Sometimes, words just aren't necessary. Or maybe I'm speechless. Hollywood doesn't have to worry - there is no threat of a new actress emerging on the scene anytime soon!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Charitable Giving
Philanthropy has always been important to me. And it is a tradition that I hope to continue through Zoe.
In February, my friend Renee told me that the school her son attends (Immanuel Lutheran School in Alexandria) would be holding a Silent Auction in May. The school was looking for local businesses and individuals to donate to the auction. I thought it was a great chance to get Zoe more involved in the community, get to know more people, and support a great cause!
For the auction, I decided to donate one of Zoe's lovely Graham & Spencer leather bags along with a Gift Card for the store. I packaged everything in one of the reusable Zoe bags and included one of the Zoe soaps that we give to all new customers. Here is a picture of the bag:
Of course, you can imagine I was DYING to know who had won the Zoe donation! I didn't have to wait long! The winner came shopping on Wednesday! It turned out that her husband had kept up the bidding for the Zoe donation and won it for her! She had a great time trying on clothing in the store and got to use her gift card for her purchase. What a great thing all the way around.
So many of the businesses in Alexandria are charitably minded. The members of the Old Town Boutique District are sponsoring a Charity Day on Saturday, May 14th. Each of the members of the district have selected a charity that will receive a certain percentage of their sales that day. Some are also taking donations for their charities as well. What a fantastic idea! Shopping for a cause!
As friends and fans of Zoe, do you have any causes that are important to you that you would like to see us support? We are trying to find a way to do something at least once a month in support of great organizations!
In February, my friend Renee told me that the school her son attends (Immanuel Lutheran School in Alexandria) would be holding a Silent Auction in May. The school was looking for local businesses and individuals to donate to the auction. I thought it was a great chance to get Zoe more involved in the community, get to know more people, and support a great cause!
For the auction, I decided to donate one of Zoe's lovely Graham & Spencer leather bags along with a Gift Card for the store. I packaged everything in one of the reusable Zoe bags and included one of the Zoe soaps that we give to all new customers. Here is a picture of the bag:
Of course, you can imagine I was DYING to know who had won the Zoe donation! I didn't have to wait long! The winner came shopping on Wednesday! It turned out that her husband had kept up the bidding for the Zoe donation and won it for her! She had a great time trying on clothing in the store and got to use her gift card for her purchase. What a great thing all the way around.
So many of the businesses in Alexandria are charitably minded. The members of the Old Town Boutique District are sponsoring a Charity Day on Saturday, May 14th. Each of the members of the district have selected a charity that will receive a certain percentage of their sales that day. Some are also taking donations for their charities as well. What a fantastic idea! Shopping for a cause!
As friends and fans of Zoe, do you have any causes that are important to you that you would like to see us support? We are trying to find a way to do something at least once a month in support of great organizations!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Anniversaries
In all of the curtain hoopla, I neglected to write about two significant anniversaries in the life of Zoe.
Friday, May 6th, was Zoe's one month anniversary! I can honestly say that the first month FLEW by! It is impossible to quantify how much I learned in that time period (about the business and about myself). Did I come home every day bone tired? Yes. But did I come home happy? Yes again. I love the opportunity to employ so many different skill sets in running the business. And the constant learning! I learn from doing. I learn from my customers. I learn from my vendors. I learn what works and what doesn't work. And I know I'll keep learning.
Saturday, May 7th was the one year anniversary of me leaving my job in the corporate world. The anniversary caused me to spend a lot of time reflecting on the past year. I really don't think I would trade this opportunity for anything. Now, I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the money I used to make. But I've learned to do a lot more with a lot less. And there is a particular joy in accomplishing that. Everyone who knows me, from Jim to my mother to long time friends, tells me that I am a different person - happier, more creative, mellow. How do you put a price tag on that? I know for a fact my health is much better (mental and physical). And, I've talked about this before, but I have a much closer relationship with God. I've finally started to learn what ceding control and trust are all about.
I'd also be lying if I said I didn't miss the people that I worked with at my job. It's not often one finds oneself working with such smart and talented colleagues. So many of them remain true friends, for which I am very grateful. I love the fact that I can keep them as friends while continually expanding my world of new friends.
I loved my trip to NY last Monday, it was GREAT to have my day off yesterday! Although I am always very busy, it truly recharges me to have that day to sleep in a little and get things done. I did go to Zoe for a couple of hours, mainly to take care of filing the Withholding and Sales/Use Tax for April and to prepare the store for the Knitwear sale. I love my Point of Sale system for things like this. I can set up a range of dates/times and then select the items and apply the appropriate formula. Then, when I ring up the item, it rings up at the proper price without me having to do any special calculations or adjustments. I sold 2 of the sale items today and it worked flawlessly! And I also needed to do a TON of filing! I felt much more at peace with all of that done.
Friday, May 6th, was Zoe's one month anniversary! I can honestly say that the first month FLEW by! It is impossible to quantify how much I learned in that time period (about the business and about myself). Did I come home every day bone tired? Yes. But did I come home happy? Yes again. I love the opportunity to employ so many different skill sets in running the business. And the constant learning! I learn from doing. I learn from my customers. I learn from my vendors. I learn what works and what doesn't work. And I know I'll keep learning.
Saturday, May 7th was the one year anniversary of me leaving my job in the corporate world. The anniversary caused me to spend a lot of time reflecting on the past year. I really don't think I would trade this opportunity for anything. Now, I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the money I used to make. But I've learned to do a lot more with a lot less. And there is a particular joy in accomplishing that. Everyone who knows me, from Jim to my mother to long time friends, tells me that I am a different person - happier, more creative, mellow. How do you put a price tag on that? I know for a fact my health is much better (mental and physical). And, I've talked about this before, but I have a much closer relationship with God. I've finally started to learn what ceding control and trust are all about.
I'd also be lying if I said I didn't miss the people that I worked with at my job. It's not often one finds oneself working with such smart and talented colleagues. So many of them remain true friends, for which I am very grateful. I love the fact that I can keep them as friends while continually expanding my world of new friends.
I loved my trip to NY last Monday, it was GREAT to have my day off yesterday! Although I am always very busy, it truly recharges me to have that day to sleep in a little and get things done. I did go to Zoe for a couple of hours, mainly to take care of filing the Withholding and Sales/Use Tax for April and to prepare the store for the Knitwear sale. I love my Point of Sale system for things like this. I can set up a range of dates/times and then select the items and apply the appropriate formula. Then, when I ring up the item, it rings up at the proper price without me having to do any special calculations or adjustments. I sold 2 of the sale items today and it worked flawlessly! And I also needed to do a TON of filing! I felt much more at peace with all of that done.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Curtains Up!
When Jim came home from work today, he scolded me for not updating my blog in several days. He said "You leave people wondering what is going on!" I think it is very sweet that he reads my blog, especially since he lives it day in and day out. As a side note, I think he wanted to be absolved of all of the ridicule he has been getting for not putting up the curtain rod at the store.
Yes, the curtain rod (and the beautiful curtain) is up! On Friday night after dinner, we went to Target to find a rod (I had measured the area once more prior to leaving the store). A sturdy but inexpensive rod in hand, Jim took me to work on Saturday and came in to install the rod and hang the beautiful curtain that friend Karen had made for me. Photographic evidence below:
For those who may not remember, this curtain now covers the area where the wheelchair lift is housed in the store.
I admit that I did leave everyone hanging last Wednesday. Just what DID I do on Thursday? Well, I had the folks from the Old Town Alexandria Patch come in to do a short video of the store. It has me on camera as well as speaking. I was very impressed with the videographer - he was extremely prepared and professional. I have to confess, I am somewhat dreading reviewing the results. I love sharing anything about Zoe but just hate the sound of my own voice! I know...so weird. I promise to share it on the blog when the final version is ready to go.
Zoe has gone international in the past week. I've had two sets of visitors (one from London, one from Budapest, Hungary) come in because they had granddaughters named Zoe. Both sets of visitors enjoyed shopping and hearing about the store. So, when you see those Zoe bags when traveling in Europe...
On Friday, a member of the editorial team from the Alexandria Gazette-Packet came to visit me at Zoe. She took two photos and did a short interview. The AG-P is a weekly paper so perhaps there will be something in the paper regarding Zoe this week!
Lots of new shipments arrived last week! It seemed like every day I was unpacking something fun and new! Mother, Graham & Spencer, Tracy Reese, Red Engine White Denim. And I'm kicking off my first true Sale beginning tomorrow - knitwear for 30% off!
I always love it when friends stop by to see me. I had a nice visit from friend Janet and her husband on their way to Mai Thai on Friday evening. And friend Andy and his girlfriend came in on Saturday. That's part of the fun - I never know who might walk through my door. Strangest visitor this past week - a man who wanted to read my palm. I told him "No". This is the sort of thing I never imagined when I thought about opening a store. My family wants me to keep notes and write a book some day. Believe me, I'm getting the material to fill one!
Yes, the curtain rod (and the beautiful curtain) is up! On Friday night after dinner, we went to Target to find a rod (I had measured the area once more prior to leaving the store). A sturdy but inexpensive rod in hand, Jim took me to work on Saturday and came in to install the rod and hang the beautiful curtain that friend Karen had made for me. Photographic evidence below:
For those who may not remember, this curtain now covers the area where the wheelchair lift is housed in the store.
I admit that I did leave everyone hanging last Wednesday. Just what DID I do on Thursday? Well, I had the folks from the Old Town Alexandria Patch come in to do a short video of the store. It has me on camera as well as speaking. I was very impressed with the videographer - he was extremely prepared and professional. I have to confess, I am somewhat dreading reviewing the results. I love sharing anything about Zoe but just hate the sound of my own voice! I know...so weird. I promise to share it on the blog when the final version is ready to go.
Zoe has gone international in the past week. I've had two sets of visitors (one from London, one from Budapest, Hungary) come in because they had granddaughters named Zoe. Both sets of visitors enjoyed shopping and hearing about the store. So, when you see those Zoe bags when traveling in Europe...
On Friday, a member of the editorial team from the Alexandria Gazette-Packet came to visit me at Zoe. She took two photos and did a short interview. The AG-P is a weekly paper so perhaps there will be something in the paper regarding Zoe this week!
Lots of new shipments arrived last week! It seemed like every day I was unpacking something fun and new! Mother, Graham & Spencer, Tracy Reese, Red Engine White Denim. And I'm kicking off my first true Sale beginning tomorrow - knitwear for 30% off!
I always love it when friends stop by to see me. I had a nice visit from friend Janet and her husband on their way to Mai Thai on Friday evening. And friend Andy and his girlfriend came in on Saturday. That's part of the fun - I never know who might walk through my door. Strangest visitor this past week - a man who wanted to read my palm. I told him "No". This is the sort of thing I never imagined when I thought about opening a store. My family wants me to keep notes and write a book some day. Believe me, I'm getting the material to fill one!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Blog Mentions
It is so flattering to have Zoe mentioned in other blogs! It has happened twice this week and I just had to share!
My friend Renee visited Zoe on Saturday with one of her sons (Josiah) and her daughter (Lydia). I honestly thought that I was going to need to hire Lydia as my PR person because she gushed enthusiastically about the store for everyone to hear! Renee had fun shopping for herself as well as her mother and mother-in-law. She summarized her shopping experience at Zoe in her most recent blog entry.
In yesterday's blog entry, I mentioned that I was adding a new handbag line for Fall called Alexandra Satine. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Alexandra on Monday in NY. We had been corresponding via email and Facebook for a few months as I reviewed her line and she got to know more about my store. Last night, she sent me an email to tell me she had been featured in a fashion blog called Sugar Rock Catwalk. As part of the blog entry, the writers note that her bags can be found at Zoe!
I'm still figuring my way around the publicity thing. Last week, an "Advotorial" appeared in the Alexandria Times. The title of the article/ad is "Shop Around the Corner". Since it is actually an advertisement, I wrote it. It isn't too hard to do as long as I'm writing about Zoe and not myself! And the Alexandria Gazette Packet included a write-up on Zoe as part of their Talk of the Town feature.
Wait until I tell you what I did today!!
My friend Renee visited Zoe on Saturday with one of her sons (Josiah) and her daughter (Lydia). I honestly thought that I was going to need to hire Lydia as my PR person because she gushed enthusiastically about the store for everyone to hear! Renee had fun shopping for herself as well as her mother and mother-in-law. She summarized her shopping experience at Zoe in her most recent blog entry.
In yesterday's blog entry, I mentioned that I was adding a new handbag line for Fall called Alexandra Satine. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Alexandra on Monday in NY. We had been corresponding via email and Facebook for a few months as I reviewed her line and she got to know more about my store. Last night, she sent me an email to tell me she had been featured in a fashion blog called Sugar Rock Catwalk. As part of the blog entry, the writers note that her bags can be found at Zoe!
I'm still figuring my way around the publicity thing. Last week, an "Advotorial" appeared in the Alexandria Times. The title of the article/ad is "Shop Around the Corner". Since it is actually an advertisement, I wrote it. It isn't too hard to do as long as I'm writing about Zoe and not myself! And the Alexandria Gazette Packet included a write-up on Zoe as part of their Talk of the Town feature.
Wait until I tell you what I did today!!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
NY Market - May Visit
Since Mondays are my day off at Zoe, that was absolutely the best day to take the train to NYC for the Late Fall/Winter/Holiday market. (Yes, I know - it is hard for me to think about too!)
I try to get to NY by 8:45 (the market opens at 9) so I was on the 5:30 am Northeast Regional from Union Station. We were a little delayed just after Philadelphia so we didn't arrive at Penn Station until around 9 am. There was a significant police presence at Penn Station, most likely due to the death of Osama bin Laden the previous night.
This time I needed to take a taxi to market since it was held at Piers 92 and 94 (too far to walk). Where were all the cabs on Monday morning? Not at Penn Station, I can tell you that! After queueing up in a very long line and shuffling forward a few steps every few minutes I finally got a cab. No issues at all - the cab drivers continue to impress on my trips to the city.
The show organizer had already sent me a badge so my registration process was quick and painless. I went to Pier 94 first (where they had mostly accessories and denim), then to Pier 92 for apparel and back to Pier 94 for one last accessory review. I wrote orders with brands that I already carry in store (Chan Luu, Rebecca Taylor, Velvet, Alice and Trixie) and added two new lines (Waverley Grey and Beth Bowley) as well as a new handbag line (Alexandra Satine). I was very pleased with the day and very excited about the new items on the way later this year!
This market was not quite as big as the Fall market that I attended in February - the big markets are the Spring and Fall events. But still, so many different vendors and VERY crowded. On the way up, I reviewed my monthly reports for Zoe for April and made notes of things I wanted to discuss with the account representatives. Although I have a "mental total" of what is selling and the margins, it is very helpful to see it on paper so that I can analyze it more thoroughly.
As far as fashion goes, I did go a bit more "New York" this time while still preserving comfort! The black Dr. Scholl's made the trip as did my Red Engine Black Skinny jeans, a sleeveless black sweater and my Frost Gray Chan Luu Lace Jacket. Several of my fellow retailers recognized the Chan Luu jacket!
I was fortunate to get on an earlier train and was physically home by 7:15! An excellent day all around. Now, where am I going to find that day off this week? :)
I try to get to NY by 8:45 (the market opens at 9) so I was on the 5:30 am Northeast Regional from Union Station. We were a little delayed just after Philadelphia so we didn't arrive at Penn Station until around 9 am. There was a significant police presence at Penn Station, most likely due to the death of Osama bin Laden the previous night.
This time I needed to take a taxi to market since it was held at Piers 92 and 94 (too far to walk). Where were all the cabs on Monday morning? Not at Penn Station, I can tell you that! After queueing up in a very long line and shuffling forward a few steps every few minutes I finally got a cab. No issues at all - the cab drivers continue to impress on my trips to the city.
The show organizer had already sent me a badge so my registration process was quick and painless. I went to Pier 94 first (where they had mostly accessories and denim), then to Pier 92 for apparel and back to Pier 94 for one last accessory review. I wrote orders with brands that I already carry in store (Chan Luu, Rebecca Taylor, Velvet, Alice and Trixie) and added two new lines (Waverley Grey and Beth Bowley) as well as a new handbag line (Alexandra Satine). I was very pleased with the day and very excited about the new items on the way later this year!
This market was not quite as big as the Fall market that I attended in February - the big markets are the Spring and Fall events. But still, so many different vendors and VERY crowded. On the way up, I reviewed my monthly reports for Zoe for April and made notes of things I wanted to discuss with the account representatives. Although I have a "mental total" of what is selling and the margins, it is very helpful to see it on paper so that I can analyze it more thoroughly.
As far as fashion goes, I did go a bit more "New York" this time while still preserving comfort! The black Dr. Scholl's made the trip as did my Red Engine Black Skinny jeans, a sleeveless black sweater and my Frost Gray Chan Luu Lace Jacket. Several of my fellow retailers recognized the Chan Luu jacket!
I was fortunate to get on an earlier train and was physically home by 7:15! An excellent day all around. Now, where am I going to find that day off this week? :)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Grand Opening
Sorry for the delay on updating the blog - it has been such a busy few days!
Zoe's Grand Opening took place beginning Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1. We could not have been blessed with better weather on Friday and Saturday. Definitely the best Saturday weather that we've had since Zoe opened!
I was very delighted with the results of the Grand Opening. A significant number of people visited the store and signed up for the mailing list. We had record sales on Saturday and Sunday. We had started the initial advertising for the store on Thursday in the Alexandria Times and followed up with ads in the Alexandria Gazette Packet and the Mt. Vernon Gazette. A number of people mentioned reading the articles and seeing the advertisements! Print newspapers are not dead!
As part of the Grand Opening Promotion, patrons had the opportunity to draw at the time of checkout to see what level of discount they would receive on their purchase. Everyone was guaranteed a minimum of 10% with the possibility of drawing 20% or 30%! The people who drew the 20s and 30s were thrilled! It was fun to give people the opportunity to do that!
As with the other days, I love all of the people that I get to meet in the course of business. Mothers and daughters shopping together, friends shopping together, ladies treating themselves to new spring/summer clothing and jewelry, people shopping for gifts, husbands and wives looking for a special item. Each person had a specific reason for walking into the store whether they purchased something or not.
I was visited by a number of friends over the weekend, including Jamie, Sally, Tina, Jessica, Carly, Amy, Renee, Kathryn and Brian. It is always such a delight for me to see a familiar face. And Karen and Janice stopped by to bring the completed curtain (for the wheelchair lift) - now just waiting for Jim to put up the curtain rod! And Janice was a huge help to me on Thursday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. I love having her visit/help me!
Tomorrow - Monday's trip to the NY Apparel Market!
Zoe's Grand Opening took place beginning Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1. We could not have been blessed with better weather on Friday and Saturday. Definitely the best Saturday weather that we've had since Zoe opened!
I was very delighted with the results of the Grand Opening. A significant number of people visited the store and signed up for the mailing list. We had record sales on Saturday and Sunday. We had started the initial advertising for the store on Thursday in the Alexandria Times and followed up with ads in the Alexandria Gazette Packet and the Mt. Vernon Gazette. A number of people mentioned reading the articles and seeing the advertisements! Print newspapers are not dead!
As part of the Grand Opening Promotion, patrons had the opportunity to draw at the time of checkout to see what level of discount they would receive on their purchase. Everyone was guaranteed a minimum of 10% with the possibility of drawing 20% or 30%! The people who drew the 20s and 30s were thrilled! It was fun to give people the opportunity to do that!
As with the other days, I love all of the people that I get to meet in the course of business. Mothers and daughters shopping together, friends shopping together, ladies treating themselves to new spring/summer clothing and jewelry, people shopping for gifts, husbands and wives looking for a special item. Each person had a specific reason for walking into the store whether they purchased something or not.
I was visited by a number of friends over the weekend, including Jamie, Sally, Tina, Jessica, Carly, Amy, Renee, Kathryn and Brian. It is always such a delight for me to see a familiar face. And Karen and Janice stopped by to bring the completed curtain (for the wheelchair lift) - now just waiting for Jim to put up the curtain rod! And Janice was a huge help to me on Thursday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. I love having her visit/help me!
Tomorrow - Monday's trip to the NY Apparel Market!
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