Dealing with the retail world

Boy, the retail world is much more difficult and complicated than you would imagine working with. I realize now that I need to research how the retail world works so that I can negotiate better terms for myself.

Communication is definitely key, but more importantly is that information moves down to the ones responsible. In The Walgreens family, that has proved to be very tricky indeed. It is interesting that the store employees are limited in what they can receive on the computer. They cannot go to any website so reviewing my information online is not an option. Furthermore, I do not get good response to email.

Who in the misdt of a busy season has time to call 80 stores and talk to the managers about the program? I sure don't and on a tight budget hiring someone did not look like a good idea. Now, however, I can see the benefits of having someone full-time to do the tasks I don't have time to do because it is my life blood.

We should have first week's results soon and that will help us tweak the remaining weeks.

For now it is off to managing the homecoming process. . . Oh what Fun!

Frustrations and learning curves

I have become frustrated as of late because the retailer has not met their end of the agreement. We were asked to provide 80 stores with homecoming mums, we were given a list of the stores wishing to participate in the programs and now we are getting grief from some Managers who are less than excited about putting the homecoming mums out on their floor. Part of the deal was that we would guarantee the mums provided that the manager placed information on their reader board that they have mums. You probably guessed by now, but very few of them have followed through with this either.

I try not to worry about it because there is not much I can do about it right now and I am putting my trust in God and what the outcome will be, but it is difficult. The first homecoming dates will be this Friday and this will hopefully be a good outcome on the sales.

What I have learned so far is to have a better agreement and We will be structuring the deals differently next time.

Taking a big Leap or taking a big dive?

Sometimes when you see an opportunity, you just have to take a giant step to get you going. You know you will finally get over the hill. But with the creation of my new company, it was more like a free fall adventure.

I know I have a quality product and I have decent business know how, but the thought of going head to head to homecoming mum giants like Michaels, Hobby Lobby and even the florist, had my stomach in knots for weeks. So tightly wound was my stomach, I actually could not sleep for weeks.

Walgreens has given me the opportunity to expand and even though all the downside is on me, we have met the challenge head on. We have been in production since June and are supplying 81 participating Walgreens in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

I am very excited about this venture, but even with the excitement still comes worry. Worry that people won't know they have mums, worry that no one will buy them, worry that I will loose everything we have invested. But what good does worry do right?! Well I pray and go on and trust that my product will speak for itself.

I am very fortunate to have a great group of people helping me design mums and deliver them. Without these 20 some people, I would not have been able to do it!

The first Homecoming date is fast approaching, September 4, Saginaw Rough Riders. So I will soon know how the first stores do.

I pray for success so I can continue on this journey.