Opening a shop.
It was an accident really. Had no intention of doing such. How did it happen?
Well I put some stuff onto eBay, really to get rid of it. Three chairs and a chest of drawers; £8 total sale price. They went, freed up space, so be it.
Two week's later I was in a shop in Dorking. There were my items, for sale at 25 times the price I sold them for. Two had sold.
Wife stated that there was more stuff at home to sell. My brain figured that I'd sold my old stuff too cheaply. Chatting to the owner - who recognised me - it seemed she was after people to rent out space.
At this time I wasn't interested. However, little seeds produce big trees. A few days later I 'phoned up and asked how much they rented space out for? It was less than I thought, so why not? I did; I rented out some space.
One week later; have I made a mint?
Nope, not at all. Indeed I've sold nothing and it is a bit stressful. What do I know about retail! Turns out nothing.
It's far, far harder than it looks. My products are all nice, shop quality items. They should sell.
On reflection it all looks a bit car boot doesn't it? My stuff was thrown in at the end of a day's trading and I've not dressed it at all. It's all dumped on the floor for a start. I've also hidden it behind a door. There's no love and even to my eye looks slightly cynical.
Turns out I'm rubbish at retail.
Am I giving up?
After one week? That would be mad. Also I've rented this space for six months....
Oddly enough I think if I'd sold something in the first week, I'd have assumed my strategy correct, and would have ploughed on with it. Then, when nothing ever sold ever again, I'd be bemused, and would probably walk away having learnt nothing.
Now I've screwed up right from the start, I know full well I've screwed up. Sure I can blame 100 things apart from me. Yet, well, it's me isn't it? I need to change the me bit, and learn.
Retail is tough. I kind of like it.
It was an accident really. Had no intention of doing such. How did it happen?
Well I put some stuff onto eBay, really to get rid of it. Three chairs and a chest of drawers; £8 total sale price. They went, freed up space, so be it.
Two week's later I was in a shop in Dorking. There were my items, for sale at 25 times the price I sold them for. Two had sold.
Wife stated that there was more stuff at home to sell. My brain figured that I'd sold my old stuff too cheaply. Chatting to the owner - who recognised me - it seemed she was after people to rent out space.
At this time I wasn't interested. However, little seeds produce big trees. A few days later I 'phoned up and asked how much they rented space out for? It was less than I thought, so why not? I did; I rented out some space.
One week later; have I made a mint?
Nope, not at all. Indeed I've sold nothing and it is a bit stressful. What do I know about retail! Turns out nothing.
It's far, far harder than it looks. My products are all nice, shop quality items. They should sell.
On reflection it all looks a bit car boot doesn't it? My stuff was thrown in at the end of a day's trading and I've not dressed it at all. It's all dumped on the floor for a start. I've also hidden it behind a door. There's no love and even to my eye looks slightly cynical.
Turns out I'm rubbish at retail.
Am I giving up?
After one week? That would be mad. Also I've rented this space for six months....
Oddly enough I think if I'd sold something in the first week, I'd have assumed my strategy correct, and would have ploughed on with it. Then, when nothing ever sold ever again, I'd be bemused, and would probably walk away having learnt nothing.
Now I've screwed up right from the start, I know full well I've screwed up. Sure I can blame 100 things apart from me. Yet, well, it's me isn't it? I need to change the me bit, and learn.
Retail is tough. I kind of like it.
Well you are still there a year on. Evedent, by the fact that I just purchased something from your lovely shop. Well done!
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