About this column
This is a story I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell.
Now’s the right time. Why? Because somebody asked me and caught me at a moment when I’m ready to get a little more real around here. We’ll call this somebody Nick {not his real name}. Nick’s an indie retailer with a brick and mortar store. He wrote this in the fill-in section of the survey I’m running right now: “Just tell me why THE BLISSFUL wasn’t your cup of tea anymore. Will I get burned out just at the time when I should be hitting my stride and making money??? I am too nosy to ask??? This is just something that has always stumped me as I have followed you from the start. My store is only 6 months old and it worries me that I will put all this effort in and not be here for the long haul. Thanks.”
Now that’s a blog post-worthy question.
Photo by Peter_Rivera courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
As some of you know, in February 2010, I closed my funky French-inspired lifestyle boutique, THE BLISSFUL, which was located here in my hometown of Canton, Ohio. We were lucky enough to have some national press over our four years and grew a blog readership and a customer base for our Online Boutique, through which we sold internationally {mostly nationally, though, as those international shipments were a chore to prepare!}.
The short answer as to why I closed: I was burnt out. And I needed a change with every fiber of my being. And I was ready to take a chance on my lifelong dream of being paid to write from home {and cafés}.
I surprised people by closing the store when I did, as for all intents and purposes, my shop was on the up and up. Who closes a business — closes, not sells — on an upswing? I do want to talk about that, mostly because I want to lend courage to other entrepreneurs who need it to make a tough decision.
Lenses I Was Looking At My Shop Through Around the Time I Decided To Close It {Total Honesty Here}
My Short Term Goals
No. 1 I always knew my shop would be around for a duration of 5 years. No more. In the beginning, I thought of it as a lifestyle experiment: I wanted to see if I could build a concept into a living, breathing business that would be meaningful to other people. {Note: while this sounds heady and esoteric and maybe kinda cool, this is not a good reason to start a business.} I knew I’d close the shop after five years unless it was such an earth-shattering financial success that it would be stupid to close it — as in, if at the five year mark I were rolling in six figures take home pay, taking two vacations a year, and had a staff to work the sales floor 90% of the time so that I could focus only {only!} on the buying, the marketing, the blogging, the photography, and be the face of the PR but not spend much time working in the store during shop hours. This was my ideal role as I envisioned it. Not for every shop owner, but it was for me. When I closed the shop, we’d just completed our 4th year and I was nowhere near this goal. I was still on the sales floor 90% of the time, plus doing the buying, the marketing, the blogging, the photography, and being the face of the PR. I took one short vacation a year {a gift from my boyfriend’s parents} — tethered to my cell phone during shop hours — and didn’t take an income from the business above and beyond simply funding basic existence: car, auto insurance, health insurance, prescriptions, basic self care. Starbucks was an indulgence I really couldn’t afford. I had staff to pay. Staff I desperately needed. And there was always another retail season to buy for, another event to buy food and beverage for, another ad to pay for.
No. 2 I wanted to get myself back. Entrepreneurship can be all-consuming, and a business with an open-to-the-public storefront where just anyone can walk through the door and demand your attention even more so. A high overhead business model like independent retail, even more so. A retail concept that appeals to customers who want a “luxury shopping experience” even more so. In four years, I’d gained a considerable amount of weight, could count on two hands the number of articles of clothing I’d purchased for myself {always and only out of necessity, as in, my jeans tore}, and hadn’t enjoyed a full holiday celebration with my family more than once. I would also say I short circuited a few friendships, only stayed awake past 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday nights under great duress, and had all but lost my short term memory. No, really. Ask my Shopgirls. What were their names again? {So kidding. Couldn’t have done it without you J, Z, L, A, and K.}
No. 3 The writing thing. Yeah, I couldn’t shake it. I wanted it. I wanted it so much more than I wanted my shop that the comparison was laughable. I missed having the stretches of time writers need to get stuff done, what’s referred to as butt-in-the-chair-time. About two years into my life as shopkeeper, I had a moment when I was really feeling my mortality. I asked myself, “When it’s time for me to leave this earth, what one thing will be really, really hard to accept not having done?” My answer was immediate and LOUD. Write a book. Claim ‘writer’ as my occupation. Get published beyond my own blog. This being an ‘impossibility’ wasn’t even on my radar. Just going for it with my whole heart would be enough. But with a behemoth of a business already on my hands, I knew it would remain a virtual impossibility {unless I forsook, you know, sleeping and eating}. And the idea of closing my store to pursue my writing wasn’t the least bit torturous. It sounded like such a relief, such a blessing.
My Long Term Realities
No. 1 The cash flow realities of a high overhead business model like specialty retail are not to be understated. Smart, comprehensive money talk around the indie retail scene is the hardest thing to come by. No one wants to divulge how their financials really shake out. So the education itself is nearly impossible to track down, and “traditional” methods of funding and budgeting for a generic small business don’t always work so well for retail. {You may not agree, but there we are.} I had no. flipping. clue. what it took to make the money work for a small shop when I got into the biz. Fortunately, I had someone on my team who had a clue, but for the most part we were operating on instinct and common sense: We made this much this week, so we can reinvest about this much. Figure we need this much for this three-inch stack of bills by the 21st. It was a highly uncomfortable way to operate, but I did the best I could. Eventually I got some experienced counsel in the realm of small shop financials and was happy to find out that what I’d been doing by instinct was pretty much “the way” of indie retail. And that the rest of making money depended on your merchandise mix, your market, the economic climate, and a bevy of other intangible factors. But that still didn’t get me out of the chokehold. You heard it here: making money in indie retail — real, you can-live-and-retire-fairly-comfortably-on-this-money — is hard. It sure as heck doesn’t happen by accident. The ones who make it look easy have deep pockets, private investors, or have been at the game a long time and know exactly how to play the cards, often sacrificing “vision” for what’s most profitable, or have lived and breathed retail their whole life and just get it from the inside out. I won’t pretend that money stress wasn’t a big factor in me wanting to jump out of retail and jump into something that just made more sense. {No pun intended.} My store’s sales per square foot were in the “you’re doing fine — actually pretty good!” range {one of the many “guideposts” by which people judge the financial health of a store}, but I found myself reinvesting at an alarming rate as our popularity grew, and paying good staff was a considerable part of it, too. I never built in a livable wage for myself, and the longer you go without doing that, the harder it becomes to add your own interests back into the equation.
No. 2 “Where is this all leading me?” I’m in my early thirties. Someday my {also entrepreneurial} guy and I will get married and start a family. We’d like to have four kids {seriously — but we’ll see what happens with that}. I’ve always thought I’d be a stay-at-home mom and make my living writing from home. Raising kids and transitioning to a new career can’t be easy. So I thought, why not get the writing-from-home part comfortably in place long before the kidlets are a reality? I never intended to lope into my shop with a baby carrier on my arm, much less ring up customers at the cash wrap while my baby cries in her Pack n’ Play in the back office. Not the life I want. I know not everyone has a skill set {like writing and coaching} that can lead to working from home, so I’m not judging here or suggesting that what feels right for me is the ideal way. But I’m clear on what I want and I’m not going to deny myself a chance to go for it.
No. 3 The “5 years and that’s it” reality. I was ready to get out after 4 years. I knew I’d be out in a year anyway. Why toil through that fifth year when the end result would be the same? The shop was going to close anyway. {The intended short-term lifecycle of THE BLISSFUL was never divulged to customers.}
My Inborn Personal Preferences
No. 1 This is a difficult point to admit because some of my former customers read this site, but if I’m going to be honest here and encourage you to be honest about your entrepreneurial desires, I have to go for it. Frontwomaning a store is too much face time with the world for me. Too much public interaction. Too much high impact interaction with strangers. Granted, many of those strangers become friends, people you enjoy seeing and have more or less personal conversations with. I still think about some of my customers every day! I’m lucky that many of my customers have allowed me to call them friends. But for the most part, I dislike talking to hundreds of people every week. Just choose not to do it. Because this is a free country and I get to choose. {So do you!}
No. 2 I needed more private, introspective, alone time. {I don’t yet have kids, so I still get this regularly.} Here’s the deal: we’re all programmed, on a DNA level, to need certain elements to feel okay. I’m not talking about liking Doritos or wanting to watch reruns of 24. I’m talking about how some people need generous doses of sunlight to feel normal. Or they need eight hours of sleep a night to function. These aren’t “nice to have’s”. These are needs. To stay sane. I need down time away from humanity. I need to go into my mental cocoon to find peace. I need this about once a day for about two hours. I didn’t get that regularly with the store. And that was incredibly painful. I knew that just closing the store would restore this area of my life and my soul to me.
So that, in a rather large nutshell, is why I left indie retail and closed my store forever. Yes, forever.
I recently had lunch with a friend who’s somewhat connected to the boutique industry. She has an enviable job writing for an online cooking and decor-oriented portal site. We hadn’t seen each other in years and I had to catch her up on why I left retail. She looked a bit puzzled when she asked, “So, retailers hire you to coach them when you didn’t want to have your own boutique?” I laughed and told her, “Yeah, I guess I’m the retail coach who hates retail.” She was quiet for one beat, then burst out laughing and said, “That’s actually pretty cool! You probably have a pretty objective perspective on the industry then.”
So let me clarify. I definitely don’t hate retail. I hate the way stuff is elevated in our society to such crazy importance. I hate the way traditional sales marketing techniques make me feel. I hate discounters who feed the desire of consumers to get the world for a song, thus devaluing the production of quality goods made with integrity by people trying to make an honest living and sustain their communities.
I love entrepreneurship. And I love a great business concept that wears a retail model. I love a business that creates a compelling experience for its customers.
And I know the boutique industry. I’ve had some pretty life-defining experiences there, good and bad. I can help indie retailers and artists get clear about what they want in the boutique industry and define the most efficient path for them to get there. I can help them avoid the common and not-so-common pitfalls of the industry. If you’re someone involved in the boutique industry and this is what you know you need right now, check out how I may be able to help.
And Nick, thanks for asking that great question. As every indie knows, you often don’t find the help you need until you ask.
In the comments, I’d love to hear from indie retailers. Can you identify with what I’ve shared here? Where do you think I’m off the mark in my estimation of what it takes to make it in this biz?
Indie designers and crafters, have you had similar experiences with growing your own business?
Passionate indie shoppers, what have I shared here that helped you see your local retailers in a new light?
Hello, you.
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
Love your honesty…and I am right there with you. I work so hard for a tiny bit of money. I love creating and now I need to start making money. I would love to start licensing some of my designs. I have begun contacting companies that license with artists so we will see. I would love to have licensing as a side biz and continue Mollyocddle as it is.
Abby you have a knack for creating niche businesses- so what you are doing is fantastic. Having lived the retail life makes you all the more credible. can’t wait tyo see you up on you tube.
Love your honesty…and I am right there with you. I work so hard for a tiny bit of money. I love creating and now I need to start making money. I would love to start licensing some of my designs. I have begun contacting companies that license with artists so we will see. I would love to have licensing as a side biz and continue Mollyocddle as it is.
Abby you have a knack for creating niche businesses- so what you are doing is fantastic. Having lived the retail life makes you all the more credible. can’t wait tyo see you up on you tube.
Thank you, Molly. I know you get this industry and what it takes, so your words of encouragement mean a lot. Honesty can be scary — and it’s for each of us to decide just how transparent to be in which areas — but for me, it’s time to give people no-bunk truth about being in business for yourself, especially as a specialty retailer. The fewer illusions we’re carrying around, the closer we get to creating a business that lets us sleep soundly at night. And most of us need more of that! :)
Thank you, Molly. I know you get this industry and what it takes, so your words of encouragement mean a lot. Honesty can be scary — and it’s for each of us to decide just how transparent to be in which areas — but for me, it’s time to give people no-bunk truth about being in business for yourself, especially as a specialty retailer. The fewer illusions we’re carrying around, the closer we get to creating a business that lets us sleep soundly at night. And most of us need more of that! :)
Abby this post really resonated with me. I opened my brick and mortar store about 4 years ago because I wanted to have a studio space to work in, and I thought a store would be a great way to fund it. Not so! Simply running the business took nearly all my time, my studio space was not private, and I had little time to pursue my real passions. I am a very shy, introspective person, and even though I could interact with my customers and give them great customer service, it was very draining to me. I like to be behind the scenes, but there simply wasn’t enough money to hire someone to work on the floor for me. I closed my store earlier this year, and it was the best choice for me.
I opened a booth at a local antique mall, and it’s just right! I can find all the cool vintage stuff, make displays, and then leave! The sales people at the store are a welcome buffer between me and the customer. I much prefer interacting with people through my blog and through workshops that I teach. But I’ll never regret the experience I gained through running my store, and the wonderful people that I met. Sounds like you feel the same!
Abby this post really resonated with me. I opened my brick and mortar store about 4 years ago because I wanted to have a studio space to work in, and I thought a store would be a great way to fund it. Not so! Simply running the business took nearly all my time, my studio space was not private, and I had little time to pursue my real passions. I am a very shy, introspective person, and even though I could interact with my customers and give them great customer service, it was very draining to me. I like to be behind the scenes, but there simply wasn’t enough money to hire someone to work on the floor for me. I closed my store earlier this year, and it was the best choice for me.
I opened a booth at a local antique mall, and it’s just right! I can find all the cool vintage stuff, make displays, and then leave! The sales people at the store are a welcome buffer between me and the customer. I much prefer interacting with people through my blog and through workshops that I teach. But I’ll never regret the experience I gained through running my store, and the wonderful people that I met. Sounds like you feel the same!
Hey, Kim —
I *definitely* feel the same. Glad to hear that closing your store was also a great choice for you. {I must admit, it slightly amuses me when starry-eyed wanna be shop owners/customers can’t imagine why you would EVER want to shut down your store. Probably because we make it look so magical and effortless from the outside!}
I tend to think that whether people can hang in there for *years* in retail comes down largely to personality. I suspect that many dyed-in-the-wool retailers are natural born “people people,” as in, they truly come alive in the presence of others, strangers or not. Either that or they are “doers” – – people who derive great satisfaction from the act of hands-on creation and getting things done, and they’re able to tune out distractions and interruptions or let them roll of their backs. OR {pop philosopher that I am} they have thick skin and truly don’t feel many slings and arrows. None of the above really describe me.
By the way, your blog design is beautiful! {Check it out, vintage lovers.}
— Abby
Hey, Kim —
I *definitely* feel the same. Glad to hear that closing your store was also a great choice for you. {I must admit, it slightly amuses me when starry-eyed wanna be shop owners/customers can’t imagine why you would EVER want to shut down your store. Probably because we make it look so magical and effortless from the outside!}
I tend to think that whether people can hang in there for *years* in retail comes down largely to personality. I suspect that many dyed-in-the-wool retailers are natural born “people people,” as in, they truly come alive in the presence of others, strangers or not. Either that or they are “doers” – – people who derive great satisfaction from the act of hands-on creation and getting things done, and they’re able to tune out distractions and interruptions or let them roll of their backs. OR {pop philosopher that I am} they have thick skin and truly don’t feel many slings and arrows. None of the above really describe me.
By the way, your blog design is beautiful! {Check it out, vintage lovers.}
— Abby
Hey Abby – we spoke (wrote) back and forth a few time on your old blog. Just wanted to touch base and say I love reading all you have to say. You honestly hit all right on the head of the nail when it comes to indie businesses! Since we’ve closed our store, we have FINALLY gotten our lives back, and our family back. And now as we continue with our Interior Design business I’ve also started up an online Market Place with some of our favorites from our store. A work in progress as I add and update. But do you have any tips, suggestions on getting our online Market Place out there. You were successful with selling online, any help??? We already do the whole sending out emails, but that can be overwhelming to the receiver…and how do you grasp those new people???
You’re inspirational – I Love It!!
-Chelsea
Hey Abby – we spoke (wrote) back and forth a few time on your old blog. Just wanted to touch base and say I love reading all you have to say. You honestly hit all right on the head of the nail when it comes to indie businesses! Since we’ve closed our store, we have FINALLY gotten our lives back, and our family back. And now as we continue with our Interior Design business I’ve also started up an online Market Place with some of our favorites from our store. A work in progress as I add and update. But do you have any tips, suggestions on getting our online Market Place out there. You were successful with selling online, any help??? We already do the whole sending out emails, but that can be overwhelming to the receiver…and how do you grasp those new people???
You’re inspirational – I Love It!!
-Chelsea
Thank you, Chelsea! Glad you came over from the old blog.
To help put things in perspective, our Online Boutique kept us busy enough but it *still* never accounted for more than 3% of our total monthly store revenues, and that was a banner month! Usually it was between 1-2%, if you can believe that. So while the Online Boutique certainly boosted our brand profile online and helped attract media attention, it wasn’t exactly a cash cow when you look at how much $$$$ it brought in relative to how much we sold in our B&M. Something to consider. I guess every shop owner would have a different take on whether it was actually “worth it.”
I love your suggestions/questions and will definitely be creating content around the issues of growing your prospective right people list and keeping them interested. Stay tuned! And thanks for speaking up.
— Abby
Thank you, Chelsea! Glad you came over from the old blog.
To help put things in perspective, our Online Boutique kept us busy enough but it *still* never accounted for more than 3% of our total monthly store revenues, and that was a banner month! Usually it was between 1-2%, if you can believe that. So while the Online Boutique certainly boosted our brand profile online and helped attract media attention, it wasn’t exactly a cash cow when you look at how much $$$$ it brought in relative to how much we sold in our B&M. Something to consider. I guess every shop owner would have a different take on whether it was actually “worth it.”
I love your suggestions/questions and will definitely be creating content around the issues of growing your prospective right people list and keeping them interested. Stay tuned! And thanks for speaking up.
— Abby
Thanks for writing this Abby! I worked in retail to support myself through art school, which included a couple homegrown Columbus boutiques. It made me hate people; not individuals but the general public. It’s funny how talented visionaries can devise a plan and bring it to life, but hate having to back it up in front of their customers. Others however, (forgive the cliche) can sell ice to Eskimos but lack the creativity and ingenuity to market their own ideas. I guess we need each other!
While my artistic entrepreneurship won’t begin for some time, I’ve been doing my research on independent business and it’s nice to be acquainted with someone who’s been there, done that and can speak honestly about it.
My sanity depends on my solitude as well. Customer service is a mental and emotional parasite when all you want to do is kick back with your notebook and a good cup of coffee.
Thanks for speaking so honestly! I adore your blog and enjoy your creative approach to business. I am now a loyal follower!
-g
Thanks for writing this Abby! I worked in retail to support myself through art school, which included a couple homegrown Columbus boutiques. It made me hate people; not individuals but the general public. It’s funny how talented visionaries can devise a plan and bring it to life, but hate having to back it up in front of their customers. Others however, (forgive the cliche) can sell ice to Eskimos but lack the creativity and ingenuity to market their own ideas. I guess we need each other!
While my artistic entrepreneurship won’t begin for some time, I’ve been doing my research on independent business and it’s nice to be acquainted with someone who’s been there, done that and can speak honestly about it.
My sanity depends on my solitude as well. Customer service is a mental and emotional parasite when all you want to do is kick back with your notebook and a good cup of coffee.
Thanks for speaking so honestly! I adore your blog and enjoy your creative approach to business. I am now a loyal follower!
-g
Hey, Gretchen! —
Isn’t it amazing how far our relationship has come? {I *have* to say this: I taught Gretchen way back once upon a time when she was in the 10th grade and I was her high school English teacher — *that* was what I did pre-boutique life. Now she’s a burgeoning fashion designer. OK, trip down memory lane over.}
Glad you connect with what I’m writing about here. I have a sneaking feeling that some of us who actually don’t LOVE customer service are actually the BEST at it, because since we might tend to be loners and more introspective, we more easily tap into what the customers’ true needs and desires are. And because we ourselves abhor the hard, hype-y sell, we understand their need for space and contemplation time. {Or maybe I’m just flattering myself?} In any case, I have a feeling you were great at serving the customers in those retail boutiques you worked in, whether you vibed off of it or not.
Looking forward to seeing how your entrepreneurial journey unfolds, Gretchen. Let me know how I can help!
— Abby
Hey, Gretchen! —
Isn’t it amazing how far our relationship has come? {I *have* to say this: I taught Gretchen way back once upon a time when she was in the 10th grade and I was her high school English teacher — *that* was what I did pre-boutique life. Now she’s a burgeoning fashion designer. OK, trip down memory lane over.}
Glad you connect with what I’m writing about here. I have a sneaking feeling that some of us who actually don’t LOVE customer service are actually the BEST at it, because since we might tend to be loners and more introspective, we more easily tap into what the customers’ true needs and desires are. And because we ourselves abhor the hard, hype-y sell, we understand their need for space and contemplation time. {Or maybe I’m just flattering myself?} In any case, I have a feeling you were great at serving the customers in those retail boutiques you worked in, whether you vibed off of it or not.
Looking forward to seeing how your entrepreneurial journey unfolds, Gretchen. Let me know how I can help!
— Abby
love your blog abby…..you always make me think….
heres my view from the harsh retail reality i face every day…….i love my store and most of my customers…….my store lets me be creative, putter around , explore my interests, be my own boss..but its not a hobby…it has to make money…i dont get doing something for years for minimum wage….or less….somebody has to pay the bills….i dont want to live in poverty…i want a car a house a new boat etc etc….and be my own boss…. a store can do that!!!!
its rough out here!!!! if you dont have what they want they want give you their money……i get bad reminders of that all the time…
love your blog abby…..you always make me think….
heres my view from the harsh retail reality i face every day…….i love my store and most of my customers…….my store lets me be creative, putter around , explore my interests, be my own boss..but its not a hobby…it has to make money…i dont get doing something for years for minimum wage….or less….somebody has to pay the bills….i dont want to live in poverty…i want a car a house a new boat etc etc….and be my own boss…. a store can do that!!!!
its rough out here!!!! if you dont have what they want they want give you their money……i get bad reminders of that all the time…
Thanks for the encouragement, Ann. You know I know you from my “past life” as a retailer, and you’ve always been upfront in the blogosphere about the fact that an indie retail store, when run the right way, CAN provide a total income for a family. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard you really break down your approach to small store financials. Since you are someone who is living the dream and providing for a household with your store, would you be willing to share some tips and secrets that you feel many small stores are missing out on?
In other words, from your experience, HOW can a new store — or one that’s been around for a while — make the money part work? What to avoid? What to do? And is there a formula you’ve figured out?
Thanks in advance for anything you can share. According to the survey I’m running, more than half of the people reading this blog are active, former, or aspiring retailers and I’m sure they’re all ears!
— Abby
Thanks for the encouragement, Ann. You know I know you from my “past life” as a retailer, and you’ve always been upfront in the blogosphere about the fact that an indie retail store, when run the right way, CAN provide a total income for a family. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard you really break down your approach to small store financials. Since you are someone who is living the dream and providing for a household with your store, would you be willing to share some tips and secrets that you feel many small stores are missing out on?
In other words, from your experience, HOW can a new store — or one that’s been around for a while — make the money part work? What to avoid? What to do? And is there a formula you’ve figured out?
Thanks in advance for anything you can share. According to the survey I’m running, more than half of the people reading this blog are active, former, or aspiring retailers and I’m sure they’re all ears!
— Abby
thanks abby….my main ideas are on my wonky store talk blog right now…. http://www.greenoakshoptalk.blogspot.com
the bad thing is i dont think you have much of a chance to make a living till you have at least 100k of good fast turning inventory..so the first years are going to be tough for about anyone…for us at the start, we had a great fast turning product and grew fast and organically,we were antique pickers and sold wholesale and had buyers waiting ,and our inventory grew fast…we put most of the money back in and lived very cheap….,,,,no bank loans, .and i had learned the hard way to pay attention to the market, we had a store close up just before we started green oak so i knew how bad/cruel the market is…. i watched my customers so well and w orked hard to find what they liked…i worried about me getting/understanding them not them getting me…..then, like now,if they dont buy something i feel like i picked the wrong thing….
now we sell almost all retail and mostly new or what we design or rehabb….
i know lots of stores and most dont make it..i like to copy the ones who are making it….and sadly i dont know very many with just gifts…most have a good thing on the side…like decorating, rehabbing like we do, giving lessons, a huge department for birdwatchers, etc… something to add to the gift/boutique idea….
i see a lot of people doing shows or mall booths for a while to see the market and how and if they can fit in….before they jump into the serious situation of brick and mortar….that seems really smart….
i hardly know anyone making money on line…except itty biz!!!! isnt she great…?
in a way i think going in with a big backer is kind of bad because if you dont have to pay yourself you can be a lot sloppier in your business decisions…..we always had to pay ourselves…also im not a woman alone…my dh is with me..he worked for about 2 yrs while the business grew enough to support us….he does all the books, mechanics, and financials….i do the buying and most of the actual store stuff…the store was my idea …
i use the internet a lot…3 blogs, facebook and our website…all of it works together….mostly trying to make the store a big destination for the readers..we dont sell online.. i want it to look so tempting that if someone is into my view of the world they would want to come see me…. our store is big and full of great things…stuff my RIGHT PERSON would drive hours to see…
i see my buyers as adventurous , upscale, and not cheap but not throwing away money either…. i aim at homeowners and my favorite;;;store owners in richer areas, who can buy my things and make money……..i love art but its not a real big part of our store…it does add some zest tho….
i love business and hope this is interesting to some out there…
my future interests might include ebooks.. 2 ideas im considering are 1..on keeping a store viable or 2. rehabbing furniture…and i would definitely need a copywrtiter!!!
cheers abby…
thanks abby….my main ideas are on my wonky store talk blog right now…. http://www.greenoakshoptalk.blogspot.com
the bad thing is i dont think you have much of a chance to make a living till you have at least 100k of good fast turning inventory..so the first years are going to be tough for about anyone…for us at the start, we had a great fast turning product and grew fast and organically,we were antique pickers and sold wholesale and had buyers waiting ,and our inventory grew fast…we put most of the money back in and lived very cheap….,,,,no bank loans, .and i had learned the hard way to pay attention to the market, we had a store close up just before we started green oak so i knew how bad/cruel the market is…. i watched my customers so well and w orked hard to find what they liked…i worried about me getting/understanding them not them getting me…..then, like now,if they dont buy something i feel like i picked the wrong thing….
now we sell almost all retail and mostly new or what we design or rehabb….
i know lots of stores and most dont make it..i like to copy the ones who are making it….and sadly i dont know very many with just gifts…most have a good thing on the side…like decorating, rehabbing like we do, giving lessons, a huge department for birdwatchers, etc… something to add to the gift/boutique idea….
i see a lot of people doing shows or mall booths for a while to see the market and how and if they can fit in….before they jump into the serious situation of brick and mortar….that seems really smart….
i hardly know anyone making money on line…except itty biz!!!! isnt she great…?
in a way i think going in with a big backer is kind of bad because if you dont have to pay yourself you can be a lot sloppier in your business decisions…..we always had to pay ourselves…also im not a woman alone…my dh is with me..he worked for about 2 yrs while the business grew enough to support us….he does all the books, mechanics, and financials….i do the buying and most of the actual store stuff…the store was my idea …
i use the internet a lot…3 blogs, facebook and our website…all of it works together….mostly trying to make the store a big destination for the readers..we dont sell online.. i want it to look so tempting that if someone is into my view of the world they would want to come see me…. our store is big and full of great things…stuff my RIGHT PERSON would drive hours to see…
i see my buyers as adventurous , upscale, and not cheap but not throwing away money either…. i aim at homeowners and my favorite;;;store owners in richer areas, who can buy my things and make money……..i love art but its not a real big part of our store…it does add some zest tho….
i love business and hope this is interesting to some out there…
my future interests might include ebooks.. 2 ideas im considering are 1..on keeping a store viable or 2. rehabbing furniture…and i would definitely need a copywrtiter!!!
cheers abby…
i think most of us wanted to be you abby…all that great PR and that beautiful store…who wouldn’t, right? i have always had the dream of a artsy/antiquey/studio/gallery space…but i can’t even manage to run a booth at an art show for a weekend!!! i feel like i am in prison…ball and chain kind of prison…
i looked and looked and looked for a partner who would be the front while i did the fun stuff..shopping and painting…blissful indeed and oh so non-reality based!!!
i am better at home, working when i want…and letting someone else worry!!
i think most of us wanted to be you abby…all that great PR and that beautiful store…who wouldn’t, right? i have always had the dream of a artsy/antiquey/studio/gallery space…but i can’t even manage to run a booth at an art show for a weekend!!! i feel like i am in prison…ball and chain kind of prison…
i looked and looked and looked for a partner who would be the front while i did the fun stuff..shopping and painting…blissful indeed and oh so non-reality based!!!
i am better at home, working when i want…and letting someone else worry!!
@Ann — Thanks for your input and for sharing your story. Your comment is packed with ideas that retailers can unpack and see what works for them. I think just getting down to brass tacks when we talk about the financials is extremely helpful, as that’s one area of this biz that’s still very much under wraps.
There’s one thing you said that I’d encourage you to investigate further: there are LOTS of people –thousand upon thousands of them — making a GOOD living online that exceeds what they could make in corporate America and affords them a lifestyle that is much more relaxed and location independent than a traditional brick and mortar or local service-based business would be. Yes, Naomi Dunford from IttyBiz is one of them and one to look up to. But she is NOT alone. I hope to be telling you my own story of going from zero to six figures within two years time! I see evidence all around me that this is not just a pipe dream. And like I said way back in my first post on this site, I’m taking people with me, so hang on for the ride!
@Rebecca — It’s good that you know yourself and that you know where your limitations are. One thing I’ve learned through my biz life so far is that if you stay in the realm of your natural strengths and gifts, you’ll fly higher and go farther than you ever thought possible. Push too far outside of what you naturally love and excel at and you’re going to get very uncomfortable — and resentful — very fast. Don’t read this the wrong way, but having a popular shop in a mid-size town without a lot of other indie retail gave me a *teeny tiny taste* of how celebrities must feel. On the outside, everything looks great. People look at you and think how much fun your life must be. But on the inside, you might be feeling like Lindsay Lohan. Or it’s kind of like how we assume gorgeous people must have happy marriages. But Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston couldn’t keep it together. Gorgeous life/gorgeous business image does NOT equal happiness, financial success, stability, or inner peace.
And that’s the LAST time I’ll compare *anything* about my life to a celebrity’s!
@Ann — Thanks for your input and for sharing your story. Your comment is packed with ideas that retailers can unpack and see what works for them. I think just getting down to brass tacks when we talk about the financials is extremely helpful, as that’s one area of this biz that’s still very much under wraps.
There’s one thing you said that I’d encourage you to investigate further: there are LOTS of people –thousand upon thousands of them — making a GOOD living online that exceeds what they could make in corporate America and affords them a lifestyle that is much more relaxed and location independent than a traditional brick and mortar or local service-based business would be. Yes, Naomi Dunford from IttyBiz is one of them and one to look up to. But she is NOT alone. I hope to be telling you my own story of going from zero to six figures within two years time! I see evidence all around me that this is not just a pipe dream. And like I said way back in my first post on this site, I’m taking people with me, so hang on for the ride!
@Rebecca — It’s good that you know yourself and that you know where your limitations are. One thing I’ve learned through my biz life so far is that if you stay in the realm of your natural strengths and gifts, you’ll fly higher and go farther than you ever thought possible. Push too far outside of what you naturally love and excel at and you’re going to get very uncomfortable — and resentful — very fast. Don’t read this the wrong way, but having a popular shop in a mid-size town without a lot of other indie retail gave me a *teeny tiny taste* of how celebrities must feel. On the outside, everything looks great. People look at you and think how much fun your life must be. But on the inside, you might be feeling like Lindsay Lohan. Or it’s kind of like how we assume gorgeous people must have happy marriages. But Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston couldn’t keep it together. Gorgeous life/gorgeous business image does NOT equal happiness, financial success, stability, or inner peace.
And that’s the LAST time I’ll compare *anything* about my life to a celebrity’s!
Hi Abby,
Great post! Very thought-provoking and inspirational! I’m not an indie retailer, but I’m feeling the same way about my current (life-consuming) day job. I’m in the process of following my dream to become an indie jewelry designer. Your post really gave me the “push” I needed today.
Love your site – you’re a fabulous writer!
Hi Abby,
Great post! Very thought-provoking and inspirational! I’m not an indie retailer, but I’m feeling the same way about my current (life-consuming) day job. I’m in the process of following my dream to become an indie jewelry designer. Your post really gave me the “push” I needed today.
Love your site – you’re a fabulous writer!
Cool post. I guess I am trying to be an independent retailer online, but really this is not my true desire. What I am in fact doing is learning the ropes to what users have to go through, when creating a product and marketing it online. I in fact want to create an online retail store for others and with the very points you dislike, such as retailers, discounting their prices to compete. I really despise that as well, and I am hoping to create something that doesn’t encourage this kind of mentality. I think artists/crafters/designers, need to get paid fairly and not lower their numbers to compete, the only way that we can do that, is to encourage change by creating new outlets that lead by example:)
Thought provoking posts :)
Cool post. I guess I am trying to be an independent retailer online, but really this is not my true desire. What I am in fact doing is learning the ropes to what users have to go through, when creating a product and marketing it online. I in fact want to create an online retail store for others and with the very points you dislike, such as retailers, discounting their prices to compete. I really despise that as well, and I am hoping to create something that doesn’t encourage this kind of mentality. I think artists/crafters/designers, need to get paid fairly and not lower their numbers to compete, the only way that we can do that, is to encourage change by creating new outlets that lead by example:)
Thought provoking posts :)
Oh boy. That caused a little tear to spring up in my eye and drip down my cheek (since we’re all being honest here). I’ve been at the indie retail business for 12 years now, and I don’t know where it went, how we did it, or (barely) who I am anymore. Yesterday I walked into the shop after one glorious day off (perhaps the only one this summer?!) and promptly put my handbag in the refrigerator. I’m having far too many of these “duh” moments.
The financials just don’t seem to pencil out, no matter what you do (ah, unless perhaps you bought your shop’s property back in 1968, your mother and daughter are willing to work for nearly free, and you’re financing your merchandise buys with lottery winnings – oh, right, and you have an unerring instinct for what the majority of people want to buy, not an unerring instinct for what is quirky and charming and interesting… or did you already say that and I’m just echoing this little truism?). I have this anxiety dream in which I’m trying to explain to someone how the buying and selling works: I have these little rocks that I push around sort of like an abacus, from the ‘buy’ pile to the ‘sell’ pile (buy two, sell one; buy two more, sell one, one gets stolen; buy four more, sell two) – the profit side never really materializes. Yes, we’re sort of managing to pay our basic living expenses – but not really. There’s certainly not a penny left for anything else. Eating out? Ha ha. Health care? Head in the sand. Retirement? What’s that? I’m jealous of the mail carrier who came to our shop the other day – maybe just a teeny bit older than I am – just retired and out there puttering in her garden and enjoying life.
Back 5 or so years ago, when we were rocking & rolling with two shops, the revenues were impressive. Yet our little monsters ate everything up as fast as we made it. More buying, more staff, more expenses, more overhead, more headaches. More everything.
True, the being “on” all the time can be exhausting. I need toothpicks anymore to prop up my smile every time someone feels the need to explain in detail the color of every appliance in their kitchen, and why our little butter dish will/will not go with what they have.
But, we go on, just because. I do really LOVE parts of being a retailer, but can we continue like this? I’ve been thinking hard about what else we (the hubby and I) could do to make a living, what other skills we could dust off and make use of. Go back to the corporate world? Get a job at Costco, work hard, but not bring work home with us? Well, didn’t want to make this a big whine or sour grapes, but you hit a nerve with your story, and I appreciate your honesty about it. The good news: I can see us becoming a client of yours – even if in just a small way – just to get a fresh perspective and tweak up some of the things we may be doing via auto-pilot. Thanks for all the insight!
Oh boy. That caused a little tear to spring up in my eye and drip down my cheek (since we’re all being honest here). I’ve been at the indie retail business for 12 years now, and I don’t know where it went, how we did it, or (barely) who I am anymore. Yesterday I walked into the shop after one glorious day off (perhaps the only one this summer?!) and promptly put my handbag in the refrigerator. I’m having far too many of these “duh” moments.
The financials just don’t seem to pencil out, no matter what you do (ah, unless perhaps you bought your shop’s property back in 1968, your mother and daughter are willing to work for nearly free, and you’re financing your merchandise buys with lottery winnings – oh, right, and you have an unerring instinct for what the majority of people want to buy, not an unerring instinct for what is quirky and charming and interesting… or did you already say that and I’m just echoing this little truism?). I have this anxiety dream in which I’m trying to explain to someone how the buying and selling works: I have these little rocks that I push around sort of like an abacus, from the ‘buy’ pile to the ‘sell’ pile (buy two, sell one; buy two more, sell one, one gets stolen; buy four more, sell two) – the profit side never really materializes. Yes, we’re sort of managing to pay our basic living expenses – but not really. There’s certainly not a penny left for anything else. Eating out? Ha ha. Health care? Head in the sand. Retirement? What’s that? I’m jealous of the mail carrier who came to our shop the other day – maybe just a teeny bit older than I am – just retired and out there puttering in her garden and enjoying life.
Back 5 or so years ago, when we were rocking & rolling with two shops, the revenues were impressive. Yet our little monsters ate everything up as fast as we made it. More buying, more staff, more expenses, more overhead, more headaches. More everything.
True, the being “on” all the time can be exhausting. I need toothpicks anymore to prop up my smile every time someone feels the need to explain in detail the color of every appliance in their kitchen, and why our little butter dish will/will not go with what they have.
But, we go on, just because. I do really LOVE parts of being a retailer, but can we continue like this? I’ve been thinking hard about what else we (the hubby and I) could do to make a living, what other skills we could dust off and make use of. Go back to the corporate world? Get a job at Costco, work hard, but not bring work home with us? Well, didn’t want to make this a big whine or sour grapes, but you hit a nerve with your story, and I appreciate your honesty about it. The good news: I can see us becoming a client of yours – even if in just a small way – just to get a fresh perspective and tweak up some of the things we may be doing via auto-pilot. Thanks for all the insight!
@Shandy — I’m glad to know that my story gave you the push you were needing. Thanks for being here and keep me posted on your progress!
@Girl Startup — I think you’ve got the right idea here: “I think artists/crafters/designers, need to get paid fairly and not lower their numbers to compete, the only way that we can do that, is to encourage change by creating new outlets that lead by example:)” I’m excited to see what you do with this mission of yours. Sounds like something that’s right up my alley!
@Jan — Oh, Jan, I hope you know I *feel* every word that you’ve written. I am always amazed by the stories of seemingly full-of-pep retailers who DON’T feel bedraggled by their choice of profession, as I now see that there are more of US {as in, you and me} than there are of THEM. {And all are welcome here.} Behind most beautiful, well curated, and PR-happy store, there is usually a harebrained, worn out woman or man who feels a lot less THEM they than once did. Retail just *takes* a lot out of us. I suppose there are rewards, too, or else *no one* would choose to open a shop. But for me, the scales were never weighted in the direction of rewards over risks/regrets.
I had to laugh at your character description of the retailer who’s making it work: bought their property in 1968, have a mother and a daughter who work for free, etc.. How funny and how true! {In my observation, it’s the lifelong, never-knew-anything-different retailers who are the happiest.} And I almost cried when you reminded me of the customer who insists on describing every detail of her interior furnishings. Ack! I’ve heard way too many of those, too!
So I have empathy for you. And would love to help you develop some strategies that could make this retail picture look more the way you want it to. One thing I know: it’s never EASY. And it’s always an ongoing experiment. But you know that. :)
@Shandy — I’m glad to know that my story gave you the push you were needing. Thanks for being here and keep me posted on your progress!
@Girl Startup — I think you’ve got the right idea here: “I think artists/crafters/designers, need to get paid fairly and not lower their numbers to compete, the only way that we can do that, is to encourage change by creating new outlets that lead by example:)” I’m excited to see what you do with this mission of yours. Sounds like something that’s right up my alley!
@Jan — Oh, Jan, I hope you know I *feel* every word that you’ve written. I am always amazed by the stories of seemingly full-of-pep retailers who DON’T feel bedraggled by their choice of profession, as I now see that there are more of US {as in, you and me} than there are of THEM. {And all are welcome here.} Behind most beautiful, well curated, and PR-happy store, there is usually a harebrained, worn out woman or man who feels a lot less THEM they than once did. Retail just *takes* a lot out of us. I suppose there are rewards, too, or else *no one* would choose to open a shop. But for me, the scales were never weighted in the direction of rewards over risks/regrets.
I had to laugh at your character description of the retailer who’s making it work: bought their property in 1968, have a mother and a daughter who work for free, etc.. How funny and how true! {In my observation, it’s the lifelong, never-knew-anything-different retailers who are the happiest.} And I almost cried when you reminded me of the customer who insists on describing every detail of her interior furnishings. Ack! I’ve heard way too many of those, too!
So I have empathy for you. And would love to help you develop some strategies that could make this retail picture look more the way you want it to. One thing I know: it’s never EASY. And it’s always an ongoing experiment. But you know that. :)
Just had a few moments to call my own and read every word on your amazing blog and was so happy to ” catch up” with your reasoning behind the end of the BLISSFUL. Your store was truely wonderful BUT I always thought your writing ability was your REAL God- given talent . Perhaps that is why I am so lagging in putting out a WEB site and posting on the store’s facebook page. YOU are the standard I set myself up to follow but I know I will fall short. Now when it comes to decorating a new home…reinventing an old home so the owners fall in love all over again or just finding the perfect artwork for an empty space…that’s MY comfort zone. Sooooooo here’s another question from your nosy friend to the east . How do I get the message out, how do I communicate with the masses using my voice when that’s not where my talents lie. In fact , how do I do all the jobs this business requires when I can’t afford experts BUT want perfection???
Hi, Sandy —
Ooh, more great questions for me to dig into. You can call them nosy if you want to, but I think it’s smart to ask questions of people who are willing to share information. :)
You asked: How do I get the message out, how do I communicate with the masses using my voice when that’s not where my talents lie?
The simple answer: you don’t have to communicate with the masses. You only need to talk to your right people. The rest will fall away, not get it, and not care, and that’s okay. Your right people can give you all the business you need to thrive. So first, you need faith to believe that that’s even true! {Many biz owners don’t and spend too much time on a mission trying to “convert” non-right people into spending customers. Waste of time and very bruising to the old ego! Like me! Like me! Notice me! Give me money!}
Second, if you don’t feel talented in the area of communications and copy, you have three options and only three options. You will never have more than these three options, so wrap your mind around that and pick one: :)
1} Get okay with the fact that your copy is not the best and you’re not in love with your voice. Work with what you have and let it be good enough. Create blog content that is not text-centric. Are you good on camera? Try video posts!
2} Study the craft you wish to improve. Read the tons of free blogs out there that teach biz owners how to write better copy and market themselves more effectively {including mine}. Read any of Natalie Goldberg’s books on the craft of writing {she’ll help you develop your voice}. Immerse yourself in books, mags, and blogs that you love and that you feel “speak” to you and try to emulate their voices. If they’re not a direct competitor in your niche, then you’re OK. No one will draw the parallel if you’re emulating their voice — just DON’T “borrow” their phraseologie {that, as we all know, is plagiarism, and is highly discoverable as search engines pick up on duplicate copy like crazy}.
3} Decide on a time when you WILL invest in professional help. In my experience, hiring out the parts of the biz that don’t come naturally to me are never regretful experiences. For instance, I am not a graphic designer. I would never attempt to design my own logo or site design because it wouldn’t live up to my *own* aesthetic standards. So I invest in that. Also, I’m not a natural stylist. My mom did 97% of the styling and display design in my store. I can buy, market, write, conceptualize, and handle the customer service and all the adminstrative stuff, but I cannot create displays. So I never touched that part. The store would not have looked the way it did were it not for my mom. I accepted it early and never fought it.
Your follow-up question was, In fact , how do I do all the jobs this business requires when I can’t afford experts BUT want perfection???
My answer: you just can’t. There will never be a time when everything feels perfect, looks perfect, and is deemed perfect by all who behold it. Frustrating, but true. And trying to do everything well when you’re not naturally gifted and adept at everything only leads to frustration, loose ends, and burnout. Any one person can only excel at so much. No shame in that game.
And I would counter the idea that you can’t afford experts. There’s always the option to forgo a reorder of something to hire someone to help you with an aching need. We tend to spend money where we believe it’s most valuable and will yield the greatest payoffs.
Hope my perspectives provide the shake-up you need!
— Abby
Hi, Sandy —
Ooh, more great questions for me to dig into. You can call them nosy if you want to, but I think it’s smart to ask questions of people who are willing to share information. :)
You asked: How do I get the message out, how do I communicate with the masses using my voice when that’s not where my talents lie?
The simple answer: you don’t have to communicate with the masses. You only need to talk to your right people. The rest will fall away, not get it, and not care, and that’s okay. Your right people can give you all the business you need to thrive. So first, you need faith to believe that that’s even true! {Many biz owners don’t and spend too much time on a mission trying to “convert” non-right people into spending customers. Waste of time and very bruising to the old ego! Like me! Like me! Notice me! Give me money!}
Second, if you don’t feel talented in the area of communications and copy, you have three options and only three options. You will never have more than these three options, so wrap your mind around that and pick one: :)
1} Get okay with the fact that your copy is not the best and you’re not in love with your voice. Work with what you have and let it be good enough. Create blog content that is not text-centric. Are you good on camera? Try video posts!
2} Study the craft you wish to improve. Read the tons of free blogs out there that teach biz owners how to write better copy and market themselves more effectively {including mine}. Read any of Natalie Goldberg’s books on the craft of writing {she’ll help you develop your voice}. Immerse yourself in books, mags, and blogs that you love and that you feel “speak” to you and try to emulate their voices. If they’re not a direct competitor in your niche, then you’re OK. No one will draw the parallel if you’re emulating their voice — just DON’T “borrow” their phraseologie {that, as we all know, is plagiarism, and is highly discoverable as search engines pick up on duplicate copy like crazy}.
3} Decide on a time when you WILL invest in professional help. In my experience, hiring out the parts of the biz that don’t come naturally to me are never regretful experiences. For instance, I am not a graphic designer. I would never attempt to design my own logo or site design because it wouldn’t live up to my *own* aesthetic standards. So I invest in that. Also, I’m not a natural stylist. My mom did 97% of the styling and display design in my store. I can buy, market, write, conceptualize, and handle the customer service and all the adminstrative stuff, but I cannot create displays. So I never touched that part. The store would not have looked the way it did were it not for my mom. I accepted it early and never fought it.
Your follow-up question was, In fact , how do I do all the jobs this business requires when I can’t afford experts BUT want perfection???
My answer: you just can’t. There will never be a time when everything feels perfect, looks perfect, and is deemed perfect by all who behold it. Frustrating, but true. And trying to do everything well when you’re not naturally gifted and adept at everything only leads to frustration, loose ends, and burnout. Any one person can only excel at so much. No shame in that game.
And I would counter the idea that you can’t afford experts. There’s always the option to forgo a reorder of something to hire someone to help you with an aching need. We tend to spend money where we believe it’s most valuable and will yield the greatest payoffs.
Hope my perspectives provide the shake-up you need!
— Abby
you can find me: http://www.almontsbest.com, http://www.humblefinds.com and http://www.etsy/shop/saffroncoloredpony.com
I am deliriously happy that my daughter, Jennifer , sent me your link. Mucho grande information. I’ve been running my “hobby” for 20 years this year. Burn out is an understatement. Started out as a resale shop, morphed into an antique mall, then took some time off and rented my building out. Then came back and sold antiques, shabby goods on my own. Six years ago, added an espresso bar to the mix (we have a licensed kitchen) I need someone to slap me! I’m tired, overweight, and always stressed. Many of your reasons for closing your shop mirror my own times 20! Hippie mom that I am, I nursed my then nine month old daughter at the counter. Can you say OMG! It mortify s me today.
The plus side is that I have a historical property in which I run my business that I love, love, love. I want to be creative, i like to make things. I’ve upcycled and recycled my entire life. I want to work, doing more of what I love instead of working to pay the bills.What would be a way to transition, plus I need an identity that communicates what i’m all about.
Thank you for all your time and lovely efforts .
“I hate the way stuff is elevated in our society to such crazy importance. I hate the way traditional sales marketing techniques make me feel. I hate discounters who feed the desire of consumers to get the world for a song, thus devaluing the production of quality goods made with integrity by people trying to make an honest living and sustain their communities.”
…Abbey, so can relate-it is true in most industires. I was in the restaurant biz -and as Stark Co. was always a steelworker meats & potato coupon community, it became more so as things have evolved in the county and in the nation– and tough for the local quality business to prosper. We could compete on many levels and did well, but in the end it is what you can bring home for the 70 hours you work and what is at home when you have changed it so drastically. Hard to discount fresh food food and labor costs, when many are satified with less. My best to you!
Hi, Pam. Thanks for sharing your experience. As much fondness as I have for my home county, you have pegged Stark County perfectly! {Curious about what business you had.}
A gift card with a couple of dollars left on it, for example, can be used to pay a little off a $40 retail game or for several Kongregate games. …
What’s the state of indie record labels, now? Have you really had to change your business model? You have to, because any time things are bad for the major
Coker adds that the 60-80% earnings from the retail price of their books “has caused many traditionally published authors to go indie.
I’m not finished read this yet, but it’s so fabulous ‘n I’ll back again when I was finished my job :D
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as we used our left hands in synchronized arcs to point east. … 2011 8:39 pm I just want to comment that I really like the rollover feature. …
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specifies a “retail” or “digital” release. That’s what indie
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Indie kiosk operators share rental revenue with the retail operator in … Rental prices are left up to the owners and typically follow market patterns. …
Totally late on this post, but wanted to take a moment to say I really enjoyed reading it. As someone who used to work as a retail manager for an indie boutique, I can relate to A LOT of what was said. I was there 40 hours a week and was basically entrusted with taking care of running the store in its entirety. For much of my time there, the owners were involved very minimally. Beautiful people, loved what they were selling, but had NO idea what they were in for when they opened the shop.
I’ve since learned the “right way” to do something is to first find a legitimate need in the market. I genuinely believed if they would have done some research upfront they would have learned how to tweak their original products to meet what people were REALLY wanting. I could go on and on lol. It was definitely a great learning experience.
Hey, Lauren! —
Thanks for commenting on this vintage post. ;)
I think it’s SO true that many first-time retailers get into the biz without having a clue what it really entails. A strong, savvy, experienced manager-type {such as it sounds like you were} can really make or break the biz when the owner is on her own learning curve.
And I agree with you: identifying a legitimate need in the market FIRST is the way to go about business. Otherwise, it’s just blowing bubbles into the air. :)
Abby,
What you’ve shared is a LIFE lesson, NO matter what “industry” you’re in. I am an Artisan. I make the BEST Mexican Wedding Cakes in the City–wherever that city might be ‘). So good, that MANY of my customers (I only sell local) call them crack–yep, they’re addictive like THAT.
I have operated primarily at local farmers markets for the past four years; but established the “business” in 2007. Loooooooooong story short, I want my VERY time-consuming preparing for market day(s) time back to do what I’ve been dodging; going back to school to obtain my juris prudence so that I can advocate for and serve persons who live with a mental illness. That, and acting-up! I love performing on stage. Thank you.