Today began check-in. Grateful for the rain, but it would have been swell for it to have come yesterday only. Oh well. I guess I needed to pay more on the rent for our store to get a rain-free afternoon. Hmm. Next year.
The store started filling up fast today with some adorable outfits. My volunteers sure made it all run so smoothly. Thank you ladies! Exciting to think we still have two more days of checking in sellers.
Off to write more emails. I think my hubby is laughing at me talking to myself while I write.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Set-up
Exhausted - and more yet to do. Went to our sale location today. Tony dropped off the racks there last night, so that was helpful. Spent today assembling and arranging the racks and getting things set for check-ins that begin tomorrow.
It's so great to see things really taking shape. Tomorrow will be day one with my amazing consignors as I get to meet so many people that are a part of my business. So much to do - emails to write, volunteers to wrangle.
It's so great to see things really taking shape. Tomorrow will be day one with my amazing consignors as I get to meet so many people that are a part of my business. So much to do - emails to write, volunteers to wrangle.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Blessings
You never know how things are going to work out when you are running a business.
You can build a budget covering anticipated hard and soft expenses. You can plan for labor needs and so many other things. However, things change. You have to roll with it no matter whether the twists and turns were good or bad.
For me, this week, I had some great things happen and am so grateful to the people involved. I have met some amazing women in the course of getting ready for this first big sale. It has been tremendous to see their generosity to me and I am so thankful for their support.
Someday I'm sure I'll write about the whole experience, but today will be a short post, mostly to say thank you to my new friends in this business and to my old friends who have been so supportive along the way.
You can build a budget covering anticipated hard and soft expenses. You can plan for labor needs and so many other things. However, things change. You have to roll with it no matter whether the twists and turns were good or bad.
For me, this week, I had some great things happen and am so grateful to the people involved. I have met some amazing women in the course of getting ready for this first big sale. It has been tremendous to see their generosity to me and I am so thankful for their support.
Someday I'm sure I'll write about the whole experience, but today will be a short post, mostly to say thank you to my new friends in this business and to my old friends who have been so supportive along the way.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Cars
No, not the totally awesome 80's band, this was a business idea. So, my husband says, "I have an interesting idea. Let's sell cars at the sale," he said. I kind of thought he was crazy.
We also thought that it might work. So, we added it to the sale. Since people and the car dealerships he's talking with are going to make a last minute decision on participation, there are no vehicles listed on the website yet. I think he was really hoping this idea would have popped already and he'd have 20 or 30 cars, SUVs or minivans on there. But, he's had some great conversations and he's still hopeful that a couple of these guys will say yes at the last minute. He's talking with local Ford, Toyota and Dodge/Jeep dealerships in hopes that they have some really great deals they could give our shoppers.
The idea - 1999 or newer and priced under $10,000. That way it's a less expensive price point so that people who are inclined to pay cash for a vehicle can get a decent deal. Will it work? Who knows. If it doesn't, no loss. If it does, I'll be thrilled we did it. I'm glad we're trying something new here and there to see if we can elevate the experience our sellers and shoppers have at the sale.
We also thought that it might work. So, we added it to the sale. Since people and the car dealerships he's talking with are going to make a last minute decision on participation, there are no vehicles listed on the website yet. I think he was really hoping this idea would have popped already and he'd have 20 or 30 cars, SUVs or minivans on there. But, he's had some great conversations and he's still hopeful that a couple of these guys will say yes at the last minute. He's talking with local Ford, Toyota and Dodge/Jeep dealerships in hopes that they have some really great deals they could give our shoppers.
The idea - 1999 or newer and priced under $10,000. That way it's a less expensive price point so that people who are inclined to pay cash for a vehicle can get a decent deal. Will it work? Who knows. If it doesn't, no loss. If it does, I'll be thrilled we did it. I'm glad we're trying something new here and there to see if we can elevate the experience our sellers and shoppers have at the sale.
The Funnel
There is so much to do!!! You know those things at the mall that you can put a coin into and the coin spins around and around circling this giant funnel until it starts spinning really fast? Well, tonight as I'm entering things into the system, it feels like I'm circling the fast part of a funnel.
We start loading in racks Friday and my awesome consignors start dropping things off Saturday. It is funny to think about how this whole crazy thing got started last year. Now, we're loaded up with some great sellers that are bringing in some of the cutest clothes.
This is so much work, but it is so much fun.
We start loading in racks Friday and my awesome consignors start dropping things off Saturday. It is funny to think about how this whole crazy thing got started last year. Now, we're loaded up with some great sellers that are bringing in some of the cutest clothes.
This is so much work, but it is so much fun.
This Break Brought To You By...
Tired. Late nights every night. I officially was not joking about going to the spa after the sale wraps. The response to the sale has been so amazing. Much love to all my savvy sisters who have been signing up to sell & shop. I am so excited, but definitely tired. Taking a "break" today to go to the Georgia Aquarium with my boys and some other friends. Hoping to relax at least a little bit, but it's hard to do that knowing that there's a huge amount of work still I'll be doing tonight. Finishing up hand-tagging, writing another email for some updates. I do think I will have fully acquired a caffeine addiction by the time the sale is done.
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Hours
Just got an email from a friend of mine on the West coast wondering what on earth I'm still doing up.
That's small business ownership for you. The hours are longer, but it's sure nice enjoying the benefits of owning your own business.
I do think I'm going to have my hubby send me to the spa after our first sale is over for a little R & R. : )
That's small business ownership for you. The hours are longer, but it's sure nice enjoying the benefits of owning your own business.
I do think I'm going to have my hubby send me to the spa after our first sale is over for a little R & R. : )
The Hand Tagging Deadline
There are some busy moms out there! Boy, is that an understatement or what?! As I have been getting registrations and talking with some of you on the phone, I have come to realize what an important offering our hand tagging service really is! Many of you have told me that if it were not for our hand tagging service there would be no way for you to consign your items.
We are all busy working in and out of the home and sometimes there is simply not enough time to "do it all"! That is where our service comes in really handy! For a $10 fee (deducted out of your earnings) we are happy to come to your home and pick up your hanging items and do all the entering and tagging for you! This even allows you not to have a check in time - we take your things to the sale! There is a 50\50 split on anything sold and you are responsible for picking up any unsold items (unless you want them donated).
I have been overwhelmed with the response of those of you that I am doing this for and so for that reason I need to have a deadline of this Saturday January 23rd as the last day for me to pick up your items for the hand tagging service. If you are interested in this service, please register yourself as a consignor at www.3savvysisters.com and then email me separately and we can figure out a time and place for me to do the pick up. I look forward to partnering with you and making this sale as convenient as possible!
Thanks so much for all of you! You're really making this a fun business for me!
We are all busy working in and out of the home and sometimes there is simply not enough time to "do it all"! That is where our service comes in really handy! For a $10 fee (deducted out of your earnings) we are happy to come to your home and pick up your hanging items and do all the entering and tagging for you! This even allows you not to have a check in time - we take your things to the sale! There is a 50\50 split on anything sold and you are responsible for picking up any unsold items (unless you want them donated).
I have been overwhelmed with the response of those of you that I am doing this for and so for that reason I need to have a deadline of this Saturday January 23rd as the last day for me to pick up your items for the hand tagging service. If you are interested in this service, please register yourself as a consignor at www.3savvysisters.com and then email me separately and we can figure out a time and place for me to do the pick up. I look forward to partnering with you and making this sale as convenient as possible!
Thanks so much for all of you! You're really making this a fun business for me!
The First Official 3SS Blog Post
It's funny that a blog is the last thing that I get going for 3SS (3 Savvy Sisters). I already had things set with Facebook and Twitter and my website has been up, but am just now getting my blog going. It's been a lot more work getting things going than I anticipated.
If you're following me on Twitter or a fan on our Facebook page, you're likely to get the fastest updates on things there. This will more likely be where I just write about my experiences with the business.
So, I homeschool the oldest two of my three little boys. My little guys are 3, 5 and 7. For some funny reason I thought I could easily add running a seasonal consignment sale to my plate. It's only a couple times a year that I'll be doing this. The sale lasts several days and I'd have prep work before we start it up. Yes, I can handle this.
Why on earth did I think it would be that easy?! Oh, well. The good news is that I am definitely having a blast. I started consigning about eight years ago and loved the deals I could get. Seriously, I've loved going to consignment sales and finding these adorable Ralph Lauren shirts and other great stuff for less than $10, sometimes less than $5!! If that price doesn't impress you, go to Nordstrom and see full retail. My favorite thing is when I find these cute things that still have the original tags on them. Love it!
So thrilled my sisters are both involved in this with me. Kimberly did a totally fabulous job of making the website. Nice and girly (very me!). Mikyla, though she's working and has gone back to school, is going to help me with the sale and accounting to make sure we keep everything nice and organized. Love that we get to make this a family affair.
Anyway, I have to get going. I have a huge pile of clothes in one of our rooms here at the house. It has turned into hand-tagging central for me. Maybe I'll listen to an episode of The Office while I'm tagging tonight and thinking of more savvy ideas for all my sisters out there!
If you're following me on Twitter or a fan on our Facebook page, you're likely to get the fastest updates on things there. This will more likely be where I just write about my experiences with the business.
So, I homeschool the oldest two of my three little boys. My little guys are 3, 5 and 7. For some funny reason I thought I could easily add running a seasonal consignment sale to my plate. It's only a couple times a year that I'll be doing this. The sale lasts several days and I'd have prep work before we start it up. Yes, I can handle this.
Why on earth did I think it would be that easy?! Oh, well. The good news is that I am definitely having a blast. I started consigning about eight years ago and loved the deals I could get. Seriously, I've loved going to consignment sales and finding these adorable Ralph Lauren shirts and other great stuff for less than $10, sometimes less than $5!! If that price doesn't impress you, go to Nordstrom and see full retail. My favorite thing is when I find these cute things that still have the original tags on them. Love it!
So thrilled my sisters are both involved in this with me. Kimberly did a totally fabulous job of making the website. Nice and girly (very me!). Mikyla, though she's working and has gone back to school, is going to help me with the sale and accounting to make sure we keep everything nice and organized. Love that we get to make this a family affair.
Anyway, I have to get going. I have a huge pile of clothes in one of our rooms here at the house. It has turned into hand-tagging central for me. Maybe I'll listen to an episode of The Office while I'm tagging tonight and thinking of more savvy ideas for all my sisters out there!
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