OH DEAR ...

 A Very Art Deco Look In Red By Mackintosh And More

I'm In The Red Again!

 

Via Amazon And eBay

All Three Designs

Will Be Available Shortly

DID YOU KNOW...

Most Don't...

But I used to work for a very dynamic and memorable business owner, I still think of him, and here are the reasons why;

 

• Attention to detail, you knew exactly what was required

  

• He had excellent listening skills

• Every opinion mattered

• Always set a positive example

• Never pulled - rank

• Showed interest in the person and their family

• Encouraged you and challenged you to be better

• You were always capable of more

• Encouraged and praised a job well done

• Straightforward, honest and constructive in appraisal

• Gave you ownership and encouraged you to make a difference

• Celebrated success

   

   

"IF IT IS TO BE"..

...“It’s Up To Me”

 

This should be every self employed person's mantra.

 

Wouldn’t it be great if those words were engraved on the door to your workplace as a reminder every day? 

 

 “If it is to be, it’s up to me” 

 

Isn't this the attitude that epitomises the most professional, driven person you have ever met.

It’s the attitude that shows when someone takes personal responsibility for everything that occurs in his or her day. 

The real business professional immediately acknowledges and deals with every challenge that comes his or her way.  

Look for solutions not excuses. 

So the solution to my challenge is for you to visit my Amazon or eBay store! 😁  

 

 

Designed by Freepik

THE FUSCHIA'S BRIGHT...

The Future Is Fuschia...

Fuschia & Pearl - £24.95 - 25cm

Mackintosh Rose & Leaf - £29.95

Flower Vase 30cm - £34.95

 This combination reminds me that Spring has nearly sprung!

Small Hurricane Vase - £19.95

Mackintosh And More

Posy Vase 20cm - £19.95

 

Something For Nothing...

On eBay...

 

I know I'm not the brightest light bulb when it comes to eBay, so I look at what the "Experts" are saying. 

It seems to be perceived wisdom that the description box on an eBay listing should always include the item title. Apparently the title box information is not included in searches made by budding customers, who knew?!

 

"Those in the know" also say that images in the description box generate a significantly higher percentage of sales. I have been looking for a low-cost, no-cost solution to this for a while, So being the frugal type I took another trip around Google and then explored eBay Seller Centre. I found this Photo Gallery, it is free to use and can also be customised, available at eBayphotogallery.com

I am trying it for a while to see if it is viable in the long term. So far the only thing I find negative is when you click an image it opens the item in another window. This is a link to your gallery images shown on their website. It seems that you can only stop this happening by taking a paid subscription. Should have guessed right?

Photo Gallery - click to enlarge

Hurry Up And Take Your Time.

The thoughts of a small trader.

In my opinion, in the little Retail Bubble which  I inhabit, some of the last people to feel the tightening grip of recession are Commercial Landlords. They always seem to get the rent they want because there will always be someone out there with the next big idea. Just don't don't get too carried away when you find the perfect premises.

Do - Ask for the first month rent free.
Do - Try to get it decorated by the landlord for free.
Do - Make sure you have a "break" clause, 12 - 18 months is usual.
Don't sign a lengthy contract, I usually opted for five years.
Don't forget to establish who is responsible for repairs, make sure it is in the contract.
Don't have verbal agreements regarding responsibilities, write it down in the contract.

Don’t get me wrong, more people should consider starting their own business. I love to see small independent shops they make a town interesting and charming. It’s a pleasure to walk around a place with more than just the usual High Street names.
The idea of someone starting their own business rather than working for “The Man” is exactly what I did. Maybe I got lucky but I did a lot of research about what was realistically achievable in my little town.

What about your town?

Is it a dormitory town, do most of its inhabitants sleep there but work and play elsewhere.?
What catchment area surrounds your town, are there many smaller communities who may visit for shopping etc.?
Or my favourite, are you a tourist town, just a nice place to visit with lots to see and do and lots of people visiting?

These are just some of the things to consider before taking your nest-egg or bank loan and, often with little experience but loads of enthusiasm, marching into retail battle with a "Gung-Ho" attitude.
It sometimes seems that with little or no research people plough money, time and effort into their project without looking at footfall or any kind of demographics. There are successes of course, but most seem to disappear within a year which is the normal “break” clause in a commercial contract. Landlords here in the U.K. are not given to reduce rent for a period to help a business get a better foothold they would rather rinse and repeat.

 

It is the poor little proprietor who has to sink or swim. We have all heard so-called "Business Gurus" trotting out the legend;

 

 "No such thing as failure, it's all experience". 

That may be true, but I have experienced losing money in a venture and it felt like a burn to me. Yes you need to pick yourself up and try to learn from it, but I don’t remember nodding sagely and thinking of that 'feel good' motivational blurb!
As I have said, you must do your research and take your time.
It's a shame that in the rush to start a business "Due Diligence" goes out of the window. And another proprietor walks in through the shop door.

So how do you live long and prosper in a little retail world?

Identity Parade!

Stand Still And Face Forward!

 

Mackintosh And More Small Hurricane Lamps

 

Okay, pick out the one you like and buy it, which do you prefer Amazon or eBay?

 

Curly Whirly Swirly Helix

Art Nouveau ;

A style of decorative Art, Architecture, and Design which was prominent in Western Europe and the USA from about 1890 until around 1920. The style was characterised by intricate linear patterns and flowing curves inspired by nature.

My interpretation, simplified, random and free-form.

Buy Gold - I Would.

They say that Gold is a a good investment, but you can find it for your self at the following Goldmines Amazon or eBay

 

 The two central images were an early experiment that did not work, sorry!😒

Further Up The Amazon

I 💖 Amazon Because...

 

 

Well, first we have to take a step back in time. 

 

We used to have bricks and mortar shops, two on separate occasions, tucked away on the High Street.
The second premises was quite large for a "Mum and Dad" type of store which had my workshop and stock room in the back. It worked very well for us for some time with Alan minding the shop and me beavering away in the background. Our customers were great, we were in a small town so we had a large number of regulars who would linger and chat about everyday issues etc. But like many small towns the independent shops were dwindling away due to many factors too numerous to discuss here.

Behold My Retail Empire.

 

 

But the major factor was always rent and rates. Time to tackle the "Elephant In The Room".

 

AMAZON FEES

 

People moan about the commission and fees you have to pay on each sale, roughly 15% - LOOK AT THE ADVANTAGES!

• No rent or council business rates - which are an absolute rip-off!
• Open 24 hours 365 days of the year.
• Part of the largest on-line marketplace.
• Millions of potential footfall, anyone anywhere in the world can browse your store.
• You don't have to make sales or supervise browsers. Set up your store and have a nap!
• No cleaning or building maintainance.
• No insurance payments 
• No credit card rental and comission.
• Not paying two licence fees for background music.

The list goes on and on, I would say that High Street Retail costs would easily exceed 20 -25% of turnover for a small business with no online presence. Now Amazon and all of it's advantages don't look so bad! Plus the high standard that Amazon demand of it's "Sellers" stops you from being lazy. Customer service is as important to Amazon as it is to me and this means that customers can buy with absolute confidence.
The buyer is their top priority bar none!

But the main advantage is that you manage your Amazon store. If you have a bricks and mortar store it manages you.

About five years ago I reverted back to being solely a "Cottage Industry". Working from home requires discipline and yes, I'm still working on that. But my time is more my own and the running costs are significantly less so I take that as a win win situation. I know this would not work for everyone but for now it makes me happy. 😀

Now what about eBay?

Feeling Blue

Not Really, just vase-ing!

Blue seems to be quite popular at the moment, so here are a few examples coupled with Pearl accents. This really is a striking combination, giving a lovely pop of colour in most room settings. All will be available for sale soon.

Hurricane Warning!

↑↑↑↑↑ SHOP LINKS UP HERE ↑↑↑↑↑

Coming To An Internet Marketplace Near You!

Hurricane Lamps in Ruby Red and Slate / Acid Etch ( Black and White?)

These are great for pillar candles, flowers or dried arrangements. Lovely table centrepiece for weddings or other family celebrations. 

Or just for staring at, because they're pretty!

The Old One Two!

Not one sale...

But Two!

Here I am, front row 3rd from the right

You may remember, this Purple and Pearl Cylinder Vase was first introduced in the dresser group photo.

Well 24 hours after launching it into the inter-web marketplace it sold TWICE on eBay! 

This might not mean much to most, but I, for one, am extremely pleased.😀

You can see it on eBay Here