"Smoke Break" is a weekly micro-podcast delivering essential training tips for convenience store sales associates in just 5-10 minutes. Host Mike Hernandez shares practical advice, real-world scenarios, and actionable strategies to help you excel in your role and advance your career. Perfect for listening during your break, each episode tackles key topics like customer service, store operations, and professional development. Turn your smoke break into a power-packed learning session!
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Retail Sales Associate Tips Podcasts
Looking to start or grow your boutique business? Tune in to Emily Benson's podcast! With 18 years of retail experience and a no-nonsense teaching style, Emily shares strategies and interviews experts to help you succeed. Whether you have a brick-and-mortar, online, pop-up, or mobile boutique, this podcast provides valuable insights to boost your business. From owning a mobile boutique called The Fashion Truck to being Associate Merchant for Girls' Accessories at Abercrombie & Fitch, Emily ha ...
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Episode 27: Special Money Handling Situations
2:56
2:56
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Smoke Break - Episode 27: Handling Special Money Situations Episode Duration: 3 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he guides you through tricky money situations that require extra care and attention during your shift. Learn professional techniques for handling large bills, split payments, returns, disputed transactions, and damaged currency with c…
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Episode 26: Cash Handling Safety and Security
3:00
3:00
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Smoke Break - Episode 26: Cash Handling Safety and Security Episode Duration: 7 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals essential safety and security practices that protect you and your store during cash handling operations. Learn critical awareness strategies, secure cash management techniques, and proper security protocol utilization that …
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Boutique Owner FAQ 2026: Top Boutique Owner Questions Answered
12:34
12:34
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Thinking about starting or growing your boutique in 2026? Maybe you have questions and wish you could pick the brain of a seasoned boutique owner or retail expert with your most frequently asked questions (FAQ's)? You're in the right place! In this video, retail expert and founder of Boutique Training Academy, Emily Benson, answers the most frequen…
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Boutiqueland Digest: Boutique Update Fall 2025
19:04
19:04
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19:04
If you want to build a profitable boutique business in 2025 and beyond, you need to have a plan. This episode is an update for boutique owners on the state of the boutique industry right now. Whether you own a women's clothing store, children's boutique, gift boutique, Etsy store, or more, you'll want to tune in to this episode to learn the boutiqu…
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Which POS System For Boutiques is Best in 2025? Shopify vs. Square vs. CommentSold
17:29
17:29
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Which POS System for Boutiques is the best choice as a boutique owner in 2025? If you’ve been wondering how to choose between Shopify, Square, and CommentSold, this video is your complete guide to choosing the best point of sale system for your boutique. As a boutique owner, your POS system is more than just a way to ring up sales! It’s the backbon…
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How to Choose a Name For Your Boutique Business, Retail Store, or E-Commerce Site
17:20
17:20
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17:20
How do I name my store? How do I name my boutique business? The name of your store is one of the most important things to consider as when you’re starting a new boutique business. Your name is going to be everywhere - on your e-commerce site, on your storefront, on your packaging... so it's important to get it right! In this video, you’ll learn how…
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Summer To Fall Boutique Strategy: How to Plan Promotions & Time Your Fall Launch
19:21
19:21
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The strategy to transition from summer to fall in your boutique is all about timing your fall launch and planning promotions that drive sales, and in this video, I’ll show you exactly how to do it! From tax-free weekends and Labor Day events to shifting your color palette and clearing old stock, this seasonal transition strategy for boutiques will …
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What Inventory to Buy For Your Boutique This Fall | Summer To Fall Profit Plan Part 2
10:17
10:17
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If you’re wondering how to buy boutique inventory for fall, how to plan your boutique assortment for Q4, or how to avoid overbuying while still making strong profits, this episode is for you! Emily Benson walks you through how to plan boutique inventory for profit, including how to use past data to guide your buys, how to create an effective budget…
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How To Boost Boutique Summer Sales (Should You Run a Semi-Annual Sale?!)
16:25
16:25
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16:25
If you're wondering how to boost sales in summer for your boutique, or sales have been slow this summer in your boutique and you want a boost to get you through the rest of the summer before the fall season hits... this episode is for you! If you want to clear old boutique inventory that's still sitting around from spring and make the J months in y…
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Boutique Pricing: A Deep Dive on How To Price Clothing in Your Boutique (Step-By-Step Guide + Profit Formula)
24:02
24:02
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24:02
If you've ever struggles with how to price clothing in your boutique or how much to charge for products in your boutique, then you’ll want to listen to this entire episode to learn my step-by-step process to price your inventory for profit. If you want to price boutique items in a way that sells and also leaves you profitable, then you need to lear…
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Smart Inventory Management for Boutique Success: Boost Sales and Maximize Cash Flow
17:40
17:40
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17:40
Inventory management can make or break the success for your boutique! If your racks are full of inventory, but your bank account feels empty, it's time to rethink your inventory management strategy. In this video, you'll learn how to plan your boutique inventory to turn inventory faster, sell through inventory within 4-6 weeks, and increase cash fl…
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Smoke Break - Episode 25: Cash Handling Essentials Episode Duration: 7 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals the fundamentals of professional cash handling that build customer trust and protect both you and your store. Learn essential techniques for accurate transactions, proper counting procedures, counterfeit detection basics, and mainta…
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Boutique Owner Real Talk: Summer Chaos, Fall Forecast & Why Women Deserve More
37:40
37:40
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37:40
Emily Benson kicks off the Boutiqueland Digest with insights on women’s sports, community-driven retail, and preparing your boutique for the next season—all while balancing business and motherhood. Welcome to the first episode of the Boutiqueland Digest, hosted by Emily Benson—retail strategist, boutique whisperer, and your biggest cheerleader in b…
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Episode 24: Understanding POS Reports For Better Service
2:55
2:55
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Smoke Break - Episode 24: Understanding POS Reports For Better Service Episode Duration: 6 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he demystifies POS reports and reveals how sales data can transform your customer service approach. Learn to read sales patterns, identify customer preferences, and use transaction insights to anticipate needs, make better …
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Plan Your Boutique Inventory: How to Plan Your Product Assortment and Price for Profit
18:05
18:05
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18:05
If you’re serious about growing a profitable boutique business, planning your inventory isn’t optional—it’s essential. In this video, you’ll learn exactly how to plan your boutique inventory with strategy and confidence, so you can stop guessing and start buying like a boutique CEO. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your mar…
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Episode 23: POS and Inventory - Making the Connection
2:53
2:53
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Smoke Break - Episode 23: POS and Inventory - Making the Connection Episode Duration: 6 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals how your daily POS transactions directly impact inventory management and customer service. Learn to leverage your point-of-sale system as a powerful inventory tool, understand the connection between scanning accurac…
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How to Start a Clothing Brand and Manufacture Your Own Clothes (Step-By-Step)
1:32:31
1:32:31
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If you’ve ever wanted to start your own clothing brand and wondered how to actually manufacture your own clothing or designs, this episode is for you! Emily Benson talks with Tracy Christian, owner and designer of Sante Grace who is making a change in the clothing industry with her custom plus-size designs. In this episode, she generously shares he…
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Building a Plus Size Clothing Boutique: How Sante Grace Is Changing the Face of Plus Size Fashion
31:43
31:43
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31:43
If you’re a plus-size boutique business owner, a brand builder, or someone who cares about plus size fashion, this episode is for you! Emily is joined by Tracy Christian, who is changing the face of plus size fashion through her plus size clothing brand Sante Grace. Tune in to hear how Tracy went from frustration of not having anything to wear as a…
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Episode 22: Mastering Rush Hour at the Register
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3:11
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Smoke Break - Episode 22: Mastering Rush Hour at the Register Episode Duration: 6 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals the secrets to handling high-volume checkout periods with confidence and efficiency. Learn how to balance speed with accuracy, manage customer expectations during busy times, and prepare your register station for smooth t…
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Smoke Break - Episode 21: Using Your POS to Drive Sales Episode Duration: 7 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals how to transform your POS system from a simple checkout tool into a powerful sales driver. Learn practical techniques for using transaction data, promotional information, and inventory insights to boost sales while providing ex…
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What to Post on Social Media for Your Boutique | Social Media Marketing for Boutiques
13:27
13:27
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If you're wondering what to post on social media for your boutique, how to market your boutique on social media, or how to use social media to get more sales in your boutique, listen this episode to learn boutique owner social media tips that are working right now! Emily shares her social media and marketing tips for boutiques to create a stand out…
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Smoke Break - Episode 20: POS Maintenance and Security Episode Duration: 7 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he explains essential practices for keeping your POS system clean, secure, and functioning properly. Learn why regular maintenance isn't just about appearances—it directly affects equipment performance, security, and customer trust in toda…
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Episode 19: Troubleshooting Your POS Like a Pro
3:39
3:39
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Smoke Break - Episode 19: Troubleshooting Your POS Like a Pro Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares practical strategies for handling Point of Sale system issues with confidence and professionalism. Learn how to troubleshoot common technical problems while maintaining excellent customer service during system disruptions.…
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Boutique Owner Success Story: From Underpaid and Overworked to Aligned and Profitable with Sydnie Rushing
56:38
56:38
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If you want to build a successful boutique business, you'll want to watch this video to hear the story of how boutique owner Sydnie Rushing of Rushmore boutique persevered through major challenges in her boutique business and overcame them to build a profitable boutique business she loves. Sydnie explains why she didn’t give up on her boutique—desp…
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Episode 18: Advanced POS Skills That Make You Stand Out
3:46
3:46
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Smoke Break - Episode 18: Advanced POS Skills That Make You Stand Out Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he explores advanced Point of Sale techniques that can transform you from a basic cashier into a checkout superstar. Learn how to master complex transactions that enhance customer service and demonstrate your professional va…
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How Tariffs Could Impact Your Boutique Business 2025 (+ Smart Inventory Tips for Small Business)
17:18
17:18
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17:18
If you're wondering how boutique tariffs in 2025 will affect your boutique or small business, then you'll want to watch this video to learn my strategies for preparing your boutique for the upcoming changes. If you want to keep your boutique profitable in 2025, then you need to learn how tariffs will impact inventory costs and retail pricing. There…
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Smoke Break - Episode 17: Mastering Your POS System Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares practical strategies for becoming more efficient and confident with your store's Point of Sale system. Learn how to transform this everyday tool into a skill that enhances your customer service and workplace value. Episode Overview …
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Episode 16: Creating a Store Atmosphere That Customers Love
5:13
5:13
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Smoke Break - Episode 16: Creating a Store Atmosphere That Customers Love Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez for the final episode in our series as he shares strategies for creating an inviting store environment that brings customers back again and again. Learn how your attitude, actions, and attention to detail can transform the …
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How Much Inventory Do You Need To Start A Boutique? What To Buy For Your First Boutique Order
18:58
18:58
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18:58
If you are starting a boutique and wondering how much inventory to start a boutique, you'll want to tune into this episode to learn how to place your first boutique order, without overbuying! In this episode, you'll learn what to buy for your boutique's first order, how to price boutique items, how to calculate boutique markup, and more. If you're …
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Episode 15: Mastering the Art of Communication
4:46
4:46
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Smoke Break - Episode 15: Mastering the Art of Communication Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares advanced communication techniques that can transform your customer interactions and team collaboration. Learn how to elevate your verbal and non-verbal skills to create more meaningful connections and standout service. Epis…
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My Print on Demand Strategy That Makes $5K Every Month
15:15
15:15
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In this podcast, boutique business expert Emily Benson shares the real story behind generating $25,000 in revenue from a single print-on-demand product: a custom-designed calendar made specifically for boutique owners. You’ll get an insider look at: 🛠️ The product development process from idea to execution 💸 A full financial breakdown of sales, pro…
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These boutique story myths might be holding your brick and mortar boutique back from growth! In this video, I'm breaking down the biggest myths that many boutique owners still believe—and what to do instead if you want to grow a successful retail business in 2025. If you're a brick and mortar boutique owner wanting to get more foot traffic to your …
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