Feb. 08

Construction has begun....

For a long time I have seen my store inside my head, and now I finally get to put those dreams into reality!  I believe the scariest part about the design/construction phase....is not only being able to keep things on budget, while still being able to get the "look" you are after, but the reality that the designs may not always workout. 

Fortunately for me, I have a GREAT contractor and he has worked with me for a long time.  He "expects" things to change as we move along.  Remember everyday you have to meet with them and discuss the fine details....from flooring & ceiling to something as minor as a light switch plate cover.   It is a fun process for me....but, it can be a bit overwhelming at times.  You have to be "close" enough to your location that you can drop whatever you are doing at a moments notice to meet with your contractor so that you can "approve" what you want them to do.  (Time is money!)

I know when I was picking out the colors of the walls, both above & below the chair rails, the ceiling, the trim, etc...I had them do "samples" on everything so that I could see how it was actually going to look.  It  took me awhile to really let the colors sink in and I did have to make some adjustments.  Being an artist, I am well aware of what "light" can do to color. As I was looking at the colors...I knew I had to take in account that the "lighting" I was seeing was not going to be my type of lighting.  NUMBER ONE RULE IN MY TYPE OF BOUTIQUE....NO FLUORESCENT LIGHTING!!!!  So, hopefully when it gets all painted and the new lighting is in, I will get the effect I want.  An expensive chance one must take, but you can't be scared to go with your gut.  Of course, if it doesn't end up like I think it will....I guess we just "repaint".

Another very vital part of this phase is your "branding" (which I will talk about in a later post).  Just make sure that when you are in the construction phase and "time is money"....that you have a very good picture in your head of where you are going; and be willing to compromise when need be.

I did come up against a fellow retailer in the center that was not too happy with all the noise my crew was making and called the property manager!  Geezzz....I am not even in yet, and already I have an issue with someone next door.  The sad part is that even before we started construction, I went over and introduced myself and told them what we would be doing....and that at times it might get a bit loud...but, that I promised that it should all be done in a few weeks. Thinking that it was the "neighborly" thing to do. 

WRONG.....I get a call from my property manager telling me that they had complained about the noise.  I asked her "what am I suppose to do?"  work only at night?  I told her that I would have the crew move the saws to the back of the warehouse and come in at 7:00am to finish up taking out the ugly chipped tile in the bathroom.  So, the "kindly neighbor that I am", I went to visit them and give them my card again and told them that they could call me directly if they had a problem and we would work it out.  I told them that we should be done in a few weeks...and at least I wasn't a "jazzercise" business (hehehe). They didn't like my humor I guess.  Oh well....another 'first" for me! 
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Decisions, decisions, decisions....

I now feel like I am drowning in a mass of paperwork, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap!

The hardest part of this process thus far, is that while you wait for construction to be completed....you still have to decide on products, display ideas, the whole "branding" process, costing, budget, buying, learning "quick books", hiring, and the list goes on...the hardest part is that you have to do this all by yourself!  Even though I have some great family help & advice....I really haven't taken the time to hire staff for this company.  I know I need help, but there are things right now that only I can make the decision about.  Sometimes, you really feel "alone" and when you work from 6:00am until midnight for almost a year....your mind and spirit scream.....HELP!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE what I do and would not wish anything to be different....I just think sometimes it is good to be able to "vent".  Don't forget I am also in my 50's now and have been in full fledge "menopause" during this whole time.  Maybe it is time for some of  those "happy pills"?

I have learned a lot these last few months...like how a rep is notorious for being late, product comes in broken or not there at all, and then of course there is always the infamous "back order".  As an artist/designer, I have always HATED, and I mean HATE, paperwork!  I never realized how much paperwork on the inventory takes FOREVER!  My family has great advice on how much easier this would be if I put it all in Quick Books (which I have) then to put it into Excel.  Well, not being too computer savvy....heck, I would have to go back to college to learn this accounting stuff.  I did try it, but I thought if I just type in the vendor and type up the product, etc....then the program will take care of the rest.  WRONG!  It kept asking me "accounting" questions...so, I decided...wait a minute this is what I hire a CPA for.  All my business career, I have always just kept track of my sales receipts, raw material receipts, bank deposits, etc....and then hand over the files to the CPA every quarter.  I told my family...I am going to do what is called the "Quick Debi" program!  They finally agreed to let me "keep it simple", so that I can have fun....create, buy products, and be with my customers! 

So, now that I am going to do the "Quick Debi" program....I am much more relaxed and ready to move to the next step:

"Preparing for moving day"!

Definitely not one of my favorite things to have to do...because now, I have to go through all my "stuff" that I have been collecting for over 30 years and decide....what stays and what doesn't.  Now is the time when you find out who your friends really are....when they know it is "moving day"!  Any volunteers?
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This little piggy went to.....

Since, I did not have time to go to market before the store opened...this is what I did instead: 

I knew friends that were going and they looked for me and reported back...telling me who they thought had product that "looked like Debi".  So, obviously that helped a great bit.  I also knew I did not want to go to the Dallas market because everyone else in Texas does and I wanted to venture out a bit more.  Although some of my new vendors do have a showroom in Dallas, most of them are only at Atlanta, New York and LA/San Francisco. 

I then did some research on all of these markets (prior to my friends going) and was able to find a total list of every vendor that would be showing at these markets.  I looked up all the "product lines" that I wanted to carry and printed out the "vendor list" according to those products (ex:  home decor, French decor, antiques, Christmas, etc...).  I then proceeded to google search each of these companies.  It only took a few seconds for me to decide on rather they had the "look" I wanted or not.  This is also a great way to do your research before going to market so that you spend your time wisely (time is money!).  So, that when you do go to market....you already know the vendors that you want to visit and those you don't.  Because going to market can be very "overwhelming" if you don't know who the vendors are and what they are selling.    These market web sites give you all the information you need!  So, do your homework and spend some time researching...it will save you a lot of time and wear & tear on those poor feet!

Once I figured out which vendors I was interested in, I then contacted them via email and asked for their catalogs or access to their websites.  I always asked these major questions:  what were their price points, order requirements, shipping policies (especially for heavy items), lead times and the most important question for me was:  DO YOUR ALREADY SELL IN HOUSTON, AND IF YOU DO, HOW MANY OTHER STORES CARRY YOUR PRODUCTS?  Trust me most of these designers do not want to sell to every store and have "territorial" rights.  I have not had that problem yet, because I went to Atlanta and New York markets.

I did turn down a very well known designer and decided not to sell his products in my store.  Yes, he designs a product that will sell, but from one artist to another, I felt he was a bit too arrogant for me.  Here is what happened: 

I asked to carry his products, heard from his company, and then I was handed a stack of paperwork and was told that until he could get a picture of the inside of the store he could not take my order. Until my store was finished (even with my background & pics of my showroom didn't help.)  Tried to tell them couldn't happen until the construction was finished.  I was told that "he just wanted to make sure that MY STORE fitted his look"???   Humm....  Having been a designer myself, and for a lot longer then he had been, I knew this was really not how it should be.  It was I that felt honored that a boutique wanted to sell my work....I also knew the boutique owners were smart enough to know their own market. They would know if my designs would or would not work "in their look", and if they didn't, then they would have never approached me.

Anyway, when looking over the paperwork I told them that I felt like I was having to buy a home!  I told them there was no way that I needed to give them any of my "personal information" especially my bank account.  They had my credit card and just like any other vendor...that was all they were going to get.  I called the rep and told her that I had to go with my "gut"...and to tell this designer...that I did not "need" him to be a success and have decided NOT to sell his products in my store! Needless to say they were a bit shocked that it was I that turned them down.  I could not honestly sell something to one of my customers in which I did not LIKE the attitude of the company or the designer.

So, this was a lesson that reminded to continue to "follow my gut instincts".....I must say out of all the designers and companies that I have worked with over the years, they  have all been GREAT...but, you will always run into those other kind.  Just stick to your gut feelings and how  you feel about the designer and the way they do business!  Remember, that even if you may LOVE the product and not the designer/vendor....you, and only you, can decide if you will be able to sell the product.  You are going to always be your best salesperson!  And for me...I have to know the designer and their company and know that I truly like the way they treat others and their employees!  Trust me...that feeling will always speak volumes!
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In the know....

My husband always tells our employees and our children  "There are those in the know and those that aren't."  I never realized how much this would apply to me so soon!

I knew that while on this new path as a store front owner that I would be learning quite a bit, but never realized how fast I was going to learn.  I always thought I knew a little bit about "buying products", since I have been buying "raw materials" for my designs for over 15 years, and also help my husband teach our employees how and where to buy raw materials for our manufacturing company.  Well, needless to say it is not always the same as buying "finished products"...especially from home based companies.

Now don't get me wrong I have had some great experiences with many of the women & men who operate their companies from their garage or home.  But, here is the difference I have found:  those that are "making & selling their products" outside of their homes or especially on "ebay or etsy" have been some of the ones I have had the most difficulties with.  First, ladies if you are going to try to sell your products to boutiques for resale....make sure you are able to get your products out on time and are "EXACTLY" what you claim them to be!

There have been many times that I go to buy what I am told is "vintage" to find out that when I get the item, not only did the shipping cost me more than the products a lot of the times, but that it was an item that I could buy "direct from a distributor" for wholesale.  Of course, I did not figure this one out until I did my research and then "looked back" and realized...."wait a minute....that piece I bought from "X" was actually bought from my distributor "Y", and now I am stuck with a piece that I paid "retail for" and could've bought it "wholesale" from the same distributor that they bought it from.  I am not blaming the people I bought from...it was "I" who was foolish and ignorant.  But, I want to make sure that if you are truly planning on selling 'retail' then make sure you do ALL your research first before you buy from a home based business.  As my dear sweet yaya sista, Elizabeth, taught me...."I am here to make my business successful and I will not pay you what your product is worth....I am here to "sell it for what it is worth".  Some of the wisest words of wisdom I have heard in a long time!

Also, if a person will not sell  you their "handmade products" wholesale then don't buy the products for your shop!  Because, why would a customer buy from you (with a markup) when they can buy the same product direct for less?  I pretty much already knew this, and was only buying items I thought were "vintage".  And lo and behold, I would get the piece and the people were foolish enough not to take the "made in China" tag off the item.  Let's just say....I learned a good lesson and since I won't make it again...it was not a mistake!

Well, I am sure that this is just one of many I will learn along my journey! 

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Goin' Junkin'

Goin' Junkin' is one of my most FAVORITE things to do in life!  Ever since I was a little girl, I would go out junkin' with my Meme and all the yaya ladies.  We would spend hours cruisin' down the back roads of the bayous and stop at every little tag sale, flea market or antique store that we could find.  My Meme was an avid collector of Depression glass and china....I still have several of the treasures that we would find.  So, I guess growing up learning to be a "thrifty Cajun" is just part of our culture along with "sweeping the dirt".  (That is a whole other story.)  I love to find treasures that I can also "tweak" to make my "mark" on it....

I am so excited that one of my bestest yaya sistas is flying in tomorrow (2/18) to spend a whole week with me goin' junkin'!  For those of you that have not had the pleasure to meet "Elizabeth of Elizabeth House" please take some time to visit her on her website and blog.  I know you'll love her as much as I do.  I will make sure that we take lots of pics so that you can see all our adventures and treasures!

I was told the story about Henry Ford and how he was the first to always admit that he didn't know it all; but he always made sure that he put people around him that had their own special knowledge of his business and that is what made him so successful.  I have always put this philosophy in my businesses and the store front is no different.  Not only am I excited to go junkin' and visit with Elizabeth; I also know that she has a lot of knowledge and experience that I could use.  So, I am ready to "pick her brain" and she is excited about working with me on the new store!

So, come back soon so you can see our adventures and treasures!!!!