Okay, I admit it...I made my first MAJOR booboo in regards to setting up the store.  And it deals with the ever ending "tagging" of the products! 

As a designer, this part of the job never was an issue.  As I finished a design, I had a worksheet that I used to give my staff on what my labor was, materials, mark-up, etc...and then it was put in a master file with a picture of the pieces, so that we had accurate records.  When materials would come in, they would be priced accordingly and put in their proper place.  Easy....Thought the same process might work here.....WRONG!!! hehehe

I figured I would set everything up in excel (until the POS system and Quick Books was set up)....so, I would make sure that all products were kept up with (a cost, price of sale, in stock and how many ordered).  And then had to learn to keep up with the infamous "back order".  (A whole other story!)  So, since I had not decided yet on my "branding" (see archives of Corporate Identity) I figured I could just go back and tag everything when I got the tags.  Well, let's just say when you have over 4,000 individual products with over 50 different vendors it has been a "memory game" (which I never was too great at as a young kid, and obviously still not...guess it comes with age?)  And needless to say, I truly believe this is a part of this job (paperwork) that I HATE!  Fortunately, my dear assistant, Lisett, LOVES this part!  She is an avid scrapbooker, so she sees this like scrapbooking...and has been hard at work coming up with some of the most beautiful tags (while my hubby does the bar coding on the POS system).  Each tag (all 4,000 plus of them) are all made to match the store and the item, so that it does not "clash" with the product.  I am so IMPRESSED! 

We have worked out a great system now and we are slowly but surely getting the products that are already out on the floor tagged....and as new ones come in...we have a great system set up to make sure we have everything tagged before it gets to the floor.  Even items that are stored in the warehouse.

If I had this to do over again...I would suggest that before you start ordering product that you have your tags ready and your system set up to take inventory.  I have, as usual, did things backwards and in a more difficult way....but, I wanted to make sure that you don't make my same mistake! 

I promise, that I will take new pics this week so you can see the process of the store!

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"Fellow Boutique Owners"

This is a subject I did not think I would be talking about so soon...but, my dear sweet "yaya sista" (Elizabeth Maxon) told me this would happen...and sure enough it did.  I was still naive enough to believe that everyone that walked through my shop would be pretty honest.  Guess I was wrong.  I have had several women come in, appearing to be potential customers....just to find out they are actual boutique owners in the area.  What they didn't know...is that I already knew who they were.  I had researched for over a year, and one of the main things I did was to seek out all the "small boutiques" in the area to see where they were, what they were selling and how much traffic they had during different times of the day and throughout the year.  I knew that in order to succeed, I needed to bring a "new look" to the area.  And did not want to have the same look or products as the other boutiques.  That way, our customers had several "options" to go in order to shop.

The first week I moved in...I even caught a lady going through my dumpster in the back looking into my trash!  Funny thing was, is that Elizabeth was with me; and she had just told me the day before that this could happen.  I remember laughing and saying why in the world would somone go through my nasty dumpster!!!!  Well, apparently to see who my vendors were through the boxes I threw away.  I could not believe my eyes...and even approached the lady.  She told me she was "just looking for some boxes to use".  I told her those were pretty nasty, but to come back tomorrow and I will save her some.  Needless to say, it has been 4 weeks...and she has yet to return.  Bit...you were right once again! :)

Anyway...back to the other boutique owners...

So, when they entered my store (I already knew who the owners were).....as I waited for them to introduce themselves...they NEVER once indicated that they were boutique owners also.  Hummm????  Don't understand why, but I then knew they were there to check out their "newest" competition. They were curious about who my "vendors" were and all I told them was that "I do not shop at Dallas market",  and left it at that.  Needless to say, it "peeked" their interest!

I do tell my customers that may ask for a specific item or brand that I do not carry...I have given them the names and locations of the other boutiques in the area.  Like Elizabeth taught me....I don't see them as competitors.  We really should be here to help each other so that we can all do well against the "large corporations". 

So, the next time one of you boutique ladies walk into my shop...introduce yourself!  I am not here to "take" your customer....there is room for all of us out here. 

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Grand Opening!

What a day the "official opening" was!  We had over 75 women enter the shop in the first 4 1/2 hours and then I quit counting....I do wish that I would have had more time to spend with the customers, because I never left the cash register area.  Which is a GREAT thing....but I did get to meet and talk with them when they were ready to check out.  It was amazing to watch as most of the ladies stayed for almost an hour shopping and looking around. 

I did notice a few that never said a word....but, as Elizabeth taught me....you could spot another boutique owner or their friends/employees from a mile away. (hehehe...)  What they do...is come in, not really say much and you can watch them pick up item after item and look at the bottom (they are looking for a vendor name..to see where the piece came from) because all the prices were on tags; so there would only be one reason to look on the bottom.  Well, surprise surprise....no vendor names on the bottom of my items...unless it is a candle and I can't remove the warning information or the designer has "engraved" their logo into the piece.  Sorry ladies....you'll have to do your own research! 

I was exhausted...but, with a HUGE smile and met some wonderful ladies!  Thanks to all of you for coming out to Yaya Chique, and I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Here are a few pics before the store opened...I was never able to take pics of the customers, because we were too busy. My Texan hubby went and hid in the warehouse, so he didn't get pics either....hehehe.  He says this shop is definitely a "chique" place for "chique women".

That should give you a peek of the shop...lots more to actually see, but these are about the only pics that I was able to take and came out kinda decent.  Thanks again for all your love & support with all the emails!

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I Survived!

Okay...the first "official opening week" is now completed!  It has been a FANTASTIC week....the ladies took home some beautiful treasures and promised they would be back.  The one comment I kept hearing over and over again was...."this shop is dangerous...I can really do some damage (to their pocketbooks) here!" hehehe....

I must say I have met some incredible ladies and have made some new friends.  The work is hard with long hours, but it has been worth every moment....I am already changing the store around to bring in products for May.  The theme this next month is geared towards "garden, picnics and lots of butterflies, dragonflies and my personal favorite...the hummingbird!  I am also planning and gearing up for June...which of course is a theme of "Life's a Beach"!  So, you can imagine that look....Actually, I already have the year pretty much planned out....just a matter of finding the products and the "decor".  So, I will take pics every month so that you can see the changes that go on.  I know that a lot of my customers are reading my blog because they tell me about the blog when they come into the shop. 

I must say, I never dreamed that by keeping this blog that I would actually get to meet these beautiful women and feel a real "connection" to them because by reading the blog they have gotten to know  more about me....besides just being a shop owner.  When they come in, and ask me about my "Texan hubby" or one of the kids, or something that I have written about or my girl friends...it really feels like I am meeting with an old friend.  So, I guess this "blogging" thing isn't too bad? hehehe

I will be taking some more pics of the house and the store next week....so until next time....