Thirteen Years
Wowzers! It has been thirteen years since I began the adventure into the world of small business!
This past weekend, to be exact, was my first debut. An outdoor festival, the one and only outdoor booth I ever did! Hahaha! We moved to indoor booths from then on. I have experienced highs and lows, defeat and success. It hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies, but it has been a learning and growing process that has brought me to today. For that I am extremely grateful.
So how about I pass along some lessons learned in the retail business (which can also be applied to a lot of life):
- Quality vs. Quantity: Don’t be fooled! Boutique quality vs. Big Box store quality is a very real thing! The price difference isn’t just because the big box stores can buy more in bulk. Nine times out of ten, the quality is no where close to each other. Example: Muslin blankets- compare the thread count in tiny print- Target vs. your favorite mom and pop shop! I constantly received the question, “Why are your muslin items more expensive than ______(fill in the blank big box store)?” And then one day I had a customer come to my booth, her child had the same brand muslin lovie blanket, and asked, “Why does the lovies I buy from stores like yours always last longer?” I wanted to shout it out to the world! 😊 Bottom line: It comes down to what you need and how long you want it to last.
- Ninety-nine percent of the time the customer is always right! The customer is the one who chooses to return or not. So you get to choose whether it’s worth it to lose them or have them return. The other side of this is you can’t allow them to use you or tear your business apart. Be reasonable. Level-headed. Compromise will be needed. Let them “win” when need be!
- Know you customers! I have lost sales and I have gained sales, but the important thing is your customers are more important than a sale! Let me explain. I did a lot of weekend shows, so the majority of my customers I only got to know for a moment. However, many of my products sparked a story in them that they needed to share. These customers made Indeed! what it is. These customers made every single drop of sweat and tears worth it. This is the heart of Indeed! So if you miss selling something for the sake of listening, listening is way more important!
- Know your products and why YOU sell it! Be passionate about what you carry! Otherwise there is no use! Know the story behind the company, the product, why you sell it, and who you want to sell it to!
- Color makes all the difference! Splash it everywhere!
- Make you space inviting, floor to ceiling! From the lighting to the corners to the floor covering to the details in the displays!
- Welcome your customers in with order, not chaos. Chaotic space turns people away, order welcomes them in. Displays that are floor level, keep them tidy, nobody likes tripping.
- Find products that your customer base are interested in, that they request, and will want to return for. It’s good to have a few core products that remain the same, that customers can call you and know you will have in stock.
- Be okay with making mistakes, most importantly LEARN from them! Especially in retail, you will make mistakes in purchasing, I made a lot! But take it, swallow it, discount it or donate, and move to the next thing.
- Okay this is a lesson and a big pet peeve: Don’t ask to take a picture or worse, just assume you can take a picture. Here’s why: Most small shops are trying to support themselves or other individual small businesses. So when you take a picture, so you can “make it yourself,” or “find it cheaper,” you are hurting small business, possibly multiple small businesses. So if you want to try to make it that bad or find it cheaper – take a real good mental picture, please!
Just a bonus hint: A lot of times at these shows, our inventory/breakroom is behind the curtains, so we can hear ALL the comments made- hints the last lesson. I could write a book on what’s said and heard behind the curtain😂
I would love to share some of my favorite companies that offer quality (some that I carried and some I have discovered since):
https://modernburlap.com Scripture Swaddles and Rompers ❤️
https://scripture-lullabies.com
https://www.instagram.com/thehopedeck/?hl=en
https://littleunicorn.com (I sold a different muslin line – but this is my new favorite! And was my little girl’s favorite too! Especially the bandana bibs 😊)
https://notsoplainjane.com Clinging Cross! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
There are so many companies and products I could share, but this is a start 😊
Life Book of the Week: Miss Moore thought Otherwise, by Jan Pinborough
