The application to join Master Shopkeepers is now open!

27 Modules

START HERE + FAQs

Start here first! To make progress here in The Lab, click on "Next Lesson" or "Mark as Completed". You'll see a progress bar for each module indicating how much of the module you've completed.

You also earn engagement points for each lesson you mark completed.

Be sure to review all of the short lessons here in the Get Started Module first, so you can get the most out of your membership!

15 lessons

1 What is the Shopkeeper's Academy? 2 Copyright Protection Policy + Legal Disclaimer 3 What are Savvy Shopkeeper's terms and policies? 4 Failed Credit Card Payment POLICY & How to Update 5 How To Navigate the Shopkeepers Academy 6 Is The Lab a course and what are EPs in the Academy? 7 Why are podcast episodes included as lessons in The Lab? 8 What software/tools does Kathy recommend for shopkeepers? 9 MSK Member Info - Social Media List + Map of ALL Active Members 10 New Group Member Info (Guide Download + Welcome Call Replays) 11 Group Call Event Calendar 12 What if I unsubscribe from Savvy Shopkeeper emails? 13 How can I cancel my Master Shopkeepers membership? 14 I have other questions, what can I do? 15 Savvy Shopkeeper Bookshop

Unlock module

SHOPKEEPER STAGES (QUIZ + ROADMAPS)

FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON IN YOUR BUSINESS NOW!

Each level has completely different obstacles to overcome and goals to achieve in order to reach the next stage.

Take the Savvy Shopkeeper Quiz to receive your level-specific, personalized roadmap, which will give you key action steps you can implement today to move your retail business in the right direction.

11 lessons

1 STEP 1 - TAKE THE QUIZ: PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 119 Where are You on Your Shopkeeper Journey? 2 STEP 2 - WATCH THIS MASTERCLASS: 7 Pillars of Retail: The 7 Point Formula to Grow Your B&M Store (REPLAY) 3 STEP 3 - DOWNLOAD YOUR ROADMAP: SHOPKEEPER STAGE ROADMAPS 4 STEP 4: WATCH CALL REPLAYS FOR THE STAGE YOU'RE IN (IN THE LESSONS BELOW) 5 ASPIRING SHOPKEEPER (Stage 1) Group Calls 6 SAVVY STARTER (Stage 2) Group Calls 7 PROFIT PLANNER (Stage 3) Group Calls 8 GROWING RETAILER (Stage 4) Group Calls 9 RETAIL CEO (Stage 5) Group Calls 10 SCALING RETAILER (Stage 6) COMING SOON! 11 OPTIONAL - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 162 What the Savvy Shopkeeper Quiz Is Teaching Me About Indie Retailers

Unlock module

BUSINESS TRENDS

14 lessons

Unlock module

CALCULATORS

11 lessons

1 Sales to Salary Calculator 2 Starting Inventory 3 Rent to Sales Ratio 4 Wholesale Price Calculator 5 Pricing Nested Sets {Google Sheet + Printable Crib Sheet} 6 Product Profit Margin 7 Retail Profit Pie (UPDATED Google Sheet) 8 Sales Per Square Foot 9 Gross Profit Margin 10 Stock to Sales Ratio 11 Year-Over-Year Growth (2 Options)

Unlock module

CEO TIME + WORKSHEETS

6 lessons

1 2024 Worksheets (NOW AVAILABLE!) 2 2023 Worksheets 3 2022 Planning Worksheets 4 2022 Tracking Worksheets 5 2021 Planning & Tracking Worksheets 6 2017 Business Year-End-Review and Planning Session

Unlock module

ECOMMERCE + TECHNOLOGY

16 lessons

Unlock module

EVENTS + WORKSHOPS

7 lessons

1 EVENTS + PROMOTIONS - VIDEO LESSON: Get Creative with Store Events & Promotions {Over 20 Ideas!} 2 IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS - 10 Things To Know Before You Teach A Workshop 3 IN PERSON WORKSHOPS - DIY Workshop: How to Run Your Own In-Store Workshop 4 IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS - Host a Branded Workshop for National Craft Month in March 5 ONLINE WORKSHOPS + CLASSES - How to Use Zoom to Teach Classes and Host Meetings Online 6 Sample Workshop Subcontractor Agreement (Download) 7 Sample Workshop Payment Policy

Unlock module

FINANCIAL - BOOKKEEPING + TAXES

25 lessons

1 BARTERING - WRITTEN LESSON: Bartering for Small Business Owners 2 BOOKKEEPING - BEGINNER - START HERE: Recommended Financial Road Map for Beginner's 3 BOOKKEEPING - BEGINNER STEP 1: Separate Personal from Business Finances 4 BOOKKEEPING - BEGINNER STEP 2: Questions to Ask When Hiring an Accountant (DOWNLOAD LIST) 5 BOOKKEEPING - BEGINNER STEP 3: Choose Bookkeeping Software 6 BOOKKEEPING - BEGINNER STEP 4: Learn the difference between Cash Basis and Accrual Basis Accounting 7 BOOKKEEPING - BEGINNER STEP 5 - Create your own Sample Chart of Accounts (UPDATED) 8 BOOKKEEPING - BEGINNER STEP 6: Become familiar with a P&L Statement 9 BOOKKEEPING - Resources in the US for Small Business Bookkeeping Support +Classes(NEW) 10 BOOKKEEPING - PODCAST EPISODE: 211 Six Bookkeeping Tips for Independent Retailers 11 BOOKKEEPING - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 77 Yes, You Need a Bookkeeper! Here Are 5Reasons Why 12 CUTTING EXPENSES (NEW! APR 2023) Implementation Call Replay 13 CUTTING EXPENSES - Ep. 62 10 Tips for Cutting Your Retail Business Expenses (+ DOWNLOAD) 14 CUTTING EXPENSES - VIDEO LESSON: Cut the fat! A Deep Dive Into B&M Expenses 15 FINANCIAL REPORTS - VIDEO LESSON: How To Understand Your Profit and Loss Statement 16 TAXES - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 6 Set Your Retail Business Up for Success with Taxes 17 TAXES - 10 Tips To Help Brick-and-Mortar Store Owners Prepare For Taxes 18 PROFIT FIRST - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 206 Relay Financial: A Cash Flow Tool for Independent Retailers 19 PROFIT FIRST Book Club July/August 2022 Video Replays 20 PROFIT FIRST What is it and how to use it? Masterclass with Kathy Cruz (Video Lesson) 21 PROFIT FIRST - Cash Flow Management Spreadsheets (NEW) 22 VIDEO LESSON: Make Your Numbers Work For You with Sarah Nemecek 23 VIDEO LESSON: How To Maximize Your Time When Reviewing Your Numbers 24 HOT SEAT COACHING CALL with Shawna Straub: Financial Roadmap for Beginners 25 TAXES - Preparing for Tax Season Group Calls

Unlock module

FINANCIAL - METRICS + MORE

31 lessons

Unlock module

GENERAL BUSINESS

27 lessons

Unlock module

HUMAN RESOURCES

31 lessons

1 1099 SUBCONTRACTOR vs. W2 EMPLOYEE How to Decide (PDF Download) 2 APPLICATION TEMPLATE (Word Doc) 3 CONTRACTOR AGREEMENTS (Word Docs) 4 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Comparison (Nice to Haves vs. Must Haves) PDF Download 5 EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT PROVISIONS Download (Word Doc) 6 HARASSMENT PREVENTION POLICY Download (Word Doc) 7 HIRING - START HERE PART 1 - Video Lesson + Workbook with Stacy Schnieber 8 HIRING - START HERE PART 2 - WORKBOOK by Stacy Schnieber (PDF Download) 9 HIRING - START HERE PART 3 - Podcast Ep. 82 How to Hire CHECKLIST: Resources That Retailers Need for Successful Hiring 10 HIRING - START HERE PART 4: Finding + Interviewing Applications (VIDEO LESSON with MSK Member Margaret Hansen) 11 HIRING - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 144 Labor Pains in Independent Retail: 12 Solutions for Hiring and Retaining Employees 12 HIRING DEVELOPMENT & 4-PART ONBOARDING PLAN (4 Word Docs) 13 INCIDENT REPORT Template (PDF Download) 14 INTERNAL INVESTIGATION PROCESS - Sample Download (Word Doc) 15 INTERNSHIPS 16 JOB TITLES + Descriptions 17 LEADING A TEAM - VIDEO LESSON: When You're The Owner and Manager - How to Manage Individuals with Dani Martin 18 LEADING A TEAM - VIDEO LESSON: How to Celebrate Your Employees Through the Holiday Hustle 19 LEADING A TEAM - VIDEO LESSON: Stepping Into Your Leadership to Build a Team You Trust with Alida Zweidler-McKay 20 LEADING A TEAM - EMPLOYEE TRAINING VIDEO LESSON: "Reopen with Purpose: Preparing you and your employees to successfully re-open your business" ABBY MYETTE 21 MANAGEMENT TITLES + DESCRIPTIONS 22 NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT Download (Word Doc) 23 PERFORMANCE REPORT - Sample (PDF Download) 24 EMPLOYEE STAFF HANDBOOK TEMPLATE (Word Template) 25 SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY (Word Doc Template) 26 SOCIAL MEDIA HIRE - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 32 Who Should Independent Retailers Hire for Social Media Management? 27 VENDOR'S AGREEMENT Download (Word Doc) 28 VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS PART 1 29 VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS PART 2 - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 43 Should a Retail Store Owner Hire a Virtual Assistant? 30 VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS PART 3 - VIDEO LESSON: How to Work with a Virtual Assistant 31 LEADERSHIP - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 216 Build Your Leadership Strength with Shelli Warren of Stacking Your Team

Unlock module

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

21 lessons

Unlock module

MARKETING - OTHER

31 lessons

Unlock module

MARKETING - SOCIAL MEDIA

50 lessons

Unlock module

MERCHANDISING + STORE LAYOUT

10 lessons

1 CASH WRAP - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 145 Twelve Elements of a Great Cash Wrap 2 MERCHANDISING + DESIGN: Enchant Customers with a Visually Appealing Brick & Mortar Store (Masterclass Video Replay) 3 MERCHANDISING: "Five Merchandising Must Haves Before Opening your Store" - NICHOLE SIMMS 4 MERCHANDISING - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 50 An Interview with Becky Tyre: Master Visual Merchandising Consultant and Host of Retail Details Podcast 5 STORE DESIGN - VIDEO LESSON: How Store Design Will Help You Attract Customers with Nickeisha Lews 6 STORE DESIGN - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 107 Store Layout & Merchandising Tips 7 STORE DESIGN - VIDEO: CALL #1 "Office Hour" Calls with Nickeisha Lewis of NOLA Designs 8 STORE DESIGN -VIDEO: CALL #2 "Office Hour" Calls with Nickeisha Lewis of NOLA Designs 9 PHOTOGRAPHY: Tips for Photographing Your Products - SARAH BEIRNE PHOTOGRAPHY 10 WINDOW DISPLAYS - 7 Tips For Creating An Eye-Catching Window Display

Unlock module

MINDSET - MONEY

4 lessons

1 Creating Confidence and Clarity in Your Money Moving Forward - SARAH NEMECEK 2 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 172 I Quoted $750/Hour and Here’s Why [Pricing Your Worth] 3 GUEST LESSON: Money Mindset Masterclass with Melanie Shmois of Mind Your Strength 4 HOT SEAT COACHING with JerriLynn Fleenor (Ended partnership, debt and overwhelm)

Unlock module

MINDSET - GENERAL

34 lessons

Unlock module

OPERATIONS

30 lessons

Unlock module

PRODUCTS - BUYING

16 lessons

1 AMERICASMART - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 208 Five Takeaways From Attending AmericasMart As An Observer 2 AMERICASMART - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 154 My Personal Takeaways From AmericasMart 2023 3 AMERICASMART - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 14 Lessons Learned at Market (AmericasMart) 4 AMERICASMART - FREE 5-PART LESSON: A Buyer's Guide to Attending AmericasMart and other Markets 5 ONLINE WHOLESALE MARKETPLACE - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 48 Where Retailers Are Now Buying Wholesale 6 PROJECT MANAGEMENT - VIDEO LESSON: Trello for Markets Masterclass with Kathy Cruz 7 STRATEGY - VIDEO LESSON: Intro to the Buying Budget Spreadsheet with Kathy Cruz 8 STRATEGY - Buying Schedule for Retailers – For Home Decor & Gift Stores 9 STRATEGY - 11 Ways to Get Your Retail Business Ready for 4th Quarter 10 STRATEGY - MARKET MOODBOARD CHALLENGE Replay 11 LAS VEGAS MARKET - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 158 My First Las Vegas Market Visit & What I Learned 12 IMPORTING ANTIQUES - VIDEO LESSON: Importing Antiques Interview with Amanda & Scott Herring 13 INVENTORY TURN - PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 118 What Independent Retailers Need To Know BEFORE Open-To-Buy 14 MARKET CHAT (REPLAYS) 15 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 41 Tackling Fear Before Q4: The Fear of Buying 16 BUYING MINDSET

Unlock module

PRODUCTS - MAKING

15 lessons

1 WRITTEN LESSON: Consign or Wholesale? Best Choice for Retailers and Makers 2 VIDEO LESSON & DOWNLOADS: How To Pitch to Retailers 3 WRITTEN LESSON: How Do You Know if You’re Prepared to Sell Your Goods to a Retailer? 4 CHECKLIST: Grab Your Pitch to Retailers Checklist here! 5 CALCULATOR: How to Calculate your Wholesale Price 6 WRITTEN LESSON: Do I need a wholesale line sheet? 7 CANVA TEMPLATE: Wholesale Line Sheet & Terms Sheet 8 SPREADSHEET TEMPLATE: Google Sheet Order Form Template 9 CANVA TEMPLATE: Brand Information Kit 10 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 76 Want to Sell More Handmade Wholesale Products? Stop Doing This One Thing 11 How to Set Sales and Inventory Benchmarks for Market Events 12 Summer Fair Exhibiting Guide 13 10 Ways Retailers Can Take Advantage of National Craft Month in March 14 COPY: WRITTEN LESSON: 10 Recommended Items for Your Booth at a Market Event 15 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 193 How to Decide If It’s Time to Start Wholesaling in Your Product-Based Business With Katie Hunt

Unlock module

RETAIL CEO CHALLENGE

5 lessons

Unlock module

SELLING

16 lessons

1 CUSTOMER PROGRAMS - Group Call Replay Nov 2022 2 PROMOTIONS: How To Make Scratch-Off Cards For Your Retail Store Event 3 PROMOTION: Host a Successful Facebook Live Sale Event VIDEO LESSON & DOWNLOAD 4 PROMOTIONS: Promotions or Protection? Let's talk profit margins! VIDEO LESSON 5 PRICING: How Retailers Can Raise Prices Confidently PODCAST EPISODE Ep. 114 6 PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS: Tips for Writing Product Descriptions April 2021 Video Lesson 7 SALES TRAINING: "Desired Based Sales: How the Influential Woman Exchanges Abundantly" GUEST MASTERCLASS 8 STALE INVENTORY: 7 Ways To Push Dead Inventory In Your Store 9 SYSTEM: Custom Painted Furniture Selling System 10 Q4 SELLING: How to Stand Out on Small Business Saturday! 11 Q4 SELLING: VIDEO LESSON 2020 Holiday Season Creative Selling and Marketing Tips 12 Q4 SELLING: Tips For Flipping Inventory After The Holidays 13 Q4 SELLING: 2020 Holiday Season Consumer Trends 14 SELLING IN YOUR STORE: OVERCOMING BUYING OBJECTIONS (Masterclass) 15 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 189 What Are You Doing to Prepare for Small Business Saturday Weekend? 16 COPY: PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 40 Tackling Fear Before Q4: The Fear of Selling

Unlock module

SPECIAL SERIES: REOPEN WITH CONFIDENCE (COVID 19 SERIES)

25 lessons

1 START HERE: Worksheets 2 SHIFTING THOUGHTS PART 1: "Brain Surgery: Extract the Lies and Insert Thought Truths That Will Propel You Into Aligned Action" - JENNA THIBAULT 3 SHIFTING THOUGHTS PART 2: "Create Consistent Results by Shifting Your Thoughts" JENNA THIBAULT 4 EMPLOYEE TRAINING: "Reopen with Purpose: Preparing you and your employees to successfully re-open your business" ABBY MYETTE 5 MONEY MINDSET: "Creating Confidence & Clarity in Your Money Moving Forward" - SARAH NEMECEK 6 HUMAN RESOURCES: "A Hiring/Re-Hiring Quarantine Checklist" - STACY SCHNIEBER 7 SOCIAL MEDIA: "Don't Stop Creating Content" - BRITTNEY ODDO 8 MERCHANDISING: "Five Merchandising Must Haves Before Opening your Store" - NICHOLE SIMMS 9 INSTAGRAM: "Engage & Excite: How to Improve Relationships and Stay Connected to Your Loyal Customers on Instagram" - JESSICA NORBY 10 SELLING: "Desired Based Sales: How the Influential Woman Exchanges Abundantly" - COURTNEY VAN ATTA 11 EMAIL MARKETING: Email Marketing Strategy Simplified - ELIZABETH PRESHER 12 PHOTOGRAPHY: DIY Stock Photography - SARAH BEIRNE PHOTOGRAPHY 13 FACEBOOK LIVE SALE: Host a Killer Facebook Live Sale Event - KATHY CRUZ 14 USPS SHIPPING: How to Ship Using USPS Priority Mail Boxes - Kathy Cruz 15 RETAIL PROJECTIONS: What to Expect as a Retail Business Owner in the Upcoming Year 16 Creative Ways To Bring In Revenue With No Foot Traffic 17 5 Things Store Owners Can Do During Mandated Closures 18 PODCAST EPISODE 86: Pushing Through a Pandemic as Retailers: How to Keep Your Spirits Up 19 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 47 COVID Safety Guidelines for Retailers During the Holiday Season 20 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 27 Let’s Talk About the Mess in Our Retail Stores 21 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 26: Business Lessons Learned During COVID-19: Part 2 22 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 25 Business Lessons Learned During COVID-19 Part 1 23 PODCAST EPISODE: Ep. 22 How Retailers Can Handle this Challenging Time {Coronavirus Episode} 24 BONUS PODCAST EPISODE: How To Apply The CARES Act To Your Retail Business 25 COPY: BONUS PANDEMIC VIDEO LESSON: Applying the US Stimulus Package to your Retail Business

Unlock module

SPECIAL PODCAST SERIES: SHOPKEEPER STORIES & INTERVIEWS

22 lessons

Unlock module

SUBGROUP CALL REPLAYS

Subgroup calls allow group members who share the same business model/type to have conversations with each other. These are organized by store type. Simply visit the category you're interested in and click on the links in each category to watch the zoom call replays.

17 lessons

1 APPAREL STORES 2 BABY + KIDS 3 COFFEE + CAFE SHOPS 4 CONSIGNMENT SHOPS 5 FLORISTS 6 FURNITURE PAINTERS OR PAINT STORES 7 GAME + TOY STORES 8 HANDMADE 9 HOME DECOR 10 HOSTING PAID EVENTS (workshops, classes, event space rental) 11 INTERIOR DESIGN/DESIGNERS 12 LIFESTYLE STORES 13 REFILL + SUSTAINABLE LIVING 14 SOUVENIR SHOPS 15 STATIONERY & PAPER SHOPS 16 VENDOR STORES 17 VINTAGE & ANTIQUE STORES

Unlock module

TIME MANAGEMENT

16 lessons

Unlock module

VENDORS + CONSIGNMENT

6 lessons

1 GROUP CALL REPLAY Vendors + Consignment (FEB 2022) 2 HOW TO DECIDE: Vendors or Consignors 3 CONSIGNMENT APPLICATION - Google Form Template 4 VENDOR AGREEMENT - Word Template 5 SECONDHAND AGREEMENT - Google Doc Template 6 HOT SEAT COACHING REPLAY: Will consignment stay or go? With Hillary Carter

Unlock module

Modules for this product 27

START HERE + FAQs

Start here first! To make progress here in The Lab, click on "Next Lesson" or "Mark as Completed". You'll see a progress bar for each module indicating how much of the module you've completed.

You also earn engagement points for each lesson you mark completed.

Be sure to review all of the short

Unlock module