If you’ve ever faced the struggle of figuring out when to buy, what to stock, or how to avoid costly dead stock, you’re in for a game-changing episode. I’m joined by retail strategist Carla Penn-Kahn, who shares her expertise on building a profitable buying strategy that lets you keep cash flow healthy and inventory lean.

From her journey in investment banking to launching her own retail tech solution, Carla has honed strategies for making every product decision count. We’re talking about nailing down which products are driving profits, mastering the timing of your buys, and learning exactly when it’s time to discount—or clear out—for maximum returns.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• High-Impact Product Secrets: Learn how to pinpoint which products aren’t just bestsellers, but true profit drivers—and when to invest in them.
• Timing That Works for You: Carla breaks down when to buy, when to hold off, and how to keep your cash flow steady in every season.
• Discounting Done Right: Why strategic discounting matters—and how to avoid costly markdown traps.
• Seasonal Inventory Tips: Get ready for Black Friday and the holidays with tips on when to stock up on bestsellers and when to move out slow movers.

Why This Episode is a Must-Listen: If you’re a retailer ready to level up your inventory game, Carla’s insights will help you buy with confidence. No more second-guessing what to stock or fearing dead stock. Her strategies are easy to implement and geared toward helping you buy smarter, stock better, and keep your cash flow strong—even in the busiest sales seasons.

Whether you’re looking to ace Black Friday, get ahead of holiday trends, or just make every buying decision work harder for you, this episode will change the way you look at your entire product strategy. Ready to start making smarter buys? Hit play and let’s dive in!

Learn more about Profitpeak.io

Get my Black Friday Bundle here

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Carla Penn-Kahn's Retail Journey and Early Career 0:02

Transition to E-commerce and Entrepreneurial Background 3:01

Early E-commerce Ventures and Challenges 4:57

Building and Optimizing Inventory 15:32

Strategies for Managing Slow-Moving and Dead Inventory 24:17

The Role of Data and Technology in Inventory Management 28:31

Preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 43:47

Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Listeners 46:15

Want to know exactly what to post this Black Friday?

Tired of scrambling for content ideas when big sales roll around? I sit down with Michelle Gifford, the social media strategist who’s cracked the code on exactly what to post to make your Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales pop. In this episode, Michelle lays out her no-guesswork plan that takes you from attracting new eyes to getting that final sale—without overwhelming your audience.

Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll learn:

• Michelle’s exact “Black Friday Blueprint”: A complete breakdown of which posts to share each day, with email templates, SMS drafts, and more to save you time and maximize engagement.
• The 3-phase content strategy: Learn the ideal post ratios to captivate, engage, and convert—from now through Cyber Monday!
• Secrets to connect authentically with your audience so they’re eager for your posts (even the promotional ones)!
• A strategy for every type of post: We’re covering everything from Stories to Reels, so you’re prepped to show up everywhere your customers are.

If you’re ready to finally feel in control of your social strategy for the busiest sales season, this is the episode for you. Get ready to boost your sales and make every post count!
Ps - want to grab Michelle’s Blueprint? You can do so here.

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• Leveraging Social Media for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 0:02

• Evolution of Social Media Platforms 4:44

• Using Instagram for Sales and Engagement 7:04

• Content Strategy for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 10:20

• Posting Frequency and Content Types 17:14

• Maintaining Engagement Post-Black Friday 26:06

• The Role of the Face of the Brand 30:53

• Leveraging User-Generated Content and Influencer Marketing 35:09

• The Content Cup and Final Thoughts 38:03

Full article: https://salenaknight.com/your-black-friday-social-media-strategy-michelle-gifford/

💸 Could an extra 20% revenue be hiding in your marketing strategy? This week, I sit down with affiliate marketing expert Zane McIntyre, co-founder of Commission Factory, to uncover how even the smallest brands can tap into the power of affiliate marketing—and drive up to 20% more revenue without massive upfront costs.

We’re pulling back the curtain on the strategies big brands use, but rarely share, to build consistent revenue through authentic partnerships. Plus, Zane’s sharing must-know Black Friday tactics and real-time predictions that could be your secret weapon this holiday season.

🎧 Whether you're new to affiliate marketing or looking to up your game, this episode is packed with actionable tips and insider insights to help you build a long-term revenue stream, foster genuine connections, and turn your affiliate marketing into a powerhouse strategy. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most overlooked and rewarding marketing channels!

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Early Days of E-commerce and Affiliate Marketing 0:02

The Evolution of Affiliate Marketing 7:38

The Role of Influencers and Affiliates 21:39

The Financial Impact of Affiliate Marketing 32:25

Strategies for Successful Affiliate Marketing 33:10

Preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 41:10

Final Advice and Insights 53:41

Full article: https://salenaknight.com/the-dont-pay-until-you-get-sales-channel-youre-overlooking-zane-mcintyre/

Feeling overwhelmed trying to plan your Black Friday and Cyber Monday strategy this year? You're not alone.

Should you be discounting?
Who should you send your offers to?

How much should you be spending on paid ads (heck, should you even bother????)

From deciding how much to discount to figuring out the right marketing channels, there are so many moving pieces that it can make your head spin 😵‍💫

You know that I’m committed to giving YOU the latest info on what’s working and what’s not.

That’s why I’ve put together this BF/CM series, to give you the behind the scenes, first hand info.

In this episode, Yotpo’s Rad Mitic (Head of Brand Advocacy) and Rob Hewetson (Senior Engineer) pull back the curtain on the strategies top brands are using to stand out from the competition.

You'll discover:

• How to effectively segment your customer base and craft personalized promotions (beyond just discounting)

• Innovative loyalty program ideas that go way beyond points - and actually drive sales

• Yotpo's game-changing "multi-message campaign" feature that can automate your email and SMS marketing

• Plus, Yotpo have been kind enough to share with you, their Ultimate Black Friday Email Marketing Guide - download it for free here

Whether you're struggling to decide where to focus your efforts or just feeling lost in a sea of Black Friday/Cyber Monday options, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can make a real difference for your business.

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Introduction and Background of Salena Knight 0:02

Introduction of Guests and Their Backgrounds 2:43

Yotpo's Innovative Approach and Team Dynamics 7:16

Challenges and Strategies for Black Friday Cyber Monday 14:59

Practical Strategies for Email and SMS Marketing 31:19

Final Tips and Encouragement for Business Owners 40:44

Full article: https://salenaknight.com/the-insider-strategies-top-brands-use-to-dominate-black-friday-cyber-monday-with-rad-rob-from-yotpo/

As we hurtle towards the biggest retail event of the year, I knew I couldn't just give you my opinion. You need the insider scoop from the experts who are in the trenches, day in and day out. That's why I sat down with Toby Cumpstay, Shopify's Senior Merchant Success Manager for the APAC region, to get his no-holds-barred advice on how to leverage Black Friday and Cyber Monday to drive serious sales and growth for your retail or e-commerce business.
Toby's been there and done that - he founded and grew a hugely successful retail and e-commerce business before it was acquired. So he knows firsthand the challenges, the strategies, and the opportunities that come with navigating the Q4 madness. In this episode, we dive deep into:

• Proven pre, during, and post-BFCM strategies to maximize your results
• How to reverse-engineer your goals and budgets to avoid getting caught out
• The power of segmenting your customer list and offering tailored promotions
• Innovative "anti-pattern" BFCM campaigns that build brand loyalty (think Patagonia and REI)
• Toby's #1 Shopify app recommendation to boost revenue

If you're ready to dominate this holiday season and set your business up for an incredible 2025, you won't want to miss a single minute of this episode. Strap in, because Toby and I are about to take you behind the scenes of Black Friday and Cyber Monday like never before.

If you're overwhelmed with putting together a BF/CM campaign, this program I created can help you put it all together in a weekend.

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Introduction and Overview of the Podcast 0:02

Toby's Journey into Retail and E-commerce 2:52

Challenges and Decisions in Building the Business 8:35

Scaling the Business and Customer Experience 10:37

Marketing Strategies and Customer Engagement 15:38

Pre, During, and Post Black Friday Strategies 18:23

Reverse Engineering and Customer Acquisition Costs 29:27

Anti-Patterns and Brand Differentiation 33:33

Final Recap and Key Takeaways 40:54

Favorite Shopify App and Closing Remarks 41:21

Full article: https://salenaknight.com/shopifys-insider-secrets-to-crushing-black-friday-cyber-monday-toby-cumpstay/

I'm always on the hunt for the latest strategies and tactics to help ecommerce brands drive sales and revenue.

And let me tell you, my latest podcast guest John Garguilo from Ready Set Digital Agency did not disappoint.

John has worked with some of the biggest names in e-commerce, and he's seen firsthand what it takes to win big during the critical Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping season.

In this episode, he pulls back the curtain and shares his insider secrets, including:

• The importance of creative diversity and testing your ads WAY ahead of time (don't wait until the last minute!)

• How to leverage AI-generated content to scale your video ads without killing your team (his new platform Airpost is fascinating)

• Proven ways to take care of your best customers and keep them coming back, even when the discounts are flowing

If you're an ecommerce brand looking to dominate Q4 and maximize your holiday sales, you won't want to miss this episode. John drops so many valuable insights that you can implement in your business right away.

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John Garguilo's Career Journey 0:02

Challenges in the Restaurant Business 3:20

Transition to Tech and AI 4:50

Introduction to Airpost and Its Purpose 6:18

AI's Role in Airpost 14:18

Concerns About AI and Realness 25:30

Insights on Black Friday and Cyber Monday 25:45

Sleepless.ai and Additional Resources 34:47

Final Thoughts and Future Outlook 35:40

Full article: https://salenaknight.com/creating-content-that-sells-john-gargiulo/

Ever felt like the marketing you're doing bears an uncanny resemblance to that phrase "throwing spaghetti at the wall to see if it sticks?"

I can relate.
For me, it looked like this:
Eleventy billion ideas (that's a real number btw),
not enough time,
and the budget? Well, that’s a whole other story.

But despite slogging away, it can sometimes seem like nothing moves the needle.
Or if that needle is moving, it’s ever so slowly.

It's taken me many years to work out how that you can't afford to throw 'marketing spaghetti' at the wall, UNTIL, you've got consistent sales and revenue coming in.
It's just not financially doable otherwise.

If you've ever felt like YOUR marketing doesn't work, here's how to fix that.
Even better, you can get through this episode quicker than it takes to boil a pot of noodles.

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Marketing Challenges and Business Metaphors 0:02

Identifying Successful Strategies 3:08

Reflecting on Past Campaigns 4:16

Analyzing and Reverse Engineering Obstacles 7:06

Planning and Executing Effective Campaigns 8:10

Focusing on Core Business Activities 9:33

Final Thoughts and Call to Action 10:10

Full article: https://salenaknight.com/feel-like-your-marketing-is-more-miss-than-hit-heres-your-fix/

If you're looking to get more sales, more customers, and master your e-commerce marketing, this episode is a must-listen.

I sit down with e-commerce expert and Strategy Coach here at The Retail Academy, Kerry Clark, who shares the surprising #1 thing holding most online businesses back.

And it's not what you think!

Fix this one critical issue, and you could unlock higher conversions and more revenue.

In this value-packed discussion, you'll discover:

• The free tool Kerry uses to instantly audit website speed (and how to improve it)

• The hidden mistakes in your product taxonomy that are frustrating customers

• Why hiring an e-commerce manager is one of the best investments you can make

• The mindset shift Kerry says is crucial for e-commerce entrepreneurs to make

If you want to take your online store to the next level, you can't afford to miss Kerry's top tips.

Tune in now to get the insights that could transform your business.

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E-Commerce Essentials and Kerry Clark's Introduction 0:02

Kerry's Journey into E-Commerce 3:04

Common E-Commerce Obstacles and Quick Wins 4:41

Website Speed and Optimization Tools 7:38

Navigational and Taxonomical Challenges 13:27

Understanding Product and Customer Journey 15:50

The Role of E-Commerce Managers and Email Marketers 24:23

The Importance of Long-Term Vision and Delegation 31:38

Overcoming Control Freak Tendencies 32:10

Final Thoughts and Advice for Business Owners 44:36

Full article: https://salenaknight.com/an-ecom-experts-top-tips-for-a-higher-converting-website-kelly-clark/