Not only did this canny consignment shopkeeper remember to THANK those Facebook fans who helped the shop, she also got the word out that Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged advertising, Facebook, web |
I stumbled across the most wonderful vintage/consignment shopkeeper/ copywriter by accident, and am delighted to hold her up to you as a Perfect Example. Meet Jacqueline Lyet Buscombe.
Yes, I know. You’ve learned that Perfect Examples are usually people you love to hate.
Not this one.
This PE is someone you immediately like when you see her special events: The Beautiful Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged advertising, blogging, customers, resale shopkeeping, small business |
Most consignment, resale, and thrift shopkeepers plan to stay in business.
Or at least, they plan not to go out of business
Or at least not until they’re ready to move on for personal reasons.
And if, indeed, a shopkeeper can foresee the day of her/his exit, there are usually plans to maximize the day-to-day business as well as the possible selling value of their business.
It’s way too easy to get caught up in the minutiae of daily quirks, problems, and irritations of our business, when we have not only customers, but also suppliers to deal with. Resale shopkeepers have double… or more!… the personal interactions than do “real” shopkeepers, and sometimes these interactions can distract from business grooming and growth. If you have any doubts, visit an online Facebook discussion group, where resale shopkeepers vent their day-to-day annoyances with great passion. More passion, sometimes, than a minor incident would seem to provoke.
No one ever said resale is an easy business.
But it can be a lot easier if you operate your shop for the long term, rather than allowing the heat of the moment to influence the course you take. So when you’re tempted to spend time and brain space over that consignor who just doesn’t get it, perhaps your business would be better served if you
review, refine, and re-direct yourself and your energies to what will make your shop better on down the road.
And may it be a long and winding road for you.
Some simple points here about long-term business thinking.
The Business Valuation Kit will help keep you focused on building value as your business proceeds.
Posted in I've been meaning to tell you, Shopkeeping talk | Tagged resale shopkeeping, starting a consignment shop, success | 4 Comments »
Years ago, I was honored to be shown around a non-profit thrift store which really had it all together.
What impressed me the most? The work room where the fix-it guys, the woodworkers, the craftspeople had the tools and the space to
turn less-than-valuable donations into useful, useable, salable stuff.
There are all sorts of folks who’d like to give a few hours, or more, to your NFP… but who have no interest or no ability to staff your sales floor, your incoming door, or your cash registers.
Maybe they live too far away, have trouble standing, lack transportation or just plain would rather work with their hands, or on their own, or only have non-retail hours that they are available.
Does that mean they cannot help your mission? Of course not.
Announcing a new, special Pinterest board that’s joined our Pinterest Page:
Increase the value of your donations
It’s designed for nonprofit thrift stores: Mostly, ideas volunteers may enjoy to turn charitable donations to your NFP thrift shop into exciting and salable goods PLUS whatever else Kate Holmes, The Resale Guru, and HowToConsign.com find that will amuse, inspire, and enrich your store’s fundraising! Follow this board on TGtbT.com’s Pinterest!
Posted in Not-for-Profit Resale, Shopkeeping talk | Tagged profit, resale shopkeeping, success, Thrift | 2 Comments »
Okay, I admit it. I eavesdrop.
On consignment, resale, and thrift shopkeepers from everywhere, who sell everything, on every level of the economy, from shops whose sales go from $10 a day (YES! They’re out there!) to those whose sales are in the multi-millions a year.
And you know what the difference is? Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged consignors, customers, success | 9 Comments »
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