| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 10:17:03 AM
My mom and I did a vendor table at a festival about 45 minutes down the road from us in a little two-horse town last weekend. The long and short of it is that we have and entire retail inventory for a quilting/craft hobby shop in storage-- thousands of bolts, patterns, books, cross stitch stuff DMC floss (including the retail displays.)
About 15 years ago she made an ill fated decision to move her store to a rural tourist town that was made to look much better than it was and nearly lost everything, so as a result, we've been promising ourselves for a long time that we were not going to get into a lease and re-open a full on store, we've been planning to set up shop in a garage or shop building on a residential property-- until last week.
As we sat at our table loaded with custom fine jewelry, we made our space rent and profit not in our regular goods, but the craft books we always take along in a tote but NEVER have sold before and it set us to thinking about maybe more.
The highway runs through downtown and is THE only road that feeds San Diego, Yuma, and Mexico to Phoenix. There is lots of tourism and travelers that go through, and it is the first and only civilization after hours of driving.
There are several prisons outside of town, a huge solar energy feild under construction and a good sized military base. The economy (and residential population)is stable and is not at risk to a bust.
There is almost zero retail. There is a grocery store, a family dollar and a dollar general.
The area is only 45 minutes away from our house, but about 90 minutes-2 hours to Phoenix to the nearest competing craft stores.
Because of these facts, commercial and retail buildings are very inexpensive, and there is nothing for local women to do, and no place to gather.
We are looking at opening a shop with a "Tea Room" and Lounge stocked with goodies and space to socialize, and a classroom for weekly classes and to host local clubs.
This would be my mother's business (with a little help from me when the shop needs watching or a skill I know needs teaching.) She's been unemployed for a while, looking for a while, and all job leads have ended up cold (even: "I'm putting you on the schedule and will call your thursday.") She is basically doing nothing employment-wise. We checked into it and the law would allow her to continue collecting her unemployment benefits until she began to draw a salary from the business and as long as she is in a position to accept a job if it is offered. (Because of my availability, she can.)
We HAVE the inventory. Her startup expenses will be limited to a little shelving courtesy of Lowes, a cash register, rent, phone, power and signage and gas money to physically move the inventory. This could all be done from her tax refund in february, and has a good chance to get my mom doing what she does well again.
At absolute worst, she will have spent about 3 grand she would be out of by july anyway due to her living expenses with no expected improvement on her job prospects, and until then I would get all of this stuff out of my house for a while! LOL
I guess I'm just looking for encouragement, and prayers. If this is a good idea I'd like to pray for doors to be opened to make the process smoother, and if it's not I'd pray for doors to be utterly shut.
My husband is against it, he thinks Mom should save her money to live on and ease our concerns of her holding up her end of the shared household expenses, but I'm of the opinion that the store idea is the only possibility that she might invest in improving her future and ours if she can obtain a modicum of stable income. I know full well that if she does not spend this money on starting the business, the nest egg will evaporate bit by bit on school clothes for her son, jewelry fittings, gas money and space rentals for shows that don't go well, etc etc.
I guess in the big picture is it's pretty lucky if a person is in the position to open a business and only stand to lose a couple thousand dollars at worst?
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sondrak |
Posted - Nov 20 2011 : 10:16:18 AM
I pray that you that either the doors will open or close on this idea based on the Lord's will.
1. I do think that you need to decide exactly who your customer base is going to be? Will it be the travelers driving through the area or the locals? Are enough locals going to be willing to pay enough to make the business work?
2. Why not set up in a shop building, in a garage on residential property at first? Maybe try offering the classes in someone's home or maybe rent space from a church first. Then, if the business outgrows the space, consider leasing a property. This would give her the opportunity to see if the demand really exists.
Sincerely, a certified public accountant
You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the girl.
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| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Nov 13 2011 : 1:31:48 PM
Cons:
~Possibility of some financial hardship and dissapointment if the venture fails (possibility of "going out of business" type liquidation to recoup some losses and liquidate some of the inventory before it would go back into storage in our house would be a consolatory plus.)
~The unknown factor of whether or not people will actually come out of their homes or stop on the road to support the business despite what ever they may say. The failed business was in a location where word of mouth lamented the fact that "you couldn't even buy a spool of thread". Well, guess what? all the locals EVER came to buy was a couple spools of thread at a time.
~The cost of a lease (isn't it always?)
~The cost of air conditioning in the summer. (The heat usually hits in july. If we start in february we should know by july if we're going to stay open or not.)
~It's on the only highway from Mexico/San Diego/Yuma to Phoenix. A pro in regard to traveler traffic, a con in regard to the fact of unsavory people often on the same road.
Our ideas for classes are wide open to many kinds of crafting disciplines, I'm hoping we might even use the class space for fun workshops that may *not* necessarily be our traditional niche like candle making or melt and pour soap making. We'd like to keep the focus on setting up as an arts and crafts oriented community center with the "tea room" as a lounge with wifi. The original idea was something like a coffee shop, but we think gearing toward a tea room would be less equipment and product investment and keep it as more of a crafting focused business than a food service oriented business.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| Bensgrandma |
Posted - Nov 12 2011 : 04:13:58 AM
It does sound like a good idea but are you sure there is a need/want for it? Will you get enough foot traffic.
Another thing you might advertise is space for other meetings/crafts.A small shop just opened near us and they are offering lessons in everything from applicate to knitting. The classes are not expensive and some are just a one night commitment. That is a big plus. I don't have time to commit to an evening every night for 6 weeks but a once in a while class is fun.
I think if you have that much available and can get internet connection there, why not do some internet sales of supplies too.
I hope all goes well for her. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HugsandStitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACharmingExperience |
| FarmDream |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 6:09:26 PM
What are all the cons? You've listed all the pro's. Sure it's the only business of it's kind within 45 minutes from your house, but is it consistent? I'm not bashing your idea. Can you include other types of crafts/classes? Sewing, weaving, yoyo making, Christmas crafts? Just because you sell quilting supplies, can you offer classes in other crafts? Needlepoint, cross stitch, embroidery? Also, the consignment idea is good. Are there other artists who could place their items in your store? If you think in the vein of it being a community venture, there's more people invested in it. Think bigger. Once a month community get togethers. Food and Music. Lots of local music talent will usually play for free. Can you organize people to sell with you. Not consignment, just show up and set up a table. Create a bigger presence. Create your own Farmer's Market/Craft show. Set it to every Saturday (or whatever) for free to vendors. You will indeed draw a vendor crowd. Later you can charge a booth fee/vendor fee. You guys need to be the gathering place for the ladies. Well, that's enough hints from me. I wish you luck and great success! Email me if you want other ideas. It's not hard unless you make it hard ;)
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
| karla |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 12:12:04 PM
Will pray that if it is God's will that all the doors would open & there would be absolutely no doubt! Sounds like a great idea! Wish I lived closer I would shop there!
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
http://rua2j-grammysheirlooms.blogspot.com/
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