In this episode of the Brick and Mortar Visibility Podcast, we’re stepping beyond the studio and into the world of boutique retail. Whether you're running a Pilates, yoga, or music studio—or any class-based business—there’s a good chance you’re also selling something on the side. From merch to gear, retail is a powerful revenue stream, and it’s time we treat it like one.

Our guest, Sarah Kowal, knows this firsthand. She went from broke to building two thriving businesses and now mentors and markets for retail brands nationwide. Sarah shares her real-talk wisdom on marketing for small businesses, particularly those running brick-and-mortar or boutique retail operations.

Plus, we kick off the episode with a quick check-in about Profit First—because it’s Q3, and if you’re following the method, it’s time to take that 50% profit and celebrate your progress!

Tune in to hear:

• Why boutique retail deserves a real marketing strategy
• Simple shifts to increase your retail sales
• How to think like a retailer inside your service-based biz
• A dose of inspiration from Sarah’s journey and hard-won lessons

🎧 Press play to learn how to make your boutique retail space more profitable—without the overwhelm.

More about our guest:
An entrepreneur, Sarah Kowal went from broke-a$$ to owning two successful businesses. She has spoken at numerous business forums (various chambers of commerce, the MN Retailers Association, other business groups, and as a mentor with Twin Cities SCORE) and serves as a judge, mentor, and marketer for business pitch competitions. She has made a difference for thousands of entrepreneurs. Her startup, WeatherVane Creamery, was recognized by the American Cheese Society for its innovation in dairy retail. She hustled to generate funding from over 70 private individuals, pitched to Howard Shultz of Starbucks (and over 10,000 Starbucks shareholders!), and generated a ton of media coverage, including FOX Morning News. Currently, she is the Founder and Master Biz Hacker of Project Biz Lab, an online business academy, and Owner/Operator of InSIGHTful Low Vision, LLC, a boutique marketing agency.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Melissa Rose-: Level UP: Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Newsletter, Referral Partners, and more.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity - she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

Melissa's also a visibility coach and consultant for other local brick + mortar businesses. Providing direction by leveraging SEO best practices, encompassing Google Business Profile optimization, blog writing, and email/text campaigns. When not inspiring or empowering, Melissa's a mama of five kiddos, enjoys long hikes and playing in her garden.

Think SEO is only for the big-budget brands? Think again.

In this episode of the Brick and Mortar Visibility Podcast, I’m joined by SEO strategist Jade Pruitt, who’s flipping the script on what local search optimization really looks like for studio owners like you.

We’re talking:

• Why SEO doesn’t have to cost thousands (really)
• Where to start if you’re DIY-ing it—and how to avoid the common overwhelm
• How Jade helps studios dominate search results without a giant marketing budget
• And the ridiculously generous offer she drops at the end of the episode (no, seriously—don’t miss it)

I’m stepping away from SEO consulting to go all-in on my Level UP program—and Jade is the expert I trust to take the reins. She gets studio life, understands what matters locally, and is leading the charge on integrating AI into modern SEO.

If you’ve ever felt like SEO is out of reach, this is the episode that will change your mind.

🎧 Plus: Grab my free Google Business Profile Workshop to make sure your studio shows up where it counts most—on Google.

A bit about Jade Pruett: A leader in the SEO world, the founder of HelloSEO and SEO specialist, Jade Pruett. Jade has pioneered strategies that streamline workflows, amplify client outcomes, and foster human connections in business. With over a decade of expertise in navigating and leveraging Google’s algorithm to help hundreds of brands and businesses gain visibility and connect with their ideal clients, she has also created influential SEO strategies for CNN, Business Insider, and notable SaaS brands.

Jade is also a mentor at Columbia’s tech incubator, the Boyd Center, as well as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. Jade also shares her forward-thinking approach to integrating AI into SEO by leading AI workshops.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Melissa Rose-: Level UP: Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Newsletter, Referral Partners, and more.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity - she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

Melissa's also a visibility coach and consultant for other local brick + mortar businesses. Providing direction by leveraging SEO best practices, encompassing Google Business Profile optimization, blog writing, and email/text campaigns. When not inspiring or empowering, Melissa's a mama of five kiddos, enjoys long hikes and playing in her garden.

Hey there, studio owner. Let’s talk about something that can make or break your business—your team.⁠

Now, if you’ve ever hired someone, handed them a task, crossed your fingers and thought, “I hope this works out…”—this episode is for you.

Because hope is not a strategy.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the exact framework I use to onboard new team members—from teachers to admin—and how I set them up for success from day one. I’ll share how we measure growth, create momentum, and yes…how we gently level up expectations as your business grows.

Whether you’re hiring for the first time or realizing it’s time to get more intentional with the team you already have—this episode will give you the steps to create a team that not only performs, but thrives.

And if you want support putting this into action, that’s exactly what we do inside my Level UP Mastermind—so stay tuned till the end for more on that.

Let’s get into it.

Your GO-TO LINK for all things Melissa Rose-: Level UP : Your Business, Your Life, Google Business Profile Workshop, Visibility Workshop, Hire Newsletter, & Referral Partners.

Love today’s podcast? 🙌

1. Take a screenshot and share it to your IG stories. Tag me @brickandmortarvisibility
2. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcast!
3. Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast.

In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity - she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

Melissa's also a visibility coach and consultant for other local brick + mortar businesses. Providing direction by leveraging SEO best practices, encompassing Google Business Profile optimization, blog writing, and email/text campaigns. When not inspiring or empowering, Melissa's a mama of five kiddos, enjoys long hikes and playing in her garden.