Aligning Intuition and Science
For the Independent Retailer looking to scale up their business.
Robust Merchandise Consulting that brings the data met with the Intuitive Guidance your business needs to scale.
Sales forecasting
Open to buy,
Cashflow planning
Employee & operational structure
Merchandise allocation
Marketing guidance
Markdown strategy
Online/in-store visual presentation
My clients are:
Just Starting Out
In business for under 3 years, still in the beginning but you have some dirt under your fingernails.
Ready to Scale
Business is good - but ‘good’ isn’t enough anymore. You sense there’s a missing piece and you’re ready to find it.
Building Legacy
Your business is thriving, but the structure hasn’t kept up. It’s time to build the systems and team roles that allow you - and your business - to grow to the next level.
I work with retailers who are ready for more…
MORE….
More clarity, more profitability, more confidence in their decisions. I bring structure, strategy, and genuine investment in your success. What I ask in return is trust, commitment, and a willingness to look at your business honestly.
The retailers I work best with aren't just chasing sales. They care about building something that lasts. I support leaders to lead - not just in their business, but so that they can show up in life, in community, and in business the way that they feel truly resonates with who they are.
The structure I bring is in support of your intuition, passion, and spark to keep you growing.
Case Studies:
103% Growth
From early 2018 to early 2022 I grew one client’s casual tops business 103%. By breaking it into three categories - novelty, non-novelty, and graphic tee’s I was able to see where the demand lied within each.
Growth amidst COVID
May 2020 $483k to May 2022 $877k
Despite the shutdown, upon reopening I was able to grow this client 81% in just two years.
$700k growth in less than 1 year
Grew one leading St. Louis women’s boutique 53% in 6 months by implementing a supportive buying plan and honoring the client’s intuition of her potential.
What clients are saying…
“Honestly, I’m a completely different person and business owner, I have more of a handle on my business because of Sarah. I know where I am headed, where I am going, and what I’m supposed to be doing.”
— Bridgette McDonald, Roka Boutique
“My whole business just operates so much better having Sarah as a part of the team.”
— Victoria Lindley, Muse Apparel
"Working with Sarah was paramount to the growth and success of my company. Her knowledge and ability to relay information in a way that was clear and direct allowed me to see my business in a way I wasn't able to prior. Analyzing my financials, she aided me in setting an appropriate budget for use in scaling the business. Beyond that, she was one of my biggest cheerleaders and genuinely celebrated each of my successes alongside me. I am forever grateful for her support."
— Allissa Reimer, Altar’d Events
My approach goes beyond the numbers. Yes, we'll dig into your buying trends, open-to-buy, cashflow, and merchandise strategy — but I also help you build the operational clarity and team culture that makes sustainable growth possible. The structure I bring is in support of your intuition, your passion, and the vision that got you here.
And…we’ll have fun along the way.
Let’s up your Retail Game
Merchandise Planning
Science-backed buying strategy for independent retailers. We'll build a plan that aligns your inventory investment with real demand — covering sales forecasting, open-to-buy, merchandise allocation, markdown strategy, and seasonal planning.
Financial Planning + Cashflow
Understand your numbers and make smarter decisions with your money. We'll build an open-to-buy plan that protects your cash, reduces over-buying, and gives you the confidence to invest in what actually sells.
Sales Team + Operations Guidance
Your team and your floor are extensions of your brand. I help you build employee structure, improve sales performance, and create an in-store (and online) presentation that converts browsers into buyers.
How we work together
Every retailer is different, but the path to clarity follows a rhythm. Here’s what to expect.
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DISCOVERY CALL
A complimentary 30-minute conversation. You share where your business is and where you want it to go. I listen, ask the questions that matter, and we both walk away knowing whether working together is the right fit. No pitch. No pressure.
BUSINESS DIAGNOSTIC
If we move forward, we begin with a deep look at your numbers — sales history, inventory, cashflow, category performance, team structure. This is where data meets intuition. I bring the analytical lens; you bring the lived knowledge of your business. Together we map exactly where you are and where we’re going to grow.
STRATEGY + IMPLEMENTATION
We build the plan: open-to-buy, sales forecast, cashflow rhythm, merchandise allocation, markdown strategy, operational structure. Then we put it into practice. I'm in the work with you — supporting and guiding you along the way.
ONGOING PARTNERSHIP
Retail isn't a one-and-done business, and neither is the strategy that supports it. We meet regularly to review performance, adjust plans seasonally, problem-solve as new realities show up, and keep building toward the version of the business that feels truly yours.
