Our store, my store what's the dif?

In a previous blog, I implied, OK, I unequivocally stated that our store was my store, meaning MY store and not mine and hubby's. EH EH, I was kidding... really. I can get a little possessive.

But to give credit where credit is due, hubby has been putting in as much sweat and tears and money (actually more money) as I have. He gives me good advice, which I sometimes follow. He keeps me grounded when I'm flying off in 16 different directions. He does the stuff I'm not good at, like hanging the curtains. Or that I don't feel like doing, like taxes. He is sooooo supportive, which I sometimes forget to acknowledge.

Moonstone Path is our project. It is our business venture. I may forget this sometimes, but hubby's constant involvement and input assures me that I am not in this alone.

Self-Promotion

When a friend of mine and I were brainstorming on how to get my business known in the community, she suggested an interview with the newspaper to promote my store. If I had a choice of walking barefoot on hot coals or promoting myself, I would go with the hot coals. I don't know what it is about talking about myself or my business, but I break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.

I love the product I sell, I love my little shop, and I can rhapsodize about my candles, crystals, singing bowls, scarves, spiritual books when I talk to my friends and customers, but in an interview format, I freeze up. I'm not good at networking either. I also take a lousy picture, and usually those newspaper articles include a picture of the owner. My best side is the one on my profile.

So, bottom line, I'll have to think of another way to make myself and Moonstone Path known to the public. Ahem...Look out London (Ontario) there's a new store in town. Best little body,mind and spirit shop around. Wait, that sounds like the line "Best little whorehouse in Texas" from the movie whose title I don't remember, just that it was a comedy.

Not good.

Debit Machines do not bite.

Got my debit/credit machine activated shortly after we opened our (by our I mean MY) store. I had not used a debit machine (as a vendor) in a long time, and remembering only the unfortunate occasions that I screwed up at the last retail place I worked, I felt a little nervous about this little bit of store technology.

My youngest child was in the store and I was showing her the ropes because she was going to mind the store later on in the week. When it came to the subject of the debit machine, we both stared at it as if it would jump up and bite us like a rattlesnake. It looked so threatening sitting there on the counter, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to ruin our feeling of well-being.

As it happened, Julie's friend decided to buy something (bless his heart) and used his debit card. With breath held, we processed the transaction...and it failed. I KNEW IT!! TECHNOLOGY DOES NOT LIKE ME. After a moment of panic, and frantically looking up instructions, we retried the transaction, and it worked fine. The money even automatically transfered to my bank account, which means I don't have to do a batch thing. Goody.

I have since then done another debit transaction and it was smooth sailing. I feel like a pro. Now I worry about those credit cards with a chip in them.
Affirmation: I am capable of handling a rattlesnake--I mean a debit machine--without getting bit (bitten?).

I'm baaaack

Ahhh, it's good to be posting again. Been a busy girl lately. I've opened my store, it's perfect and I am really, really exhausted.

Who would have thought opening a small store (and I mean tiny) would be such hard work. From cleaning to painting to shampooing rugs to moving my stock and shelving to setting up to attending to stuff like insurance, phone hook up, internet (oh my God what a headache), to acquiring a debit machine (which intimidates the hell out of me). This gal is pooped.

Opened this past Friday. It was cold and snowy. Had a few customers and loved every minute of it. Saturday - blizzard. Had a few more customers. Really can't wait till spring. My store is in an old building. The floor is cold. My toes are numb all day long. I don't care. I love being a business owner.

Debit machines are supposed to be user friendly. I have made one transaction on it and managed to screw it up. Fixed the problem, but my thrill of having a debit machine is gone and replaced by apprehension. Why don't electronic things like me. Maybe because I don't like them.

Ummmm could be. OK, new affirmation of the day: I liiiiike electronic things like remote controls, DVD players, cell phones. I really really like them, and they really really like me. There, I feel much better. Alright Debit Machine, I'm ready to bond. I can feel the love already.