Stepping into 2014- walking in My Shoes with Mooloo

Savvy_sewing

I shall work out the Christmas etc openings and get it on the door soon.
I have my summer holiday dates already and will put them up in June. Ready for my break in August.

Savvy_Sue

All great stuff, I hope you don't feel I was having a go.

Mooloo wrote: »

I do feel it's important to be open as much as I can.

Whereas I feel it may be better to be open a little less, but rock solid reliably. Obviously we're coming at this from opposite 'sides' ...

Mooloo wrote: »

Perhaps I will tweak the hours if it seems to be quiet at certain times.

It is definitely worth doing a simple 'count' system for that: it may be completely random, or you may start to see a pattern.

Another thing is to ask people how they heard about you? I'm sure you already do ... but jot it down.

Mooloo wrote: »

I am resisting bringing work home but only just.
I just hope that I can get to do some of my makes! But so far it's all alterations!!

That's where slightly reduced hours might give you 'making' time. And if people got to know that if they called in on the day after your 'closed' day there would be something new to look at ... who knows?

Another thought, but sometimes what you see in small shops is stuff sold on commission. If you can get to know other local creatives - knitters, crocheters, jewellery makers, even metalworkers, woodworkers and potters - would any of them like a display space or shop window, with their stuff sold on commission? Needs a good agreement but could be very fruitful.

Savvy_sewing

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

All great stuff, I hope you don't feel I was having a go.Whereas I feel it may be better to be open a little less, but rock solid reliably. Obviously we're coming at this from opposite 'sides' ...

It is definitely worth doing a simple 'count' system for that: it may be completely random, or you may start to see a pattern.

Another thing is to ask people how they heard about you? I'm sure you already do ... but jot it down.

That's where slightly reduced hours might give you 'making' time. And if people got to know that if they called in on the day after your 'closed' day there would be something new to look at ... who knows?

Another thought, but sometimes what you see in small shops is stuff sold on commission. If you can get to know other local creatives - knitters, crocheters, jewellery makers, even metalworkers, woodworkers and potters - would any of them like a display space or shop window, with their stuff sold on commission? Needs a good agreement but could be very fruitful.

I will monitor the times. My customers are either from walking past the window, or from my mention on a Facebook Page called Brackley Gossip Girls.
I don't have any adverts anywhere else. Except the mention on Facebook.
Apparantly I've created a huge buzz around town! I've certainly got the work flying through the doors.
Next door already rent out their back rooms to others. I don't really want to be responsible for other peoples things until they are sold.
I have purchased a lot of preloved clothes, that can be put up as they are, or can be updated etc as and when things calm down. If I don't calm down then I will start to look for a part timer to help. But need to work on the facts and figures etc.
I don't want to employ staff that I have to lay off again.
Also I need to make sure that who ever I get can do the work to my standards (or better)!
Today there are plenty of jobs to finish when I get in.
The car is full of clothes from a deal done last night. So I'm on a mission. I better get going!

whiteguineapig

i agree about the opening times
they must be rock solid
you would be better tweaking it right now then sticking to it forever (iyswim)

the shop up the road to the shop i work in, found that out the hard way
they had summer opening times and winter opening times, they had late and early openings (i think it may be closing its never done well for years and years)
my customers would come in and say they had been but it was shut
at the shop i work in we have had exactly the same open and close for at least 20 years and its very successful (sp)

Savvy_sewing

I may close a little earlier on the Wednesday to give me time to do home related jobs before I collect DGD at 3.15.
But I really want to be open as much as possible. I would possibly get someone to man the desk if I need to go elsewhere, so work can still be collected/brought in, but fittings would need to be referred to when I was there, or the person trained to pin!
I had my 80th job in through the door today!
I cannot work any faster while I am on the desk.
I'm starting to loose wait running up and down the stairs to the fitting room, loo, and stock rail. Occasionally all the way to the top floor for the odd thing still up there. My jeans are hanging off me today! ( anyone know a dressmaker that can alter them???:))

duchy

I'd close half day on a wednesday -It's a concept plenty of people remember and easy to remember.

remember your shop opening hours and your working hours are both at the shop but don't have to be the same !

Savvy_sewing

Good point. I will get a revised times sign and change it I think to midday instead of two. That gives me time to travel to town, or visit Mum and Dad or get my hair done occasionally.
There are a few local shops closed on Wednesday.
Next door shuts on Monday but I am still busy.

Savvy_sewing

Last night I went through my order/alterations book. Did a sort of spreadsheet of the work that is in, in what order I need to do it, and when by. So much work means that I cannot even begin to work on new jobs until next Wednesday! Which is not so good, as people want the fast turn around. I am swamped with work.
If any more come in as the speed of yesterday, I think I will have to start looking to employ staff much sooner then I ever thought.
I am hoping it calms down a little so I get time to crack on!
But it is at least proving there is a need for this kind of stuff!
Now if the pre-loved section gets up and running at such a pace it would be amazing. DS and his GF are coming over today to help me label and price that up as I want to open that section up sooner rather then later.
The alterations work will not sustain the business on its own, because the overheads are high. Although the courses will soon help to buffer the accounts. If the interest is still there as it has been so far.
This afternoon when I close I have to go to Banbury to collect my other embroidery machine. Then this evening I have a beginners taster session booked. Although not fully subscribed I will go ahead for the practise!

trix-a-belle

They need to have reasonable expectations of turnaround as well though mooloo, I know you want to meet whatever requirement they have but it still must be within reason as we cant have no running yourself ragged, you set the boundaries.
Do you have a set turnaround at the moment? Ie one or two weeks? That way you could have an escalation % for every day earlier that they require it but equally doesn't mean you don't have to do it sooner just gives you some more flexibility to fit it in? This would hopefully encourage regulars to plan ahead a little more.

Savvy_sewing

Well I didn't get the help from DS's GF I expected, as he slept in, and then she decided she wanted to go to her Mum's to bake cakes!
But still expected me to take her to the job centre to sign on when I went to get my embroidery machine from Banbury. At least DS collected DGD from school for me, and they stopped for a few hours, which gave me the chance to take a cat nap between 5pm and 6pm.
The babysitter then took over at 7pm so I could go to the shop and run the lesson. It was a one to one lesson with the Mum of one of the girls from the weekend. It went very well, ( but not so cost effective for me with only one). Never mind, it is all practice for me.
I was home for 9.45
DGD behaved well for babysitter, which is good as rarely used a babysitter at night. She was used to Molly's daughter before.
This one is a nursery nurse she knows well from her after school club etc so not a new face, just new to babysitting for me.
Another busy day ahead for me. I'm hoping that there are not so many new jobs added today so I can work my way through the list or I will be having to bring work home tonight.
Twin2 was in touch for her DLA money to be transferred.( which I had already done). Least I know she's alive!
Twin1, is hanging around with the girl from the family from hell again. I give up! It's a watch this space till the next argument etc I suppose.
biggest of Mooloos is very busy, and so I haven't seen her, but she needs help getting DGD2, on the 3rd. So I I turn need a person to sit in the shop while I go! Or will have to close the shop next Friday.
Time to get dressed!