Every September, TGtbT.com sees an uptick in the number of Too Good to be Threw Complete Operations Manual for Resale & Consignment Shops sold. I like to envision the manuals I mail out taking pride-of-place on coffee tables, home offices, and front seats of SUVs across the continent. I imagine the squeak of highlighter pens on pertinent passages and the scribble of notes in margins.

Why is September prime time for dreaming of and planning for a prosperous resale shop?

Is it because the kids are back in school, and their mothers have a moment to sit down and figure out what they want to do career-wise, and resale can be a good match for families?

Is it because those mothers encountered consignment, resale, and thrift shops during their back to school shopping expeditions and were impressed with the business model and want to learn if this industry is for them?

Is it because everyone, mother or not, woman or not, sees September as a fresh start and their annual chance to get closer to the life they want to have, which would include being their own boss, running their own business ?

Or might it be because shopkeepers are seeing some new competition opening, and think it’s maybe a good idea to see if the Manual can sharpen up their business?

Whatever the reason, I love it… because the more well-run resale shops there are, the better reputation we all will have!

Here’s to “back to school” learning or brushing-up for us, our neighboring shops, and our future peers.