*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

pigpen

Christmas presents sorted into boxes.. I am a horrid evil parent.. DS2 has 4 items... yes.. 4..... :o:o

I also got it all put away to discover... 2 boxes I had missed ...:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

I now need to update my lists and get the remaining bits and a list of whose s whats in the box with my mothers stuff and I might be organised.

nic2075

Nana your lounge is looking lovely x

I picked up some more pressies for the kids from B&M. I got a Hexbug starter kit my DS wanted, it was only £4.99 and a pirate ship which was also reduced.
I also seen they had the comedy Scene it, down to £4.99. Not sure how good it would be.


I finally got the no from Teaco and am a bit gutted. I have plenty of experience as I worked in Asda. But the girl doing the one to one bit was a cold fish and didnt take to me at all. Where as the 2 men doing the other one to ones were warm and chatty. Their loss.

Thankfully my fb page is doing well, and I'm actually going to have to close my books on Thursday as I can't fit any more orders in. It jus isn't enough to cover Christmas though. X

pinknfluffy28

Kevie192 wrote: »

Well I found some cello bags in Lakeland. Not cheap but they do the job and there are 20 in a pack

Used them to make 'mock ups' of my Snowman Soup and Mugs of Gold. Having the printed mugs pushed the price up a bit but I think it makes them extra special There are no other mugs the same in the world!

Kevin x

They look amazing! I am sure the recipients will be chuffed to bits, I know I would!

murie

Kevin- glad the search is over for the cello bags-they look fab!

FeistyFidget

Kevin, those look awesome! Where did you get the mugs from?

Well we are onto the second week of running at a huge loss in the shop - last week we were at a loss of £350, with no money coming in from either of us that is really scary. About 15 miles from us is an interior gifty type shop that is really high class and beautiful. I had to go and pick up some paint from there yesterday (our nearest bloody stockist of Annie sloan) and decided to actually take my time and browse (the owners know we have a 'similar' shop) and I am in shock. There are prices are so much lower than the ones we have inherited. The set up is bright, inticing and just makes you want to spend! I know ours is more of a traditnal, cosy feel, but I'm starting to see huge areas where it has all gone wrong

I have admitted from the start that I've struggled with their prices. When I brought it up with them, they claimed it was to set them apart from the cheap knock offs that are made. When I commented to friends and family about my worries, they told me it was a business and I mustn't undersell. Well this other beautiful shop has proved I'm bloody right! I'm going back to the drawing board to have a little think about pricing.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to increase shoppers (only sold one item at £6 yesterday) then I would love to hear them

bunty109

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Kevin, those look awesome! Where did you get the mugs from?

Well we are onto the second week of running at a huge loss in the shop - last week we were at a loss of £350, with no money coming in from either of us that is really scary. About 15 miles from us is an interior gifty type shop that is really high class and beautiful. I had to go and pick up some paint from there yesterday (our nearest bloody stockist of Annie sloan) and decided to actually take my time and browse (the owners know we have a 'similar' shop) and I am in shock. There are prices are so much lower than the ones we have inherited. The set up is bright, inticing and just makes you want to spend! I know ours is more of a traditnal, cosy feel, but I'm starting to see huge areas where it has all gone wrong

I have admitted from the start that I've struggled with their prices. When I brought it up with them, they claimed it was to set them apart from the cheap knock offs that are made. When I commented to friends and family about my worries, they told me it was a business and I mustn't undersell. Well this other beautiful shop has proved I'm bloody right! I'm going back to the drawing board to have a little think about pricing.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to increase shoppers (only sold one item at £6 yesterday) then I would love to hear them

Feisty, as someone who worked in a family business I've a bit of experience of what you're going through. Just remember that this other shop aren't necessarily telling you the truth. The shop might look great and seem busy but unless you can see the books you don't know how they are coping. I can't quite understand the logic that they are selling cheaply to set them apart from cheap knock offs, for instance. It just means they are selling themselves short and have too low a margin and that could catch up with them in time.

You need to concentrate on your business. The frames you did for Christmas are beautiful so maybe other gift items would help draw people in so your can then look for the big sales.

pinknfluffy28

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Kevin, those look awesome! Where did you get the mugs from?

Well we are onto the second week of running at a huge loss in the shop - last week we were at a loss of £350, with no money coming in from either of us that is really scary. About 15 miles from us is an interior gifty type shop that is really high class and beautiful. I had to go and pick up some paint from there yesterday (our nearest bloody stockist of Annie sloan) and decided to actually take my time and browse (the owners know we have a 'similar' shop) and I am in shock. There are prices are so much lower than the ones we have inherited. The set up is bright, inticing and just makes you want to spend! I know ours is more of a traditnal, cosy feel, but I'm starting to see huge areas where it has all gone wrong

I have admitted from the start that I've struggled with their prices. When I brought it up with them, they claimed it was to set them apart from the cheap knock offs that are made. When I commented to friends and family about my worries, they told me it was a business and I mustn't undersell. Well this other beautiful shop has proved I'm bloody right! I'm going back to the drawing board to have a little think about pricing.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to increase shoppers (only sold one item at £6 yesterday) then I would love to hear them

Aw hunny, I really do feel for you. Although very different, my business too is fairly new (6 months ish) and it is only this past month where I have actually seen any real profit/earnings.. Although fortunate that my dh wage keeps us afloat (just) I hate not earning and contributing any where near as much as when I was in full time employment.
I know everyone says a new business takes 2 years to turn a profit and 4-5 to be established, but it doesn't help in the short term does it?
The only advice I would give (based on my own limited experience):
(1)Do not lower your prices unless you absolutely have to. Whilst doing so may increase foot-fall in the short term, it wont necessarily be enough long term, and it is very very difficult to put the prices back up successfully!
(2)Stand out from the crowd, it is good to be different!
(3)advertise everywhere and any where, hand out flyers if need be - tedious, but door-to-door flyer drops can and do work!
(4)could you offer some kind of discount / loyalty scheme? Spend over X ammount in November and receive X ammount off your first purchase in December (might be good for xmas shoppers)
(5)Leave business cards everywhere, on the table after you have had a lunch break in a cafe, in the trolly once you have done your shopping. Even if it's just the person who "cleans up" they will still notice your business! I have 2 regular clients gained this way! You just have to be cheeky daft!
(6)A good website, even a free one. And make sure you up your search engine ratings. I only have a free weebly website with a paid for domain, but this is my biggest earner of clients, as thanks to my tech minded brother, I am now top 3 for all related keywords with my area!
(7)Have faith in yourself... and dont give up on your dreams.

I hope this helps a little, and I'm sure someone more knowledgable will come along soon to help further. Big hugs x

Own_My_Own

Feisty i

How about a loyalty card. They get a stamp on a card for every £5 they spend. Then get £5 off when they have 20 stamps.

You could make the cards.

Kevie192

FeistyFidget wrote: »

Kevin, those look awesome! Where did you get the mugs from?

Thank you

I designed the mugs myself and had them printed by a man I use from eBay. Really good quality and quick turnaround but they were £6 each plus postage so not cheap!

pigpen

FeistyFidget wrote: »

If anyone has any suggestions on how to increase shoppers (only sold one item at £6 yesterday) then I would love to hear them

Offer cake/cookies.

freebies ALWAYS gets people in!

little gift packs of chinzy pockets filled with lavender or something, stuff like 'reindeer poo' or 'snowman soup' ... dirt cheap to whizz together.

Offer other stuff like crochet/knitting/cross stitch tuition

Have someone standing outside handing leaflets saying you are new owners and have reduced prices .. pretend it is a sale and gradually just swap sale price tags to be the new real price tags!

Get the local paper to do a piece on you as new owners.. free advertising!!

Check out prices for a radio ad.