Stepping into 2014- walking in My Shoes with Mooloo

Savvy_sewing

I would like to say that I am up and raring to go. But I am still exhausted. I went up to bed just before 8pm, but messages etc I was waiting for replies too eventually came in around 9. So it was around 9.30pm when I finally started to settle.
I'm having weird dreams, especially about not making deadlines. And about other issues going around in my head, that are distorting and raising ugly dreams!
I am getting lots of reccommendations, which is good, but as I am so busy with the alterations that I cannot take on any actual making jobs.
One lady wants some beautiful period costumes made. But I cannot commit the time.
I am trying to keep an even keel, spacing and timing my jobs, re-assessing the work load every morning, and making sure outstanding items are done as soon as the zips etc arrive. Keeping an eye on the times jobs take, so that I can give accurate collection dates. Also so I can work on the priceing structure for the future.
(Replacement Zips being the one that I am actually taking much longer to do, as Anoraks these days have many many more layers to unpick to get the zips out, before putting in new ones).
I need to keep an eye on the number of jobs I am doing and the overheads that do not change.
I have to keep an eye on my cash flow charts, and make sure I'm covering my predictions.
One area that I haven't started to make sales is the Pre-loved clothes. Where I have spent £180, yet not opened that section.
So my game plan, is that I will factor in, 30 minutes today at the beginning of the day, to tag and price, etc the stock.
I had hoped for DS's GF to help, but she is not going to be reliable.
A rethink on staff is going to have to happen sooner, rather then later.
I also want to factor in 30minutes a day to play with my fabrics and make a few items for display/sale in the Mooloo's Makes section.
I think if I earmark it, around the alterations, I will start to get more things done. Fingers crossed anyway.
Time to get DGD ready for school, and have my shower. I've been up an hour, and done little!

duchy

When I was a single Mum and working fulltime I would get up an hour earlier than I needed to and that was my "me" time and what kept me sane. Sometimes I might put washing on or do a few bits - othertimes I'd read or surf with a cup of coffee but it was a pottering time not a doing time. It stopped me burning out.

Errata

I'm so pleased everything's going well and there are lots of customers. You've only been open just over a week and I guess your town has had a famine of dressmakers / alteration people / zip replacers, so people will have been storing stuff up that needs doing and they've all come galloping to your newly opened shop.
Once that famine has been satisfied things may quieten down a bit - zips only need replacing and sleeves etc altered once, Perhaps it might be a good idea to see how the first, or even first three, month's trading goes before you give serious thought to employing someone. Being an employer can sometimes bring more problems than it solves.
Keep up the hard work, and happy birthday to DGD.:)

Savvy_sewing

I have been open now for 4 weeks. I opened Thursday the 5th September.
I have now done over 100 alterations, and have 20 more still to do. Plenty of requests today, even while I was closed people were knocking on the door.
I am officially knackered today.
I am do glad I shut early. Had enough work to do. But can't do anymore today, it took me all morning to do one alteration, because of all of the interruptions!
My day was ruined early on by twin2's ex landlady ringing me, and accusing her of theft, card fraud, prostitution and drug taking!!! I have now blocked the woman. Even if what she says is true, what does she expect me to do? I told her to call the police. If my daughter is in with the wrong people and doing wrong then they need to deal with it. If she has hit rock bottom, I cannot be blamed. I did everything in my power to care for her, and get her help.
But it unsettled me, and I am trying to build the wall of protection, but I'm just exhausted and want to curl up in a ball go to sleep and wake up with the sun shining and all being right with the world.

lostinrates

Re Christmas hours...

Can I suggest a window advert promoting getting alterations to things for Christmas functions up good and early, say beginning of November? And highlighting your closing times.

There might be a flush of last minute...'could you just......'

Do you make dresses too? When this flurry of alterations dies down good time to promote evening/ party wear.....

Errata

I have been open now for 4 weeks. I opened Thursday the 5th September.

Sorry, , so you did - hasn't time flown!

*Robin*

Mooloo wrote: »

I have now done over 100 alterations, and have 20 more still to do. Plenty of requests today, even while I was closed people were knocking on the door.
I am officially knackered today.
I am so glad I shut early. Had enough work to do. But can't do anymore today, it took me all morning to do one alteration, because of all of the interruptions!

The interruptions will get worse, and be for longer, as the weather deteriorates! As you say, folk still knock on the door even when you are officially closed - but you could rig up a mirror so that the doorway is visible from upstairs - and if you want to, admit anyone who'd 'phoned to arrange dropping off work during the day / hours you're shut / committed to uninterrupted sewing.

A member of my family runs a similar specialist shop alone and struggles with this problem (they don't want to employ an assistant). Solution for them is opening afternoons only, but customers can drop off work at the business next door any-time. It means they can catch up in the mornings, and the constant interruptions while the shop door is open aren't so frustrating. Sometimes the place resembles a cafe in the afternoons, with several clients drinking tea and chatting while relative works on through it..

Sorry to hear more bad news re Twin2..
The only comfort I can offer is that when she truly does hit bottom, the solution we discussed ages ago is still available.

Please, please think again about closing your shop door for all of Wednesday - even if you're working inside - you admit you're already exhausted by the pace one month in.. For your [and DGD's] long-term well being, it really is worth being realistic about how much you can cope with.

Fwiw, I think you're doing really well! :T

(((Hugs)))
Rx

Savvy_sewing

Ok so lost my post somewhere?
DS had a little accident last night. Tree fell on him/bike. So he and GF are asleep in the front room. My CC will need to be used, to get bike fixed,as they live in the middle of nowhere.
I am running late. Will tell you all about it all later!

duchy

Mooloo wrote: »

Ok so lost my post somewhere?
DS had a little accident last night. Tree fell on him/bike. So he and GF are asleep in the front room. My CC will need to be used, to get bike fixed,as they live in the middle of nowhere.
I am running late. Will tell you all about it all later!

Oh lord !
Might be a good thing in the long run Mooloo as it may point out a few realities in life to them .
Bike needs to have comprehensive insurance in future
Living in the middle of nowhere is not going to be practical once baby is born so they need to be looking for something near to work and shops for when their current tenancy expires.
Why are they at yours and not at her cake baking Mums ....and can't she help them with the bike costs too ? Maybe they could borrow half from each of you ?
Or maybe they could repay the loan in GF working at the shop (reliably) for a day or two a week- that might be a good solution - say they must pay back at £X a week but if she works X hours in the shop that week they don't pay and that weekly amount is deducted from the loan. Good for them as they can't afford the loan and good for you too as you need the extra help.

They have chosen to be parents so need to act as adults - so offer them a grown up solution and not the old kid way of running to the bank of Mooloo.

bubbs

Mooloo i dont often post on here but always read and just saw this and thought of you , dont know if you need /want/can afford anymore but i think its a brill price
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