I wonder if...

Yesterday, I asked one of my team members, "I wonder if our customers know how much we pray for them?"

Lord, bless this appointment.
Lord, make me a blessing to this customer.
Lord, this customer is difficult.  Is she hurting?
Lord, PLEASE let this gown be in stock!
Lord, help me find the matching fabric...
Lord, where did that spot come from?  Now show me how to remove it...please??
Lord, please let this gown fit (usually prayed while I'm trying to zip it!)
Lord, please help me be kind to this frustrated bridesmaid.
Lord, please bless the bride who is wearing this gown today, and make a happy marriage.

There is no difference between secular and sacred.  We are called to serve, called to be kind, called to "pray one for another".

5 Books that Formed Me

This morning, I'm listening to the EntreLeadership podcast, from the Dave Ramsey organization.  The guest is Rabbi Daniel Lapin and he is phenomenal!  I read his book a few years ago and I got to thinking about the books I have read in the past 10 years that have really formed my thoughts about business and service.  I want to share this short list with you in hopes that it may help you, too.

1.  Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung  Especially helpful for a young person who is looking for their "calling" in life...or for someone older who needs confirmation!

2.  The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

3.  EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey  If you only read one business book this year, this is the one!

4.  The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant by Terry Felber  A short book, a long fable.  I read this one with my 13-year-old son and he loved it, too!

5.  Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin  The author I mentioned above.  This is the most challenging of the books to get through, it's deep and heavy at times.  But, the truths found in it are business-changing!

Happy Reading...I can't wait to hear what you think.

It's not worth it

You're busy.

You're trying to build or sustain a business.  You're trying to please your customers, make payroll, make a schedule.  Some days it's hard to just get everything done, let alone analyze the numbers from last month and plan for next month!

Take a day off.

Huh?

Yep...you need a day off.  You can't do it all and if you do it all, it's not worth it.  Make it your goal this year to train your team to operate without you and then take a day off each week, or each month.  Read a book, do some backing, catch up on the laundry! (Yes, I do live that life)

If your business is really small and you don't have a team, then train your customers to give you a day off and close your doors for one day a month, ignore your email, and let your phone calls go to voice mail.  It will not close you down, I promise.  Instead, you'll feel rejuvenated and filled with energy and fresh ideas.

Join me at Smitten!

Happy New Year, 2013!

Yes, it's been quite a while since I have posted here.  Along with one of my associates, I've created a Facebook page for bridal biz owners (my main niche), so I would like to invite my blog readers to join me there.  The page is called Smitten! and is a gathering place for a larger endeavor.  Smitten! also offers peer-to-peer consulting for bridal businesses in the areas of finances, customer service, team building, and marketing.  We have a Live Chat scheduled for January 11 and would love to have you join us.  Just request membership to the group and see the "Events" tab!

But, one of my New Year's resolutions is to return more faithfully to this little corner of the blog-o-sphere and share more about small business, family business, and most importantly, debt-free business!

My Gift

Yesterday, my husband brought me a gift.

Last weekend was our wedding anniversary, and he bought me a pretty bead for my charm bracelet.  So, when he presented me with another gift, I was a little confused. 

Yesterday's gift was a copy of Dave Ramsey's brand new book, EntreLeadership! 

When we were at the EntreLeadership Master Series back in May, Dave gave each attendee an advance copy of the first chapter, and I asked Dave to sign my copy.  Now I'm so excited to read the entire book.  I am only wondering if there will be much information that is different from the conference that we attended, or will it be the same material, just in book form?  Either way, it will be an enjoyable read.

An Open Letter to a Young Businesswoman

Last week, our bridal boutique was featured on the Dave Ramsey Show!!!!  (yippee!)

Since then, we have received calls and e-mails from other business people all around the nation, congratulating us on our story and our success.  One of these e-mails was from a young woman in the South who has always dreamed of owning a bridal boutique.  She wrote and asked me for some advice and the answers to some specific questions. 

Well, I'm pretty sure she's not the only young woman out there with this dream.  So, in hopes that I can help even just a few, I'm going to print my response to her here.  As background, this young woman is in her mid-twenties, married, and has a baby who is about a year old.

Dear __________,

Baby boys are so much fun!  I have two sons.  Josh is 15 and a sophomore in high school.  Jonny is 12 and just started 7th grade this week.  My husband, Jeff, and I will celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary on September 18.

Both pairs of my grandparents owned businesses in our town while I was growing up, and my parents own a dry cleaners that they have had for over 30 years.  I grew up working in the cleaners, and my Mom trained me to clean and preserve wedding gowns when I was 15 years old.   When my boys were small, I helped with payroll and misc things at the dry cleaners and taught piano lessons so I could be home with them most of the time.  When they both got in school, I started getting the "itch" to have my own business.  With my husband's encouragement, I revived my mother's teaching in regards to the wedding gown cleaning and care; and opened a business that was closely connected to the dry cleaners, but specialized in wedding gown preservation and restoration. 

When I was shopping for my own wedding gown, way back in 1991, I dreamed of having my own boutique one day.  Over the next 15 years, that dream would come and go, but the time and opportunity was never there.  I didn't give up on it, though.  I just kept learning everything I could about gowns and customer service as well as developing relationships with people in the wedding businesses.  In 2007, one of the bridal stores for which I did wholesale gown preservations closed their doors, leaving gowns still hanging on the racks!  We re-opened the store 3 months later as "September's Bride". 

After that background, here are my answers to your questions:
How did you decide to get started?  See above :)

How much money would say it took to get up and running?  A lot.  More than you think.  Depending on what you need to get a space ready, I would say no less than $100K.

Do you have a certain amount of dresses you try to sell each month?  Yes.  We set goals for our team each month depending on many factors.

How do you sign up as a retailer for different dress lines?  Lots of research, contacting sales reps, attending bridal market

What do you find to be the most challenging running your own business?  The most challenging part to me is balancing my personal life and my business life.  When you own your own business, the two are intertwined significantly.  Cash flow is always challenging, as well as leading a team.

Do you ever have a "Bridezilla"? How do you handle a sticky situation?  Oh, yes.  Each situation is different.  Bridal is one of the most intense, emotional, businesses in which one can be.

Do you have any promotions, sales, or advertising ideas that you can share?  I use social media marketing as much as possible.  Also, word-of-mouth is the best advertising, but that takes lots of time to grow!
I have a wonderful assistant who is also our boutique manager.  There is no way I could do this alone.  My husband is also as involved as possible. 

My advice to you would be to wait until your children are at least middle-school age.  I cannot tell you how many bridal boutique owners I know who have gone out of business because the demands of running the business and raising small children was too much.  In the meantime, save as much $$ as you can and learn as much as you can about weddings and wedding gowns.  Perhaps do some wedding planning...that is a good way to break into the business without the pressure of having to make rent and payroll each month :)

Owning a bridal boutique was one of my dreams, too; and I really love it.  I hope I haven't discouraged you from pursuing your dream, but instead given you some practical advice so that when your time is right, you'll have a boutique that is a blessing to you and your family and not a rope around your neck.

Kelli, feel free to e-mail me anytime if you have more questions.  I love to talk business and bridal!  Also, we have a blog: www.septembersbride.blogspot.com and a page on Facebook, so please join us and follow along!

Blessings,
Tami

Best Thing I've Done Lately

Last month, Jeff and I attended EntreLeadership Master Series, taught by Dave Ramsey.  I cannot recommend it enough to any small business owner!

We learned so many valuable things; some of which we are chewing on, some of which we will do in the future, and some of which we were able to incorporate right away into our business.

One of the most useful tools that we began using immediately is the Weekly Report from our employees.  I ask each of my team members to fill out a very simple Weekly Report.  On this report, I ask them to detail something they learned that week, something at which they were successful, and then a quick high point and low point of the week. 

Wow!  I am learning so much about my team, and it's only been 4 weeks!

Now is the time to start!

Jeff and I have spent the last 5 days or so in sunny Orlando, Florida attending Dave Ramsey's EntreLeadership Master Series.  Our mornings have been filled with teaching & coaching from Dave and his team on all things business.  It has been intense, powerful, and wonderful.  In the afternoons, we have been spending time together dreaming and planning on how to make our business and our lives all that we feel God would have them to be.

Almost everyone has a goal or a dream.  Something you want to do.  Maybe you can't do it tomorrow, next week, or even next year.  But, you can begin to do it!  You can make plans.  Perhaps all you can do right now is plan to make plans. 

One of the most important things I will be taking home with me this week is the knowledge that things do not need to stay the same in my business or any other area of my life.  It is my job to find out where God wants me to be and to move in that direction.

EntreLeadership...here we come!

So EXCITED!

Jeff and I are attending Dave Ramsey's Entreleadership Master Series at Walt Disney World next week!

I'm hoping to blog a few times during the event right here and share some of the lessons we are learning.  Do you have anything you'd like me to ask Dave for you?

Be a Point of Light in your Community

"Community", "Local"...all buzzwords that are popular in small business today.  But what does it mean in practice?  We like to talk about banding together to make us stronger and strengthening our community.  But do we really put our money where our mouth is?

This week, our business was able to very specifically live out our mission statement, "...bless our...community as we are blessed...".  Another bridal store in town suddenly closed its doors, leaving customers without wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and other items.  We have stepped up to fulfill as many orders as we can; honoring the down payments, and barely covering our costs in most cases, while losing money in others.  It's the right thing to do.  We have enjoyed grateful responses from almost all of the customers involved.

I also remembered one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite singers, Randy Travis.  In the early 1990's, he performed a song at a gala for the first President Bush called "Points of Light".  One of the lines says, "If you see what's wrong and you try to make it right, that's when you become a point of light".

Rainy Day Fund

Do you have a savings account for your business?

Of course, we've all been told to save for a rainy day.  This is great advice for your personal finances, and one that I hope most Americans are learning to follow.

May I encourage you to also have a savings account for your small business, too.  Each week, I make a regular transfer from my business checking to a small business money market account through my bank.  It is not money that I am saving for taxes, or upcoming expenses, or anything in particular.  It is a small amount that is being consistently set aside.

This fund gives me such peace of mind.  No matter what your business, making saving (even a small amount) a regular weekly occurrence!

The Biggest Failure

In the past 30 years, I've seen many small businesses come and go.  Many of the owners of these small businesses sought counsel from various members of our family, so from a young age, I was able to hear alot of what to do and what not to do if I wanted to keep a business going.

Of course, we all know that there are many factors involved in a business' success.  Sometimes, it seems like just dumb luck that allows one person to stay in business while another closes up shop.

But, I will share with you today one of the most common things that causes a small business to fail. 

Not Paying Your Taxes.

In our business, my husband takes care of filing our paperwork and paying our taxes.  Because part of our business is retail, we collect sales tax from our customers and pay it to the state government once a month.  It's always shocking how quickly 6% of sales can add up!  There are also the payroll taxes that are withheld from our employee's paychecks and also paid to the state and federal governments monthly.  Property taxes...income taxes...the list continues!

It is very easy to spend these taxes while they are sitting in your checkbook, before they are due to be paid to the various government entities.  You'll pay yourself back, right?   DON'T DO THIS!

Set the taxes aside or hide them in a totally different account!  Additionally, set aside 25% of any net income that your business realizes for your personal income tax. 

You will put yourself out of business very quickly if you are not very diligent about paying your taxes on time!

Gratefulness

It's Thanksgiving Day and I'm relaxing with my family and counting my blessings!

So, why am I blogging about business?

One of the biggest blessings in my life is my business and I'm thankful that God has given me the opportunity to do what I love; bless my customers,and work with a wonderful team of employees and fellow vendors.

I am thankful for my parents, who taught me how to serve customers and the nitty-gritty of fabrics & clothing care while I grew up in the drycleaning business.

I am thankful for my husband, who gives me unmatched support and encouragement.

I am thankful for my beyond-fabulous assistant and manager, Rachel, who keeps September's Bride running!

I am thankful for my entire September's Bride, EVENTS by September's Bride, and Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists team... Rachel, Bernice, Sherry, Julie, Mallory, Michelle T., Michelle E., Monica, Megan, and Tania!

I am thankful for each and every customer and bride that God has sent our way.  It's truly an honor to serve!

I am thankful for health, strength, and knowledge that allows me to work.

I am thankful for business associates and fellow vendors who generate a spirit of cooperation and fun in our little area of the biz!

Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart"

What Motivates You?

In my journey of running a debt-free small business, cash flow is always on my mind.   A few weeks ago, I realized to what extent my bank balance was affecting my mood.  Cash in the bank? Good; Tami's happy!  Cash a little low?  Grumpy Tam comes out.

Although understandable, this is wrong!  My life is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, not my bank balance. 

I would begin to panic when the cash reserves dipped.  "Should I change my marketing techniques?  Advertise more?  Advertise less?  What are my competitors up to?  I've got to create some buzz..."  Pretty soon, my mind would be spinning and my focus would shift.

Now, do not misunderstand me.  I do believe it is important to stop occasionally and take stock of marketing, advertising, and the competitors.  But, it must be done in a purposeful way and at specific times.  Not willy-nilly, running around as a reaction to a poor sales week.

See, God has called me to bless my customers.  That phrase is even in our Mission Statement.  When I begin comparing myself to my competitors, obsessing over my bank balance, or countless other things that I begin to do when worrying; I am not doing what God has called me to do, or what my customers deserve.

Why am I sharing this personal attitude adjustment?  Because this blog is my accountability partner.  I want my team members, business accquaintances, and family members to call me out when I lose my focus.

How is your focus this week?  Will you join me in focusing on customers service, excellent products, and ethical business practices and let God control the cash flow?

Happy Independents' Week!

No, that's not a typo or spelling mistake.  Independent businesses all around the country recognize July 1-7 as "Indendents' Week", celebrating local, independent merchants, restuarants, and services!

This is an issue about which I am quite passionate, both as a business owner and as a customer.  For each dollar spent at a local, independent business, approximately $.68 stays in the community!  Compare this with $.13 that stays in the community for each dollar spent at a "big box" store.

Local businesses employ local workers; you, your family members, and your neighbors.  The other businesses that they choose to work with for their services, such as accountants, waste pickup, cleaning, etc., are more likely to be other local, independent businesses, too.  The profit dollars are invested back into the same community and not sent on to a large corporate headquarters.

When doing business with a local company, you are more likely to get a better product and almost always guaranteed more personal service.  At the bookstore that I frequent, I get book recommendations from the owner herself.  The coffee shops right near my business will often hand-deliver or call me when my favorite items are on special!

In our family's drycleaners, I cannot count the times that my dad has given special care or free delivery to a customer who needed a piece of clothing or a household article "immediately".  At my bridal store, I can guarantee better quality and service to my brides than the large, "big-name" bridal warehouses; I promise!

Now, I am not naive about the fact that even the large stores with out-of-state headquarters still hire local workers.  I also will admit to enjoying my weekly trip to Target, with it's dollar deals and cute, cheap clothes that I wear for a season and then toss.  But, I will always invest my time and money in a local, independent business when quality and service is a priority.

So, ask you to join me in celebrating "Independents' Week" by visiting a local merchant, building a relationship, and then enjoying the best that our marketplace has to offer!

September's Bride is a proud member of LIBA- Lakeshore Independent Business Alliance

Great Business Blog!

As you know, there are myriads of blogs here in cyberspace about business.

My latest find and daily "must-read" is Create Small Business Success.  Nothing new or revolutionary, but just regular reminders of all the things we should already know and be doing as small business persons and entrepreneurs.

Breakfast Boost

If you lead employees or a team, you know how important it is to be sure that all of the individuals are "meshing" and can at least tolerate, if not enjoy, working together.

At our family's business, we have nearly 35 employees working at 3 different locations, so this can be a little challenging sometimes.

My bridal store, however, only has 6 employees who all work at the same place.  Over Spring Break, I gave them a pretty big challenge; which they worked together to achieve. 

As a reward, we went to a great local restaurant for breakfast this past Saturday morning where I also gave them each a gift certificate for a manicure.  We had a great time and it allowed each member of the staff to "bond" just a bit more with the others.  The shared experience of meeting the goal and then celebrating together was work the extra money that it cost the business.

A Full Moon?

So, yesterday was rough.

Do you ever have one of those days in your business where everything you touch goes wrong and no matter how hard you try, no customer is happy?  That was yesterday for me.

Two business associates then told me that it was a full moon and that was the reason. 

Whatever the cause, those kind of days are going to happen to all of us, especially if you are involved in customer service.  (Aren't we all)

Some of the difficulties were my fault; I forgot to sew a monogram patch into a wedding gown and had to try to do it quickly while the bride and her Mom were waiting. 

Most of the challenges were caused by another:  a bride whose gown came in too short from the designer, another bride who soiled her gown before the wedding, a wedding file with two different dates listed...

In business, it doesn't matter who caused the difficulties and we can never use the word "fault".  The customer service rep, the manager, and ulitimately, the owner, bears the responsibility for correcting the mistakes and making the customer as happy as possible.

So how we do handle these days?

For me, my faith in God reminds me that He is in control and nothing surprises Him.  When I consciously turn difficult issues over to Him, my mind can clear and sometimes  see a solution that I had not thought of before.  Sometimes, I just have to work through the problem and know that "tomorrow is another day" (to quote a favorite movie)

May I encourage you in knowing that you are not the only small business manager or owner who faces tough days and customers who will not be pleased nor even satisfied.  Offer the best solution you can, give the customer your sincere apology and move on. 

Blessings,
Tami

New Logo for Lemon Fresh Cleaners!

In my own business, September's Bride, I can make marketing decisions and change things up at will.  If something does not work or I decide that I do not like the way it looks, I can change it again.

However, I also help my parents' in their business, Lemon Fresh Cleaners.  At Lemon Fresh, Dad is the boss and even my best ideas have to get past his approval before being tried or used.  Personally, I can get very frustrated by this; but then I remember that the accountability is good for me.  I have to think through my ideas and proposals and present them concisely.

Something I have been working on is a new, "fresh" logo for Lemon Fresh Cleaners!   My criteria from the boss was that it had to include a lemon and the same colors as the previous logo that we have used for 35 years.  Both my parents and I are happy with the finished product, pictured above.

Do you like our new logo?

What are your challenges in a family business?

How do you handle working with your family?

Tight Times & Priorities

Every business has ups and downs. There are times of the year when cash flow is wonderful and times when cash is very tight. In my world, the bridal business, September through December is usually tough. "Bridal season" is over for the year, and next year's brides are not buying in droves quite yet.

When running a debt-free, cash-only basis, it is absolutely necessary to prioritize your payables during this time. You cannot pay invoices based on which vendor is "yelling the loudest". When you have a great day and have some cash, you must be careful to thoughtfully manage the influx of money so that you can get through next week, when you may not have those sales.

I have a prioritized list that I follow when paying bills and invoices. I work through the list as the money comes in. At the top of the list is rent and utilities. Most of my inventory suppliers are paid on a COD basis, but those that send me invoices are next on the list. Advertising, office supplies, and other non-essentials follow.

During our "high season", I try to pay all my bills BEFORE they are due. In this way, I am building a relationship with my vendors that allows me to ask for extra time and grace when things are slow. They know that I will pay and will pay early when I can.

When is your "down time"? Do you have a plan for it?