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

Savvy_sewing

Interesting evening. I was rather tired and not really in the mood to do much, but I re-read my diary from this time last year. When I first signed and planned for the shop.
Interesting reading. Noted some things that have happened, some that have not. I have given my new diary some notes to follow myself up on, and reset some targets.
It has helped me feel more positive, and realise what I have actually achieved as we approach the shops first Anniversary.
I have come a long way in 12 months. But I still have a lot further to go till I am happy with it. It's time to fine tune.
And on that note, I'm off to sleep to think and plan and dream about how!
Ps. I have had a letter from DWP asking for my bank details as when I was on ESA 2009-2013 they owe me £10 a year Christmas bonus I never received! Yeah some money to come in then!

*Robin*

Have a great holiday Mooloo - you [and DGD] deserve it! :T

Savvy_sewing

My mystery has been solved!
I now know who sent my pictures and have sent a thanks!I love the random way MSE intertwines in my life, and has brought so many cyber friends into my life!

Savvy_sewing

I can honestly say my get up and go, has got up and went!
I'm struggling through this week.
Luckily most things are done at the shop, and I have only one big job to do today, and a few small "emergency" jobs coming in today that need to be done before I close tomorrow.
Unfortunately the out rail is jam packed full, and some £400 worth is still waiting to be collected. Everyone has been contacted several times now warning of the closure. I really could do with the funds in the bank so that I can still cover the overheads while I am away.
I have this weeks wages, and the fuel bills etc, but not quite got the rent and the next two weeks wages there!
I'm hoping today is busy and a flurry of customers come and collect. The big job also owes me £130, and a dress I made for a lady another £45.
So that would go a long way towards the wages of two staff for one week.

Time to wake my DGD, or Monkey, as we call her in this house, and get her to her holiday Club, and me sewing.
Two more days, then I can have that holiday!

Have a good day everyone.

jackyann

Mooloo - I wanted to wait until you had found the passport before posting a different point of view to Brighton belle.
Actually I totally agree with her that you should be making your time pay and not be doing things to be nice BUT would doing a small job in return for an Air Ambulance donation be a good marketing ploy?

Many years ago now, a garage near my work did me a small favour for nothing. I was new to the area, so took my car there, and then when work needed a garage on contract, suggested them. So they got a lot of work!

Could you even get some good publicity by having a week in which you do "less than 5 minute jobs" for an Air Ambulance donation? You'll get your business in the local paper for free, and it will remind people that they ought to be paying you for the rest of the year.

I would definitely have some sort of limit on storage - my wonderful dry cleaners do - the notice is very clear: reminders after a month, 2 months, then a 2 week notice that it will be taken to the charity shop at 3 months.

Have a lovely holiday!

Savvy_sewing

I have an Air Ambulance collection box on the desk. I contacted them for it, as I felt bad at charging for those little things.
I'm not sure I would feel comfortable publicising it myself if you know what I mean.
But I believe that those who I do little jobs for etc and don't charge the minimum but ask for a donation, will be customers in the future with other jobs.
My staff wants me to be. Tougher on my charges, she's the one with a life time of running her own business, a DIY shop for 40 years.
She's trying to get me to get myself s wage now.
I need a wage!
I've nothing left now, and a couple of grand in debt, on my credit cards.
So she is right, I need to be more "money orientated" and less people pleaser!
But like my generosity with my adult kids, it goes against my nature, even though my sensible head tells me so!

Finally today people came in to collect their stuff.
We banked £220, as we did yesterday, and there is £83 n the card machine, and £60 cash still in the tin.
With £259 worth waiting to be collected.
We had to turn away work today as needed while we are away. It was the hardest thing could do for the business woman in me, but realistically as I'm so tired doing more then I could in the time left would have been worse.
Although I did fit in several little jobs, there and then and finished the big jobs.
I am so ready for this holiday.

mrmechanic

I hope you have a good holiday and manage to recharge your batteries while you are away.
But can i suggest again that you really need to be making a wage for yourself.
At the moment you are dealing with all the stress both financial and emotional with running a business,but you are doing this to pay other peoples wages with no financial benefit to yourself.
When you start back you should really be looking to put your own needs first, (your wage.)
Only then you should be thinking about staff wages.
At the moment the time you are putting in is paying other peoples wages.
Don't want to be to blunt, but the way the business is going just now although making money, is not benefitting you.
Therefore you would be as well sitting in the house all day instead of doing all these hours for no financial gain.
Please rethink the way your business is going and look for ways to restructure it in order for it to be worth your while financially.
If this means picking the type of work that is going to be beneficial financially to you, or reducing your staff level to a place that is going to be sustainable for your wage bill monthly after you have a wage.
About 20 yrs ago a customer and now good friend said to me after i had been running my business a few years, "don't be a busy fool"
When I asked him what he meant he said "I would be a fool if I was always busy but not making any money".
Good luck and enjoy your break.

jackyann

Do you have some sort of small business forum locally? Most areas have something of the kind - they used to give advice to small business people about exactly the kind of things you have posted about.
And yes, you should be paying yourself a wage, and ensuring your NI contributions are up to date as well.
I think your business sounds lovely and I hope that you can sort it out - after your holiday - have a lovely time!

ivyleaf

Wishing you and DGD a lovely holiday Mooloo :j

Savvy_sewing

It's hot out here.
We arrived at tea time. The air was very humid, and it tried to rain, but was not of much significance.
Found the area with a few bars, and the supermarket. So a cooked chicken, some salad, bread and crisps for our evening meal and a walk for a beer or two afterwards.
The apartment has wifi so we listened to music on the iPad (my friends), and had another few drinks once DGD was in bed.
We are waiting for our bags to be delivered. Dhl say they are now out for delivery with the courier.
Hopefully he will manage to find us in this gated apartments. It's like Fort Knox trying to get in.