February 5th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Opening up in the “Credit Crunch”
It’s been a long time since my last post but alas this does not represent a decline in my love of jewellery making. In fact I’ve gone and opened a bead shop. I know, I know - in this financial downturn? am I mad? well yes but also more happy than I’ve ever been in my life because I’m doing a job that I really enjoy and working for myself. This is most welcome after my previous job where office politics reigned and fluorescent tube lighting was my sun.
Its been over a year since we started Semi Precious Beads and discovered we weren’t alone on our quest for unusual gemstone beads. The spare room was getting cramped and I couldn’t move for boxes of beads. It was when I spotted a shop on the Devonshire coast with plenty of room I knew it was meant to be.
The trouble with opening up in the crunch is not money - it’s people’s preconceptions; both business owners and customers. Only yesterday a lady came in and said “these sort of things don’t usually last very long.” Another comment - “even if you go into administration in 6 months you will have learnt lots of lessons.’
We also have plenty of very kind people wishing us luck but it is usually with a head tilt with undertones of “you’ll need it.”
However the positive airy people who visit us are fantastic. We have families in at the weekend sitting around the tables making and experimenting and going home happy with a piece of their own creation. As for business owners - it’s so easy to get caught up in this depression but the key to overcoming it; is to remain focused, unaffected and proactive. Thinking differently from the rest is surely going to make you stand out and mean that each business in the industry will have something unique to offer so there will be plenty of business to go around. Ignorant? maybe.. Blissful? definetely!
Its been over a year since we started Semi Precious Beads and discovered we weren’t alone on our quest for unusual gemstone beads. The spare room was getting cramped and I couldn’t move for boxes of beads. It was when I spotted a shop on the Devonshire coast with plenty of room I knew it was meant to be.
The trouble with opening up in the crunch is not money - it’s people’s preconceptions; both business owners and customers. Only yesterday a lady came in and said “these sort of things don’t usually last very long.” Another comment - “even if you go into administration in 6 months you will have learnt lots of lessons.’
We also have plenty of very kind people wishing us luck but it is usually with a head tilt with undertones of “you’ll need it.”
However the positive airy people who visit us are fantastic. We have families in at the weekend sitting around the tables making and experimenting and going home happy with a piece of their own creation. As for business owners - it’s so easy to get caught up in this depression but the key to overcoming it; is to remain focused, unaffected and proactive. Thinking differently from the rest is surely going to make you stand out and mean that each business in the industry will have something unique to offer so there will be plenty of business to go around. Ignorant? maybe.. Blissful? definetely!
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 5th, 2009 at 3:49 pm and is filed under The Journey.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Congratulations on your new shop, kate. I agree with your refreshing approach to opening a new business that, even in this economic climate, it is important to be positive and offer something that is about lightning people up rather than basic necessities. People still want to spend money on things that are about fun and skill and this is probably a more valuable place to put our money than the banks. All the best to your new venture. Jazz X
February 5th, 2009 at 5:14 pmCongratulations! If its half as good as your online shop, it will be a roaring success. I wish I lived closer, but the you would probably never get mo out of the door at closing time!
marianne, xx
February 14th, 2009 at 2:51 pmCongratulations on opening your shop…I have just finished suffering the same strip light, office politics life style and I am a great believer in ‘taking the plunge…lifes too short’ I am sure that your business will be a success, as in my opinion there are not enough bead shops in UK, I love to hold the beads before I buy as I can picture them better as a finished piece.
February 25th, 2009 at 3:52 pmANYWAY Well done again, and good luck for the future.
Lucy
x
Thank you all for your very kind comments. they really made my day
March 6th, 2009 at 10:21 pmHi Kate,
Just been looking at your website and it’s been very helpful. I’ve been making my own jewellery for a few months now and I love it and am always looking for new ideas.
Your jewellery is lovely.
I was wondering, where do you get your tags and can you get them engraved?
Thanks.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:13 pmHi Kate,
Congratulations on your shop! I first came across your blog last summer when I was investigating jewellery making and now, having also taken the plunge, I’m a self employed artist and jewellery maker!
Thank you for all the tutorials and links, I’ve learned a lot here and come a long way since the first pair of very badly looped earrings I made in front of the laptop displaying your instructions!
All the best for your new venture!
Laura xo
March 26th, 2009 at 4:39 pmGood luck with your new venture!
May 21st, 2009 at 6:49 amYou are right to rise above the gloom of the credit crunch, people to turn to their hobbies at such times however I would never advise anyone to throw in their job and work at jewellery making as an alternative because so many others are doing just the same thing….it’s not a way to pay the rent/mortgage.
I am lucky enough to have a husband who takes care of the unpleasant financial side of life including bills. I don’t recommend starting out without one! ;o)
i love your attitude and can imagine it will bring many return customers to your store. looking forward to reading morex
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:28 pmhaha i like the preconceptions bit - ive just started my own business too and its true - people think you wont survive because they read about the recession in the sun. my view on it is that i know ill survive, and more importantly theres no better time to start a new business - because if you can survive this - you can survive anything.
good luck with yours kate
December 15th, 2009 at 5:55 pmNow that your first year is nearly open it would be good to hear how you have faired
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:25 pm