Good Jewelry Karma!

Some days are more challenging at my store than others, which is something that I'm sure anyone in the retail business can easily relate to. Actually, I think that anyone in any kind of business can probably relate to that. Particularly in any field that involves interacting with the general public on a regular basis! It's so easy for negativity to start to form over time--the day after day grind of long hours, few customers, rude people, slow sales, and so on, can quickly become a dark cloud above your head. Last week, I finally had enough of it. I had started to feel like a depressing broken record--always talking about how slow it was at the store, how worried I was about bad sales numbers, freaking out over how I would be able to pay the rent, etc. I certainly did not solve all these problems over the past week, but I did decide that I am not going to stress out about these things anymore. I am just not going to do it. It is too hard and too unpleasant, in addition to being just plain counterproductive. I instead decided to start really focusing on all the things that I actually can do to help my business. And freaking out is definitely not one of them!

Instead, I've been spending a lot of my recent time at the store working online. I've been reading business articles, talking to other business owners, looking for new ways to promote myself, etc. It feels good, because I actually feel productive, no matter what is happening on any one day at the store. And the truth is--it's early August. A month from now, many more people will be out shopping. But for now, there are other things I can focus on to help me and my business get better. And I can put all of these unhelpful worries aside.

Life is more enjoyable this way, too. I also believe--without sounding too much like The Secret here--that good energy does attract good things. I've been trying to go out of my way to be more generous than usual lately too, as a challenge to myself--when money is short, I tend to want to hang on pretty desperately to what I have. But I heard a quote once about it being better to have an open hand than a clenched fist, and I think that is very true. So that is my personal challenge to myself--a challenge that started after I did a free jewelry repair for a woman down the street last week. I don't usually repair jewelry, much less for free. But she was nice, and she loved this pair of earrings that she'd had for awhile, and I was able to make them as good as new for her with less than twenty minutes' work. It felt good to make her day. So I am going to try to keep all this positivity going! And that is my plan for the month of August :)

Anyone have any good business tips or ideas for me??? What do you do to stay positive?? Thanks everyone and have a good night!

The Jewelry Party I'm Afraid To Have Is Happening!!! (maybe)

So. A few weeks ago I wrote about how I was thinking about maybe trying to have a jewelry party sometime soon... Despite my reservations, a combination of recent slow weeks at my store and wanting to try new things has led me to decide that I should do it! However, I really, REALLY don't want it to be a Tupperware-style "sit down and buy my jewelry" type of thing. I would much rather host a cocktail party, where there also happens to be jewelry for sale. My 1st anniversary in business is coming up soon too, so the party will also be a celebration of that. In short--the timing just seems right for this kind of event.

I spent HOURS the other day designing the perfect invitation--choosing the right day, time, wording, etc. And now, I've been staring at the finished invitation for two whole days, too afraid to send it out! Which I realize is ridiculous. I mean, what's the worst that can happen?? That nobody comes? That nobody buys jewelry? Who really cares?!?? I just need to keep trying new things to see if anything actually works!

Most of what stresses me out about the jewelry party is my discomfort with "soliciting." I hate the thought of anyone feeling pressured or uncomfortable at the event, or obligated in any way to buy. When I was growing up, a friend's mother would always invite my family to her selling parties--I can't remember the company name (or I can but I don't want to embarrass her in case she's reading!), but it was all kinds of (typically useless) stuff, and I distinctly remember how uncomfortable the whole thing felt. So, I guess I just want to make sure that I don't impose that feeling on anyone else. It's just not worth it to me!

But! I'm not forcing anybody to come. And once they're at my house, I am certainly not going to be making them buy anything. I do of course hope to make some kind of sales, but I just can't have that be the focal of the party in order for me to feel comfortable. I guess I'm just going to have to feel it out and see how this first time goes. And depending on what happens, I can plan to try another party. Or not. At the worst, I will end up drinking sangria by myself in the kitchen! And at the best, I will have a fun, profitable party with my friends :)
Ok, that decides it! I am sending out the invitations by tomorrow at the latest, whether I want to or not. I am having a party, dammit!!!!!

To be continued...

A Very Good Day

Today something exciting happened--I made a brand new gemstone necklace at my store today, put it out for sale on a display bust, and sold it less than twenty minutes later. That is officially the fastest that I have ever sold a new piece! It was the first thing--and my favorite thing--that I sold at the store all day. I was, of course, very excited to sell the necklace, but I was also a little bit sad that I didn't get to have very much time with it. And, I never got to take it home to properly photograph either!

I did at least manage to snap a quick picture before I wrapped the necklace up, which you can see here. You can't really see all the details, but you get an idea. It really was beautiful, if I do say so myself. And now, the necklace is on its way to Toronto with its lovely new owner. I hope she really enjoys it!!!

I'm also excited about something else today--I am happy to announce that my mother and I are going to be collaborating on an Imprint By Eileen 2012 holiday line! My mom is a super talented, creative, artistic person, and I can't wait to work with her on this. She is also very talented with textiles, and I feel very confident that together, we will create a beautiful line of products. The line will be available starting on Black Friday--online, as well as in my store. We will be starting work on some samples next week, so more news (and pictures!) will be coming very soon. I can't wait!! Have a good weekend everyone!!

Family Time

I just got back from a visit to North Carolina, where my parents, brother, and sister live. I flew down late Sunday night after work, and I got home about an hour ago (just in time for work tomorrow!). It was a quick trip but a GREAT trip. I really needed some quality family time, and I am so happy (and impressed!) that we made it happen.

It was also a great opportunity for me to get away from NYC for a couple of days, and a chance to reexamine the stress I've been feeling lately around my business--especially my store. My wonderful dad spent many hours with me over the course of those three days helping me reevaluate my marketing plan and brainstorming some creative new options for my business. He helped me look at everything with fresh eyes--I got a major and much-needed perspective change, which I am very grateful for. I am so happy to have come back to the city tonight with lots of new ideas and excitement--the opposite, really, of how I was feeling last week. Things at my store haven't been working well lately for a variety of reasons, and because I spend so much time there, it can easily feel like the store is all that matters in the world and all that is important to my business.

But as my dad very rightly pointed out this week, that just isn't true. My business is online too, and there is plenty that I can do to make that part of my business better. I am going to be making lots of changes to my website this week, which I am excited to try (and excited for you to see!). I am also planning another look book shoot for sometime in the next two weeks, and I will actually be printing them this time (and even doing a mailing!). I am so glad to have these things on my mind now--things that have nothing to do with my store and how good or bad my sales numbers there are on any given day or week. I really do need to help myself take the pressure off all of these slow summer weeks, and I need to start getting myself ready (and excited!) for fall. I'm on my way!!

And finally: Thank you! Thank you so much to my wonderful family and my wonderful friends for everything you have done and everything you continue to do to help me on this journey. I've said it before & I'll say it again--a small business like mine just can't happen without the kind of ongoing, loving support that I am lucky enough to have in my life. So thank you. I really do know how lucky I am. And one day, I will find a way to pay it forward...