Welcome to the last week of the 30 Day Challenge for Retailers!  Unlike the Whole 30 diet, I don’t expect you to start over again if you haven’t followed through on every idea over the past three weeks.  But if you have done most of the suggestions, way to go! You’ve made lots of small improvements to benefit your outlook and your business. 

If you do want to start over, all of the 30 Day Challenge blog posts will be available at www.specialtyshopretailing.com. Here are the seven suggestions for this final week.  As always, feel free to mix up the order or to add your own ideas.

1. Get fresh inspiration for your Instagram account by starting to follow six other stores or vendors in your field.  You can get some leads by Googling “best ____ retailers to follow on Instagram.”

2. Clean out old files, keeping old invoices and records a maximum of 7 years. If you don’t have a Brother P-Touch labeler, treat yourself to one so that you can have everything you decide to keep neatly labeled. 

3. Write a personal note to your top five customers, saying thank you for their continued support of your business.

4. Contact two of your neighboring businesses to ask how you can work together to attract more customers. 

5. If your area doesn’t have a buy local group, take a look at the resources available from Amiba or American Express/Shop Small. Work some of the messaging from them, or your area’s shop local organization, into your next social media post or newsletter.

6. Find a new podcast or blog for small business owners to follow. A few suggestions: Retail Minded, SnapRetail, Retail Details or Crystal Media.

7. Take an hour out of your workday to do something for yourself – lunch out, a trip to the library, or a bit of pampering. You deserve it!

Congratulations on completing all or some of the 28 activities presented to you. You’ve shown that you have what it takes to move your business forward!  I hope you’ll spend the final two days of the 30 Day Challenge jotting down some ideas for the next month. Because every day there’s something you can do to make your store a bit more efficient, enjoyable and successful.

Happy Retailing,

Carol “Orange” Schroeder