Podcast
Retail Initiative
Hosted by Josh Orr · ENGLISH
The podcast for independent retailers. This is where retailers serious about serving their customers in-store or online come to grow; where education meets inspiration. Hear from thriving retailers, service providers, and retail experts giving you the tools and tips needed to grow your retail business.
124episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Your Next Million - The Brick and Mortar Guide to Online Growth - Part 2
Apr 15, 202500:18:27Tap to summarizeIs your website NOT converting or just doesn’t feel like your brand? This Retail Initiative Podcast episode is for you. This is Part 2 of the ‘Your Next Million’ series—a step-by-step guide for brick-and-mortar retailers ready to grow online with clarity and purpose. In Part 1, we covered the mindset shifts needed to stop treating your website like a side hustle. Now we’re getting tactical: how do you take what’s working in your store (your vibe, your trust, your service) and translate that into an online experience that converts? Josh walks through what really makes your in-store experience powerful, and how to build those same touch points into your website—from first impression and navigation to product discovery, photography, and checkout. If you want your online presence to finally feel like your brand and actually drive results, this episode gives you the blueprint. What you’ll learn: The most common reason in-store retailers struggle to convert online traffic How to translate your store’s human experience into your website The top mistake most retailers make on their homepage (and how to fix it fast) What your in-store shopping journey can teach you about improving your online experience Why curated collections often convert better than strict product categories Connect with Josh: Learn more about how Josh helps retailers grow online: madebycapital.com Free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast Schedule a free strategy call with Josh: madebycapital.com/schedule Follow Josh on Instagram: @RetailJosh
Transcribe →Your Next Million - The Brick and Mortar Guide to Online Growth - Part 1
Apr 8, 202500:13:49Tap to summarizeIf you’re a brick-and-mortar retailer serious about growing online—this is where you start. This Retail Initiative Podcast episode kicks off a powerful new series called “Your Next Million”—a practical, step-by-step roadmap for retailers ready to scale online without losing the heart of their in-store experience. Let’s be real, most e-commerce advice wasn’t built for retailers who run physical stores. That’s why so many of you have tried to grow online and felt stuck. In this first part, Josh lays the foundation for everything that comes next. He walks through the three critical mindset shifts that need to happen before any online strategy actually works—starting with how you see yourself, how you prioritize online growth, and how people experience your brand across every channel. This episode is about clarity, leadership, and building a business that’s aligned with where you want to go, not just what’s worked in the past. If your goal is to create a more cohesive brand and stop treating your website like a side hustle, don’t skip this. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why brick-and-mortar retailers need a different growth strategy than online-only brands The identity shift from “store owner” to “brand CEO” (and how it changes everything) The four vision types that shape how you approach online growth Why your website always takes a back seat and how to finally change that How to create an online experience that reflects the trust, quality, and connection you’ve built in-store Connect with Josh: Learn more about how Josh helps retailers grow online: madebycapital.com Free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast/ Schedule a free strategy call with Josh: madebycapital.com/schedule/ Follow Josh on Instagram: @RetailJosh
Transcribe →WTF Is Happening in Retail in 2025 (And My Plan for You to THRIVE)
Apr 1, 202500:18:40Tap to summarizeIf you're feeling the retail pressure in 2025, you're not alone. In this episode, Josh breaks down what’s really going on in the retail industry—yes, store closures are up and foot traffic is down—but he’s not here to scare you. He’s here to help you take control. Josh shares the balanced mindset retailers need to thrive during uncertain times, plus a 5-step framework you can use right now to identify problems, audit the basics, optimize your strategy, and grow your online sales even in a tough market. This is a tactical, no-fluff episode packed with encouragement and next steps. If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building real momentum, don’t miss this one. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: Why 2025 is being compared to the last retail crisis—and what that really means The two dangerous mindsets retailers fall into (and what to do instead) How to identify the actual problem when sales are down A simple way to audit your traffic, site conversion, and email strategy Josh’s 5-step process to get back on track and start thriving again Connect with Josh: Learn more about how Josh helps retailers grow online: madebycapital.com Free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast/ Schedule a free strategy call with Josh: madebycapital.com/schedule/ Follow Josh on Instagram: @RetailJosh
Transcribe →How Brooke Leno Scaled Out of Town Clothing & Mastered the CEO Mindset
Mar 18, 202500:26:04Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to build a thriving retail brand while staying true to your vision? In this episode, Josh sits down with Brooke Leno, founder of Out of Town Clothing, to talk about the lessons she learned from starting her boutique fresh out of college to growing it into a multi-location and online success. They cover: Why she had to stop selling to "everyone" to truly grow The shift from business owner to CEO (and how it changed everything) Why launching online wasn’t as easy as she expected—and how she turned it around How she built a team that allows her to step back and scale The importance of “riding the waves” and not getting caught up in daily sales swings If you're looking for real, behind-the-scenes retail wisdom, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Connect with Josh: Learn more about how Josh helps retailers grow online: madebycapital.com Free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast/ Schedule a free strategy call with Josh: madebycapital.com/schedule/ Follow Josh on Instagram: @RetailJosh Connect with Brooke & Out of Town Clothing: Shop Out of Town Clothing: outoftownclothing.com Follow on Instagram: @ shopoutoftown
Transcribe →The 5 Things Successful Retailers Have In Common
Mar 11, 202500:17:54Tap to summarizeWhat do the most successful retailers really have in common? After working with hundreds of brands, Josh has identified the five key traits that separate high-performing retailers from the rest. In this episode, Josh breaks down: The mindset shift that turns struggling brands into high-growth businesses Why understanding your perfect customer is non-negotiable for long-term success The mistake that keeps retailers stuck—and how to break free from it How the best in the industry approach hiring, financials, and brand impact Why you need to try until—and how this simple shift can change everything Whether you're running a brick-and-mortar store, an online brand, or both, these five things will help you level up your business. Connect with Josh: 🔹 Learn more about how Josh helps retailers grow: madebycapital.com 🔹 Free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast/ 🔹 Schedule a free strategy call with Josh: madebycapital.com/schedule/ 🔹 Follow Josh on Instagram: @RetailJosh
Transcribe →How Tara Austin Grew Ruthie Grace into a Retail Powerhouse (And What She’d Do If She Had to Start Over)
Mar 4, 202500:45:20Tap to summarizeRetail has changed—so how do you stay ahead? In this episode of the Retail Initiative Podcast, Josh sits down with Tara Austin, the founder of Ruthie Grace, to unpack the shifts in consumer behavior, social media, and marketing strategies that impact boutique owners today. Tara shares: The unexpected shift that made Ruthie Grace rethink its entire strategy Why relying on organic social media isn't enough anymore The #1 mistake retailers make when scaling beyond $300K How to balance inventory, financial literacy, and paid ads for long-term growth Her honest take on shutting down a business and what she learned from it If you’re a retailer looking to scale, this episode is packed with actionable insights you don’t want to miss. Connect with Josh: 💻 Learn more about how Josh helps retailers grow online: madebycapital.com 🎧 Free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast/ 📅 Schedule a free strategy call with Josh: madebycapital.com/schedule/ 📲 Follow Josh on Instagram: @RetailJosh Connect with Tara & Ruthie Grace: Listen to Tara’s previous podcast episode with Josh: https://courses.madebycapital.com/podcasts/retail-initiative-2/episodes/2148415476 🛍️ Shop Ruthie Grace: shopruthiegrace.com 📲 Follow Tara: @taragraceaustin 📲 Follow Ruthie Grace: @ShopRuthieGrace
Transcribe →How Meredith Jurica Built (and Re-Built) a 7-Figure Brand
Feb 25, 202500:35:01Tap to summarizeHow does someone go from making products by hand to selling over a million units? In this episode of the Retail Initiative Podcast, Josh sits down with Meredith Jurica, founder of Makeup Junkie Bags, to dive into her incredible journey of scaling a brand from its humble beginnings to nationwide success. Meredith shares: How she transformed a DIY idea into a multi-million-unit brand The challenges of scaling from handmade to mass production What it really takes to build a loyal customer base Lessons from navigating rapid growth and brand visibility The mindset shifts that fueled her entrepreneurial success Whether you're crafting products by hand or managing a full-scale retail brand, Meredith's story is packed with insights and inspiration to help you take your business to the next level. Connect with Josh:💡 Learn more about how Josh helps retailers grow online: madebycapital.com🎙️ Free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast/📅 Schedule a free strategy call with Josh: madebycapital.com/schedule/📸 Follow Josh on Instagram: @RetailJosh Connect with Meredith Jurica & Makeup Junkie Bags:🛍️ Shop Makeup Junkie Bags: makeupjunkiebags.com📸 Follow on Instagram: @makeupjunkiebags
Transcribe →How Tucker Brown Transformed a 40-Year-Old Family Business into a Modern Retail Brand
Feb 18, 202500:29:05Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a legacy retail business makes the bold move to evolve? In this episode of The Retail Initiative Podcast, Josh Orr sits down with Mamie Brown from Tucker Brown to talk about her journey in transforming a 40-year-old family business into a modern retail brand. She shares:✅ The big move from Lubbock to Fort Worth and how it reshaped their business✅ How Western fashion trends (thanks to Yellowstone) created new opportunities✅ The power of e-commerce and why they expanded beyond brick-and-mortar✅ Balancing tradition with growth without losing brand identity✅ The lessons learned from scaling a multi-generational retail business Whether you're navigating change in your retail business or looking for inspiration on how to grow while staying true to your brand, this episode is packed with insights! Connect with Josh: 📲 Learn how Josh helps retailers grow online: madebycapital.com📩 Free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast📅 Schedule a free strategy call with Josh: madebycapital.com/schedule📷 Follow Josh on Instagram: @RetailJosh Connect with Tucker Brown: 🛍 Shop their collection: TuckerBrown1986.com📷 Follow them on Instagram: @TuckerBrown1986
Transcribe →From Poshmark Side Hustle to Thriving Retail Brand | Retail Initiative
Feb 11, 202500:24:43Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a side hustle turns into something much bigger? In this episode of the Retail Initiative Podcast, Josh sits down with the founders of Infinity Raine to talk about their unexpected journey from selling on Poshmark to launching a successful retail brand. They share: How they transitioned from reselling to creating their own brand The biggest lessons learned in the shift from side hustle to full-time retail Why understanding your ideal customer is the key to scaling How they leveraged community and brand identity for long-term success The challenges (and wins) that came with opening a brick-and-mortar store Whether you're just starting or looking to take your retail business to the next level, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow with confidence. Connect with Josh: Learn more about how Josh helps retailers grow online: madebycapital.com Free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast/ Schedule a free strategy call with Josh: madebycapital.com/schedule/ Follow Josh on Instagram: @RetailJosh Connect with Infinity Raine: Shop their collection: https://www.infinityraine.com/ Follow on Instagram: @InfinityRaineOfficial
Transcribe →Knowing When (and How) to Pivot in Your Business
Feb 4, 202500:15:32Tap to summarizeIs your business evolving in the way you envisioned? Pivoting in business isn’t just about making quick adjustments—it’s about understanding when and how to make strategic changes that align with your long-term goals. In this episode, I share my own experience with a major business pivot, walking away from a high-revenue service to fully focus on a mission that brought me greater impact and fulfillment. We’ll break down the three layers of pivoting: Identity Shifts – Should you fundamentally change what you do or who you serve? Strategic Shifts – Are you evolving how you sell to match your long-term vision? Tactical Shifts – What tweaks can improve immediate results while building toward sustainable success? You’ll learn how to map out what you want to keep, what you need to let go of, and how to align your short-term actions with long-term growth. Whether you’re a retailer or an entrepreneur looking to refine your path, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you make bold, intentional decisions for your business. Comment "Podcast" for the link, and let me know your biggest takeaway! Resources from Josh: Learn more about how we help retailers grow online: madebycapital.com Access free resources, trainings, and downloads: madebycapital.com/podcast/ Schedule a free strategy call with me: madebycapital.com/schedule/ Follow me on Instagram for more tips: @RetailJosh
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