Emily Benson

Sunday nights used to wreck me.

Back when I was running The Fashion Truck, I’d wake up at 6am, drive and park in Boston, and sell 10 to 4pm at SoWa Open Market. Rain, shine, 90 degrees, big winds, I was there. By the time I made it home at 6, I was exhausted, buzzed on adrenaline, and usually collapsing on the couch.

Most Sundays went really well. In my tiny 10x30 spot, I’d rake in $2,000–$6,000 in a day. I of course had “bad” Sundays where I struggled to hit $500, or maybe $750 in sales. After paying $225 for the space, $120 for help, $100 for gas… my mind would spiral. Especially when I thought it was going to be a good day.

I’d sit there asking myself: Where were the people?! Did I do something wrong?

Until one slow Sunday, the farmer in the booth next to me—a fun, eccentric guy—looked at me and said:
“Listen sister, it’s not about the day, it’s about the season.”

And he was right.

That one line changed how I’ve looked at business ever since. A single day doesn’t define you. A single rough week or month doesn’t define you. It’s about the season—the bigger picture of what you’re building.

A new client reminded me of that this week. She’s going through a tough moment, in a tough time for our country (I'm ok saying that out loud), and trying to figure out how to make her dream business real. We worked through her numbers and then I asked her: What would you wake up every day so excited to sell, model, and teach women like you about?

That’s the work. That’s the dream.

And if you’re feeling “cringy” on social media right now (especially those of us in the 35–45 crew)—you’re not alone. We all feel a little unsteady, cringy and determined.

Let me remind you:

👉 By 2030, nearly two-thirds of private wealth in the U.S. will be held by women—the largest transfer of wealth in history (McKinsey via CNBC). Read it here: www.cnbc.com/2025/03/12/most-of-the-124-trillion-g…

When women have money, they do good things with it. Good begets more good.

"A staggering 73% of donors worldwide are women, and according to The 2018 U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy, 93% of high-net-worth women choose to give to charities." abacuswealth.com/how-women-are-changing-the-world-…

So yes, some Sundays are slow. Some months are stressful. But long-term? A lot of us are going to be more than okay.

We are the ones who need to support each other, create community, and build businesses that both challenge us and fulfill us. Believe in your vision.

Remember, second acts of plays are always the most dramatic. ;)

4 months ago | [YT] | 4

Emily Benson

I’ve been in the retail industry a long time… and I’ve heard it all when it comes to boutique names. Some are amazing (“Yes, let’s go!!”)… and others? Not so much.🙈

The truth is: as a boutique business, you name is everywhere — on your website, storefront, packaging, ads... If it’s hard to say, confusing, or forgettable, it’s going to be harder to get customers in the door or to your site.

That’s why in my latest YouTube video, I’m sharing the strategy behind how to choose a name for your boutique business that will help you stand out, attract your ideal customers, and show your true value. Click the link in the comments to watch!⤵️

Have a name in mind you’re not 100% sure on? Drop it in the comments, I’d love to give you feedback!🤗

4 months ago | [YT] | 6

Emily Benson

✨Ready to finally launch that boutique you’ve been dreaming of?✨

Join me LIVE on July 30th at 1pm EST for a free training:
How To Start a Clothing Boutique Business (that works in today's economy!)

This is for the new boutique owner who wants to do it right—with a real plan to grow, not just a pile of inventory and wishful thinking.

Whether you’re just getting started or already launched but struggling to get traction, this will give you the clarity and confidence to build a boutique that’s both fun and profitable.

👇 Drop START in the comments to save your spot! (or click here: www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/registration-page)

Let’s do this the smart way, so you actually make money from day one 💰🛍️

5 months ago | [YT] | 2

Emily Benson

🧥✨ FALL 2025 IS COMING... and so is your most profitable season yet.

If you’ve ever:
✔️ Overbought
✔️ Felt lost at market
✔️ Or winged it with your budget (again)...

📊 The Fall Plan is your solution.

✅ 90-Minute On-Demand Workshop
✅ Plug-and-Play Open-to-Buy Templates
✅ Vendor Planning Strategy that actually makes sense

💸 Only $68. No fluff. Real results.
👉www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/fallplan

🎯 Trusted by 15,000+ boutique owners

Let’s get you buying smarter, selling stronger, and sleeping better this fall 💤💼

Get instant access now so you can crunch your numbers before heading off to market!
www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/fallplan

5 months ago | [YT] | 4

Emily Benson

Tariffs Are Rising—Here’s How Boutique Owners Can Protect Their Profit

If you're running a boutique and wondering where all your money is going—you're not alone. Even with strong sales, many boutique owners find themselves short on cash, stuck with overstocked inventory, or relying on credit just to restock.

And with recent changes in trade policy, it just got harder.

The Tariff Shock No One Was Ready For:

U.S. trade policy shifted dramatically with new tariffs on imported goods—up to 145% on items from China, which remains the largest source of apparel for American retailers and boutiques.

That means a $1,000 order could now cost over $2,400 to land in your store. This isn’t a hypothetical—it’s happening now, and it’s directly impacting your profit margins.

So if you’ve been buying based on instinct, over-ordering to feel “ready,” or discounting to move stale product… it’s time for a new approach.

I'll walk you through my advice in a new video. Watch here: https://youtu.be/jrGFT5fBNZE

8 months ago | [YT] | 2

Emily Benson

If your sales are up but your bank account still feels tight, you’re not alone.

And after what happened Friday—it just got a lot more serious.

As of May 2nd, a new 145% tariff went into effect on goods from China—still the #1 source of apparel for most U.S. boutiques. That means your costs just doubled… overnight.

But here’s the truth:
👉 You don’t need to panic.
👉 You do need a better strategy.

That’s exactly what we’re diving into tomorrow in my free live training: Rise Out of Debt.

🗓 Monday, May 5th at 12pm EST
📍 Reserve your spot now » www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/rise2025

We’ll cover:
✅ How to stop accumulating debt—even as costs rise
✅ The #1 inventory shift you must make in 2025
✅ Smart pricing moves to protect your margins
✅ What to do now instead of waiting for the economy to “settle down”

Can’t make it live? No worries—you’ll get the replay, but only if you’re registered.

Thousands of boutique owners have used these strategies to finally pay themselves and run their stores with confidence. If you're ready to do the same, don't wait.

This is your wake-up call—let’s turn it into a turning point.

→ Sign Up for Rise Out of Debt: www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/rise2025

8 months ago | [YT] | 3

Emily Benson

Thinking about opening a boutique… but terrified of messing up your first inventory order?
You are NOT alone.

The #1 question I get from new boutique owners is:
👉 “How much inventory should I buy to start?”
Closely followed by:
👉 “And what if I get it totally wrong?”

I just dropped a video answering exactly that.
No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real numbers and the truth about what it takes to start profitably.

🎥 Watch now: https://youtu.be/fvNqzkIbP3g?si=Bwy-s...
💸 Want the 90-minute plan I teach my private clients?
Get my Smart Start Inventory Plan mini course for just $48:
www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/smart-inventory

You’ve got this — and I’ve got you. 🖤

8 months ago | [YT] | 2

Emily Benson

👗 You’re working so hard on your boutique—but where’s the money?

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m making sales, but it doesn’t feel like I’m making money,” this is for you.

Join me for Clean Up Your Boutique Startup, a LIVE training on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 8 PM EST, where I’ll show you:
✔ How to uncover hidden cash in your boutique.
✔ The easiest way to stop overspending and manage inventory smarter.
✔ A simple plan to grow consistently—month after month.

✨ Register now to save your seat and access the replay!

📅 Don’t wait—space is limited: www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/cleanup

11 months ago | [YT] | 2

Emily Benson

Check your email if you registered! There is a link to the replay inside. If you haven’t registered you can get immediate access through this week by signing up here: www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/overbought

Here’s exactly what I taught about:

1. Let’s Dissect What Being Overbought Looks and Feels Like for You as a Boutique Owner
2. How to Create Predictable Income for Your Boutique Business
3. Why it’s Time To Get Control Over Your Data and Projections by Yourself
4. What Does a 5-Figure Month in a Profitable, Accurately Bought Boutique Business Look Like?
.
Get immediate access to the replay here 👉🏼 www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/overbought

2 years ago | [YT] | 3

Emily Benson

Hey Boutique Owner! It might have happened to you: stacked boxes, early deliveries, styles that just didn't "hit", you changed your style, you didn't really know what to by when you opened. IT'S OK!
.
This is no time to feel bad about being overbought- we've got to take action before Fall hits!
.
Join me in this FREE Live Webinar where I'll walk you through the steps to analyze your inventory the *right* way, sort and move through it, and most importantly, learn how to never buy too much again.
.
Check it out here 👉🏼 www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/overbought
.
I'm hosting this LIVE this Sunday July 30, 2023 at 8pm EST. I want you to join live because I'll be giving away some treats. If you can't join live, there will be a replay available for a week emailed to you the next day.
.
A Few Details:
1. YES it's FREE!
2. YES you can wear your pj's to the training (I know it's Sunday Scaries night!)
3. YES you'll have replay access for a week!
You must reserve a spot so we can email you login instructions (and the valuable replay!)
.
Check it out here 👉🏼 www.boutiquetrainingacademy.com/overbought
.
A Testimonial About the Framework I'm teaching in OVERBOUGHT:
"I came into this having too much inventory and wanting to create my own buying plan. I'm now going into July and August with the least amount inventory than I've ever had and easily being up 25% to last year's sales revenue. This system works!" 
- Ronda, Brick and Mortar Boutique Owner
.
This is New and Exclusive content for Established Boutique Owners:
👗 Getting Rid of Excess Inventory
👗 How to Buy + Optimize Inventory
👗 Leaning into Branding + Product Assortment
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Perfect for online boutiques, brick and mortar stores and pop up boutiques!
.
You don't want to miss this.

2 years ago | [YT] | 4