| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| dargaonfly1054 |
Posted - Jun 06 2006 : 08:25:17 AM
I live in a small town in northern New York and am interested in starting my own business in a building down the road from where I live. I would want to carry handcrafted items made by local artisans. Any ideas, suggestions, pitfalls..............???? 
"We need the tonic of wildness, to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk..." Thoreau |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| dargaonfly1054 |
Posted - Jun 07 2006 : 03:24:59 AM
Well, Janet, he isn't my husband (yet!!) but he is definitely the more business head kind of guy, which is a dam good thing!! But since he moved in, he is always wanting to involve me in everything, every aspect of what goes on in the house..... He takes care of our household bills on a quicken program on the pc....and yes, I am the more creative of the two of us and I would be doing some of the inventory myself. I figured to have someone come in to "mind" the shop if we needed a day off once in a while. Hmmm, insurance. I hadn't given that "much" thought yet, I know insurance is needed but the vendors who might have stuff in the store, yes, they would need to be covered. The building is really a very neat old building, which I would love to find out the history of before we start this and I would dearly love to buy it from the man who owns it. I know his wife so it might be a possibility. The post office is also housed in the side of the building. If I only knew how to post a photo here, would post a picture of the building.
Thanks again for all the great advice from everyone!! (Keep it coming!!! I'm eating it all up!!!)
Georgette
"We need the tonic of wildness, to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk..." Thoreau |
| lovejanet |
Posted - Jun 06 2006 : 4:05:02 PM
all of the advice that has been given is great. i had a cottage type store, specializing in shabby, cottage style furniture. my strenths: i painted a lot of the furniture i sold and i rented out some space.
my weakenesses: since i was working on big projects i would have to work after work in order to keep the store inventory where it should have been.
i recommend having someone help you run the store, keep records. your husband? especially, if you are creative and are making some of the stuff in your store.
but, if i could do it again, yes, i would. i closed down due to personal reasons not because i wasn't making overhead or keeping up with inventory.
good luck!!
love, janet
http://www.lovejanet.typepad.com/ |
| blueroses |
Posted - Jun 06 2006 : 1:36:17 PM
Georgette,
You also will want to get the cost for insurance. If you are renting, make sure the owner has the building covered. You'll want coverage for your business property as well as something for the artisans who will have their pieces in your shop. You can do this, you just have to do as Tina has suggested and put it all on paper.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| dargaonfly1054 |
Posted - Jun 06 2006 : 1:23:03 PM
Oh, thanks so much Tina. I had already thought of the business plan, but please, if you think of anything else.....please, please tell me. Very good ideas. I have a feeling that I may be in way over my head here. But I've always kind of wanted to do something like this. Plus I have a mate now who also has had the same desire and has strengths that I don't have. I know I couldn't do this on my own, and I know I have a lot of work/research to do before all is said and done. Again, thanks.
"We need the tonic of wildness, to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk..." Thoreau |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Jun 06 2006 : 12:13:55 PM
Well, I would start first by 1.writing out a business plan, how do you want to design/decorate?, how do you want the shop to feel to the visitor?
employees? will you have them, need them? what rules of conduct do you require from an employee?, hours of operation? questions like this.advertising..how will you advertise effectively? and with whom? Name of business? Logo design? store signage?
2.then start compiling your supplier lists, who will be your main suppliers of products..compile folders with their products/prices and contact information...
3.start up costs? loan? do you need one to be able to gather supplies and set up your displays, get display equipment?
these are all just a few questions to sit down and really do your research on.there are many more that I'm sure could be added to the list..but a few to go over and think about.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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