Meet Kathy Cruz of Savvy Shopkeeper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Cruz. 

Hi Kathy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I opened a brick-and-mortar home decor store, The Salvaged Boutique, in Lakewood Ohio with my sister in 2016. I didn’t have any prior retail experience so I often turned to the internet for guidance. Google search after Google search quickly proved that there just weren’t enough resources out there for brick-and-mortar shopkeepers. 

I kept finding myself in groups for digital entrepreneurs, reading articles meant for corporations, and spending hours upon hours learning through trial and error. 

I founded Savvy Shopkeeper with the idea that all shopkeepers should have access to resources specifically created for their business. I’m proud to guide and support retailers with an insight-filled podcast, two incredible membership levels, one-on-one coaching, and a powerful community of shopkeepers rooting for each other. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some businesses take off in a sprint but both of my businesses, The Salvaged Boutique, and Savvy Shopkeeper, have been marathons, The slower pace has given me the ability to learn and grow as an entrepreneur. My confidence as a business owner is much stronger now 8 years later and I’m looking forward to the years ahead! 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Savvy Shopkeeper?
Savvy Shopkeeper is an online educational resource and community for independent retail business owners. 

I host the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast and offer two group memberships along with business coaching. I help independent retail business owners work less, profit more, and grow. 

What sets me apart from other retail experts is that I still own a brick-and-mortar retail business. I know what it was like to run a store during the pandemic, I know what retailers continue to experience so I can empathize and this makes me relatable. 

I recently hit 100,000 podcast downloads! I’m extremely proud that this free resource has helped so many micro retailers. I’m also proud of building safe and helpful group memberships for retailers. 

They can listen to the podcast on almost any podcast app or on my website at https://www.savvyshopkeeper.com/podcast/ 

They can also learn more about me and our group memberships here: https://www.savvyshopkeeper.com 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I haven’t taken big risks in either of my businesses (yet) but I took a big risk when I left a nearly 20-year career in Law Enforcement and the security that came with that career to pursue being my own boss. Shifting to entrepreneurship was a huge leap of faith but I haven’t looked back and I’m so excited about the future! 

Contact Info:

• Email: kathy@savvyshopokeeper.com
• Website: https://savvyshopkeeper.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvyshopkeeper/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savvyshopkeeper
• Other: https://savvyshopkeeper.com/podcast/

Image Credits
Sarah Beirne