Getting Set Up

Here are some pictures of the very early set up of the store. What a difference time has made!

My first sign, hand drawn before the banner was up and the sticker was on the door:




Early beginnings of the racks and playroom:

Me, wondering where to start next? And fighting with the cash register!

What a mess. However, more clothes are tagged and hanging. More racks on the way. Cash register is set up and playroom is in the final stages. But look at the fabulous space I have? And my new wood floors with the paint- both of which I got to pick out. I just love it!



Ready for a soft opening!

I Am Still Here

It has been awhile since my last post. Personal chaos getting in the way that I do not want to discuss. Moving on...

So, I set up all the racks I have and realized I am several short if I want to divide my clothing properly by size and gender. I guess I'll make a trip to Target to get some basic inexpensive racks and bins so I can at least get started. I NEED to open. Nothing used on craigslist is showing up and I have waited as long as I can so I'll just buy the basic stuff and eventually when I am on my feet get matching racks and such and sell whatever extras I have.

Smile.

One of my best friends took over the cash register duty since the hundred page manual was overwhelming me on top of everything else. She taught me how to do pretty much all the basics except for discounts and void transactions so I just have to learn that and it is ready to go. My credit/debit card training is on Tuesday so hopefully after that I can ring people up. And alas, I always have a trusty calculator nearby in case of an emergency ;)

I have over 150 items tagged and hung on racks according to size- but still need to be priced. I hit 500 items on my inventory sheet. And I have about another hundred to still inventory here at home.

With the fictitious business name, I need to file an ad in an approved paper. I also need one more license which I have thirty days from opening to file- but I would like to do this week.

I am working whenever I can to do pricing of brands so I can finish my price list and fill out the tags. That is taking so much longer than expected but I have to make sure I do it right!

Some of the stay-at-home moms that are supposed to be making stuff for me are MIA. I emailed them all Friday and am still waiting for a response. I have an area all ready for their stuff so I hope they pull through. If not, well something else will come through right?

The kids play area is basically ready. A clean rug. A sink. Changing Table and Diaper Champ. Rocker. Chairs. Toys. Butterflies hanging from the ceiling. Totally adorable and comfortable and I hope Moms love it as much as I do. I have my microwave, coffee pot and toaster but they still need a table and set up and they can also be used by customers if they want.

I have a great section of new stuff. And all my resale stuff is high-end, great condition as hoped. I ended up throwing in a few things that are not high-end but had that boutique look and a few things with a small flaw that were boutique brands so I am figuring out how to separate them out and price them on their own. One- being open minded but keeping my desire to have a boutique not just a store and Two- sometimes when are kids grow we don't mind a Gymboree shirt with a pen dot stain on it for play! Why pay full price for something they are going to make spaghetti in right? So that's my justification.

One of my best friends took some pictures and if any came out good I'll post them on the site!

I hope to have my "soft" opening at the latest a week from Tuesday and then the Grand Opening Week will follow 2-4 weeks later when everything is complete. But until then, I am pretty much there all the time during opening hours so feel free to come by, call or email.

I got ITunes loaded into the laptop for some music- now I just need my WiFi to pick up a connection so I can look up brands and prices when business is slow. I intend to find out how to find inexpensive and free advertising. I am getting my printer (hopefully) fixed tomorrow so I can start again on fliers to whomever and wherever!

Thank you to everyone passing the word along. Looking forward to meeting everyone. I want to make some great sales and store credit buys so I can invest in some more new merchandise to sell a little below retail so everyone wins.

That is my Sunday Night Update. Hope all is well out there!

Keys to Sucess

I have a key!

Okay, well its only a key to the door. They still have to get me the hallway key to get into the bathroom but it is a KEY. A real key to the door of my store.

And I get to start moving stuff in this week. I could pack up stuff today and drop it off even if no one is there. Even if it isn't officially finished (which it should be but if you know anything about construction and remodeling, which I do, I don't count on anything until I see it.) I can go in and plug in my phone. Put a message on my answering machine and everything.

Wow.

I think I might need to start washing and tagging.

Oh, and my hangers came in all 1000+ of them. Do you know how much hangers cost? I won't tell you if you don't but lets just say I won't be giving them away with the clothes! I'm trying to keep my cost down which is the point of my store.

And one of my favorite "New" suppliers is having a sale of buy one get one 50% off but I'm out of start-up money. Darnit. (PG-ing that one for those of you who know me I don't normally do that but I own a children's store so my blog should at least be PG right?).

The girls are having a hard time with this whole thing. They are only going to school one more day. One more. But wow. I have always worked from home, gone in the office here and there. But I have worked. I knew it would be hard on me- but them? Can I just say my curtains wear more make-up than me? When am I supposed to find time to clean them on top of all these clothes? I know, they come clean already. But I like them to smell the same. I have a weird laundry (and clothing) obsession.

That's okay. It will help in the clothing business right?

No luck on a sign yet. I'm going to have a teenager with good writing draw me a poster board in the meantime. Just kidding. Actually though.... maybe I will. At least its something. Hey, I gotta make some money here anyway before I spend anymore. I have only enough to pay rent, utilities, and insurance through the end of the year. Nothing else. Unless of course I start making some money.

So, come on and and start shopping. I'll be around. Moving in. Tagging. Figuring out the cash register (my hardest obstacle yet! Used and needs to be programmed) 100 page manual. Ahhh. I love to read but remember in school even when you loved to read the second you opened a text book you would fall asleep? Its like that. It might be messy for awhile while I tag and hang and decorate. But the more people buy the more new stuff I can get in and I am so glad I actually have fall stuff being that its mid-July almost!

Wow. This is happening and I better get to it. Maybe I'll go use my key and plug in my phone today. See what the store is looking like.

See you there!

Baby Steps

Well, the walls are painted and the floors are being currently put in. The phone lines will be installed tomorrow and I'll finally have a phone number so I can update my flyers!

I should know the actual move in day by the end of the week. Then I can start planning on the Grand Opening Week. I want something exciting each day to bring in customers. Hopefully they'll help spread the word.

I have a meeting with the Contractor (who is great btw) again tomorrow to talk about some finishing touches. More good news: We have a water outlet and he built a sink and vanity in the children's play area. So cute!

Still working on inventory. My hangers arrived at the store so as soon as my racks get up I can start washing, tagging, sorting and hanging. Thank you to everyone who is offering to help :)

Getting so close. Anxious and excited. The girls are a little sad about spending an extra day at school but I know they will be okay and eventually so will I. This is something I have to do, for all of us, and everyone will be better for it.

Now, figuring out this cash register thing- that's another story!

TBC