If I Wanted to Build a $1M+ Store Tomorrow – Here’s What I’d Do

Woman smiling and raising her arms as dollar bills fall around her with text that reads “If I Wanted to Build a $1M+ Store Tomorrow, Here’s What I’d Do.”

Let me be real with you. If I woke up tomorrow and had to build a $1M+ store all over again, I know exactly what I’d do differently. I’ve made the mistakes, I’ve sweated through the scary moments (literally!), and I’ve seen firsthand what actually works for retailers who want to scale their business.

Listen to the full episode here:

Here are the 7 things I’d focus on right now to build a profitable, sustainable $1M+ Store business.

1. Know My Numbers Like a CFO

The first step to building a $1M+ Store isn’t glamorous, but it’s absolutely essential: knowing your numbers inside and out. That means creating a real cash flow plan, doing a Profit First assessment, and making sure I’m paying myself first.

Too many store owners gamble with profit. You see money in the checkbook and assume it’s all available but it’s not. I learned this the hard way, and it delayed my growth. Don’t let pride or confusion hold you back. Get help. Numbers are the foundation of your business. Without them, nothing else works.

2. Treat Inventory Like an Investment

Inventory management is not a guessing game, it’s an investment. Every single item on your sales floor needs to be working as hard as you are. That means tracking turnover, margin, and aging.

If something isn’t selling, mark it down and move it out so you can reinvest in fresh products. Pride doesn’t come from never taking markdowns, it comes from keeping your inventory healthy and profitable. And if you want to build a $1M+ Store, that’s where an Open to Buy plan comes in! It’s your inventory budget that tells you exactly how much and what to bring in (not more, not less) to support your sales goals.

Remember: inventory is cash in another form. Treat it like the investment it is.

3. Build a Team That Runs Without Me

When I first opened my store, I thought being “needed” was a badge of honor. But let me tell you, leadership means building a team that thrives even when you’re not there.

If I were starting today, I’d train even a single part-timer with the mindset of building a million-dollar team. I’d systematize everything so I could take vacations, CEO days, or even maternity leave without the business falling apart.

And here’s the truth: I’d stop doing $20/hour tasks and focus on the $2,000/hour work that only I can do big-picture entrepreneurship and strategy.

4. Plan Marketing with Intention

No more scrambling to post something at 5 p.m. or copying what a competitor just did. I’d build a marketing strategy with intention, emails, events, and social media mapped out and measurable.

I’d rinse and repeat what works and stop worrying about doing everything. The goal isn’t to look busy, it’s to do what actually brings results and connects with your best customers.

5. Protect CEO Time

This one’s huge. To run a $1M+ store business, you need to think like the CEO, not just the store manager. That means blocking out CEO time, every week for planning, reviewing numbers, and setting strategy.

Even just two hours a week can change everything. Over time, increase it. Protect that time like you would any meeting with an important business partner because you are the most important partner your business has.

6. Create a Memorable Customer Experience

A beautiful store isn’t enough. People come back because of how they feel when they’re there. I’d design every touchpoint from merchandising to team energy with intention.

Think about little touches that stick: a handwritten postcard slipped in with a purchase, a celebratory bell customers ring when they finish a project, or events that make shopping feel like an experience, not just a transaction.

Your customer experience is what creates loyalty and repeat business.

7. Lead Myself First

At the core of it all is this: leadership starts with self-leadership. The way you think, the actions you take, and the mindset you build all show up in your business.

To own a million-dollar store, you have to think like a million-dollar store owner before the sales are there. That means investing in yourself, being honest about the beliefs holding you back, and never stopping your own growth.

Entrepreneurship is the greatest self-discovery journey you’ll ever take. The better you lead yourself, the better you’ll lead your team and serve your customers.

Watch the full episode in YouTube:
https://youtu.be/xV2vfDuPrw4

The Next Step Is Yours

I just gave you seven powerful strategies for building a $1M+ store retail business. But here’s the hard truth, if you don’t take action on at least one of them, this is just more information sitting in your head. And that’s not what I want for you.

So go back through the list. Ask yourself: Which of these seven would make the biggest difference in my business right now? 

Pick one. Focus on it for the next 90 days. That’s how momentum builds. That’s how million-dollar stores are made.

And listen, I’m cheering for you. If no one has told you today: you are astonishing, and you are loved.

Ready to lead your store past $1M with confidence?

Don’t forget to join us in our community: Richer Retailer Facebook Group.

💚 Remember: Building a million-dollar store isn’t just about the money, it’s about creating freedom, joy, and impact. Every step you take, no matter how small, moves you closer to the life you dreamed of when you first opened your doors. You are capable, you are resilient, and you are never alone on this journey. I’m cheering you on every step of the way.