Why?

Why is it...

That I run an After Christmas Sale every year and every year it gets harder and harder to get people to participate in the paying it forward aspect of my sale. 

I give an overly generous discount if you bring things for the local food pantry.  I honestly have people coming through the door and are put out with me when I won't give them the discount without a contribution to the food pantry.  

If you buy Christmas Items you don't have to bring anything to get the discount on those items but I always say that it would be greatly appreciated if you did.  Nope, Nada, Nothing.... People walk through the door, buy Christmas Items, and don't care that they could help someone less fortunate then them... It is always the same... What can you do for me?  It bothers me to no end.  Seriously, you cannot bring anything, not one thing.  And then you can be pissed off at me when I won't give you a discount on your non Christmas Items if you don't have a donation... Smarten Up Idiots!!!!  I don't have to give to you if you cannot follow the rules.  One canned good, bigger discounts if you bring more.... these are not hard things.... 

When did this world of ours become so self centered?  When did we all become so all about what we want that we can't see the reward in helping others?  When did we decide that we would take full advantage of going out of business sales when we never set foot in the door while they were in business? 

Christmas will be leaving my store quickly so that I can get back to not doing anything extra for the people that treat me bad.  I am generous to a fault.  It will probably put me out of business some day, but at least I will go down doing for the people that shop locally, that support my small business and helping the people that are LOYAL to my business. 

If I ever have to have a going out of business sale....don't worry, I will be calling all of my loyal customers first to get the best deals for they are the ones that deserve them.  

Don't get me wrong, if you can't afford to bring things for the food pantry I understand.... but when you can spend $30, $60, or hundreds of dollars on Christmas things, you should be able to bring a couple of cans of vegtables for the food pantry.  

Exhaustion!!!!

This time of year, for any shop owner is exhausting.... 

Please don't be offended by this blog, it is written strictly as a way to vent, a way to let go of the things I cannot change.. It helps me to not be in tears with every little thing that life throws at me as a business owner.  It is written so that others can get a good laugh ( or cry) and enjoy a smile, sometimes at my expense, sometimes at the expense of others. Read it, enjoy it and let it go...

All we can hope for is that we have chosen well, so if you think we have please tell us.... because in truth, you have no problem telling us when you are unhappy with the choices we have made.  

You tell us by your eye rolls, your sighs, your statements of you used to carry 2 years ago... 

If you only knew how hard it is to run a business in this economy and this day and age.  

We continuously run sales and take out of our profit to give to you, because you demand that we keep up with the BIG BOX.  You let us know that you can get it cheaper online. You KNOW, or at least you should, that WE (the small business owner) does not pay the same price for things as AMAZON, WALMART, TARGET or THE CHRISTMAS TREE SHOP.  I know it is easy to shove your head in the sand and think that you are  a thrifty shopper, that you are getting the best deal for your family.  I understand the tough times... more than most of you do.  I haven't taken a paycheck for years... I haven't been able to buy new clothes for myself, literally I am wearing today all items that I have had for at least 4 years.... the shoes, the pants, the shirt and the fleece.  And that says nothing about my underwear...   I know TMA but the truth hurts sometimes and when you come in here and try to get me to give you things for less then what I even paid for them... maybe this is the info you need to grow a conscience.  Maybe you should realize that some are STRUGGLING business owners that need to make choices for our families too.  Walk in my shoes before you judge me because I say NO to you for wanting to much from me.  Put yourself where I am (the exact spot) when I have to wonder where the money is coming from to pay for all that you are looking around at in my store... It didn't come free, I am not sure what makes you think I pay pennies on the dollar for these items.  I am sorry that I no longer can carry all the items that you are picking up at the bargain stores.  I am sorry that you need that one other ornament that you couldn't find down to the discount store but we had to stop carrying them because the BIG companies are selling off their overstock to discount stores instead of to the people that have kept them in business all these years... (about then you roll your eyes) because you don't care about a reason....you just care that I don't have what you want..... Learn some patience people, because over the years we have had to have some patience for you too....  

We have tried to tell you where you can find things, because small business owners are helpful and kind, that isn't enough.  Your tired and exhausted and worried about how you are all going to pay your bills too.  How your going to come up with the money for Christmas, or how you will heat your home all winter, pay your mortgage, buy food.  SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS have those same worries too.  So please put your happy face on and play nice... because the world is bigger than just you.  If you can't do that than don't be surprised when we give back at you the same as you are giving towards us.  

Indecisiveness ...  Is that a word?  

That is how I feel, I can't make a distinctive decision for the life of me.  Most days I hate people and the way they rip apart my things only to try to figure out how to make them, or to take pictures so they can try to go online to get the cheaper... but today I have had some really good people in, people that truly LOVE this store.  They make me feel like it is all worth it.... but they will not be here all the time in this world... so do I leave or do I stay...  do I look to be happy again or do I fall into this bad place I am in and continue to have bad feelings towards people and this environment that I use to love but sometimes now despise...  Wow, this is a lot of thought for today, these thoughts almost exhaust me.  I wonder if other small business owners feel this way or if there lives are filled with rainbows and puppies.  Any thoughts out there from the peanut gallery?  And yes I know I am setting myself up here...  

I find that I haven't written lately.  Not from the lack of bad judgement of people for me to write about, more just because all the negativity gets to me after awhile.  

I believe in the greater good, I have wonderful customers that worry daily about me not making it here in this little slice of heaven (or hell, depending on who's vision it is).  They truly do care if I cannot pay my bills, they worry how I will make it through the slow seasons and they almost hold their breath knowing how very hard it is for me to keep the doors open.  

So when the bad happens, that is where you will find me, sitting taking a moment to be thankful for all the good in my life.  Not to worry, I will be back with sorted stories I am sure but for now, I need a dose of good thoughts, good friends, laughter and smiling.  Once I get my fill of that I will come up with the next thing that will shock the stocking off ya.  Happy days my friends.  

How many straws does 

it take to break the Camel's back?

Please don't be offended by this blog, it is written strictly as a way to vent, a way to let go of the things I cannot change.. It helps me to not be in tears with every little thing that life throws at me as a business owner.  It is written so that others can get a good laugh ( or cry) and enjoy a smile, sometimes at my expense, sometimes at the expense of others. Read it, enjoy it and let it go...

Let's start the week with a stellar Sunday.  Business was good, so good it gave me hope for so very much.   Then we have a bad Monday, so bad we don't even hit the three digits.... sigh.  Makes for a long day trying to figure out what we are doing wrong.  We leave for the night, chalking it up to another rung on the ladder and we will start a new day in less than 12 hours.  We feel beaten but not out of the game.  Tuesday shows up with buying some new product that we weren't expecting but needing so we did it.  The day ends slightly over the 100.00 mark, a far cry from the XXXXX amount needed for the mortgage, let alone the light bill and the heat.  So we give up on Tuesday too... enough so we leave at 4:30 in the afternoon because we have decided that all people suck.... I know, I know, not all people suck but some do and it seems like the scale is tipping to the sucky side for alot more than not.  

Here we are, WEDNESDAY.  Suck it up ( I say to myself), things will get better...  I open the door to a delivery that needs to be paid for.... before they have left I have not one but two people in asking for different donations.... they, of course are car pooling but they have TWO different causes that they need support for.....  SERIOUSLY!!!!  Of course I cannot help but ask, I haven't seen you in before?  Do you girls shop here and I just don't know it?  NO ....... Yup that was the answer, No..... we just know that alot of our friends do and will be at these events and we figured you would donate.  SIGH....  So I go to get an item or two as it should be and they inform me that they really would just like gift cards... at this point I said do you have paperwork for these causes?  Ummm...no but we could get you something and get it back to you...... NOT!!!!   so instead I said I cannot do donations without proper paperwork.... if you get some and come back I will be happy to donate.... am pretty sure those gift cards were gonna be someones birthday presents or something.  And again you wonder why I hate people.  I would put money on the fact that they won't be back.  So here I am wondering if Wednesday is over yet... nope not yet... I find that a product that I brought in is broke....and it is a big item, so that is never a good thing.  I want to cry because there is only so much that I can do....  I have a friend that is going to lose a business because the economy is so bad.  I am holding on but my mental state is getting worse by the day.  I have been so stressed out and wonder how I will make it everyday.  I cannot walk away, BUT I WANT TO.  I sometimes get tired of trying to make life warm and fuzzy, or as one of my friends say "rainbows and puppy kisses" for everyone but me.  If I am the one that speaks up or says something people will say oh what a bitch, but instead they come in, shit all over me and expect me to take it.... only for XX more months.  That is when the mortgage will be paid and that is when I will take my life back.  I know that I made this choice, this choice to own a business... I never expected it to be easy but I did think that with hard work and good ethics I would someday get ahead of the game.   Today's rant is over.... at least until the next person through the door does something ludicrous that I have to post about.  

Conversations

This evening I found myself having a conversation with several different business owners.  Seems that we all have one thing in common...the PITA's that come into our businesses.  PITA stands for Pain in the A**.  

I don't say this as a mean thing... I find myself wondering (like so many others) what is this world coming to.  When did it happen that people feel so entitled?   When did society become so all about me and self centered?  It hurts my heart to think that the majority of people think they are owed something, that they don't have to work for things, the young kids want 300000.00 houses to start out their lives, they all want the best cell phones, they all believe that they deserve the best of the best....

I am 47 years old and I would like to have a new house too... but then I think, no.... I don't want that payment again.  I would love to have more time to do what I want, but instead I am working to hold on to a store and make something of myself.  Nowadays it seems as though the kids all think they already are something, that they don't have to prove themselves....

I still believe they should have to prove themselves, there is something to be said when you get the right job because you were the best candidate..... because you were the hardest worker, because you were the one who called back and said you could work and didn't take a phone call or text a message during your interview.  

I hope where ever we as a world is headed gets straightened out soon because I am a nervous wreck and don't want to be an old lady dying with the worries of the world on my shoulders.....  

Deep thoughts tonight.........

Please don't be offended by this blog, it is written strictly as a way to vent, a way to let go of the things I cannot change.. It helps me to not be in tears with every little thing that life throws at me as a business owner.  It is written so that others can get a good laugh ( or cry) and enjoy a smile, sometimes at my expense, sometimes at the expense of others. Read it, enjoy it and let it go...

Wow!  You have really downsized.

Yup, those were the words out of her mouth........  so I said, " I have"?  She says well I don't get in here much maybe once a year.  I was driving by today and I needed a card so I stopped for that.  I said " well it looks like you found a card"?  She said yes, but as I am looking around I noticed you don't have as much stuff?  Like what? I said.  Well I don't know, there are no XXX here or there isn't XXX.  I pointed it out to her, that we still have them over in a different part of the store.  She said yes I know but I needed a curtain that I bought about 5 years ago and after I got in here I thought I could get another one today.  If I describe it to you can you order it for me?  ARE YOU F*****NG KIDDING ME! That is the thought that went through my head, but out of my mouth I said well if you can describe it enough that I might know what it is, I can try.  She then went on to tell me that she bought it at the XXXXXXX XXXX and they said they couldn't get it for her so she thought that on her way by she would check to see if I could.  SERIOUSLY!   Yes, yes, let me order you ONE curtain to match ones that you bought elsewhere, when no one else will do it for you and I will place a minimum order, which will be way more than your $$ so that you can be happy even though you only shop here about once a year.  NOT!!!!!  She, in conversation also tells me that she shops north of this store more than not and that the store is lovely but she does think I have less product in here than I have in the past...... Again, my head thinks, do you think so.....I mean I cannot carry 500,000.00 worth of product when we are grossing a third of what we were when the economy was good. She says why does the economy matter?  EXCUSE ME??????  Did you just say why does the economy matter.........Oh my god people. 

I understand that people don't have to grasp every aspect of  business, but where to hell is the common sense.  Where to hell do people get off to open their mouths and say anything that they want.  If I did that I wouldn't get customers, I would be black balled because those customers might be offended, but the CUSTOMER, well they can say ANYTHING they want!  They can offend me and that isn't suppose to matter.  They can EXPECT more than they should and they can be shocked when we cannot produce what they want, for the price they want and in the amount of time they want..... 

I am two days into a store revamp and I probably just don't have the patience to deal as well as I should.   But I was brought up with manners and I don't and never have walked into a place and expected them to do bend over backwards and take it up the a** for me.  NEVER!   

Here is hoping for a full glass of wine and a friend to drink it with after this day!