244. Behind the Counter: From E-Commerce to Brick and Mortar with Chris Waddy

244. Behind the Counter: From E-Commerce to Brick and Mortar with Chris Waddy

Author: Wendy Batten, Creative Retail Mentor January 20, 2025 Duration: 45:20

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten

 

https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/

 

In This Episode: 

Are you curious how e-commerce businesses evolve into brick and mortar shops? Maybe you operate an Etsy shop or sell on social media but have always wondered what it would be like to open your own shop. If that sounds like you, listen up!

In this episode of the podcast, we are diving into the story of Chris Waddy, the owner and CEO of Loopy Wool in Salisbury, New Brunswick. Chris shares her incredible journey from running a small Etsy shop to building a thriving brick-and-mortar destination. She is also an active and valuable member of my Level Up Mastermind and Retailer's Inner Circle. If you're an entrepreneur looking to turn dreams into actionable plans (or your online shop into a successful brick and mortar!), this episode is packed with insights just for you. Let's dive in!

Key Highlights:

  • Planning for Success: How simple planning eased anxiety and built confidence in Chris's retail journey.

  • Brick and Mortar Mastery: The challenges and wins of opening a physical store after starting online.

  • Community Impact: How creating a vibrant, local business can uplift small towns - and YOU can be a part of that!

  • Marketing Tips: Chris talks about her experience using design, events, and even billboards to attract customers and build a destination business.

  • Balancing Introversion and Leadership: Chris's insights on navigating personal challenges as a retail entrepreneur.

Actionable Takeaways for Retailers

  • Plan Events to Build Buzz: Create signature events or demos around quieter seasons to bring traffic to your store.

  • Employ Multiple Revenue Streams: You can earn revenue with both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce options to build stability and reach more customers.

About Chris Waddy and Loopy Wool

Chris is the owner of Loopy Wool, a fibre art studio in Salisbury, New Brunswick. Chris was a rug hooker first but her love extends to all fibre art now. Loopy Wool opened less than a year ago. 

Follow along with Chris and her business: Loopy Wool: Instagram | Website | Facebook

Related podcasts we think you'll like: 

Episode 55: Unscalable Conversations: A Free, Simple, and Powerful Marketing Tool to Use

Episode 69: Becoming a Destination Shop

Episode 143: How to Plan and Host Successful Events and Promotions in Your Shop

About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. 

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dreams and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. 

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ 

 

For more support from Wendy

 

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

 

Free resources for shop owners 

 

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG 

 

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. 

Subscribe & Review on iTunes

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If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!


Running a creative retail business often means juggling a hundred questions at once, from attracting the right customers to filling workshops and making social media feel less like a chore. Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten is where those pressing, daily questions meet practical, real-world answers. Hosted by creative retail mentor Wendy Batten, this podcast draws directly from her work with shop owners globally and conversations with industry leaders. Each episode feels like a focused coaching session, breaking down the complexities of modern retail into actionable steps. You’ll hear honest discussions about gaining control over your marketing, streamlining operations, and building a shop that thrives not just survives. The dialogue is grounded in the reality of running a physical creative business, offering strategies that are both thoughtful and immediately useful. Tune in for a blend of Wendy’s direct mentorship and insights from peers who understand exactly what you’re building. This isn’t about vague theory; it’s a resource for turning your unique vision into a sustainable, bustling enterprise. Find clarity and confidence for your creative shop by following the podcast wherever you listen.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
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