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Entrepreneurship:  Tell me I'm doin' right....  |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 6:44:19 PM
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Yes, need some insight here.
I have my knit caps in a craft mall. It's a new mall and not much traffic yet but I get by there way more often than the in-town ones.
So, today I stopped by (after cutting wood all day in the forest) to see if anything of mine had sold. The lady who owns/runs it said some people were looking at my things but bought her daughter's things instead. Her daughter makes knit caps also, along with other items.
Ever being the truck driver that I am, I said that it's going to be tough to sell against her daughter and she said yes it will be. Does this sound right?? If I can't be there during the day to snag customers and they get routed to the daughter's section, I don't think I'll do very well.
Hubby says I should put my stuff in an established craft mall downtown that has LOTS of traffic and the owner advertises like mad. I've bought most of my furniture there and it's one great buyers spot. But there will be fees and I have to 'donate' 8 hours a month working the desk, everyone does.
So, to me, even with the fees, (and to hubby) the downtown mall sounds better. Doesn't it?? I need some confirmation or if you disagree, please let me know if it doesn't sound good to you. Need an outside looking in sort of thing.
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 7:15:59 PM
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Thanks, thought so!! I have that gut feeling, alright. Hubby is maddeningly right about things like this, too. Sounds a bit silly but needed some second 'eyes' on this. Thanks again. It's odd, but usually I'm gung-ho about things but this stopped me and flustered me. :-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2009 : 2:38:38 PM
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Winona:
Farmgirl!!!!!!!!!! it surely doesn't sound right to me. I surely would have spoke up to this lady!
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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farmmom22
True Blue Farmgirl
616 Posts
Tammy
Scottsville
KY
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2009 : 10:44:25 AM
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I would hi-tale my butt right out of her business! That is no way to run a business at all, so your best bet is to go with your gut feeling. Hope everything works out!
http://afarmgirljourney.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #492
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
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knitnpickinatune
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Sherrie
Gardena
California
USA
1140 Posts |
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2009 : 08:58:27 AM
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| I would move on. Its not good business for her to do that, but thankfully she is at least honest and telling you she isnt promoting your wares. Why did she take them in the first place? |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 12:13:32 AM
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I did go over and get my things out of there. I didn't see the lady but her daughter was there. She didn't try too hard to get me to stay. *shrug* She did ask me and I told her the truth, no point in sugar-coating it. The other lady who keeps an eye out was there and said that we do have different styles but I felt I needed to go.
That's a good point about pushing a kids work over others, such as my situ, the kid probably isn't going to get a real life eval of how life works. I think that in a place of biz, everyone should have equal footing to begin with then go with the quality of work from there on. To me, there isn't a place in biz to push someone over the other.
The craft mall is so new that I don't honestly think that the lady really thought this through. Seemed like she is learning also, on the job.
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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ClaireSky
True Blue Farmgirl
1792 Posts
Julie
Arcadia
WI
USA
1792 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 03:08:16 AM
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Have you thought of selling your things on etsy?
Julie
Farmgirl Sister #399
West-Central WI Farmgirls
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog...Charles F. Doran |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 08:18:13 AM
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My above post seems a little too cut and dried but I have looked at etsy. I was thinking one of the $4.99 websites to get started. It's almost like I'm a little overwhelmed and not sure which way to go first! :-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2009 : 09:16:49 AM
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I would definitely find some time for that 8 hours. It sounds like this little old lady is moving the customers in her daughters direction. What you might really need to do is to take a little time for yourself, sit and meditate, clear your thoughts, and think about it realistically. Personally, I'd be high-tailing it to the bigger craft mall. Good luck, and keep us posted!
from the hearts of paradise... |
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Ms_Ed
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Edwina
Murfreesboro
TN
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2009 : 10:06:36 PM
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I like the idea of the craft mall. more balanced. I think etsy works best if you use it as a store and drive business through linking or advertising. Be sure to optimize with keywords so you have a chance of being found
Edwina Shannon
Live, love, learn, think, give, laugh, try |
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countrynmore
True Blue Farmgirl
1975 Posts
Sharon
CA
USA
1975 Posts |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2010 : 3:54:56 PM
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Hey, you could use that 8 hours a month to have a little sit-down time to make more hats when customers aren't there. =)
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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Claude09647
True Blue Farmgirl
761 Posts
Claudia
Our Dairy Farm
Pennsylvania
USA
761 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 9:49:47 PM
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I have to say that i think with the owners daughters stuff there she is going to persuade the customers to purchase her daughters hats. Go with your other option even if there are fees involved. To me a small fee to pay is better than my product not moving off the shelf. I hope you had good luck with it all!
http://claude09647.blogspot.com/
Check out my ETSY store too! I'm loving it!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Claudiascraftshop |
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ZenGoddess
True Blue Farmgirl
613 Posts
Cindy
MO
USA
613 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2010 : 8:14:06 PM
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Winona,
While your working at the shop you will hear comments and what people lik & dislike, you will find out whats selling and whats not !! Keepin your eyes & ears open will actually help you become a better seller, its an advantagous to be puttin in your time, use it wisely and you'll get ahead ! Best wishes !!
Hugs,
ZenGoddess/Southernplum
My life goal is to Simply - Simplify my life.
http://herbalcottage.blogspot.com
http://herbalcottage.etsy.com |
Edited by - ZenGoddess on Feb 03 2010 8:14:30 PM |
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sarahf
Farmgirl at Heart
9 Posts
Sarah
Harrison
AR
USA
9 Posts |
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Entrepreneurship: Tell me I'm doin' right.... |
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Tell me I'm doin' right....
