Welcome to the Neighborhood!

                                                       

Call it naive, call it sensitive. I call it looking for good in people. Believe that doing good is worth doing! But don't take it personal when other people don't get it.

In life as in business,  your own perception of how things should be versus how they really are can sometimes be very disappointing.  It is surprising to me how many things are exactly what I expected while others are not what I expected at all! Mostly having to do with people.

My first taste of this example is when I approached a company in town to work on a website and logo design. With past experience, I have learned how important it is to be able to communicate your vision. More important is that the company can translate that to the world!

I  know people in the business but felt that it was important to use a Northville business.

I did try to use the company in the same building, who came as a referral and his parents are neighbors. His response was that he didn't do that kind of work. Only, it is exactly the kind of work he did for the person who referred me to him. I find out that he had a great opportunity in California and moved there!

Couldn't you just be honest? 

Keep marching...

First I spoke to the owner by phone, I liked his demeanor. His approach is that he only takes on projects with a purpose. Perfect! He had me download a profile to fill out before our first meeting.  The questions were straight forward and I thought gave him a good glimpse into what the vision was for  Hearts of Inspiration. He included questions like "How will you measure success?" and "How will you know when your company is successful"?  Those are not easy questions for some but for me, music to my ears!

Then came our first meeting. While going over the answers on the profile I felt a connection and thought it was going very well in terms my goals and being a good match.

I complimented him and told him that I respected the fact that he only worked on projects that he felt were meaningful. It's important to be honest right?

We left our meeting with the idea that he would get back to me with a quote on price and a timeline. He seemed a little uncomfortable with my completion target. I wait a week don't hear back.  I leave a message. No call back. I send an email. A few days go by and I get an email back, "Sorry, have been busy out of town but will be working on it and get an answer in just a few days".  A few days later I send him a reminder and his email back was:

Dear Tracey, 

In reviewing the profile for your business I don't feel that _________ is a good fit. My project schedule is about 3 or 4 months out for this kind of work.

Good luck though! 

Tracey you better get your "Big Girl" panties on!

Next: "Let Me help You"

The Glamour Factor

I chose Bette because well,  you can see why!

Every women dreams of owning a boutique! fashion, jewelry and handbags or are you the artsy type? Maybe you like to decorate. Can you visualize how it would look, feel and even smell?

Do you dream of greeting people, hosting trunk shows, fashion shows and wrapping packages with lovely ribbon and tissue paper? Making people happy?

It's all very glamorous but before you get there here's a just few things you'll need before you buy one piece of inventory:

Tax ID #                                              
Content and Liability Insurance          
Buildout                                                
Fixtures and Displays                          
Signage                                                
Logo design                                          
Point of Sale computer system                                        
Price tags
Printer/copier                                                    
Phone system                                        
Business Cards
Office Supplies                                                                              
Telephone/cable/internet service
Website/Facebook and other social media
Clothing steamer
Jewelry displays
Rent/security deposit
Utilities
Advertising

Now you can buy some inventory. Get your credit card ready, gone are the days of terms.

The risk is all on you, up front!

The good news is for bath and body, jewelry and decor it's in stock most of the time and it ships quickly. For apparel and furniture you might have to wait for production depending on when you place your orders.

You're almost there!

Open your doors and they'll come. Wishful thinking!

Two of the most important objectives:
How will you get them there?
How will you get them to buy?

I knew that having a boutique alone was very risky in the current economy.
I thought that the events would bring them there and the merchandise would
get them to buy. This would make up for slow everyday traffic.

I thought I had it covered. The concept was a pretty boutique filled with things for any girl in your life. Moms would drop off their girls for classes and parties and fall in love with something in the store. One would help the other. The fact is that most of the time Moms walked in and walked out without even looking at the merchandise! Out of over 70 events only a few resulted in sales.

The concept did not work!


Next: Welcome to the Neighborhood!

"The Coffee Shop"

The coffee shop at Northville Square was my favorite local coffee shop.  I Loved the atmosphere, the space and the coffee.
The owner had a good heart, always volunteering to help the greater good of the city and the community. She was involved in a lot and everyone seemed to like her.

I would roll my little metal cart down and she would have a full tea service for me. It was great!

Just before I opened I got very sick with pneumonia. Theresa would make me a special blend of tea and it would fix me up for hours! No doubt she had talent.

It's is very sad that things didn't work out for her since she had a great
regular customer base. All of the city workers from the police and fire
stations, the library, the post office and Ms. Harriets.
When she closed I noticed a huge difference in traffic.

If you've ever had the idea of opening your own coffee shop
this location is a great opportunity! I looked into it and you could make
your investment back in the 1st year. The space is built out with quality
design and materials. You would only need refrigeration, bakery case,
espresso makers, coffee makers and tables and chairs.
It is all up to code and ready to go!

Theresa actually sent me my 1st referral for a birthday party. Laura and her
sweet angel Ally! After Ally's party she and her friends came for Girls Club
where we made themed crafts, had a snack and a dance party every
Tuesday. It was a blast! They tell me that they still have the crafts we
made around their homes.

In addition Laura brought friends in to visit and soon I became friends
with the whole group.

They were my best support group all the way through.
In fact, they all made it a point to come out for my last tea party
last week as a special way to say good bye.

I am very blessed to have met such nice people!


Coming up next: "The Glamour Factor"

Good Friends are like stars

One day while on my way to work I stopped at Starbucks to get my daily vice. The barista had a beautiful bracelet on. When I asked where she got it she told me that she special ordered it from a local jewelry designer. Well, since I was in the market I asked if she would share the name of the company.
When she came back with her business card I looked at it and thought, that couldn't be the Bonnie I know.
She moved to California 15 years ago.

I called her about her line of jewelry and asked if she had a child
about 20 years old. She did. As it turns out, I sold her baby furniture when she was expecting her 1st baby! What a small world.  We have been friends since then. She stops by with her husband from time to time to catch up!

Another friend came by way of a cute story. As I was setting up the store
one day a lady came in with 3 busy blondes in tow. She came to sell me
advertising in the Piazza recital program. Her pitch was pretty good!
I thought it was great that she was doing her part, so I couldn't say no.
We have been friends since. Nancy has a great sense of humor and she
doesn't beat around the bush.Two qualities I admire.  She reads my sob
stories online and comes over to give me a hug or buy something!

And then there's Ann. If you spend any time in downtown Northville you
might have seen her on a walk about! Ann walks almost everyday in town.
As it turns out she is Nancy's mom! Ann is the classiest chick in Northville.
80 something, always wears makeup, hair done and the best dresser I know.
I love when Ann visits. She always shares her latest adventure or a great story
from the past. So much wisdom!

I treasure my friendship with these ladies and always look forward to their visits!

There are so many more friendships to tell you about later...

"The Sandwich Shop"

Oh... how do I say this nicely?

"Beware of wolves in a sheep's clothing"!

At first I came as a customer to test the food. The price of a sandwich was
high, $9.00 for a ham and cheese. Is this Manhattan? But it was delicious
and the owner was really nice.

I inquired about catering and the owner said it would be no problem since
he used to be a banquet manager. He could prepare anything!

We planned the first party with sandwiches, cookies and cupcakes.
It seemed pretty straight forward. We discussed a simple sugar cookie with
some sprinkles and mini cupcakes with pink frosting and a little decoration
on top.

In the interim, there were days that I would walk down to get some lunch
and find the sandwich shop closed for the day! Ok, he had some other things
going on and he was the only one working there. I can relate.
However, one of those days happened to be the day before my first party,
so I was unable to confirm with him. I was nervous to say the least.

The next day, the day of the party I kept peeking down to see if he would open.
Great, about 11:00 he opened up. So I ran down to talk to him and confirm
the order. I didn't see any sign that he had started baking and the party was at
1:00 pm! Right in the middle of his lunch rush.

Are you ready for this?

I came down at the time we agreed on to pick the order only to see him
putting pink cupcakes from a plastic container on a baking tray.
The container was from MEIJER! The cookies were those Lofthouse
frosted cookies that you can buy in every grocery store in Michigan!

Did I miss something here? He told me he was baking them and he of course
upcharged me for putting them on the baking tray!

How special for my very first party!

Soon after that he announced that he was closing. Another one down.

Well, at least there was the coffee shop...

The Sandwich Shop, The Baker and The Coffee Shop

This next part is true, I swear! If I had not gone through this I wouldn't
believe it,  but it happened.

First, in doing my research on manners and etiquette classes I found that there were only a few places who offered classes in Michigan.

Not a lot of competition for me to worry about. Not so fast, Tracey....


I get a call from a friend who asks if I knew about the ballet teacher
at  Ms. Harriet's located in my SAME BUILDING who teaches manners and
etiquette classes? Really?

So, I checked it out. It seems that though it is not part of the dance studio
the teacher in fact teaches classes on her own, but would not be offering
classes anymore!  Whew... Or just wouldn't be promoting it?

Next, since my beautiful space had no kitchen I had the project of finding food
and beverage people for parties. Alas! There is a coffee shop, a bakery and
a sandwich shop in the same building! This would be a win/win.
So, I started off to talk to each business owner.

First the baker, BAM! And I quote. "I wouldn't do business here"
He swore and carried on about all of the reasons why his business
not working. He's a trained pastry chef from the Ritz and people
want cupcakes? But yeah, he would make cookies and cupcakes
since I was going to be a neighbor.  Well! Aren't I special?

As a trial, I asked if he could make up a tray of assorted cookies for a
book club (another story).  I needed 3 dozen cookies. Nothing fancy,
and I would bring a pretty tray for him to put them on. I go to pick up the
tray of cookies and it's all desserts. Not just desserts, fancy desserts that
need to be eaten with a fork! I had napkins because, I ordered cookies.
And the best part? He only charged me $75.00,  for the 3 dozen cookies
that I ordered for a book club that nobody showed up for! Swell.

BTW, the desserts were delicious. We made up trays and brought them
to our neighbors!

Soon after that the baker is outside on the sidewalk yelling and
carrying on and the next thing you know, the baker is gone.

ONE DOWN!

Well, there was still the coffee shop and sandwich shop....

Location, Location, Location

Back in the 90s Northville Square was MAGS, (Michigan Accessory
and Gift Show) I was in the furniture business and loved coming to
Northville on market days. The town was bustling!

I was sad to see it close but excited to see that it was being turned
into a Mall! We had a friend who owned a friendly competitive baby
furniture store there. As the businesses moved in I would visit and
walk around dreaming about opening my own boutique there someday.
We had big stores, not boutique at all.

I love the way the building feels!

So naturally, when my husband and I lost our jobs I started talking
about ideas for a business there. Not that I didn't look before making
the decision. Northville was my 1st choice since it's my home town.
Plymouth had a few spots but every time I inquired they were just
commencing contract!
Another space I liked is where Sincerely Yours is located now.

Then I went to see the location where I opened in May 2011.
I fell in love with the potential of the space. It felt like a loft, with
big windows and natural light. It was love at first sight.

At the time, RePurpose had just had their opening gala and there was a lot
of positive buzz about the traffic the "Cash and Cari" would bring to town.
And it did! Some of the businesses reported increased numbers right away!

I started putting my plan together. The 1st thing on the list was to talk
to the businesses in the mall to get a feel for traffic and such...

Up next: The Sandwich Shop, The Baker and The Coffee Shop!