The weather has been wet. Days and days and days of being wet. This means tough times for retail as it’s Spring. So there are drooping wet cherry blossoms everywhere in the village. I don’t think we’ll see the photographing tourists this season.
Despite that, the rain is fabulous. My garden is getting a good drenching and I feel very smug as I’ve planted kale, spinach, beetroot and other greens. The possum and I haven’t seen to have come to blows over the availability of my little lush seedlings. I suspect he’s also keeping out of the rain…
When it rains here, as most retailers do, I panic. Not screaming banshee-style panic, but that worry that people won’t come. It’s also school holidays and I haven’t really had a chance to see the kids (7 & 9) as I’ve also been helping out with family emergencies. The panic then puts me back into investigating my studio shop space back into a ‘studio’ space. The thought of that feels luxurious and self-indulgent.
A studio space would mean I could be here Mon-Fri working away while the kids are at school. Then on weekends, I could also be with them rather than here in the shop. If the Imperial Hotel would only open across the highway from me, I’m sure I could possibly put someone on to work in the shop over the weekend. But as it sits empty over all this time, it affects local business in Mount Victoria.
I would hate to drag all my stuff back home and LOVE my studio shop space. I don’t entirely rely on retail sales as I have a couple of different avenues for business including my wholesale stockists, online sales, other selling platforms and graphic design.
It’s so hard to get a balance. What would you do?
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Always something new at Mount Vic and Me.
October 14th 2018
It must be hard running a small business. I so hope someone opens up the pub again soon as it always seemed so popular. I hope you can continue on in the shop as well as the lady next to you,can you just open in school hours during the week?? Just open one day on the wkend? Wish I had the answers. Love your products.
Kara I would totally hang in there. The shop is lovely but is also a creative workshop for you.
It’s rainy at the moment and I feel blessed that it is but living in the mountains we know that is a temporary state. The long and hot summer is just around the corner. My advice is keep promoting your alternative spaces like Etsy and the online store. Try and get lots of Christmas goodies in store and gifts added and promote the great postage fee you have. Perhaps run up a line of tote bags for supermarket shopping in your fabrics? Perhaps some craft workshops as a half day class? Tie in with some of the local cafes maybe to get a free coffee with other purchase if they shop at Mount Vic and Me? But I certainly hope you continue. You have been a strong promoter of your village and this is just a lull as parents are glad to have the kids back at school timed with the weather. Stay strong and let your gut be your guide.
Thanks guys, I think I was having a bad day. I think the right opportunity will present itself over time. Always a struggle with small kids and mother guilt! x