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PODCAST

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of Seasonal Trade

The Seasonal Operator Podcast is dedicated to Christmas and the business of seasonal trade.Hosted by Nicole Keleher, the podcast explores what it really takes to run a successful seasonal business — across Christmas retail, decorating, installations, suppliers and wholesale.Episodes feature real conversations with industry operators and customers, alongside insights on Christmas trends, customer experience, planning, strategy and practical marketing ideas.If you work in the Christmas industry or run

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

26:16

The Seasonal Operator - Christmas and the Business of...

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2026/02/02

Welcome to the first episode of The Seasonal Operator Podcast. In this episode, Nicole explains why the podcast has evolved from Customer Connect into a show dedicated to the business of Christmas and seasonal trade — and what you can expect going forward. After years of working closely with Christmas and seasonal businesses, it became clear this industry has its own challenges, rhythms and pressures that deserve focused conversations and practical strategy. The Seasonal Operator is designed ...

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14:21

The 2025 Wrap Up!

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/12/08

This final episode of the year is a chance to stop, take a breath and look at what actually shaped 2025 for independent retailers and service providers. I’m sharing the patterns I saw across client work, audits and conversations—what worked, what held businesses back and the areas that consistently created momentum. We walk through the lessons worth carrying into 2026, the customer experience advantages independents must hold onto, and a real-life online shopping experience that reminded me e...

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59:47

Becoming the Leader Your Small Business Needs

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/12/01

Stepping into the role of “leader” isn’t something most independent retailers plan for. It usually happens because the business grows, you hire someone, and suddenly the way you show up matters in a new way. In this conversation, Krista Williamson joins me again to talk about the parts of leadership we rarely discuss—why it feels uncomfortable, the habits that hold us back, and the skills that actually make a difference. We dig into the moments that trip business owners up: wanting to be like...

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13:56

Stop Wasting Time on the Wrong Tech: What Small...

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/11/24

These days, small business owners have access to all the same types of tech that big brands use — but that doesn’t mean every tool is worth your time. In this episode of The Customer Connect Podcast, I’m talking about how to pick the technology that actually helps your customer experience — and how to avoid the tools that just add more work to your day. We’ll go through the tech that genuinely makes life easier for both you and your customers, what to watch out for before adding something new...

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13:53

Quick Fixes to Prepare for Christmas Trade

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/11/17

Christmas is coming fast, and for most small business owners it’s exciting — and a bit chaotic. In this episode of The Customer Connect Podcast, I’m sharing six quick fixes you can make right now to get ready for Christmas trade — three for online stores and three for those of you running bricks-and-mortar. They’re simple things that don’t take long but make a real difference to how your business runs and how your customers feel. We’ll talk about how to: • Improve your top product listi...

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16:11

Email Pop-Ups: The Right Way vs the Wrong Way

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/11/10

In this episode of Customer Connect, Nicole walks through two real website pop-ups targeting email sign-ups. One brand makes it simple and wins the sale. The other adds friction and loses the customer. You’ll learn what creates a seamless experience, how to build your email list without annoying people, and why customers walk away when the sign-up process asks for too much. Perfect for independent retailers looking to increase conversions without discounting. Instagram: @theretailmarketers We...

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10:43

The Seasonal Operator Episode 3: Turning a One-Day...

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/11/06

In this Seasonal Business Operator bonus episode of the Customer Connect Podcast, Nicole dives into one of the smartest—and sweetest—seasonal marketing strategies ever created: Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day. What began as a small thank-you event for local customers has become a 46-year tradition that continues to attract crowds, media coverage, and customer loyalty across the globe. This episode isn’t about ice cream—it’s about strategy. Nicole unpacks how one free event became a marketing ...

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57:52

Breaking the Busy Cycle: Why Retailers Avoid What...

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/11/03

In this episode of the Customer Connect Podcast, Nicole sits down with business and mindset coach Krista Williamson—a former retailer turned coach—to talk about the everyday habits that quietly hold business owners back. Together they unpack why so many of us avoid the tasks we know will move our business forward, and how small mindset and routine shifts can make the difference between constant overwhelm and genuine progress. Krista shares insights from her 20 years in retail and her five yea...

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18:42

How Friction Costs You Sales (and How to Stop It)

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/10/27

Customers don’t stop shopping with you because your products aren’t good — they stop because something in the process makes it too hard. In this episode, we look at friction — the small frustrations that quietly cost you sales. It might be a slow website, unclear pricing, a checkout that takes too long, or a customer walking in and not being greeted. These are simple problems to fix once you notice them. We’ll talk through how to spot friction in your store and online, what to do to rem...

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22:36

The Smart Retailer’s Guide to Black Friday

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/10/20

In this episode of the Customer Connect Podcast, Nicole Keleher breaks down how to win Black Friday without losing your margins or your sanity. With everyone racing to the bottom on discounts, she shares a smarter, experience-led approach that builds profit and loyalty — not just sales. Nicole walks through her Offer Ladder Framework, showing you how to plan deals that attract customers, grow your basket size, and strengthen your brand. You’ll also learn practical in-store and online tips to ...

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12:37

How Personal Video Messages Can Boost Customer...

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/10/13

Standing out from the competition isn’t about louder ads or fancier packaging — it’s about building real connections with your customers. In this episode of Customer Connect, Nicole shares how she used Bonjoro, a simple video messaging tool, to create personal moments that built trust, boosted repeat sales, and delivered standout customer experiences. This is not a sponsored episode and Nicole is not affiliated with Bonjoro. It’s simply a practical example of how personal video messages can s...

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10:43

The Seasonal Business Operator Ep 3: Turning a...

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/10/09

In this Seasonal Business Operator bonus episode of the Customer Connect Podcast, Nicole dives into one of the smartest—and sweetest—seasonal marketing strategies ever created: Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day. What began as a small thank-you event for local customers has become a 46-year tradition that continues to attract crowds, media coverage, and customer loyalty across the globe. This episode isn’t about ice cream—it’s about strategy. Nicole unpacks how one free event became a marketing ...

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18:13

Experience Wins: Turning Customers into Loyal Fans

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/10/06

Experience Wins is all about simple but powerful customer experience ideas that any retail, hospitality, or service business can put into practice. In this episode of the Customer Connect Podcast, Nicole shares real-life examples designed to spark ideas you can adapt in your own business. These episodes prove that connection doesn’t need to be complicated or costly — small, thoughtful touches can strengthen loyalty, set you apart from competitors, and drive long-term growth. Insta...

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15:30

Seasonal Operator Ep. 2: Why Adding a Second Business...

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/10/02

In this episode of the Customer Connect Podcast, I dive into one of the most common questions seasonal business owners face: should you add a complementary product or even launch a second business to smooth out the quieter months? On the surface it sounds logical, but in reality it can add more complexity than profit. I share my own experience of running a Christmas retail store alongside a party supply business, the pitfalls I discovered, and the key questions you need to ask before he...

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20:55

Stop Wasting Emails: How to Send the Ones Customers Open

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/09/29

Email is more than a sales tool—it’s a customer experience strategy. In this episode of the Customer Connect Podcast, Nicole Keleher shares how to stay consistent with email marketing and why segmentation turns a simple newsletter into a powerful driver of trust and sales. You’ll hear practical tips on setting up a welcome email, batching content, resending unopened campaigns, and creating targeted messages that actually get opened. If you’ve been sending emails on and off or avoiding them al...

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15:54

Why Email Beats Socials Every Time

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/09/22

Email isn’t just another marketing tool—it’s the most reliable way to connect with your customers. In this episode of the Customer Connect Podcast, Nicole Keleher dives into why email delivers stronger results than social media, practical incentives to grow your list, and simple ways to collect signups in-store and online. If you’ve been putting email in the “too hard” basket, this is your reminder that it’s one of the most profitable customer experience strategies you can use. Follow @there...

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21:21

The Website Audit Every Retailer Needs Before Peak...

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/09/15

The busiest quarter of the year is here, and before you spend money on ads or boosted posts, it’s worth asking: is your website actually ready to convert? In this episode of the Customer Connect Podcast, I walk you through the simple website tweaks that can dramatically improve customer experience and sales. Your website is often the first impression customers get of your business. With 76% of shoppers checking online before visiting a store, even the smallest issues—like broken links, ...

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49:58

House2Home Moorebank: How Customer Experience Builds...

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/09/08

In this episode of Customer Connect, I’m joined by Victoria Christofa from House2Home Moorebank, a family-run homewares store in Sydney that has built its reputation on creating memorable customer experiences. Victoria shares the story of her family’s 18-year retail journey, highlighting the store’s continued evolution and growth into a destination that attracts customers from across the country—especially during their famous Easter and Christmas displays. We talk about how House2Home has tur...

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16:32

The Hidden Challenges of Seasonal Businesses

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/09/04

The Customer Connect Podcast now includes an extra monthly episode designed just for seasonal business operators. These episodes focus on the unique challenges of trading in short bursts and making the most of your peak periods. Seasonal operators include: Christmas shopsSki hire businessesTourism retailers, cafés, and accommodationEvent operatorsWedding providersGarden centres and nurseriesIce-cream shops, hot chocolate bars, eggnog makersNail salons and blow-dry bars during peak social seas...

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15:54

Experience Wins Ep.1: Small Touches, Big Impact

The Seasonal Operator: Christmas and the Business of... ·

2025/09/01

Welcome to the first episode of Experience Wins, a new monthly series on the Customer Connect podcast. In each instalment, Nicole shares practical customer experience ideas drawn from real businesses across different industries. These are not abstract theories, but examples you can adapt in your own store, service, or team. The focus is on simple touches that create stronger connections, keep customers coming back, and build long-term value for your business. For simple, light bulb ideas you ...

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122 results

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