Well, I can't believe it's been three weeks since my last post! I have a milestone today - I submitted an application for a retail space - 401 N. Tower, to be exact. Hopefully it will get approved and I will finally be on my way to my brick & mortar dream!
ALSO, my website is almost ready! Actually, it is pretty ready, but since I don't have anything to offer yet, it is not ready for publishing quite yet.
The rest of this month has been dedicated to networking and finishing up my business plan....which isn't finished yet.....
As for networking, I located the Centralia Downtown Association's (CDA) Facebook page and posted the link to this blog, and the president of the board invited me to their next board meeting.
A strange coincidence - a few days later I happened to be downtown in a coffee shop with a yarn distributor, and a stranger came up to me and said "You must be Teva! I see all this yarn and figured it had to be you!" and that was how I met Steve, the CDA president.
The CDA board meeting went SOOOO LONG, I didn't think I would have anyone left to talk to after it was over. Those who weren't board members weren't required to stay, so half of the group was gone by the time I was able to talk about my plans for the shop. Everyone was excited to have a new type of shop in the area and are very supportive. What was really neat though, was that after the meeting, the board members hung around and walked along the sidewalk and pointed out a few empty spaces for me to consider - and this was at 9:30 at night on a Thursday!
And then there is Ravelry.com. This is a great resource for those who knit or crochet - and I think spinning and weaving are picking up on this social site as well. I created a group for my shop and I am really excited about the support that everyone is giving, and membership to the group is growing daily. One recommendation is to have a sit & stitch group meet downtown once a week at a local eatery, until I get my shop open. I think that is an awesome idea and I'm going to take a look at a few places this week.
I am really enjoying my new little hometown. :)
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
I will not be defeated!
On my hunt for a retail location.....it's not looking so good. I checked out one place, and the owner apparently didn't 'like' me or something, because he never returned my phone calls after that. I'm very disappointed in his lack of professionalism.
The next place I looked at is AWESOME......but it is a huge warehouse (10,000 sq ft!) and he wants a couple thousand dollars a month for rent. I was hoping to have a few subleaser's interested, but they aren't faring well right now and wouldn't be able to afford it. I definitely can't do the rent by myself.
I'm looking for a good 1500 sq ft to get started with. There is one place on Tower that is being renovated but they obviously aren't looking for a lease agreement until that's completed.
My only option, I think, is to start looking off of the main strip...but there aren't a whole lot of options there, either, because I want to be in on the local foot traffic. I don't want to be too far away from the heart of the city. I want to become a downtown staple!
Still plugging away at my Business Plan....will probably be looking for a CPA soon.....
The next place I looked at is AWESOME......but it is a huge warehouse (10,000 sq ft!) and he wants a couple thousand dollars a month for rent. I was hoping to have a few subleaser's interested, but they aren't faring well right now and wouldn't be able to afford it. I definitely can't do the rent by myself.
I'm looking for a good 1500 sq ft to get started with. There is one place on Tower that is being renovated but they obviously aren't looking for a lease agreement until that's completed.
My only option, I think, is to start looking off of the main strip...but there aren't a whole lot of options there, either, because I want to be in on the local foot traffic. I don't want to be too far away from the heart of the city. I want to become a downtown staple!
Still plugging away at my Business Plan....will probably be looking for a CPA soon.....
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Logo's are here!
I reviewed and accepted my new logo's yesterday! woohoo! Also, you can find us here:
This one is going to be our "Limited Edition" logo. I am going to print that only on a few things like maybe 10 canvas bags, etc, and then offer them up in raffles and things.
This one is our 'EVERY DAY' logo. I can't wait to get coffee mugs, stickers, canvas bags, etc printed up!
Now, if only I could find the retail space I need!!
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