One of my favorite things to any time I visit a place is check out the local shops. They always have so much character, and usually great buys! A small business run from home can be a very successful career choice if managed effectively. It requires a good understanding of Business strategy and business planning, but other than that all you need is an inventive idea! Once you muster an idea, what’s left is the dirty work of finance and real-estate. After you have the nitty-gritty settled, you’re ready to open up shop.Location is an imperative to a successful store. If you pick an outlet in a bad part of town or an area where no one visits, it will affect your business. Small businesses have no means of large advertising, since it is so expensive. So, no one will know that such a jewel is hidden in a bad location. Picking a lucrative spot can be the difference between money spent and money earned. My favorite stores are the ones located in cute towns. Anything near a waterfront or the city is a jackpot. Giving your customers a reason to stick around your store is great. If you’re located next to an ice-cream shack, tourists enjoying ice cream will wander into your store. What more could you want!Also, the store must be inviting. You have to entrance customers into your store. This should be done is a subtle way. People are often offended by flashy signs and in-your-face advertisement. Little touches of homeliness and cheer will do the trick. Adding bright colored window curtains will attract viewers from across the way, or even those driving by. Another nice touch would be chairs and tasteful decorations outside. This will make your business appear welcoming and friendly. Being tasteful is very important however, you don’t want to exclude anyone of any belief from your store. Failing to do this will loose you customers and credibility. You never want to burn bridges with what could be an advantageous client. Always keep an open door.Another important thing to remember when opening a store is your product. After all, the sole purpose of a store is to sell a product. You want your store to have a purpose. Avoid being the “junk drawer” of retail. A good way to decide what types of things to sell in your business is by looking at your audience. If you’re located near water, a kayak store would be a smart investment. If you’re near the city, maybe clothing and accessories would be more appropriate. Targeting your product to the area your in will also bring in visitors. When people travel they like to experience the culture, so stores that mirror the culture of their area will be very popular among tourists!Home run businesses are often some of the best stores. Being run by individuals makes them have character, appeal, and they are usually very nicely operated. Opening a small business can be a great money maker if you have the right stuff. It doesn’t have any set pre-requisite other than, maybe, people skills. Some things to keep in mind while thinking of opening a small business are location, appeal, and product. The location of your store is directly related to success. Also, your store has to be inviting or else you will loose customers. Lastly, your product is key. You have to sell something people want and need.
Tag Archives: business
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!
He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.
But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.
Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!
Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.
We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.
Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.
Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!
But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.
Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.
Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.
And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.
All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.
He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.