it me? What's going on? A lot of times it's the way we're presenting it. And so collections are so important now. And the collections aren't new arrivals or this is trending. It comes down to what problem are you solving for your customer? And so we're going to have a whole session led by Crystal Chapman, um, talking about how to build up those collections that really move. Specific ones that I've seen do really well is look in your area, like what is the need of, of your customer? So Um, in my area, a lot of people send their kids to summer camp. So it's, you know, what do I wear to drop off my kid to summer camp? How to look cute when I'm taking my kid to soccer camp? You know, th— those kind of things. If that's your customer, um, really honing in on that and telling her you are going to wear this here. And then she's like, okay, then I know I need it. Instead of this is a new arrival, it's cute, you should buy it. Um, so I think that's gonna be really powerful.

I love that. Um, another one that I'm really looking forward to on day 1, and I've just really gotta give her a shout out, you guys, she's been on the podcast, you've heard her here, she's in our mastermind. But Jency Wallace, a day in the life of a small town retailer who built a big business. I tell you what, okay, listen, I grew up in Bowman, North Dakota, population 1,600. It's about the same size as where Jency's coming from. And I think sometimes when you are in a small town as a retailer, and I know you've heard this too, Samantha, sometimes a small town gives us a small town mindset. And we're like, ah, we can only grow as big as these four walls. We can only grow as big, you know? People in this town won't pay much for this, people in this town can't afford that. And pretty soon our limiting beliefs and our money mindset pour out onto those around us. And what I love about telling Jincy's story is she came from a really small town like I did. Yes, she built an incredible brick-and-mortar business that attracts from her area and then some. But when she was going through a big remodel project and she's worked with several of our service providers, she's worked with us here at The Hub. But that girl built an incredible online business that has now outpaced the size of her brick-and-mortar business. She is not limited to her small town. She is not limited to any one mindset. Her business is as big as she wants to grow her business to be, and it's truly a mindset. And so I'm excited for you guys to learn from her and to see that evolution of her journey and to see how in a small town, no matter where you're from, if, if you're from Bowman, North Dakota, like me, It's okay. It's still possible for you to grow the business that you have been dreaming about no matter what. So I think that's gonna be a really good session.

Yeah. She's so authentic. And I think what you said was so important. Grow your business to the size you want it to be. I wanna emphasize that some people say, you know, am I get a comment? Everybody's like, bigger's better. And it's only mega boutiques that they're talking to and talking about. That's not true at all. The truth is your business, like you said, we can go to the size that you want it to be. Um, but what are those stories and tools that are going to help you reach that goal? So, um, definitely excited about that. Um, another one that I think is so important is, you know, we talk about building these businesses and doing all these things, and the things that sometimes we don't talk about is the money part. So how are we financing our business? How are we saving money? Like, what are the other people doing? Are they using credit card points? How are they, how are they doing it? And those are the conversations that don't get shared in a Facebook thread. You know, they're kind of hard to have in a few minutes at the coffee line when you're at market. So we're going to sit down with a group of people that are going to share actually, these are the ways that you can save money in your business. And this is that, that money conversation that maybe you've been wondering about, but kind of afraid to, to ask about. We're going to peel back, peel back the curtain on that and reveal what are people really doing to save and make money in their business.

Yeah, there's going to be a few sessions that are going to be tailored around that both days. And the opportunity to meet with some of our, our service providers who are doing that on a regular basis as well. One last one I'll mention on day one, and again, there's everything on day one from working with your spouse to doing merchandising to working on AI. But another one that I'm really excited about is the generational panel. I think that there is just so much changing in marketing and how we reach our customers. But that panel talking about how to speak to different generations that are different than you and how to market to them and reach them. I think there's a huge opportunity there as well.

Yes. Oh my gosh. Yeah. That I want to see me in your marketing. Are you talking to me? Yeah. Yeah. That's a hard one. We wrap up day one in a really fun way. And if you've been to Summit before, you look forward to this every year. We do a sip and shop. So that'll kick off at the end of the day. So after, you know, we've learned, we've taken in all this information, we unwind a little bit. We're going to have live music. We're going to have an open bar. We've got a fun bingo game to kind of encourage and help you connect with all those vendors. And then you can shop. And that's a, that's a neat opportunity. There's gonna be a lot of these brands that have cash and carry. There will be order writing to connect with the service providers. But it's a fun way to wind down on day 1. So I'm looking forward to that. And that's sponsored by VeryGeet, which has been a member for a long time. Really great footwear line. Yeah.

I think that's your biggest opportunity on day 1 if you're coming to the summit by yourself. To make a connection by somebody you met in the bathroom line, that you sat by on day 1, that you went to the Sip and Shop with, and go to dinner together. Go meet somebody new, go network. The cool part about being at the Anatole this year that I'm honestly so excited about is we're all going to be in the same space. You can literally like, you don't have to leave. You can if you want for dinner, but you can go down. There's a restaurant in the hotel, a couple of them, and you can meet people right there all night long to network with and just to expand and find people to collaborate with. Along the way. So huge opportunity to network on the end of day 1. All right, let's get into day 2. I'm just looking at the time, Samantha. Um, let's jump into day 2. Something that you've brought to the summit this year that's brand new that I'm really excited about is the book club. So do you want to talk about— if you want to join us and talk about the book club at 7:30 on day 2, what's that all about?

Yes. Yeah. So, uh, you know, you and I went to that event together and there was a GHTA and they had a book club and I was curious about it. I was like, I don't know if I want to do this, you know, kind of felt like a little reluctant, but then I thought, I've signed up to come to this, you know, conference. I'm going to immerse myself and say yes to every opportunity, which I challenge you guys to do as well, even if you feel a little uncomfortable. So I walked in with my book, you know, and what book club is, is we have all chosen a book. It's 10x is Great— is Easier Than 2x, and we're going to— you can get the book from your favorite retailer, from your bookstore, read the book ahead of time. And then on day 2 at 7:30 in the morning, we're going to meet up for coffee and muffins and breakfast bites, and we'll break into small groups and we'll talk about the book. And it's pretty casual. The biggest takeaway that I got from doing book club was I sat at a group with a group of people that I never would have talked to. I hadn't even seen them the whole conference. Like, I didn't even recognize their faces in passing. And we sat down and before we even chatted about the book, we all exchanged, you know, information, followed each other on socials. And then we started diving into the book and it was so interesting to hear their takes on it compared to mine. And same thing about that echo chamber, right? Like I was like, this is definitely the way this book should be interpreted. And they had other ideas, which was fun. But then afterwards, now I've got this professional connection with a group of people that I wouldn't have met before. So that was really fun as well. It's a good way to start the day. And I don't know about you, but I don't have time to read a lot of books right now. So it really made me like buckle down and read. Which I want to make more time for. And this kind of got that habit kicked off for me for the year.

I think that's so good. If you guys are coming to join us and you haven't listened to that book or read that book, I say listen, because I don't read anymore. I just listen to everything on Audible. Yeah. But if you guys haven't had a chance to, our mastermind reviewed that book, like you said, and it's just such a— I'm going to be working it into my keynotes, but such a huge opportunity, just that mindset of You know, so often in business, we become these squirrels and we're just trying to do more and do more and do more. And if I just get a little bit ahead and we're scratching, we're digging. But that whole idea of 10X is greater than 2X is no. What do I have to radically eliminate and not do in order for me to open up this gap in this window and this opportunity for me to go all in and focus on the big thing that is going to get me to my goal faster? The thing that I really need to 10X. What do I need to 10X in my life and business? So again, I highly encourage you guys read the book, listen to it, download the Cliff Notes if that's still a thing, but check it out before you come because we're going to be weaving that message into a lot of the things that we talk about.

Yeah, for sure. And I'm going to say shout out to Heart on Main for sponsoring that morning breakfast session for that. So that's going to be great. Yeah. Okay. So we'll kick off the day. I mean, that's the thing about summit. We start bright and early and then we jump right into it. You know, one of the next things I'd say that day that I'm really looking forward to, is our conversation about Pink Friday and how to make it work for you. Pink Friday, if you guys are not aware, was started by the Boutique Hub in 2000, you know, during the COVID time when we were having a hard time reaching our customers because everything was shut down. And Pink Friday really found a way to connect community with small business and keep a lot of stores afloat. And then since then, it's transformed into this really huge networking community opportunity. And we're going to hear from Jessica with Pink on Pickens on how she's taken that event and experience and used it to really expand her customer base and stay in contact with them all year long.

It's a huge opportunity for literally every single person, no matter, like, if you're watching live, if you're gonna be at Summit in person, like, that's a huge opportunity for all of us to expand in the fourth quarter. A couple other things, you know, on day one, we cover a lot of AI-related topics. On day two, we're talking about a lot of e-commerce. Commerce and live selling, but also something on day 2 we're seeing a lot of is we're having a lot of conversations about staff, HR, and then also just leadership. You know, so many of you that come to the summit, you've been in business a long time, some of you are brand new, and that's great. But those of you who have been around a long time, you know that you as a person have to change as a leader. As your business grows, you have to grow. And sometimes bigger isn't better, you know, better is better, but you've got to become a better leader along the way. And so a session I'm looking forward to is actually Sarah. Sarah talks about this a ton in Retail Bootcamp and Retail Bootcamp Accelerator, and her keynote is gonna be something that's gonna be really powerful about leadership as well.

Yeah, you know, Ashley, that's funny you say that, 'cause I would say from the past markets that we did in June, I'd say the top 3 like pain points that retailers were sharing with me, one was, you know, product selection, getting the right kind of product in, two was driving traffic to your store or your, you know, brick and mortar or your online, And then 3 was how do I get the staff to produce the way that I want them to? Those were definitely the big 3. So Sarah's going to touch definitely on number 3. Number 2, traffic conversions, getting people to your site. That's Jeff Fenn's, you know, wealth of, wealth of knowledge. And he'll be on stage a lot, I know, along with you talking about how do we get people excited about coming back into store beyond, like we said, the experiences. Like what is that really critical digital marketing piece? So, if you are somebody that's been curious about Facebook ads or how do I harness the power of Google, we are gonna, you know, like we said, demystify all that for you and show you the path forward with Jeff Fenn on stage. I know we've got Jim coming as well, really talking about how do we get people to our stores and our sites to buy.

That's so good. And like you said, with Jim as well gonna be there, we've been building something. I'm gonna talk about just like wrapping and putting a bow on this whole thing. We've been building and building and building this year at the Boutique Hub, and really it's come down to us reinventing our entire business model to make it easier, easier to understand, easier to interact with, and hopefully to save our members a ton of money along the way, whether it's with the partners we're working with or your membership directly, because a lot of things are changing with, with membership here at the Hub. And in addition to that, we've been building something new for everybody to experience. We're going to be doing a huge unveil at Summit. But I will tell you, I'll give you this much of a hint. Some of our members already have access to it inside of Retail Bootcamp Accelerator, but it's going to be something that hopefully makes your life easier, something that helps you wake up every day and you feel like you have that assistant right next to you with a pen and paper saying, okay, here's what we need to focus on first today. Here's where we need to grow today. And so Jeff and Jim and myself are going to be working on unveiling this huge project to you guys together. Both on day 1 and on day 2, you're gonna get lots of sneak peeks into what that is. Finally, at the end of day 2, Samantha, talk about this. I think it's really important that we celebrate accomplishments. It's how we start every Retail Bootcamp call that we're on. It's by celebrating accomplishments, and the Boutique Summit's no different. So do you wanna talk about like the member parade and the party that we're gonna throw at the end of day 2 as well?

Yes, yeah, for sure. So yeah, we are wrapping up that day with, You guys are the focus, you know, the retailers, the brands, you guys are the ones that are putting in the work and we're here because of you. So we're getting you up on stage and celebrating those wins, you know, and those milestones look different for everybody. If you're just starting out, you know, maybe it's, I launched my online store and we're celebrating that you did that, or maybe you had your first month of business, we're celebrating that. People that are more seasoned, maybe you opened your 5th location, you know, or maybe you finally hired that digital marketing partner that you were looking for. So We're celebrating all those things. Maybe it's that you're paying yourself or that you found, like you always say, more peace, more profit in your business. We're going to celebrate all those things. And then we're going to carry that celebration over to the Stemmons Ballroom, which is also located at the Anatole. And we are hosting an ending party with a live band. I'm so excited. We have a 360 photo booth. We're going to have a ton of really great food. Of course, drinks. And the theme of that is Denim and Diamonds. So if you're somebody that loves to get dressed up, please go all out. If you're like, I don't know what I would even wear to that, throw on a pair of jeans and boots and come on in and come as you are. But that's our time to really have fun. As retailers, you guys do wear so many hats and you work so hard all year long and you deserve, you deserve a little fun. So come to that Denim and Diamonds party at the end. It's definitely well worth it.

I think that's going to be so much fun. We like— that is always the highlight. There's always somebody who gets on stage and sings. So if you have a hidden talent, I'm just telling you, and you're there, I'm going to find you and you're going to be on stage and you're going to sing. If I have to get up and do karaoke or some— something always happens every year. If I've got to do it, you guys got to do it. So I'm going to find you and pull you up there and we're going to celebrate together. All right, Samantha, let's talk about this. So any live event that I go to, the summit or market or any business conference, it's not just about what you learn when you're in the room, but more importantly, how do I implement things when I get back home? Do you have any thoughts or best practices you want to share on just making sure we find that nugget and get it implemented once we're back home?

Yes, for sure. Well, every attendee, you know, gets a notebook. So I'd say take notes, whether you're a pen and paper person or you, you know, want to do it on your phone or your laptop, make sure that you're taking notes, getting those connections with people. I would go ahead and set up those emails of, hey, I connected you through a summit. I want to connect with you when we get home, making sure you like kind of planting those seeds. And then also really, um, every single person that buys a ticket, you get digital access to the replay. So if you're in the moment in the room and you're like, well, I was in this session, I didn't hear that, or I remember Ashley said this, but I, I can't remember exactly what it was. I wanna feel that magic again. Um, every single person that has a ticket, you do have access to digital replay. And that's huge, not only for you, but for your team. And so that will really help with implementation. So highly recommend being an active participant. Taking notes, taking the connections, and then catching the replay and doing that follow-up afterwards.

I think that's so important. Knowing that you have those replays is huge. I always do the circle, star, prioritize method. So as you're going through, you're doing notes every single day. At the end of day 1, if you can just take 5 minutes and run back through that notebook and just simply like circle, circle, circle, like, oh, I got to remember this, da da da da da. And then if I go through it again, if I take a second pass at everything I've circled, Just star, like, okay, if there's anything I take action on, because this is like high impact, I'm going to star it. And then at the end of day 2, when I review my full notebook, I'm just going to take my stars and I'm just going to put them in order 1 through 10. What is the highest income generating activity I can do from this event? And that goes top of my list. And sometimes they're just outsourced things like, oh, my team's going to do all these other things, but it's important that we put them in order at the very end of the event. So we know that we work on the most important. Income-generating activities first when we get back home.

Yes.

All right.

Yeah.

Samantha, any last parting words, thoughts? How do I pack? What do I wear? What else should I know before I come to Summit?

Yes, I'd say, you know, come as you are, come comfy. We're all, you know, boutique owners. So there's a, there's an element of, you know, dress to impress, but don't let that intimidate you or keep you from coming as you are. I do recommend layers sometimes, you know, ballrooms and things and conference centers are cold. So bring some layers, bring comfy shoes. If you're able to come in early and join us on Saturday, we are going to have a welcome reception sponsored by Management One. And we'll also have a meetup for our Retail Bootcamp Accelerator and our Boutique of Black Students. Yeah. And I'd say maybe throw in a swimsuit. The Anatole has a beautiful pool. It's definitely a resort. So you'll have access to an amazing gym, pool, that kind of thing. So make the most of it. Don't rush through it. This is your opportunity to, like we said, be transformed. This is your business vacation. So come with that mindset of, I want to meet as many people as I can, learn as much as I can, and have fun, because you deserve it.

I love that. Come meet all the Boutique Hub team. You guys, we are going to be there. All the Boutique Hub Black coaches, Sarah, Jeff, Jim, Chris, myself, Eric, Samantha. Some of us are bringing family to help as well. All of my kids are going to be there for the very first time. Time. I'm really excited about that. Um, but pull any of us aside at any time, you guys. We are so blessed to get to work with you. Um, we're thankful and honored that you guys trust us with your business every single day. And so this is a highlight for us too, to get to see you, give you a hug, and just hear your story in person. Uh, because we carry that with us the rest of the year when we're making decisions and, and trying to see the forest through the trees and bring you guys the latest in what's happening in the industry. So come say hi, uh, and don't be a stranger when you get to All right, Samantha Connor, thank you so much for being here. You guys, can't wait to see you at Summit or see you on video if you're not able to join us in person. I hope you grab a digital ticket as well. And then we'll plan to see you next year. We'll hope to see you next year if this year didn't work out. Any last thoughts, Samantha? Otherwise, thank you for being here.

Yeah, no, thank you. And I sign off the way I do every time. See you at Summit.

All right, see you guys. We'll see you at Summit. Thanks for tuning in today. Hey guys, thanks so much for listening to this week's episode. If you found it helpful, please share it share it with a friend, or feel free to subscribe. And I would always love it if you would leave a rating and review. Hey, if you want more tools, education, and just support, head on over to theboutiquehub.com. Or if you have feedback or episode ideas, DM me personally, @ashleyalderson, on Instagram. Thanks so much for being here and listening to this week's episode. I'll see you next week.