#039: Your Products Have a Story, Share it! with Laura Schmidt

Have you ever wondered if the right words, shared at the right moment, could transform your business and someone else’s life? Meet Laura Schmidt, Cathy’s guest for this episode and founder of notes to self, a brand built on the simple yet powerful belief that words make all the difference. After years in engineering and sales, Laura followed her heart and transformed positive affirmations into a nationwide movement, donating over 155,000 pairs of socks to spread hope and encouragement. Discover how purpose-driven products and heartfelt storytelling can help you build real connection with your customers and why, sometimes, it really does start with just a few good words. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How short affirmations can bring real hope and emotional connection to omnichannel retail Why adding meaning to your inventory can strengthen your brand values and how customers see and buy your products Speaking to yourself with compassion (the way you’d speak to a friend) can help you stay motivated through challenges. It's okay to start small, trust your gut, and learn what resonates most with your customers over time. Key Takeaways: [02:31]: The Power of Words [05:46]: Inspiration Behind Notes to Self  [25:46]: Tips on embedding meaning into products and connections with customers. [30:31]Staying Connected to Your Why  Resources & Links Check out Laura’s website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook to get inspired, shop her socks, and share a little extra positivity to you and to your customers! You’re not just selling socks, cards, or candles, you’re shaping experiences that connect through social commerce, storytelling, and deep brand values. Apply for your free Gameplan Call, where we’ll look at what’s working, what’s not, and map out your most profitable next step, so your shelves stay stocked, your story stays strong, and your impact keeps growing. Want a behind-the-scenes look at how our top clients grow profit without burning out? Our free training, Beyond Busy: 3 Shifts to Reclaim Your Time and Boost Store Income, walks you through the exact Profit Roadmap we use in Profit Club. You’ll discover how to lead with agile strategy as CEO, CIO, and CFO of your retail business. Your Millie Moment: Think about one product or display in your store that already has a special story, purpose, or message behind it but your customers might not know it yet. Step 1: Write down that story in one or two sentences, why you chose it, who it helps, or how it makes people feel. Step 2: Share it! Add it to a product tag, mention it to a customer at checkout, or post it on your store’s social media, this is modern retail media in action. Step 3: Notice how sharing just a few good words can turn an ordinary item into something meaningful, especially when your product line is inclusive and offers sustainable products your audience cares about. Small words, shared intentionally, really can make a big difference in your omnichannel retail story and your bottom line. Connect with ambitious store owners in the Richer Retailer Facebook Group. Share this episode with a fellow store owner and help them tackle cash flow challenges! 💚 Remember: What you put on your shelves isn’t just inventory, it’s hope, comfort, and belief wrapped in a product. Every kind word you share, every story you tell, has the power to brighten someone’s hardest day… and remind them (and yourself) that they’re loved, seen, and never alone.