Security To Aisle One

Hubby likes to tell me over and over that Coco's is my shop.  He did not think starting a business was a smart or practical idea.  (UGH!  Hope he is not right.)  That said he is not afraid to tell me his opinions.  Strongly disagree with my opinions. 
One area we had an issue on was where I was putting the cash register.  Over and over he complained that the cash register needs to be at the front of the store.  That did not fit my vision at all.  Hubby was very concerned that kids would easily be able to shop lift and I would not be able to stop them.  I listened to his concerns and said, no.  I listened to his concerns over and over and said, NO.  He said, so you are just going to let kids rip you off and not do anything.  You won't be able to catch them from the back of the store.  That is hilarious to me.  There is no scenario where my plan is to run after a kid that took some candy from the store.  Seriously, not going to happen. 
Once Hubby figured out I was not giving in on putting the register in the front of the store, he started on security cameras.  Really?  Security cameras.  If I see a kid steal something from the store there are a few things that could happen:
If I know who the kid is, I will call the parents and let them handle it.
If I do not know who the kid is, the next time they come into the store, I will stand next to them.  I will let the child know that I am watching.  Odds are some things will get stolen.  Luckily, I can absorb that $1.50 loss once in a while.
Security Camera not needed.  Security guy, not needed either.
This is a small town.  I already have kids that are regulars.  Kids will tell on each other.  It is just how they are.  I had an instance where I figured out after a boy left that he probably took some gum.  He is high school age.  Next time he comes in the shop, I will be right next to him.  By the time he leaves the store, he will know that I don't trust him.  No security camera needed. 

The Name

I had the building.  I knew how I wanted it to look.  I needed a name.  I tossed around many names with friends and family.  After throwing around many names a name was picked.  I do not even know what the name was.  It did not take me long to figure out the real name was, Coco's Sweet Shop.  When I wanted a coffee shop the name was going to be Cup of Coco.  I know that is not coffee.  It was a nickname for my little granddaughter.  It felt right to use Coco for my shop.
When I would tell someone the name the response would be, won't your other grandkids be upset.  Over and over I heard the same thing.  Seriously, I never considered it a problem.  Each of my grandkids know in their hearts they are my favorite.  It is true.  They are all my favorite.  They each own an equal piece of my heart.  It did not cross their minds to ask why I did not name the shop after them.  It did not cross Coco's mind that I named the shop after her. 
Type of Business - Check
Building - Check
Name - Check
Over confidence - Check and Check
Color scheme was suggested by my friend and I immediately loved the idea.  Cornflower blue and chocolate brown.  When I purchased the brown paint it was called Corner Coffee Shop.  I was still on the journey.  Still sure I was being led by a higher power. 
I wanted all white furniture.  I imagined big wall shelves in that were cubes.  I wanted antique counters.  I was leaving work early one day to go to a resale store.  My friend that I was meeting took her son to work.  The business right next door to his was closing down.  Displays were being moved out.  My friend found out if I went over there they would sell me displays.  I bought all the displays that were left in the store for $500.  Four large glass cases and 3 double sided units.  It was not what I imagined.  It was affordable.  Lesson #1 in opening a business - sometimes common sense takes over.  I sold two glass cabinets for $100 each.  I got the start of my store for $300.  Still do not love it but I make it work.
I went to a local antique store.  I found 3 tables I loved, a great buffet for coffee to sit on, and a booth that came from the place I went for candy when I was a child.  That was perfect.  I love the symmetry of that booth.  (People recognize it when they come in the store.  They love that it is in my sweet shop.)
Does it all seem too easy?  I knew I was on the right path.  I just kept following that path.  Hubby was not on the path with me.  I just kept walking.

So It Begins

One of the most common questions I get is, what made you decide to open a candy store?  The answer should be, it is something I planned for a long time.  From a very young age I knew that one day, I would own a candy shop.  Not true at all.  The truth is I always dreamed of a coffee shop with a bookstore.  Two of my passions.  It was one of those, "this will never happen" dreams.  My days were spent working a VERY boring job sitting at a computer.  I researched a book store.  Found out they rarely survive.  More so now with Kindle and Nook.  I filed the dream in a folder marked, "If I Ever Win The Lottery." 
At my yearly check-up I was discussing my job with my doctor.  Telling her how stressful and terrible it was.  She said the most obvious statement, "Do you remember you only have one life on this Earth?  You need to find a job you love."  Obviously, we all know that to be the truth.  On that particular day, the statement hit me in the face.  I knew I had to make a change.  I started looking at early retirement.  (Early retirement = throwing away all security in old age.)  Now there were two things rolling around in my brain, I can get out of this terrible job and find something that brings me joy. 
That is how this journey started.  It was a journey that I was not in control of.  Never in my life have I felt that I was 100% being led and this is what I was meant to do.  My daughter said, our town needs a place where people can take their children.  When we go for a walk, we need to be able to have a candy store as the destination.  We went out of town to check out a candy store.  We looked at the store and continued walking looking at more adorable stores.  I went to a gypsy type store.  I love burning sage and carrying crystals. Love to read about all this power from the Earth.  I bought a few stones.  I cannot remember what all of them were for.  I do know one was to give me courage, one was to give me clarity.  Those were two things I needed. 
Courage and clarity could only take me so far.  I was talking about my candy store idea and my son-in-law said, the building next door to our building is for rent.  Very, very low rent.  The bank owns it for the parking lot.  They do not want to make money off of it.  Now I have an idea and a building.  I was saving money to buy a new car, I also had some cash.  I started talking about the BIG IDEA to my Hubby.  He ignored me.  I showed him the building.  He ignored me.  I leased the building and filled out my retirement papers.  That got his attention.
What Hubby wanted was nothing more than most people with common sense would want, a Business Plan.  Duh!  Obviously, a person cannot start a business without a plan.  That is............unless they really, really feel like they are being led on this journey and cannot fail.  In my soul I knew that this is what I was meant to do.  Business Plan be damned darned!

Next:  How does it all come together and did it take special rocks to make it happen!