{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"289. Become the CEO Your Life May Need in 2026","description":" With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https:\/\/wendybatten.com\/podcast-intro\/   In This Episode: Season Five wraps with a heartfelt, honest conversation you don\u2019t want to miss. In this final episode of the year, I\u2019m pulling back the curtain and sharing the real-life alignment shifts, boundaries, and mindset resets that shaped my 2025 - and how you can step confidently and intentionally into 2026. If you\u2019ve ever felt out of sync with your business, overwhelmed by hustle culture, or unsure whether your decisions still match the life you want today\u2026 this episode will feel like a deep breath. Wendy talks openly about anxiety, intuition, \u201cright-fit\u201d clients, protecting your energy, and designing a business that actually supports your life - not the other way around. Grab a cozy drink, settle in, and get ready to reflect, recalibrate, and realign for the year ahead. Insights to Guide Your 2026 Planning Why your business can only grow as sustainably as you can The difference between chasing clients vs. attracting aligned ones Intuition whispers before it screams Why a full calendar isn\u2019t the goal \u2013 spaciousness is The power of boundaries as leadership How to identify fuels vs. drains in your business The importance of checking whether your business still aligns with who you are today Your Next Steps: Revisit your 2025 experiences: What felt aligned? What felt heavy? Review your client base: Who energizes you? Who doesn\u2019t? Set or reinforce boundaries that support your CEO role Explore deeper support if you\u2019re ready \u2013 whether that\u2019s joining the Level Up Mastermind, or finding coaching or community. Need help with your 2026 business planning? Grab my Best Year Ever standalone masterclass. It\u2019s available for free for Inner Circle members and for purchase from non-members. Members and non-members alike will meet with me live on Zoom on January 13th at 2pm ET.  A replay will be available for those who cannot make it live. Related podcasts we think you\u2019ll like:  Episode 136: Coffee Break Chats with Wendy: Annual Planning That Fills Your Life Buckets Episode 186: Choose Joy: Reframe Your Mindset and End Your Retail Year Happy Episode 197: A Monthly Debrief: A Simple Activity All Retail Shop Owners Should Be Doing About your host, Wendy Batten   In case we haven\u2019t met yet, I\u2019m Wendy Batten, retail business coach and founder of the Retailer\u2019s Inner Circle. With over 30 years of experience running successful businesses, I now help independent shop owners grow profitably and sustainably\u2014with more confidence and joy. I\u2019ve had my own business columns in featured magazines, such as What Women Create and other top publications, worked with some of the top industry brands as retail care manager, and I\u2019ve supported hundreds of retailers through coaching, speaking, my programs, and this podcast.  For more support from Wendy   Retailer\u2019s Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer\u2019s community Free resources for shop owners   Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy\u2019s current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!  Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your reviews help other retailers find my podcast, and they\u2019re also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select \u201cRatings and Reviews\u201d and \u201cWrite a Review\u201d and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you! ","author_name":"Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten","author_url":"https:\/\/wendybatten.com\/podcast\/","html":"