Mooloo's "Making my future, one stitch at a time"?

Savvy_sewing

Yes today was much better.
I got DGD to Holiday Club about 8.15. So at work just before 8.30
Finished a pair of trousers that one of the girls didn't get around to do.
Then a dress that needed side panels, all before I opened.
I was on to shortening a dress and trousers by 10.
The new reception/shop assistant came in. I wasn't expecting her today, as thought she was working her notice. But they let her go. Sent her a text message to say not to go back. But she was a blessing in disguise, as it meant I didn't have to shut the shop when I collected DS and his GF, to take to the doctors. She made a sale too.
She left at 1.30. Then the lady I had interviewed yesterday came in at 2pm. She got straight to work, and didn't blink an eye at a wedding dress alteration. The 10 hours she can give me a week are going to be a godsend. She will be in tomorrow 10-2. So the shop will have a full house of people. But I will have to let the young girl I trailed go. Her work is not good enough, and I can't afford to pay her an hourly rate when she takes four hours to do two pairs of trouser hems.
Not looking forward to telling her. I wasn't sure really, I thought I'd give her time to learn, but with the ability of the second lady, I think it's a cost I can't really afford. There is still the Costumier, who is coming in on Thursday, so I may still get the coverage I need.
I then had a meeting with a Haberdadhery Supplier. I'm soon expanding the shop offerings, to sell them as the other shop is closing down.

Savvy_sewing

DGD and I had an exciting half hour this evening, when a friend of mine took us out for a drive in a very nice Porsche. Don't ask me the model as I couldn't tell you. But it was a hybrid car, automatic, with an amazing acceleration, and great handling on the roundabout. We tested it on the road just outside Silverstone track.
Fun over, time for bed. Night night.
Expecting a call soon about the arrival of the new baby! It can't be long now

Savvy_sewing

Still no Baby!
They didn't want it born on the 1st April, so here's hoping they get their wish. It certainly doesn't seem in a hurry!
Biggest of Mooloo's isn't feeling too well. Reckon she's doing too much.
Not heard anything from twin 1, but twin 2 has been on the phone asking for news of the baby.
It sounds a little calmer weather out there today. Hopefully it will improve as rain keeps customers away. When the sun shines I put a rail of sale items out the front and that brings in customers to browse more. Which can lead to sales.
My new lady, is re-arranging things a bit upstairs, so here is hoping that this will jump start a higher turn over in sales soon.
I'm calling the man who's roll ends are not shifting, to come and collect them to free up space in the shop for the haberdashery that I plan to get soon.
I need to go and see the lady who is retiring to see if I can get her display units. Apparantly the company don't take them back. Although hers are old units they are serviceable, and if I don't have to buy a lot then it all helps. At least this month after all my bills have been paid I have started the month with £448 in the bank, ( and £300!due in to cover sewing machines ordered, that I have paid for), and some £150 worth of collections there, and about £200 worth of jobs still to do.
Considering I started March with £16.04 I am happy.
Although I will need to generate an extra £130 to cover the extra hours of a new staff member a week. Bring the challenge on. Things can only get better.

Savvy_sewing

Well today was really quiet. But it allowed me to crack on with some jobs, and the new lady also did several good jobs.
The young girl struggled to achieve. So I have talked to her and told her I can't pay her 16 hours a week, that perhaps if she wants to learn then maybe just come in when little one is at nursery, and see if she can speed up a bit. ( too soft for my own good- didn't have the heart to say no out right).
Closed at 2pm. Went to say hi to the lady who has opened up a new little vintage clothes shop, and then came home to blitz the front room for an hour or so, before collecting DGD from school club.
So the downstairs is all lovely again. Just must keep it like that!
Next week it's tackle the upstairs!
My Dad is still poorly, and struggling to breathe. Which is not good as he's Mum's carer. So she is trying to do more. I told them if they need me I would be there. The two older ladies would cope in the shop if necessary.
The babysitter can sit Saturday, so that's a start.
I am open Friday 10-2. Just incase of collections etc as there are a lot waiting to be collected, over £275 worth at the moment. Only £13 worth collected today! Not a very profitable day. But The town was quiet.
Tonight a simple pie and potatoes, veg for tea and a soak in the bath with bubbles.
I'm still having trouble with my ears, so the world is very cotton woolly!

Errata

The young girl struggled to achieve. So I have talked to her and told her I can't pay her 16 hours a week, that perhaps if she wants to learn then maybe just come in when little one is at nursery, and see if she can speed up a bit. ( too soft for my own good- didn't have the heart to say no out right).

Bottom line is you really can't afford to carry passengers when you still have to earn a penny piece in wages yourself from the shop. Keeping someone on when they're a dead loss is very unfair to any other staff you employ who are doing a good job and what you pay them to do.
Running a business is never all rainbows and kittens, you have to be firm but fair.

Savvy_sewing

Errata wrote: »

Bottom line is you really can't afford to carry passengers when you still have to earn a penny piece in wages yourself from the shop. Keeping someone on when they're a dead loss is very unfair to any other staff you employ who are doing a good job and what you pay them to do.
Running a business is never all rainbows and kittens, you have to be firm but fair.

I know. Just couldn't do it today! I told her she wasn't experienced enough etc.
Maybe I will end up being a chicken and writing to her. I don't know today. It's been a very difficult week. Too many changes.
I will re-assess and tomorrow I will go back in and look at her work.
Etc.
But I fear your right. I doubt I can carry on. And my funding for DGD is back in the balance. So I need to be earning myself.

Savvy_sewing

Still struggling with my ears. Need to get time to get some otex or something. Face is all blocked at the moment.
still have the cats, and taking antihistamine, which appears to cause me constipation now! Such is life.
Of course with new baby imminent DS and Gf have changed their minds about having the cats. ( incase they sit on the baby). So we are struggling to find them a new foster home until the Summer.
Still no news of the baby.
Twin2 keeps asking. Not heard anythink from twin 1 since they brought DGD back two weeks ago.
Dad is still waiting to see the specialists, -8th April first appointment.

Today is trial day for the last lady who sews. Here is hoping she is better, we will see.
I will get my backbone sorted, and see what the other girls work is like, and if this one is better, I will pay the other girl, and let her go.

grandma247

Mooloo Maybe it is time to talk to a cat rescue place? If the cats are causing you to be so poorly and you are reacting to the medication then you need to be pro active and get rid of them as soon as you can.

Please don't feel guilty that you have to get rid of them, your health is very important, especially for dgd.

This is an extract from here.

Whatever you do, don't assume that you can just wait it out, that cat allergies will naturally get better over time. They might very well get worse. Out-of-control allergies can do more than make life miserable -- they can increase the risk of asthma, which is a serious disease.

This is why I am so worried for you.

Errata

You really need to sack the girl you're dithering over, if this is all she can manage

But I will have to let the young girl I trailed go. Her work is not good enough, and I can't afford to pay her an hourly rate when she takes four hours to do two pairs of trouser hems.

She's either gormless, clueless or taking the mickey - you know which of these she is.
The cats need to go, it's not unusual for people in middle age to become allergic to something that previously didn't trouble them. As grandma points out, an allergic reaction can easily lead to asthma developing and that's something you neither need nor can afford to have.
On a final note, the fact that Twin1's BF was all over DGD a while back and has now done a disappearing act speaks volumes about his interest in her.
I cringe as I write this, but have you got all the people you employ on zero hours contracts? They're not illegal and would get you out of any hole you may find yourself in when there's significant under performance as there now is with the sewing girl.
HTH and posted with good intentions.

purpleshoes_2

Errata wrote: »

You really need to sack the girl you're dithering over, if this is all she can manage
She's either gormless, clueless or taking the mickey - you know which of these she is.
The cats need to go, it's not unusual for people in middle age to become allergic to something that previously didn't trouble them. As grandma points out, an allergic reaction can easily lead to asthma developing and that's something you neither need nor can afford to have.
On a final note, the fact that Twin1's BF was all over DGD a while back and has now done a disappearing act speaks volumes about his interest in her.
I cringe as I write this, but have you got all the people you employ on zero hours contracts? They're not illegal and would get you out of any hole you may find yourself in when there's significant under performance as there now is with the sewing girl.
HTH and posted with good intentions.

No one would find themselves in a hole letting someone go for poor performance if they only had a few weeks service. You have to be employed for two years to take someone to tribunal for unfair dismissal for example.

One thing every worker is entitled to is a written statement of terms and conditions within I think it is 13 weeks of starting employment.

Edited to add, its two months from starting employment, if you've been employed for a month.