My apologies for the lack of posts this weekend. My husband and I had to fly to Michigan on short notice for a family gathering of sorts, so everything at home was left up in the air.
One huge benefit to this last minute trip, though, was that we had a lot of time to talk and reflect since we were out of our daily routine. My husband and I spent a lot of time this weekend talking with family about our upcoming move, and how it's a great time to reassess our lives in general--- what we want, where we're going, how we're getting there.
For several years now I've had the desire to open a a small brick and mortar store focusing on handmade--- not just my items, but the amazing objects created by artists I've had the pleasure of meeting over the last few years. While everyone around me is always encouraging, I'm always scared. The task is too daunting, too risky. I'll tell myself "After we can afford a house" or "After we have a baby." This weekend, though, hammered home that "after" doesn't always happen.
After all these weighty conversations, I picked up the book The Boss of You: Everything A Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run, and Maintain Her Own Business
for the plane ride home. The book is, in a work, amazing. While I've read a lot of craft and business books over the past year or so, including Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business
, I think The Boss of You is my favorite yet.The authors are women entrepreneurs who wanted their web design business to stay small, and write with those same type of women in mind. They're straightfoward and help you envision your business identity (with exercises you'll actually want to complete), are there is a helpful (if not scary) chapters on determining your startup costs and networking with potential customers and fellow business owners. While actually opening a shop still seems daunting, it also seems hopeful---
I'd love to hear from others who read the book or have opened brick and mortars. What was your experience? Any advice that you have for fledgling entrepreneurs?
6 comments:
SOLD! I'm going to get it. Thanks!
This sounds quite intriguing - I'll have to see if my local library has it :]
as you already know, i, too, dream about having a brick and mortar store someday and i'm so glad you posted about this! i will be purchasing this very book tomorrow! thank you for the heads up and i wish you all the best in your quest for the perfect little boutique!
xox,
amy
this does sound like an excellent read, thanks for the recommendation angela! while i have no expert advice for you (sorry), i too have dreams of starting my own business, of the bakery variety, so i know the feeling. part of me sometimes thinks that i should just give it a shot and take the plunge, but then (like you said) it is scary, and a huge risk. the dreamer in me says go for it! i'll be ordering things from you online as soon as your website is up!
I need to read that book
that book sounds great, I haven't heard of it before. Opening a shop would be very exciting, I can see why it is daunting too. I'm off to see if I can find that book now...
: )
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