In order to open a boutique a potential owner must start with a desire to work in the retail industry and enjoy interacting with the public. Most boutique owners are those that choose to break away from the day-to-day grind of working for someone else and take the plunge into small business ownership. These owners are looking for flexibility in their schedules and to have control over their lives as well as financial stability. Boutique ownership can be a major step on this path.
Making the decision that you want to open your own boutique is the first step and one that should be applauded. You will want to start by putting a business plan and financial plan on paper before you physically lease a space or buy your inventory. This paper version will not only help you to focus your efforts, but as you look for financial assistance you will be asked for your business plan by just about everyone you deal with. Before anyone wants to put money into your efforts they want to see that you've thought about where you're going and how you're going to get there.
As you create your business plan you will need to consider such factors as:
What niche will my boutique fill?
Where will I get my merchandise?
What location is right for my boutique?
How will I advertise my boutique?
Getting the answers to these questions will set you on the right path for the action that will help you get your boutique open and make it successful!
What niche will my boutique fill?
This question is perhaps the most important to answer as it is the basis for the rest of your work. A boutique that is just like every other boutique in the area will struggle to be successful. You must offer some angle of your boutique that is unique. This may be the type of merchandise you carry, or the age group you are appealing to, your pricing, or simply a customer experience that is so positive that it will bring customers, and, most importantly, their friends and family in for repeat business. In order to decide what you want to do you need to consider, first of all, what you like and second of all what is missing in your area. If you love Asian style nick nacks and accessories this may be where you'd like to focus your work. Take a good look around your local shopping centers and malls and see if there are other stores already offering these items. If there is not you easily have a niche to fill. If there are other such stores get to know them and see if there is a unique angle you can use in your approach to stay competitive and bring customers your way.
Once you have determined what your niche is get it down in your business plan, as well as what specific items you would like to sell. Using our Asian style accessories idea you might write down the following:
- Small bamboo plants
- Tea sets
- Oriental fans
- Incense
- Buddha statues
Once you have a good idea of what you are looking for you can move forward into figuring out where you will acquire your merchandise from and how much you will need in order to open your doors. You may not be able to carry everything that you'd like to at first, but remember that your boutique will grow by nearly 15% per year, provided things go well, and you will have opportunity to expand your lines as your finances allow.
Where will I get my merchandise?
Before you begin any shopping you will need to do some paperwork to acquire your wholesale license. This is critical as you will want the opportunity to purchase merchandise directly from the manufacturers, and most will require such a license before they will sell to you. If you buy your merchandise at the same price you sell it for you can't make money. As well if you have to over price your merchandise in order to make up for purchasing at too high of a cost, your business will be short lived. You need to put yourself in the best position possible to buy at the lowest rate possible so even with your profit and expense mark up your prices are still in the range the customer is willing to pay.
Get familiar with your local marketplace and what wholesalers and manufacturers are close by. Many of these can be visited on a day-to-day basis and may carry many of the items that you want to sell. For your seasonal buying you may wish to look outside of your local area and towards one of the bigger population centers. Many of the larger cities in the United States, including: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, have large merchandising shows and markets where you can meet up with manufacturers and sales representatives to get higher quality and higher quantities for your boutique. You will want to shop for an approximately three-month supply for your inventory at this big shows. Take the time to meet people at these shows and get on mailing lists for the merchants that you most like. Do not be pressured to buy immediately, but take time through the show to compare and contrast merchants and get the merchandise that YOU want.
What location is right for my boutique?
Usually the biggest consideration in boutique location is whether you want to be located in a shopping center, a mall, or a single location. The last is the most expensive and often not a good choice for a starting boutique, though may become a possibility once you are better established. The pro of a mall location is that you are guaranteed a certain amount of random traffic simply because of the number of people that frequent a mall. The biggest drawback is that you must play by the rules of the mall, which may effect your hours of operation and your allowed décor. In a shopping center the Landlord may still have come control over these aspects, but such interference is much rarer provided you continue to pay your lease. No matter what you choose you should bargain for at least 30 days rent free as you will need this time to set up your shop before opening to the public.
How will I advertise my boutique?
Advertising is a multi billion dollar business in the retail industry. When you are first opening your boutique you will not have the money for a huge marketing budget. Don't worry about this, but make efforts to use the budget you do have as wisely as possible. Hand out fliers, have a grand opening party and invite other shop owners, invite your local chamber of commerce to have a meeting in your shop, and most importantly talk about your shop to everyone you meet. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools you have, and if your shop provides a good customer experience you will see success in customers that will return time after time and, even better, bring others with them.
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Saturday, March 20, 2010
Show Your Customers You Care
It is gift-time once again and you are tearing at the few strands of hair on your head trying to find something to give your valued customers. Being an automobile dealer you realize the importance of making a customer feel happy and wanted and more than anything else, special. If you really want to achieve this, you could think seriously about gifting them with Buick Lucerne Keychains.
With a wide range of options to choose from, you certainly will have a difficult choice to make. Which one should you go in for? Is the leather and gold combo better than the metal oval one or maybe we should gift the silver? Do we buy the same model for all the 1459 customers that we have or should we buy some of each?
When you think of buying Buick Lucerne Keychains, you will also think about the value addition you can make to the product. For instance, if you want your customers to not have trouble in case of a breakdown in the vehicle then you could gift them a keychain engraved with your number on the reverse side. Not only do you give it a personal touch, but it also is a highly practical solution.
When you are in the midst of nowhere wondering what to do with an automobile that has conked out, you could ask them to call your customer service centre, from where they could give you a few tips on how to restart your vehicle. How would they do this, if your number was not engraved on the Buick Lucerne Keychains?
If you decide to buy a large number of keychains, you could get in touch with the manufacturer and ask him for a decent discount. It does make a lot of sense for an automobile dealer like you go gift his customers Buick Lucerne key chains. They make wonderful gifts and your customers are going to appreciate your gift idea for its beauty, style and practical utility.
While you are on the subject of gifts, you could also check out the other accessories that come with a Buick stamp. There are car seats, shelves and other safety accessories that would give your car a classy look. If that is what you are looking for, there’s no problem; just log on to the internet for more information. There are websites that cater to practically all your needs. If you are looking for wholesale rates, when you want to buy in bulk, there are sites that offer you good deals.
Since these articles are made of very good material, they do last a very long time, long enough for your customers to remember the services that you are capable of rendering. There might be quite a few names that are available, but there is no doubt that Buick Lucerne Keychains are right on top of the list. A wonderful gift idea you cannot go wrong with the Buick Lucerne Keychains and it is sure to make a lasting impression.
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With a wide range of options to choose from, you certainly will have a difficult choice to make. Which one should you go in for? Is the leather and gold combo better than the metal oval one or maybe we should gift the silver? Do we buy the same model for all the 1459 customers that we have or should we buy some of each?
When you think of buying Buick Lucerne Keychains, you will also think about the value addition you can make to the product. For instance, if you want your customers to not have trouble in case of a breakdown in the vehicle then you could gift them a keychain engraved with your number on the reverse side. Not only do you give it a personal touch, but it also is a highly practical solution.
When you are in the midst of nowhere wondering what to do with an automobile that has conked out, you could ask them to call your customer service centre, from where they could give you a few tips on how to restart your vehicle. How would they do this, if your number was not engraved on the Buick Lucerne Keychains?
If you decide to buy a large number of keychains, you could get in touch with the manufacturer and ask him for a decent discount. It does make a lot of sense for an automobile dealer like you go gift his customers Buick Lucerne key chains. They make wonderful gifts and your customers are going to appreciate your gift idea for its beauty, style and practical utility.
While you are on the subject of gifts, you could also check out the other accessories that come with a Buick stamp. There are car seats, shelves and other safety accessories that would give your car a classy look. If that is what you are looking for, there’s no problem; just log on to the internet for more information. There are websites that cater to practically all your needs. If you are looking for wholesale rates, when you want to buy in bulk, there are sites that offer you good deals.
Since these articles are made of very good material, they do last a very long time, long enough for your customers to remember the services that you are capable of rendering. There might be quite a few names that are available, but there is no doubt that Buick Lucerne Keychains are right on top of the list. A wonderful gift idea you cannot go wrong with the Buick Lucerne Keychains and it is sure to make a lasting impression.
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Friday, March 19, 2010
Best of Tucson Gem and Jewelry Shows
J.O.G.S. Tucson Gem and Jewelry show is the largest and most popular independent jewelry trade shows in the Tucson, Arizona area. Wholesale manufacturers, miners and international dealers gather at the Tucson Expo Center, the site of the J.O.G.S. show, every winter.
Buyer attendance at the J.O.G.S. show exceeds 27,000, composing over 4,000 jewelry firms. The majority of these are registered business owners representing the retail jewelry industry of the United States. The attendees of the J.O.G.S. show are owners of gift shops, private galleries, boutiques, department stores, and retail jewelry shops. The buyers are able to buy jewelry right on the floor as it is delivered; this makes J.O.G.S. a cash and carry show.
For the 2008 show, there will be approximately 800 booths of exhibitors selling wholesale finished jewelry, cut stones, gems, beads, coral, turquoise, amber and much more. The exhibitors are divided up by pavilions.
Must see at J.O.G.S.
A truly one of a kind Southwestern jewelry pavilion can only be found at the J.O.G.S. show. It is composed of great Mexican and Native American designs of turquoise and coral set in silver. Exhibiting are the top dealers, miners and manufacturers with the largest stock of jewelry from Albuquerque, Mexico and China.
The American Amber Association presents, at the J.O.G.S. show, the largest U.S. Amber pavilion. The pavilion is composed of amber designers and amber manufacturers from all the Baltic countries famous for their amber source. If you are an amber retailer or are just an amberholic, you will love this pavilion. The J.O.G.S. show is your once in a year opportunity to buy these great designs at an excellent price.
The Art Gem Décor pavilion contain some of the most beautiful décor items crafted out of stones, gems, copper, wood, metal and other materials. These are museum quality pieces created by some of the most talented artists in the world. This is truly one of the most unique art collections you will ever see, it is like an art show inside the J.O.G.S. show. Besides the exquisite art pieces, you can also find some great everyday interior design pieces. Other J.O.G.S. pavilions include the many international pavilions which represent the rich jewelry heritage of Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mexico and Nepal.
Products at the J.O.G.S. show
There are products at the J.O.G.S. show to suit just about any buyer. The product range covers all price points, from high end one of a kind designs to everyday popular items available at wholesale prices. Often buyers rely on the expertise of the wholesale sellers to pick out next season’s hottest selling lines. Buyers can be seen purchasing large quantities at wholesale prices as well as occasional one of a kind purchases intended for personal and private collections.
Venue of the J.O.G.S. show
Each J.O.G.S. show is held in the state of the art Tucson Expo Center, one of Tucson’s largest professional convention centers. The whole show takes place under one roof and on the same floor, ensuring that buyers visit every booth and no vendor gets left out. Great promotion, a complimentary lunch buffet for the buyers, top security and a red carpet atmosphere has been responsible for the success of the J.O.G.S. show.
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Buyer attendance at the J.O.G.S. show exceeds 27,000, composing over 4,000 jewelry firms. The majority of these are registered business owners representing the retail jewelry industry of the United States. The attendees of the J.O.G.S. show are owners of gift shops, private galleries, boutiques, department stores, and retail jewelry shops. The buyers are able to buy jewelry right on the floor as it is delivered; this makes J.O.G.S. a cash and carry show.
For the 2008 show, there will be approximately 800 booths of exhibitors selling wholesale finished jewelry, cut stones, gems, beads, coral, turquoise, amber and much more. The exhibitors are divided up by pavilions.
Must see at J.O.G.S.
A truly one of a kind Southwestern jewelry pavilion can only be found at the J.O.G.S. show. It is composed of great Mexican and Native American designs of turquoise and coral set in silver. Exhibiting are the top dealers, miners and manufacturers with the largest stock of jewelry from Albuquerque, Mexico and China.
The American Amber Association presents, at the J.O.G.S. show, the largest U.S. Amber pavilion. The pavilion is composed of amber designers and amber manufacturers from all the Baltic countries famous for their amber source. If you are an amber retailer or are just an amberholic, you will love this pavilion. The J.O.G.S. show is your once in a year opportunity to buy these great designs at an excellent price.
The Art Gem Décor pavilion contain some of the most beautiful décor items crafted out of stones, gems, copper, wood, metal and other materials. These are museum quality pieces created by some of the most talented artists in the world. This is truly one of the most unique art collections you will ever see, it is like an art show inside the J.O.G.S. show. Besides the exquisite art pieces, you can also find some great everyday interior design pieces. Other J.O.G.S. pavilions include the many international pavilions which represent the rich jewelry heritage of Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mexico and Nepal.
Products at the J.O.G.S. show
There are products at the J.O.G.S. show to suit just about any buyer. The product range covers all price points, from high end one of a kind designs to everyday popular items available at wholesale prices. Often buyers rely on the expertise of the wholesale sellers to pick out next season’s hottest selling lines. Buyers can be seen purchasing large quantities at wholesale prices as well as occasional one of a kind purchases intended for personal and private collections.
Venue of the J.O.G.S. show
Each J.O.G.S. show is held in the state of the art Tucson Expo Center, one of Tucson’s largest professional convention centers. The whole show takes place under one roof and on the same floor, ensuring that buyers visit every booth and no vendor gets left out. Great promotion, a complimentary lunch buffet for the buyers, top security and a red carpet atmosphere has been responsible for the success of the J.O.G.S. show.
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All about Tucson shows
The Tucson Gem and Mineral shows are the annual site for the world’s biggest treasure hunt. Hundreds of thousands of gem and jewelry enthusiasts, wholesalers, buyers and designers make their pilgrimage to this traditional epicenter of the American jewelry industry. They all come to see the exhibitors which consist of miners, jewelry manufacturers, stone carvers, importers, beads dealers and other sellers. Tucson’s annual gathering is a winter event starting in late January and running through end of feb. Since the 1950s the event has garnered world wide recognition and has been attracting visitors from 45 international jewelry hotspots.
The focus is on gems, minerals, jewelry, rocks, colored stones and beads. These come in every international flavor, including Brazilian cut gem stones and minerals, rough stones from Africa, pearls from South East Asia, Caribbean corals, and Baltic Amber. One can also find home décor products, art, boutiques and gifts made from stones. This is all distributed amongst more than 40 shows spread out around Tucson.
Visitors attending these shows are primarily owners of retail stores looking for the latest designs to display on their shelves. Many of the shows are not even open to the general public; you must be a retail jewelry store representative to get in. More casual visitors are just jewelry enthusiasts looking for a little something for themselves or to take a jewelry design class. Also in attendance are researches, university students and geologists. All in all, the Tucson Gem Shows bring over 110 million dollars into the Tucson economy each year. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, come out for the 2008 shows and see what all the commotion is all about.
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The focus is on gems, minerals, jewelry, rocks, colored stones and beads. These come in every international flavor, including Brazilian cut gem stones and minerals, rough stones from Africa, pearls from South East Asia, Caribbean corals, and Baltic Amber. One can also find home décor products, art, boutiques and gifts made from stones. This is all distributed amongst more than 40 shows spread out around Tucson.
Visitors attending these shows are primarily owners of retail stores looking for the latest designs to display on their shelves. Many of the shows are not even open to the general public; you must be a retail jewelry store representative to get in. More casual visitors are just jewelry enthusiasts looking for a little something for themselves or to take a jewelry design class. Also in attendance are researches, university students and geologists. All in all, the Tucson Gem Shows bring over 110 million dollars into the Tucson economy each year. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, come out for the 2008 shows and see what all the commotion is all about.
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