BadBoyOfBeading
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Feb 5, 2005, 7:41 AM
Post #1 of 1
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Opening a beadshop #3
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I'm posting this here, since it was deleted from about.com, in the hosts hissy fit over her forum -- "IT'S MY FORUM" <sigh> <groan>. Why????
I'd like the time I put into the responses to count for something. Deleting someone's posts because you don't like them is really rude,
and simply censorship at its worst.
This is one of a few messages on running/opening a beadshop
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Good planning can make operating a shop easier, but no one can really understand it it til they try. Setting up a regular booth at a flea market or crafts fair can give you some understanding of both the problems, and the pleasures of repeat customers.
Working alone is a problem -- especially for women. We're easy marks for robbery and snatch and grabs. If you turn your back to deal with one customer, another may be pocketing something.
Perhaps the best suggestion is to not do it alone, but to find a partner with the same goals and motivations, but different talents. Even better if you like doing the books, but they like ordering, or you like moving and cleaning the shelves to get to know the beads again, but they are more interested in vacuming or cleaning the cases. Some things have to be divided up, but you then have two pair of eyes, looking in opposite directions. The ability to take an afternoon or day off, go to the doctor, or other errand.
After a few months, you will really miss being able to go grocery shopping, and eat a planned out dinner.
Running a business is a committment, and then, on top of it, you have the same people who say "Great" "We want a bead shop" now saying "Her prices are too high, you can order on-line from _____"
Maybe that is why so many shops run classes. It's the only thing they can offer that on-line can't, and it encourages people to shop in the store for the materials. But that is a _sad_ statement if it's really true.
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