Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Starting Your Own Business





 I have been very busy since my last post!  We've got a lot done!  'We' being my husband Niall, our eldest son Aran, myself and the builder.  In the shop the walls have tongue and groove timber panelling, the floor is down and the electrics have been tidied up.  All the timber work has one coat of primer as well, so now there is mostly painting to be done - which is my job!  After that my husband is making the shop counter and some shelves and then we'll be ready for stock!!!!

Speaking of stock, I've spent the last couple of weeks pouring over catalogues picking out furniture and accessories to sell in the shop.  This really is the fun bit!!  So many beautiful pieces to ooh and aah over and praying that future customers will love them as much as you do!!  I've put through some orders and they will hopefully be here (fingers crossed) by opening day - which is still to be decided!  

Starting your own business is exciting and a little bit scary.  It is not for the faint hearted.  By nature you have got to be a risk taker even if (like me) you are starting a small venture with low risk.  Starting a new retail venture, especially in these challenging times is not easy.   But the worse thing that can happen is that it doesn't work and I have to close in a years time.  A lot of people say this when you start a new business, however no one points out the flip side which is the best thing that can happen is that you will have enough customers and sales to make the business viable and that you will be extremely happy doing something you love!   However, it is a chilling thought that a high percentage of new businesses close in their first year (gulp !).  As Confucius said - 

"Opening a shop is easy, keeping it open is an Art".

For me it's a risk I'm willing to take.  I would rather try and not succeed than never try at all.  But to ensure that my business has the best chance of success, I have done everything I can to prepare!  In case any of you are thinking of starting your own business I thought I would note down a few of things that really helped me on my journey so far.  

I would definitely buy at least one book that walks you through the process of starting your own business before you make the leap.  I bought and read 'Starting your own business in Ireland' by Brian O'Kane, I thought it was excellent.   Any good start your own business book will guide you through the basics eg sole trader v Limited company, tax, VAT etc.   These books also pose questions that you may not have thought of before and really make you think and write down your strengths and weaknesses etc so that by the time you finish the book you should know a) if you are the right type of personality to start your own business and b) how to go about it.

As well as reading a few books, I also attended a 10 week start your own business course with my local enterprise board.  Again, as with the books, I found the course invaluable for getting information specific to my area, general business advice and tips and it was really nice to meet with the twelve other people in the group every week who were in the same boat.  

So, read the book, attend the course and do the business plan.  The business plan is a MUST before you start a new business.  Whether you're looking for finance or not, you must know your business inside out BEFORE you start! Having to commit all your thoughts, concepts, costs and figures on paper is the best way to figure out if your new business will work in real life.  

You cannot know your sales (I'm talking retail here) before you open the door but what you can do is estimate your costs (quite accurately), then you can work out how much you need to break even and cover those costs.  Even knowing what this figure needs to be will give you a good idea whether you can see your new business working or not.  If you're convinced then you are well on your way to actually starting!!

At this business plan stage another thing I did was make up a Mood Board.   I got a huge card and cut out images from magazines that fit the vision I had in my head.   Colours, fonts, shapes, actual products you want to sell - anything can go on the mood board.   Again I have found this to be an invaluable tool as I keep going back to it for inspiration.  It also helps me stay focused when I'm ordering stock as I only buy items that 'fit' the style of my shop.   It also helped me pick out colours and font for my logo design. 

The following photos are all from my 2 mood boards so they're not the best quality as I was taking photos of cuttings from magazines but I thought it would give you a good idea of the feel of my new shop and what I'm hoping to create.

 Mood Board 1


 Mood Board 2


 












There will be a lot of French painted furniture . . .



. . . and some floral textiles - faded - of course!


 a little romance . . .



 some garden furniture and accessories . . .



 . . .  a lot of green-eyey, blue-ey greys . . .

 and some French glass and ceramic ware . . .(love those glass shelves)



some more faded floral textiles . . .



some more painted furniture . . .


 some metal furniture . . .



 a little crystal . . .

and as the shop will be called . . .


       La Vie en Rose
 some beautiful roses . . . I cannot wait to open the doors!!




“Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”Confucius

20 comments:

The Snowdrop Project said...

Hi Sharon,
It's going to be fab, and all of your hard work will pay off.
Keep going, and we look forward to the 'Grand opening'
Have a great week.
Lizx

Kristy Cambron said...

I adore the mood boards! I hope I can visit your shop one fine day. : )

Pura Vida said...

Oh how I applaud you. Offer 25% of what you love 25% of what you hate and the other half that expresses you. You will do great, I love your stuff so I would be a die hard customer in your top25%

designchic said...

It's going to be amazing - so excited for you!! Make sure you show us images as soon as you get finished...

Kifus said...

Well, Sharon, they say that the first step is the hardest one of all, and I think you have already taken quite more than one step towards achieving your dream. Congrats to you! Thanks for the interesting advice. I'm sure all your hard work will pay off and that La Vie en Rose (I knew it had to be its name!)will be a success. How can anyone resist the lovely things in your mood boards?

Way to go Sharon!!

ivana said...

Wishing you good luck! That's my secret dream as well...

Karen said...

Everyone says if you do what you love and love what you do you will be successful!

-Lisa said...

I'm giddy with anticipation!
Your mood boards put me in a splendid mood this fine morning.
XO

Business Advice From Manchester said...

Your shop will be beautiful, that is for sure but from a business advice perspective, finance is also they key, always keep a very close eye on what you are spending and how much you have. This is the most important thing when building a viable business.

Then building great contacts and business relationships, and a loyal customer base.

Good Luck to you, it sound like you have the hard work part down. I cant wait for pictures of the shop.

Paula said...

Oh Sharon - you're living the dream - it's going to be absolutely fantastic! I can tell that you have a brilliant business head on your shoulders, and have thought through everything in fabulous detail - it's bound to be a great success.
I've often thought about starting something from home - I am the queen of buying domain names lol - but alas, I seem to be one of life's dreamers rather than an instigator! However, I shall thoroughly enjoy living life vicariously through you and your great shop adventure - simply can't wait for opening day - please say that you'll be shipping to the UK??
Much love,
Paula xxx

Dee Sewell said...

All the very best of luck Sharon.

Will definitely have to make a visit to your neck of the woods sometime :)Such an exciting venture and I'm with you, better to have tried than to always wonder what if. Sending heap loads of positive vibes your way x

Woodside Park said...

Dear Sharon,
I'm so proud of you! I can't wait to get the first glimpses of La Vie en Rose!! I love being a shop owner, and hope you will too. One thing that I've learned is to be flexible. Stay true to your vision, but adjust as needed ~
XO,
Loi

Leslie said...

Sharon!!

So exciting and I love your attitude! Clearly you are passionate about this - and I believe passion will lead to success. Your mood board is fabulous and I look forward to seeing more :)

Leslie

Sara Louise said...

How exciting! I would love to see it! Where is the shop located? x

Susan T said...

SO exciting. If we ever pop over to Ireland I will visit with a very large shopping bag. Your mood boards are wonderful and look very enticing. Wishing you loads of luck.

French Grey said...

Sharon

So excited for you! Your shop will be brilliant and so are you, for jumping in with both feet! I can't wait to see more! Love the mood boards, La Vie en Rose is going to be beautiful!

Cindy
xxooxx

Bluebells and Lavender said...

Hi Sharon, what exciting news! I haven't visited your blog in a while so really happy to hear your good news! I agree, nothing ventured nothing gained, I'm sure with your positive attitude you will be open for many years to come...Sharon x

Mary Ann Pickett said...

This is so exciting about your shop!!! You have lovely taste. I posted about your great photography today. Thanks for inspiring me to be a better photographer!

Maureen Stevens said...

I cannot wait either! I hope to visit in real life someday! adore all of your inspiration!

Elly @ Caribbean Living said...

Wow Sharon, I wish you all the best with your new business venture!! It sounds fabulous actually, exactly the kind of place I could spend a lot of time in!

I look forward to hearing about your progress - I'm hoping to start up my own interior design business in a year or so, and I get a great deal of inspiration from women like you.

Good luck!

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