It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I apologize for my long absence.  It has been difficult for me to muster up the enthusiasm for a post.  I am at that terrible point that I need to decide if I should keep putting money into my shop.  It seems like many signs point towards my ending it.  After a long deliberation I am going to go all out with some new ideas the next few months.  Doing a big advertising push. Cross my fingers, pray, and hope for good things/great things!!!
My time has been filled with community events.  I keep hoping this pays off for the shop.  Today after getting some paperwork done, I spent the rest of the day working on community events.  I am currently helping to plan the Christmas Parade, Santa's Breakfast, Christmas Tree Village, Santa's House, and Santa Visits.  Those are my immediate concerns.  In addition I was putting together a budget for Springfest, doing some preliminary work on Springfest, discussing the budget for Taste, getting an insurance quote, and helping with a town calendar.  I enjoy doing all these things.  If it was a paid job, it would be amazing!!!
For my shop I need to make Christmas plans too.  I am going to have Christmas Carolers before the parade.  I will offer specials during the Santa Visits.  Santa's (new) House is right across the street from my shop.  (It does help to plan.)  I am going to offer baskets for gifts for businesses and general population.
More good news for the shop is I finally found a debit/credit card company I feel comfortable using.  Soon I will not be a cash only store.  That should make sales higher.  That is what I have been told many times.  The machine should be here soon.  Then I need to figure out how to use it!!
I am trying to stay optimistic.  The boredom gets to be too much.  Even I get tired of reading books.  It is too much sitting around.  That said, I still enjoy the people.  I can start a conversation with just about anyone!  Except my extreme introverted husband.  My ability to talk to anyone I see can be very annoying to him!  I consider it a gift.  Most of my friends are the same way.
Time to close the shop.  Hope you enjoy finally finding something new on this blog.

The Bell

The Bell

I know I blogged about my bell when I received it as a congratulations on opening my shop. Arizona likes to make sure she stays firmly planted in people's hearts. When I got the bell she told me every time it rings I can think of her.  I do not hear the bell every time it rings. There are times I do not notice. There could even be days that I do not hear the bell and think of Arizona. When I do it makes me smile and my heart feel good. This morning a customer said she loved my bell. There are times The Kid says, Hi Arizona in an exasperated voice. She still wins. He thought of her. This will make her smile. 

Hubby automatically grabs it to silence. This will make her smile too! Some kids shake the door until their Mom's yell STOP! One little girl that might share the name of my shop loves to slam the door. That makes it super annoying. 

Sometimes I tell people my bell story. Now the bell is part of the sweet shop. Part of children's memories. Part of all the love and support that made my dream come true. This would be a great time for the bell to ring and end this story.....waiting.........

Happy New Year!

Coco's has completed 6 months as a business.  I have already learned so much.  I have noticed some positive signs in the last month.  Looking forward to good things in 2014.  Wanted to get my first post up for the year.  Here are some ramblings.

When I wake up and see the snow I do not immediately worry about the road conditions.  I all of the roads I drive will be clear.  I only drive on four roads.  They are all main roads in town and are plowed quickly.  It is impossible a bad snow can turn my 3 minute commute into 10 minutes.  Just not a big deal.  Much easier to enjoy the beauty of the snow now.  In addition to my short commute, I no longer have to worry about how many claims will be turned in at the insurance company where I worked.  Auto Claims means way more work in my old department.

The positive signs I noticed at Coco's.  People come in looking at my Melissa & Doug toys.  That means they have my shop in their mind for carrying toys.  People came in looking for small gifts to give.  People are thinking of Coco's when they need candy for birthday parties.

I am trying to locate additional sweets to bring into Coco's.  Something to go with coffee.  I continue to have hopes that I can get people to think of Coco's for a place to come and sit. 

Looking forward to Coco's evolving into a mainstay in our village.

Did not make resolutions.  Not going to set myself up for that.  I do have some goals.  Not the same as a resolution!

Hope you are filled with blessings in 2014.  (How did we get to 2014?)

Shop Small Business Saturday

There are well know shopping days around Thanksgiving.  Black Friday, Cyber Monday, everyone has heard of them.  Saturday was a new day that is being marketed around the country.  It was, Small Business Saturday.  Everyone was asked to visit a local business and buy one thing.  In small businesses one sale means something.  There were a few people that took that to heart.  I had a big day on Saturday.  Four people came into the shop specifically to support the cause.  There were more people in Cocos, but four came knowing it was Small Business Saturday.  Four people trying to make a difference.  My shop was not the only place they went.  In our Village there are only 2 retails shops downtown.  TWO!!  It should be easy for people to commit to coming to the shops.  There are also two small box stores and a hardware store on the edge of town.  I shop local as much as possible.  I dislike leaving town now.  I do not have much available time to go shopping. 
If you live in a small town, make an effort.  Walk into the stores.  See if you can make a difference.  If you talk to people in my village they will say we need more retail shops.  We need to get businesses downtown.  In order to keep businesses the locals need to make an effort to visit these shops.  Not just once.  On a regular basis.  Small Business Saturday is over.  That does not mean you can't go into a small business and help the cause.  Your business can be the difference between staying open or closing.  Every business lost in a small town matters.  People do not want to move to a place that does not have shops.  Shop Local, Shop Small Businesses.  Help make it a Merry Christmas.

Random Thoughts

Arizona sent me a quote today.  She said it related to my shop and to me.  Here is the quote:


I've learned that meeting interesting people depends less on where you go than on who you are.

It is easy for me to engage people in conversation.  That was not always true.  When I first moved out of my small town, I was not comfortable talking to strangers.  I was used to knowing everyone in my life.  I am an extrovert.  That means I will make conversation with just about anyone.  Thankfully!  If not for that, I would not have great stories to tell on this blog.
(Does not count right now.  Have not had people in to chat with!)

In the retail world, it is Christmas Time.  Not in my world.  I really do not like to see Christmas stuff everywhere.  That said, I will need Christmas items to sell in my shop.  I have started ordering things.  Just not ready to put it all out.  Yesterday, I bought a bunch of decorations for my shop.  I will get them up before my Open House on November 23rd.  Hopefully, Tru Stories will take pity on me and come up for that chore.  I am not a Christmas Decoration sort of person.  I can cross the line into tacky very quickly. 
Today I have been moving things around in my shop.  I think I am going to create a half price shelf.  I have some items that have been here too long.  Some Halloween candy that needs to go.  I feel like people will like a spot to look.  We always want a deal!!

Easy Rider - there it is.  Short, probably not sweet.

What Rain Means

It is raining today.  Off and on, rain.  What does this mean to my shop?  If you were at home, would you leave home in the rain to buy candy?  What kind of candy emergency would send you out into the rain?  Even if the candy were a gift to a friend, you would keep waiting for the rain to stop.  If you had to go to work and were going to be out anyway, you still would not stop.  Why add an extra stop to increase the frizz on your head.  If you did not have to work, you would take a nap in your recliner and hope the rain stops later. 
That said, the rain is making me want to nap.  I wish I had a recliner in my backroom.  (I know, there is not enough room for candy let alone a recliner.)  If there was a recliner in my backroom, I would be napping in it right now.  Seriously, napping.  Remember there is a bell on my door.  It would probably wake me.  I would come out with drool on my face and a look of, "you just woke me from a nap."  Coffee is not helping.  I have dozed off a couple of times in a very hard chair.  I have considered laying on the floor behind the counter to nap.  If people come in, I could pretend I was picking something up.  Like myself off the floor! 
I am reading a very, very funny book.  Unfortunately, reading is making me want to doze off today.  I just tried leaning on my hands looking at the computer screen.  If someone came in, they would think I was intently reading about how to get people into my store when it rains.  They would never guess behind the screen, I am sleeping.
There is the booth.  The high back faces the door.  I could nap and hope the door opening wakes me up.  The seat is very hard but I am very tired.  I am putting that at the top of my list.  Would it look odd if I bring a blankie and pillow to my shop? 
I should just close the shop.  Put a sign on the door, Went To Take A Nap.  People would understand.  Doubt it would look unprofessional.  People would cheer that I was being spontaneous.  Living the life.  Finding ways to destroy my business.  OK, that is probably not a good idea.
I really think leaning over my keyboard, hands on cheekbones, reading something very interesting is the way to go.  Well, I better get to work.  Lots of things to do today.  Really, not going to nap at all.  Busy, busy.  Probably going to dust.  Not nap at all.

Today

This is what I had to do this morning.  Pay bills.  No fun.  It is done.  I received a shipment of some toys.  Stocking up for........., not going to say it.  Too early.  I am stocking up for Fall.

 While I paid my bills, I looked out the window at this view.  So beautiful.  Tops of the trees are starting to change color.  Yesterday I pulled my petunias.  Planted mums.  I hated to pull the petunias.  They were so beautiful all summer.  Sigh......

I am attending an open house party on October 20th.  I will be setting up a couple of tables.  Selling candy, some gift items, making Halloween gift bags.  Should be fun.  Hoping it is successful.  It is in a town not too far away from here.  Hope I get some good exposure.  Meet new people.  Should be fun.  Something new to try.  The lady came in that is hosting it today.  She gave me details.  I am excited to see how it works for me.  If it is worth it, I will go to two more.  I think it will be worth it.

Now back to work.  The last two days I have remembered to pack a lunch.  Only takes a few minutes.  Makes me feel better all day!  I need to do it regularly. 
In case you were wondering, I did have one of my best Mondays the other day.  Still going to start closing on Monday.  New a day off.  At least until the holidays. 

My Flag Is Flying

Remember that post about Flying Your Freak Flag?  Yeah.........me too.  Put my flag up today. 

If you follow Pinterest or read hints on Facebook, you know what this is.  It is a beautiful morning today.  I want some fresh air.  I have read many times, many places that putting change in a bag of water will keep flies out.  Giving it a try.

 

Not going to lie, I saw two flies come in while I was writing this.  I also saw one fly leave.  If you are keeping count flies are up by one. 

 

Freak Flag Flying.  Hope Coach runs over for a quick snack today.  He will be on the phone to Tru Stories about her crazy Wicken Mother.  Who is enjoying the fresh air this morning?  I am!

 

I Was Right, He Was Wrong

There are things at the shop I am super good at.  There are also a few things I am not good at.  My weakness is numbers.   Hubby has been freaking out about taxes.  I did not see an accountant before I started my business.  Part of the whole preplan and organize thing, blah, blah, blah.  He did not believe I knew what I was doing.  My plan was to pay my state taxes on line.  When I got on to do pay the taxes I could not figure out what all I needed to complete on the forms.  I knew I was late.  It just did not seem like a huge deal to me.  Well, it is to Hubby.  He has been FREAKING the heck out.  How my business will be closed down.  I will be fined.  Blah, blah, blah.  He insisted I should be paying State Taxes, County Taxes, and City Taxes.  He would not believe me when I said that was not true.  He does not trust that I research stuff.
Today I had an appointment to see an accountant.  I spent the morning working with all the numbers from July.  I knew there had to be a way to total sales and from that figure out what taxes would be.  I could not figure it out.  The way I did it took about 4 hours.  Mondays are slow so it was the perfect time to work on my paperwork.  Had it done in time for my appointment.
The first thing the accountant showed me was the formula for taking total sales and figuring out what the correct tax would be.  That wiped out the four hours I wasted going over the numbers.  Next he went through and showed me how to pay the taxes on line.  I was able to come home and get my taxes paid.
Here is the most important part of the very short meeting I had.  I was using the taxes correct amount for my taxes.  I was right that the only tax I need to pay right now is State.  Hubby was freaking that I should be paying quarterly.  I kept saying no.  He never believes that there are things I know.  Not going to lie, love being right.  I did not make a huge issue of my rightness.  No happy dance.  Sure I am bragging here.  He does not read my blogs.  So this is my happy dance.
The cool thing is, I know how to keep track of my income, figure out my correct taxes, and pay on-line.  That is so awesome.  Makes me very happy.  I love learning all this business stuff.  I also learned what I need to do at inventory time.  It is so exciting to me.  Learning all the things about having a business.  Fun stuff!!
I saw a couple of my brothers on Saturday.  One has not even been in the shop since it opened.  He lived less than two blocks from my shop.  Seriously!  So the brothers are asking me how it is going.  Finally, the brother that has never been in my shop asks if I am making any money at all.  Earlier I blogged about how I know there are people that are sure I am going to fail.  I would rather it not be family that is doing it.  I explained I am making money.  I have good sales.  Right now I am putting quite a bit of the money I make back in the business.  I also explained that retail sales cannot be looked at on a daily basis.  I do not think they are on Team Coco's Sweet Shop yet.  That's fine.  This is about me.  I am not doing it for their approval.  (I would enjoy their approval for a change.)
Life is full of negative nellie's.  I used to be one.  Not anymore.  I drank the water.  I am a believer!
One more time:  I was right, he does not have a clue.  That really feels great.