In this episode of the Bringing Business to Retail podcast, I’m sharing a conversation straight from inside the Scale Your Store Accelerator—one I have every single year with retailers who feel stuck when it comes to Black Friday and holiday sales.
If you’ve ever felt like discounting goes against your brand values, or you’re unsure how to stand out without slashing prices, this episode is for you.
I unpack the real psychology behind holiday spending, explain why your customers expect you to show up with an offer (even if it’s not a discount), and share practical ways to turn Q4 into your most profitable season—without the chaos or guesswork.
You’ll hear real stories, proven data, and the mindset shift that can take your holiday strategy from reactive to revenue-generating.
These 3 Strategies Will Add Thousands in Revenue
I used to delete my answer when asked what scaling past 8 figures would allow me to achieve.
It seemed too silly to admit. But here’s the truth: maybe, just maybe, I could finally shop without checking price tags. Sounds ridiculous for someone who can afford most things, right? But our brains work in mysterious ways, and that’s exactly what makes these psychology-backed sales strategies so powerful.
In this episode, I’m sharing three game-changing techniques that big brands use to make billions – price anchoring (the $999 iPad trick that made $499 feel like a steal), purchase timing mastery (reaching customers before they even know they need to restock), and the post-purchase upsell that turns every sale into two.
These aren’t complicated tactics requiring huge budgets or TikTok dancing – just smart systems that tap into customer psychology. Whether you’re running a boutique or an e-commerce empire, these proven strategies will boost your conversion rates and average order value immediately. Ready to make your customers thank you for spending more?
Sal
How Lisa Turned Eco Values into a Global Brand
What happens when you’re willing to invest $3,000 on a trade show while your competitors stick to $150 local markets? Lisa Sjöblom found out – and it changed everything.
Stop Gambling With Your Promotions
I’ll be honest with you – I used to be guilty of this too. I’d get all excited about a new promotion, pull some round number out of thin air like $50,000, and declare “THAT’S my goal!”
Then I’d spend the entire promotion crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.
Here’s what I’ve learned: Hope is NOT a strategy, gorgeous.
Last week, I worked with one of our Scale Your Store Accelerator retailers who had her heart set on a $10,000 promotion. She had 150 units of a $40 product ready to go. Sounds reasonable, right?
Except when I grabbed my calculator (like I always do), the math told a different story. 150 units × $40 = $6,000 maximum. Not the $10,000 she was dreaming of.
But here’s the thing – we didn’t give up on her goal. We got strategic.
Instead of hoping people would magically spend more, we reverse-engineered exactly what needed to happen. To hit $10,000 with 150 units, her average order value needed to be $66.67. So we planned strategic upsells, bundles, and add-ons that made sense for her customers.
The result? She didn’t just hit her $10,000 goal – she smashed it.
This is the power of working backwards from your goal instead of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. When you stop guessing and start calculating, you move from wishful thinking to a real, achievable plan.
Ready to ditch the crystal ball and grab your calculator? Your next promotion deserves a strategy that actually works.
Sal
Want to learn the exact formula I use to reverse-engineer profitable promotions? Listen to Episode 479 of the Bringing Business to Retail podcast.
Work Less, Earn More – The Power of Being the Most Expensive – Catalina Viau
What if being the most expensive in your market wasn’t a risk—but a strategy?
In this powerful episode of the Bringing Business to Retail podcast, I sit down with Cat, founder of a 7-figure photo booth business, who made a bold decision early on: she wasn’t going to be affordable—she was going to be premium. And not just in price, but in experience, positioning, and service.
Together, we dive into what it really means to charge more and still book out, how to shift your mindset when you’re not your own target customer, and what premium clients are truly looking for (spoiler: it’s not just a better product—it’s time, trust, and ease).
Cat opens up about her journey from broke and burned out to fully booked and in control, the behind-the-scenes pitfalls of premium pricing, and how she now helps other entrepreneurs charge what they’re worth. We also explore how selling to wealthy clients helped Cat scale her business, build a team, and launch a second revenue stream—all while working less.
If you’re tired of chasing price-shoppers, second-guessing your rates, or constantly being “busy” but not profitable, this episode will shift your thinking and show you what’s possible when you step into your value.
Let’s talk about building a business that feels as good as it looks.
Sal x
Selling to Rich People
What can a rich man handing off a trash wrapper teach you about business?
More than you’d think.
In this episode, I share a game-changing moment that completely redefined how she thinks about selling premium products and services. From luxury hotels to $150 dog treats, this episode uncovers what wealthy customers really value—and how most businesses are missing the mark.
You’ll learn:
– Why selling to the middle market is a dangerous game
– What high-value customers expect (and are willing to pay for)
– How to reposition your business to attract premium buyers
– The mindset shift that could triple your revenue
Whether you’re in retail, ecommerce, or any service-based business—this episode will challenge your thinking and show you how to finally charge what you’re worth.
Sal
How to leverage FOMO without being sleazy
When it comes to promotions, there’s one word that can either make you cringe… or cash in: FOMO.
In this episode, I’m sharing why FOMO isn’t a dirty word — it’s actually your secret weapon for getting customers off the fence and into action, without sounding pushy, salesy, or desperate.
I’m telling you a story about one of the worst marketing decisions I ever made (spoiler: it involved a dusty TV screen and a golf club), and what it taught me about creating real urgency the right way.
We’re diving deep into how to use urgency and scarcity ethically — with tips you can actually apply today, like:
How to create momentum even if your numbers are small
Why your first and last day emails matter more than anything else
How to leverage SMS and real-time tools to boost last-minute sales
Plus, how one of my accelerator members turned a personal birthday into a brilliant, heart-driven campaign (that her customers loved!)
If you’ve ever struggled with feeling “icky” about selling, or worried you were being annoying by sending that extra email…
This episode is for you.
Let’s reframe FOMO — from pushy to powerful — together.
See you inside,
Sal
Can the Moon Really Boost Your Revenue? – Lucy Bloomfield
I went into this conversation with a very healthy dose of scepticism. But as Lucy explained how women’s hormonal cycles impact spending habits—and how financial markets have long documented the influence of lunar phases—I couldn’t help but lean in.
Here’s the gist: there are certain times of the month that are the prime time for selling—your customers are more inclined to buy, spend impulsively, and say yes to your offers.
There are other times – not so much. That’s when resistance is higher, spending slows, and conversions take more effort.
She’s been tracking sales data across multiple businesses, and the results? Eye-opening.
The Google Ads Nightmare You Might Not See Coming – John Horn
Google Ads can be a minefield for businesses, with account suspensions and ad disapprovals a constant threat. In this episode, industry expert John Horn shares invaluable insights on navigating the platform’s policies and avoiding common pitfalls.
Make Your Holiday Promotions More Successful Doing This
Tired of running promotions that feel like they’re falling flat? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the little-known strategies that can transform your next campaign from “meh” to mind-blowing. And here’s the kicker: it’s simpler than you think.