It's just (small) business

Sugartown Dissolves - Ashley Drewes works with at-risk youth

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:56:34 -0500

Sugartown Dissolves - Ashley Drewes works with at-risk youth:

via @SaugertiesTimes

10 Careers Involving Vintage Clothing

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:01:56 -0500

10 Careers Involving Vintage Clothing:

via Sammy Davis Vintage

The End of Sugartown?

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:20:43 -0500

Sugartown at 114 Partition Street is closing.
“After much thought and consideration, I have made the decision for Sugartown Vintage Boutique at 114 Partition Street to close it’s doors at the end of December 2011. Knowing how many people in the community have invested in this store and invested in me, I feel an obligation to publicly explain the reason for closing the store just 1 year from it’s opening. Firstly, Sugartown succeeded in many more ways that it can be said it failed, though I hate to use the word “fail.” Among it’s successes, Sugartown grew rapidly in it’s first year to include some really cool local vendors, it was host to several successful promotional events, it hosted two interns, and it garnered significant attention in the local media. All of this was despite many anticipated as well as unexpected challenges.

Unfortunately, the rising cost of overhead and the slow growth of the economy have combined to make investing in another year at this location unwise. It seems it’s time for Sugartown to change how it does business, be it with online sales, at street fairs and markets, or in a new location. I will be a little sad, but I’m mostly hopeful. Change is good and necessary, and this is no exception. For this reason, I don’t think the love and labor of this past year was at all in vain.

Personally, allowing Sugartown to move in this new direction will give me the freedom to pursue and devote more time to my many other interests. If you are a vendor, please collect your products before the end of year (or sooner if you’d like), at which point you will be fully compensated for all goods sold up until that point. If you are interested in buying the Sugartown brand and/or it’s remaining inventory, or if you wish to inquiry about the purchase of equipment (furniture, racks) or merchandise at wholesale prices, please send your inquiry to SugartownBoutique@gmail.com.”
- Ashley Meghan Drewes (Facebook - December 5th)
But don’t be sad.
”I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished, so grateful for the friends and family that helped me accomplish it, and so optimistic about the future that I don’t understand what this whole pity party thing is all about, because I didn’t mean to invite anyone to it.

I need to get rid of a ton of stuff - and that will be a pain. And I need to find the best avenue to redirect my talents, and that will be a challenge. But no one needs to say how sorry they are.

If you want to lament about how awful this economy is, put your money where your mouth is and a) shop local b) shop at my store c) donate $ to the Saugerties Food Pantry.” — Ashley Meghan Drewes (Facebook - December 9th)
Words from a kind friend and fellow business owner:
“I want to take a moment to thank Ashley Meghan Drewes of Sugartown Vintage Boutique. As a vendor carried in this store, you have worked tirelessly to promote my brand, and support all of your friends and local businesses. As a business owner, your hard work has made Sugartown a success, which will live on through different venues. Sugartown’s closing is a representation of the current economical situation, not a statement about the business itself. Thank you Sugartown and Ashley for all you have done for Saugerties, for your community, and for me.” — Stephanie Marks (Facebook - December 7th)
Closing Sale! Entire store @ShopSugartown is 50% OFF! Unbeatable holiday savings! Please RT! #Saugerties #Catskills #HudsonValley
Ashley Drewes
December 9, 2011 12:50:04 PM EST
Reply Retweet

Never under-value your product!

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:35:17 -0500

Recently encountered an artisan vendor who asked me what she should price her goods for. She admitted pretty freely that she usually sells her goods at cost. Yes, you read that correctly. She usually sells her goods at cost, does not factor in labor, does not make a profit. What?!

I quickly created a draft pricing sheet for her, and it looked something like this:

(Cost of Product)x2 = the minimum you need to make

The minimum you need to make + retailer’s cut (30%-50% of retail price) = retail price

I didn’t even calculate for her what her labor is worth exactly, but I’m sure it would have increased the retail price of her product tremendously.

I know it’s difficult to find a sweet spot between a fair retail price and a reasonable profit margin, but THE GOAL IS TO MAKE MONEY. You may love what you do, but your time and materials cost money, and your sales need to recoup that loss or else it’s just not sustainable.

It’s time we flip the Walmart mentality. Don’t set yourself to compete with cheaply mass-produced imported products, because you will lose. Let your customers know your product has real value, tell them about the quality materials you use and the love and care that goes into each product. You’re in a league of your own, so act like it!

curethriftshop: Knowing your consumer base.

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:37:38 -0500

curethriftshop:

Knowing your consumer base.

A Year of Gained Wisdom in #Business

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:20:49 -0500

Tonight I’m throwing this little shindig to celebrate the approaching one year mark of Sugartown Vintage Boutique. I have A LOT to reflect on, and I hope some of the things I have learned will help others. Here’s a list, because I like lists, of things a person learns when they start a business (in no particular order):

learning how to take and edit digital photographs is invaluable
be flexible
jump on every opportunity
recognize hurdles as opportunities
customers with an emotional connection to you / your brand are the most loyal
There are a lot of professionals willing to donate their services for cross promotion. There are countless ways to collaborate with others in your community.
self employment doesn’t mean you work for yourself, it means you work for EVERYONE
narrow your niche, have a clear brand early on
know exactly what you want, and how you want it, and don’t delegate those most important decisions to other people
everyone will sugar coat criticism, everyone will under-estimate how difficult your endeavor will be, and everyone will offer you advice regardless of what they actual know or don’t know. Be polite, but take every opinion with a grain of salt and a pound of your own research
start small, or, to quote Sun Tzu “Do what is great while it is small.” let your business grow naturally, and don’t get ahead of yourself. if you try to conquer the world in a day, you’ll fail. but if you work up to larger goals with smaller goals, you’re more likely to succeed in the long run, with less heart ache to discourage you.
nothing is free. people who offer you help as a gift always want something in return - be clear on what that is before you accept help. even and especially from family
give yourself time to think through every decision. don’t let anyone bully you into something you may not want or need by rushing you to decide quickly. take your time to read and research every agreement you sign (advertising contracts, merchant services, your storefront lease, vendor agreements, etc etc etc).

Did I forget anything? Have a question? Shoot!

Google Street Views Takes A Look Inside Businesses (PHOTOS)

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:39:10 -0400

Google Street Views Takes A Look Inside Businesses (PHOTOS):

(Huffington Post)

Retail merchandising #DIY Don’t have a clip strip? I used...

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:05:05 -0400

Retail merchandising #DIY

Don’t have a clip strip? I used a shiny ribbon with some colorful clothes pins, which I think looks way better anyway!

I am all for shopping local! But I have a serious question and I am not trolling. I shop at a lot of big box stores (aka Walmart) because it is cheaper than a lot of local stores. I find when I want to do all my shopping in the local shops in Kingston (down by dietz) woodstock and saugerties it is too expensive for me (cuz I do know it may not be for other people.) How do I support local business when I currently can't afford it! Also come to FYE I give 110% customer service every time! :)

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:12:52 -0400

It depends on what you are purchasing, but there are always small business alternatives. Some of the thrift stores in the Kingston area may be a better option for you for many things. You can also save money on groceries if you buy direct from a farm (CSA or community Supported Agriculture farm share is inexpensive and there is a meat and veg. farm in Esopus that participates - I personally buy my vegetables from Sauer farm on Sawkill Rd in Saugerties during the warm months and it is very affordable). Just remember, what you get that is cheap price-wise is often cheap quality-wise. The other thing to remember is that Walmart treats their employees poorly, blocks unions, has a culture of institutional sexism that frequently get’s addressed in class-action law suits, and they always push their vendors to drive prices lower, which means setting up factories overseas and exploiting laborers who will work for peanuts for 12+ hours a day while we lose jobs here. Not to mention the ecological impact of shipping all those final products back into the U.S. Your “savings” are actually indirectly hurting countless people in a long change of action involving a lot of sacrifice. Those savings actually hurt our local economy, and indirectly keep serving the very systems that make it hard for you to afford to shop in some places.

Occupy Wall Street, don't, or a third option:

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:05:00 -0400

OCCUPY MAIN STREET - Studies have shown that money spent locally is more likely to stay local. Money spent at corporate, big box chain business is money that goes to fat-cat CEO’s; what’s left is distributed across satellite locations all over the country and sometimes all over the world.

Spend ALL of your money at local businesses. This is an entirely possible thing to do, I swear. Big-box stores are convenient, but think of Main Street as one big box. Find your downtown commercial district and be surprised when you can buy everything you need in one place.

Bonus: local businesses owners are passionate and knowledgeable. They are often on-site to serve your needs. This isn’t just a job for them, this is a passion - how often does a big box store employee seem passionate about the products they sell?

Also, local business owners are more accountable as they are more accessible than a CEO working at HQ 5 states away!

By locally hand-crafted. Trade quantity for quality. Buy something made with love, instead of made with a series of automated machines. Buy from your neighbor. Buy from your family. Also, locally made products are easy on the environment and often easier on your wallet because they don’t need to be shipped from far away.

Or be a hand-crafter. How about knitting for the 99%!

Local businesses support local artists and musicians. By supporting a local business, you are a patron of local arts!

Best examples of local businesses:

Pharmacies - benefit: attention to detail, sincere investment in your health

Clothing stores - benefit: personal attention, you will feel pampered (instead of stressed, rushed, and overwhelmed by screaming children, fluorescent lights & bad music)

Consignment stores - benefit -a great example of how you can directly benefit from a local business’ success is to sell your own goods at a cosignment store

Restaurants - benefit - fresh food not from frozen, chefs instead of cooks, slow food instead of fast food, nutrition instead of fillers, community & ambiance instead of corporate-dictated clutter

Credit unions - benefit - It’s a big step, so maybe just set a date to go to your local credit union and ask them some questions about what they offer - you may be surprised they offer most of the same services!

*Bonus tip: Pay with Cash - and avoid debit card fees, big banks getting a piece of your money!

Wine Stores - benefit - an honest, helpful response to “what would go best with…”

Hardware Stores - benefit - they have everything a big box store has - just ask!

Farms - benefit - sustainable, better for environment, healthier/more nutritive, you can ask your farmer just how something was grown, better tasting. You can only legally buy raw milk (which is said to be healthier than pasteurized and easier to digest) on farms in NY State. If you can’t drive to your local farm, buy fruits and veggies that are in-season from farm markets, farm stands, & local independent grocers.

Jeweler - benefit - will buy your old gold, can custom produce unique pieces

Bakery - benefit - more delicious, more fresh, and more healthy - less filler ingredients, less processing (sugars and fats found only in nature and not made in a lab), less preservatives, less food coloring

Antique/Vintage Stores - benefit - one-of-a-kind, unique stuff for your home & your wardrobe, great gifts

Thrift Stores - benefit -Local thrift stores support local non-profit initiatives, and from my experience, smaller thrift stores have better treasures and better prices than their larger counterparts

That was just off the top of my head. For more reasons, go to

http://sustainableconnections.org/thinklocal/why

http://staylocal.org/facts/why/

UPDATE: Please also check out this great article:

Study Finds Successful Local Businesses Increase Real Estate Values

7 Ways to Communicate Ineffectively

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:07:00 -0400

Self-indulgent rant of the day: Full disclosure, I was inspired by an e-mail I received earlier today addressed “To Whom it May Concern” asking if I’d like to participate in a discount program for SUNY Albany employees, provided by a third party company called PerksConnect .

I responded in the affirmative, and shortly after I received a phone call from the author of the e-mail. Between “likes” and “ums” the company representative kept referring to our conversation as an “interview.” Her second question to me was “how long have you been in business” and when asked how that was relevant, she responded that she had to verify that I was competent enough to serve discount program recipients.

I immediately ended the conversation. I don’t know if it was a scam, or if the company often takes such a rude approach. But it got me to thinking about all the ways companies and individuals have contacted me that just turned me off for one reason or another. See if you can spot which annoying tactics PerksConnect deployed that are on my list:

Things that make me tune out, decide not to work with someone, and otherwise just drive me nutty:

On the phone:

1. Say “like” or “um” as many times as you like - but after around the 300th time I’m going to get the impression you aren’t comfortable, you’re not being sincere, and/or you aren’t sure what you are talking about. I’m not talking about people who stutter, I’m talking about people who add words when they don’t know what to say. It’s like grunting. Just stop.

On the internet:

2. Send me e-mails that aren’t proofread, aren’t clear or aren’t even addressed to me. “Dear sir or madam at your company.” At what company? Who? I’m assuming this is spam.

3. Wait more than a week to return an e-mail. I once waited 9 days for a reply to set up a meeting, and the reply asked if I could meet the next day. Had I, say, 9 days more notice, I probably wouldn’t have declined. That was the record for longest wait, until I received a reply email yesterday from someone who I had emailed in January of this year - that’s 10 months between emails. Sending an e-mail is not labor-intensive or expensive. So what gives?

4. Say something critical to or about me online (that isn’t relevant). Unless it’s relevant to my brand or product, I don’t like to be called out in a public forum about something trivial you don’t like. I’m not talking about my friend who points out my mixing up “your” with “you’re” - I’m talking about an acquaintance who responds with a negative comment that is neither helpful nor friendly.

Consider the intent of what you’re saying to me - if you’re joking, that’s what “lol” and a winky-face emoticon is for. If you’re serious, do you think criticizing me publicly is necessary, supportive or helpful? Let’s say you used profanity on my Facebook wall - how do you think that reflects on you? On me?

If I feel like you don’t respect me, or that we aren’t allies, or that you will harm my brand, I probably won’t collaborate with you.

In person:

5. Don’t make eye contact. Really, I know how hard this is, but you gotta try. Talking to any part of my body other than my head for any length of time is going to make this far more awkward than it was when you were just too nervous to make eye contact.

6. Don’t smile. If a joke is made -by you, by me, by anyone - or a compliment is paid, or if a nice comment about anything is made, try not too look too constipated. Please.

7. Call me “sweetheart,” “honey,” etc. the first time we meet. Nothing makes me feel like less of an adult/person (or rather, it makes me feel like you don’t think I’m an adult/person) - especially if this comes from an older male, and is combined with a complaint or insult. (“Honey, you priced this too high.”) I’m guessing you’re trying to put me down because I won’t lower the price and this has hurt your already fragile ego. But I don’t know for sure, and I don’t really care.

____

With that off my chest, I must clarify that I’m not heartless. I understand that meeting new people, and promoting yourself are both difficult, nerve-wracking things that will induce anxiety in even the most cool-headed. I personally don’t usually write someone off after just one infraction. I’m also not trying to be ableist and I realize that there are always exceptions to social “rules,” ie: your right hand is broken and you can’t give a firm handshake. If you can still show respect, forethought and confidence in other ways, please do.

Before you write, call or meet someone, plan ahead. Prepare what you’re going to say, practice it, and change it if need be. Remember that your delivery is just as important as your message. Feel free to disagree or share your own pet peeves below!

How to #Consign (at my store)

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:33:00 -0400

I don’t run a consignment store, but some of my products are on consignment. By this I mean that I primarily sell goods from vendors with full product lines or collections, not countless individuals with only a couple items each.

Each vendor at my store is vetted; instead of just showing up unannounced with a car load full of product (please don’t), I like to get an email, with a link to a website, and “hey, let’s meet to discuss this” so that I can arrange to meet the vendor during slow business times. I also take some time to think about if their wares are appropriate before I agree to meet the vendor or carry their product.

Why consign?

Consigning makes it easier for the vendor to get their products in more markets because it makes it more affordable for the retailer to bring it in the store without an upfront expense.

How it’s done

This is how I sell products on consignment at Sugartown Vintage Boutique, BUT other retailers will vary on policy and preference, and you may decide you want to do things a different way:

What to do first
First, we negotiate a retail price and a wholesale/consignment price. So, perhaps you want to retail your bags at $x each (typical consignment amounts are 50/50 or 40/60), I (the retailer) would pay you (the vendor) a set percent of X. But you would give me the product up front, and I would only pay you when it sold.

Pricing is important
I ask that my vendors sell their products at the same retail price if selling direct, otherwise I will lose business to the vendor’s direct prices. So, I would expect if you want your product to retail at $20 in-store, then you would sell direct for no less than $20, and you would make sure to have consistent retail prices in other markets (other stores, websites, etc).

Protect yourself and have a clear agreement
Typically in the beginning, the vendor gives me an inventory list with both retail and wholesale prices on it, and we both sign it in agreement - this line sheet is sometimes accompanied by a contract (drawn up by the vendor) though I don’t require it.

Once your product is consigned
My vendors typically check in on a monthly basis, sometimes less and sometimes more depending on how quickly the product is moving. They come into the store, at which point I issue them a check. If they don’t feel their product is moving quickly enough, I give them the option of picking up their product, or periodically rotating their product to keep better selling items in stock or to just try out different items.

I wanna hear your feedback!

If you’re a retailer, do you have a similar or different policy? If you’re a vendor, what has or hasn’t worked for you when consigning? If you don’t sell your wares on consignment now, would you consider it? Why or why not?

Good News If You Still Owe Sales Tax in NY

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:56:06 -0400

NYS is extending the deadline for this quarter’s taxes if you are a small business in one of the counties affected by Irene. (I, of course, did not find this out until I had already filed my sales tax for this quarter.)

New Timetable

What do you think of about.me?

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:05:43 -0400

I’ve been toying with my mine. Do you have one? http://about.me/AshleyDrewes

Interns are great!

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:51:00 -0400

I’ve recently taken on an intern from SUNY New Paltz who is a Journalism major with a focus in PR. My sister, an actively employed social media marketer, comes from the same background - so I’m especially excited for what sorts of things we’ll be able learn from each other and projects we’ll work on together this semester.

Want an intern?

Contact your local college’s Journalism/Marketing department (or a different department if you want) and let them know you would be a great host.

Contact your local non-profit and see if they have an employment training program that needs a job site to train people.

My experience with interns so far…

I used both means of intern acquisition this year. The non-profit route didn’t last more than 3 weeks. I remain on the list as a possible host, but I do believe that an intern actively seeking career specific experience -like the one am I hosting now - is likely to be a better fit, for both intern and host.

Things to keep in mind:

Interns are inexperienced. They require training - which means your complete attention and guidance. They are not “free labor,” but they can offer a fresh perspective to a project, and usually a cup of coffee when you need it. Just don’t hand over the keys to your business, and don’t assume they are qualified to represent your brand without oversight (review every tweet, every press release, every bit of information they may send out into the world on your behalf). They are there to learn, you are there to teach.

What my intern taught me this week - E-mail Marketing and more:

I don’t have an e-mail list. Or I didn’t until just now. I have used Constant Contact in the past and was frustrated by some of its early quirks. I did not find it easy to use. A friend of mine recently suggested PHPList.com which I also had problems with. Maybe I just have no patience.

Anyway, my intern suggested MailChimp.com. They offer a free basic account (unlike Constant Contact), they are fairly easy to use, and my intern patiently input all the e-mails I had collected, which prevented me from losing my patience yet again!

The first campaign (a sale on men’s shirts) was a success - it brought in at least one customer the very next day. The ROI was high because the e-mail service and the intern cost me nothing but the time spent collaborating on the campaign.

You can sign up for the Sugartown e-mail list here.

Interns are great!

Everything else you need to know can be found on YouTern.com’s blog. They are usually spot on when it comes to things you need to know as an employer, as an employee or as an intern.

meme-spot: Office cat

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:00:53 -0400

meme-spot:

Office cat

Some merchants don't play by the credit card rules (CreditCards.com)

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:54:03 -0400

Some merchants don't play by the credit card rules (CreditCards.com):

I have heard that there are laws forbidding credit card minimums, though many businesses do. And many of my customers have asked me for a “cash discount.” Whatever your current store policy, it helps to know what the laws actually are and how to protect yourself as a business owner or a consumer.

A hurricane is a good reason to close your business, right? A...

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:54:18 -0400

A hurricane is a good reason to close your business, right?

A ~~hurricane~~ tropical storm ravaged the north eastern U.S yesterday. Some of my fellow business owners, who, like myself, live near their businesses, chose to open their shops. I, on the other hand, chose to hide under the covers. In retrospect, it was a state of emergency. In retrospect, even later in the day, when the sun peeked through the clouds, trees and power lines were falling around me like dominoes. In retrospect, I never lost electric at the store, and I could have made a buck, but I chose not to. And yet, I’m also guilty of running out to the grocery store later on in the evening to grab some non-essentials - reminding that grocery store owner and it’s brave employees that some people are just crazy enough to go shopping in a ~~hurricane~~ tropical storm.

What did/would you do?

Business Card Update: Last week I told you how I DIY-ed my...

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:04:49 -0400

Business Card Update:

Last week I told you how I DIY-ed my business cards when I ran out unexpectedly. I’m happy to report that I have since ordered new cards, using my logo designed by my wonderful friend Stephanie Todd. Other than the logo part, these new cards were designed by me - I did not hire a graphic designer. I also outsourced the printing to a national company and saved a bit of money - but I worry it may affect the quality of the final product. We shall see…

How to be around people when you're in a crappy mood (from Jezebel)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:40:26 -0400

How to be around people when you're in a crappy mood (from Jezebel):

Perfect Monday reading - though Monday’s almost over, let this carry you through your week, if you need it.