I've decided to start a blog unrelated to my family blog. It is going to be blog full of my inner most feelings. This a way to document my journey owning a business, my ups and downs, and everyday experiences.
I've had so many thoughts, feelings, and have not had any idea what to do with them. I hesitated whether or not to share all of this with the public. I thought about it, and I love to hear, I mean really hear what goes on in people's lives, it brings me comfort, it makes me laugh. All of the sudden it makes you feel okay to be human. LET ME TELL YOU I AM HUMAN.
I decided to name the blog enjoy the ride. When I was a little girl my Dad had a best friend who died of Lou Geric's disease, (pardon me if I spelled that incorrect). I remember going to his funeral and everywhere they had written on ribbons Enjoy the Ride. That always stuck with me. This was a man who truly lived his life that way. Through all of his ups and downs (which he had plenty of) he kept this mentality and his humor. This really stuck with me.
Opening this business has been quite the ride. The whole reason I opened the business was because I wanted to create something that no one had. Sure, there are boutiques but they are quite expensive. My business model is the Gap. I don't want to be Banana Republic where only a few select people can shop. I didn't want to be Old Navy, because I wanted to offer more unique selective items. Obviously, these types of things cost a little more, therefore I decided to pick the imbetween. Last but not least I wanted people who are my age with young kids to be able to afford it.
I have two little boys and always hated the fact there is never a lot of boy things that boutiques offer. I love fedoras and cute ties and shirts:) I opened my boutique with that in mind.
My first week:
It has really been a rough one. I wasn't exactly ready. I think we have a ton of cute stuff, but I feel like people come in and don't really look at everything. I need to work on making things more visible and getting more displays.
Day 1- I came in to put out merchandise, outside there were two guys walking around. One of them was pushing a stroller. Kind of strange. One of the little kids hopped out of the stroller and began beating the crap out of the tree in front of my store. Even more strange. I continued to put out merchandise. The next thing I know, he came in and told me they would be filming in front of my store and asked me to move my car. I did so gladly, not a big deal.
Eventually two girls about my age came and one of them had twin little girls. They were dressed up. One of the Mom's kept looking through the glass on my front door to see how she looked in the reflection. I mean full checking herself out, she even did a little spin for me:)
I watched curiously, take after take the little girl beat the crap out of the tree with a flag. I could not figure out what in the world could the be filming?
Soon enough, one of the Mom's came in and asked if they could change there clothes using my bathroom and dressing rooms. I said sure. I finally asked them, "what are you filming," the girl began to explain it was a commercial for purses. Interesting ... I still can't figure out why the little girl was beating the crap out of my tree. Either way she had the privilege to do what I have always wanted to do to that tree. It blocks my store:)
After they were done filming, the Mom of the cute little girl twins came back in and began to pick things out for them. The were about twenty months old, with blonde hair and dressed super cute. We got talking and I found out she was from Spanish Fork. She came to check out and then asked if I could hold them. She had some skirts she wanted to match the cardigans to. She had selected quite a few things to buy. I really thought she would come back, she didn't.
I have now decided, when I'm shopping I won't say, oh we'll be back later, or anything even close to that. I now consider those white lies. Come on people, I know you're not coming back. At least not today. It's not like your giving me hope.
Greatest Day of the week: Kylee Stevens owner of Quincee's Boutique down in Provo came in. She is super nice and used to live by me in Rockwell. She spent a lot of money and made my day. She just opened three weeks ago and is already doing really well. Watch for her on Good Things Utah. I really hope, I can find more people like her that like these types of items for their kids. I thought there would be a much larger market for this type of thing. I was so wrong. I now can see why there aren't any Children's Boutiques in Utah County. I really hope I survive this month.
Greatest Moment of the week: Yesterday, my landlord was telling me, if you have people come in here that don't look the part, your wealthy customers won't come back. Oh my heavens, people come on, I really hope people aren't that ridiculous. If you are that ridiculous I don't want you in my store. That is really how I think and what I think. Well, yesterday I am ashamed to say I began to change my thinking a little.
A women came in who was probably in her 50's. You knew she was in the store because you could smell her. Catch my drift? There was one person in the store, but she left quite quickly after the lady made her entrance. I was wondering, what is she doing? I could see her truck outside. There was another women sitting in the passenger seat who looked quite out of it. I thought it kind of odd for her to be in a kids store. Finally, she came up to me and started talking. She asked if I was on TV, I told her I wasn't. She than explained that her friend made baskets but couldn't come in. I kind of looked at her strangely. She explained she is to out of it. She then said, "I'm so sorry if you can't understand me I haven't put my teeth in today." I kept a pretty straight face and said it was fine. I then told her, well have her send me some pics of these baskets. She said she would. I can't wait to see what these baskets look like:)
I guess my new theory is, I am not biased, but please shower and put your teeth in before you come to the store. It's not Halloween and we don't want the other customers, the few I have, to get scared away:)
This week I have been able to meet so many really awesome people. That's one thing I love about this job meeting all the people! Everyone has a story and I love hearing them.
Lowest Moment of the week: Last night I was getting pretty discouraged. I said to Josh, 'I am really depressed, it's just not taking off. People who said they would come in, didn't, I put an ad in Savvy Shopper's and haven't gotten 1 customer! So frustrating for what I paid for that darn thing'. He responded by explaining, if I'm depressed/discouraged I won't ever be a success. This I know, this I know. There are just those moments you can't help feel that way.
We've put it all on the line for this. We have taken a huge risk. If this doesn't succeed it will mean financial ruin for our great credit. I know this is why most people don't take that risk. I believed strongly and still believe it will succeed. I just hope my bank account can last that long.
I know Kristi, the owner from Karma up the street. She has done extremely well from the beginning so has Kylee. It is hard watching there successes. I am happy for them, although it is hard to not wonder what is wrong with me? What is wrong with me, or, what am I not doing, what don't I have?
I try to let these thoughts be constructive. I am adding more to the store. If you know anyone who likes to make things for children have them contact me. I am going to try to work with local Photographers so they will spread the word about me. I try to be nice, honestly, I genuinely care about people. I really do. So I guess when I think about that there is nothing more I can do. I am not the social butterfly like I used to be. That has effected business. These girls have huge social circles full of people who like shopping at boutiques.
Some other things that happened this week, I had a couple of purses stolen:( I had another boutique owner come in. She is a single Mom and the owner of Bella Ella or Ella Bella. I get them mixed up. She was nice, but I couldn't quite read her. Obviously she wasn't there to shop. Probably mostly to size me up. She did give me some advice though.
I have noticed most business owners are awesome at supporting each other. I had the antiques shop and Wild Poppy come in. I have really felt the support from them.
I need to get the locals on board. I am at this point where if I wanted to I could probably still turn back. I am at a cross roads. I could have someone take over my lease and sell my car and pay off my loan to start the store. I cannot give up. I need to take everything I've learned and use it. Josh and I say as long as were moving forward were okay. We're going to the Bank Monday to see if we can get a loan, a much needed loan to make this work.
I really think people will like the store, they just need to come. After all, they are trying to revamp Main Street stores like this will effect everyone. Other businesses and restaurants will move in, which PG needs more of.
Anywho, these are my thoughts and feelings for my FIRST WEEK. Most people don't even get that far:)
