Despite the on and off rainy weather yesterday, I saw hordes of people walking down the street with ice cream cones. Zoe is close to no less than 3 ice cream shops (one on Union and two on King) but this seemed extreme, especially considering the cooler weather! Thanks to friend Darlene (from FBCA) for peeking in the store yesterday and telling me that it was Free Cone Day at the Ben & Jerry's! Mystery solved!
I've decided I must look like a woman who knows where the money is! I had another visitor ask me where the closest ATM was located! Fortunately, this woman actually headed in that direction.
Quite a bit goes on outside the store in a given day. Sadly, I watched the full evolution of a parking ticket yesterday! The spaces on Union Street outside Zoe were metered spaces (taking Quarters and Dimes). Just as I opened last week, the City switched to one of the central meter boxes that allow payment by credit card. You are probably familiar with them - you pay and then bring the slip back to your car to place in the windshield. A vehicle parked yesterday and the owners did not return with a slip. Uh oh. Within an hour, the Parking Enforcement Officer was circling the vehicle, looking for the slip. When he didn't find it, he wrote a ticket and placed it under the windshield wiper. When the car's occupants returned, there was much yelling about the ticket. I need to find a way to let people know that they need to pay at the central meter!
During quiet times in the store, I am able to work on different activities so that I am not occupied with them at home during my time with Jim. I did some updates to the website and Zoe's Facebook page as well as worked on items for the upcoming Grand Opening!
The HVAC guys did get the fan running yesterday, which is a step in the right direction! Just a few more small things to wrap up from the construction work!
Jim always enjoys my "car report" for the day. With so many cars crossing through the Prince and Union intersection outside the store, I usual have a lot to tell him! Yesterday's excitement - a Maserati!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
First Day Off
Today was my first day off since I opened the store. As some friends used to say about vacation "I think I need to go back to work to recover from my day off!"
It was a busy, busy day! I did sleep in (a little). I finished writing thank you notes to the people who had made purchases yesterday and packaged up a dress to send to my friend Michelle in NC (to see if she likes it for the author photo for her book!) I dropped everything at the Post Office and then made a Walmart run. Before I knew it, it was time for my hair appointment. Then to Trader Joe's and Giant for the weekly grocery shopping. After unloading, it was off to the store for a while.
With the HVAC issues still on-going, it was probably good that I wasn't open today! With the door staying closed, the store was reasonable temperature-wise. But I can't imagine what it might have been like with the door open all day! I spent most of the time back in the office, working on paperwork and making phone calls.
Two key phone calls - one to Comcast to protest that they didn't give me a credit on my first bill for all of my pain and suffering during the install (fortunately, they understood my plight and gave me a credit). Second to the Display company to follow-up on the status of the bolts for the table I received last week. Turns out NONE of the tables they received had any hardware! And since they come from overseas, there isn't an opportunity to ask that they be sent quickly! They determined what was needed and have sent them to me (UPS this time) to arrive on Tuesday.
During some lulls between customers on Saturday, I had gone through the software manual and made notes of things that weren't covered or that I didn't yet know how to do. I decided to call today to ask those questions as I don't want to be making those sorts of calls when customers are in the store. Wouldn't you know that while I was up front at the point of sale computer, two separate women came up to the door within 10 minutes of each other? I unlocked it and asked them to come in and apologized for how I looked (not looking overly fashionable in a Hyperion t-shirt and Lilly Pulitzer skirt with no make-up). I hope someday to be able to be open on Mondays as well but am not yet ready to make that leap!
On Saturday, the very nice lady from the Condos at 130 N. Union Street brought me some information on her tailor and cards for Presto Valet (on Quaker Lane). She recommends them highly for alterations and thought I may want to share that information with any customers who did not already have a preferred tailor. I have definitely felt a very warm welcome from the community!
And on Sunday, we had our first two four legged visitors to the store! Meatball is a boxer and Theo is a mix. People love their dogs in Old Town!
It was a busy, busy day! I did sleep in (a little). I finished writing thank you notes to the people who had made purchases yesterday and packaged up a dress to send to my friend Michelle in NC (to see if she likes it for the author photo for her book!) I dropped everything at the Post Office and then made a Walmart run. Before I knew it, it was time for my hair appointment. Then to Trader Joe's and Giant for the weekly grocery shopping. After unloading, it was off to the store for a while.
With the HVAC issues still on-going, it was probably good that I wasn't open today! With the door staying closed, the store was reasonable temperature-wise. But I can't imagine what it might have been like with the door open all day! I spent most of the time back in the office, working on paperwork and making phone calls.
Two key phone calls - one to Comcast to protest that they didn't give me a credit on my first bill for all of my pain and suffering during the install (fortunately, they understood my plight and gave me a credit). Second to the Display company to follow-up on the status of the bolts for the table I received last week. Turns out NONE of the tables they received had any hardware! And since they come from overseas, there isn't an opportunity to ask that they be sent quickly! They determined what was needed and have sent them to me (UPS this time) to arrive on Tuesday.
During some lulls between customers on Saturday, I had gone through the software manual and made notes of things that weren't covered or that I didn't yet know how to do. I decided to call today to ask those questions as I don't want to be making those sorts of calls when customers are in the store. Wouldn't you know that while I was up front at the point of sale computer, two separate women came up to the door within 10 minutes of each other? I unlocked it and asked them to come in and apologized for how I looked (not looking overly fashionable in a Hyperion t-shirt and Lilly Pulitzer skirt with no make-up). I hope someday to be able to be open on Mondays as well but am not yet ready to make that leap!
On Saturday, the very nice lady from the Condos at 130 N. Union Street brought me some information on her tailor and cards for Presto Valet (on Quaker Lane). She recommends them highly for alterations and thought I may want to share that information with any customers who did not already have a preferred tailor. I have definitely felt a very warm welcome from the community!
And on Sunday, we had our first two four legged visitors to the store! Meatball is a boxer and Theo is a mix. People love their dogs in Old Town!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Zoe's First Weekend
What a difference a day makes! Saturday was gloomy, damp, and chilly. Sunday (afternoon) was warmer, sunny, and pleasant! I find I'm paying a LOT more attention to the weather these days!
I continued to have a lot of lovely visitors to Zoe over the two days. I love meeting new people and I am having lots of opportunity to do so! I've been sharing the ResortMaps with out of town visitors and am so glad that I have them as a resource. It is always so much easier to show someone something rather than try to explain it!
I had forgotten to mention that friends Janice and Karen stopped by with a fabric sample on Friday afternoon. We've decided to put a pretty fabric curtain in front of the area where the wheelchair lift is housed. If someone needs to use the lift, we can tie it back so that it is not in the way. The sample was perfect (they have such good instincts on these things!) and I gave them the thumbs up to purchase it. Karen will sew the curtains after Jim installs a rod (so we can know how long they need to be).
So, I have a confession. I had put one of my Chan Luu bracelets on (to show a customer how it looked/worked). I forgot that I had it on and wore it home on Saturday night. I told Jim "I think I just shoplifted from myself." I made sure it was returned to its rightful place today!
Today I had visits from neighbors Mike and Maggie and my friend Martha. It was so good to see them! I am convinced that Mike and Maggie brought the sun out with them - I told them not to let it leave when they left the store! And friend Janice came by to help too (after running the GW Parkway Classic in the morning - she is amazing!)
As you can imagine, I am standing quite a bit of the time these days. The challenge is finding comfortable shoes for all of that standing. When I was at DSW a few weeks ago, I purchased three pairs of shoes that I thought might be comfortable for spring/summer in the store. On Saturday, I wore the Dr. Scholls sandals for the first time. They are AMAZING! I was on my feet for over 8 hours and they did not hurt at all when I got home! I have to go back to see if they have then in any other colors!
Tomorrow is my first day off! (Zoe is closed on Mondays unless someone makes an appointment for me to be open, which I would happily do). Time to get the hair done and the grocery shopping done! I'll probably go in for a short while in the afternoon to finish up some paperwork. It is hard to believe that Zoe is 5 days old!
I continued to have a lot of lovely visitors to Zoe over the two days. I love meeting new people and I am having lots of opportunity to do so! I've been sharing the ResortMaps with out of town visitors and am so glad that I have them as a resource. It is always so much easier to show someone something rather than try to explain it!
I had forgotten to mention that friends Janice and Karen stopped by with a fabric sample on Friday afternoon. We've decided to put a pretty fabric curtain in front of the area where the wheelchair lift is housed. If someone needs to use the lift, we can tie it back so that it is not in the way. The sample was perfect (they have such good instincts on these things!) and I gave them the thumbs up to purchase it. Karen will sew the curtains after Jim installs a rod (so we can know how long they need to be).
So, I have a confession. I had put one of my Chan Luu bracelets on (to show a customer how it looked/worked). I forgot that I had it on and wore it home on Saturday night. I told Jim "I think I just shoplifted from myself." I made sure it was returned to its rightful place today!
Today I had visits from neighbors Mike and Maggie and my friend Martha. It was so good to see them! I am convinced that Mike and Maggie brought the sun out with them - I told them not to let it leave when they left the store! And friend Janice came by to help too (after running the GW Parkway Classic in the morning - she is amazing!)
As you can imagine, I am standing quite a bit of the time these days. The challenge is finding comfortable shoes for all of that standing. When I was at DSW a few weeks ago, I purchased three pairs of shoes that I thought might be comfortable for spring/summer in the store. On Saturday, I wore the Dr. Scholls sandals for the first time. They are AMAZING! I was on my feet for over 8 hours and they did not hurt at all when I got home! I have to go back to see if they have then in any other colors!
Tomorrow is my first day off! (Zoe is closed on Mondays unless someone makes an appointment for me to be open, which I would happily do). Time to get the hair done and the grocery shopping done! I'll probably go in for a short while in the afternoon to finish up some paperwork. It is hard to believe that Zoe is 5 days old!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
After Three Days
So much to report!
One delivery I forgot to mention on Wednesday was the arrival of Zoe's business cards, stationary, and contact cards! They have been put to immediate good use! I've been handing out the cards to visitors who are interested in the store as well as including them with some of the thank you notes I've been writing with Zoe's stationary. And I've had a number of people fill out the contact cards! They all go perfectly with the brand!
I received a beautiful flower arrangement from friend Michelle in NC on Friday! The flowers match the colors of Zoe's Velvet Persimmon and Melon wall and look so pretty on the cash wrap desk. And I've had a number of visitors from local business owners and people who live and work in the area. It is so much fun meeting everyone!
The weather has been all over the place here in the DC area this week! Thursday was gorgeous (around 70) and sunny. Friday was rainy and chilly (40s and 50s). I try to keep the door propped open as much as possible so that people know that Zoe is open and feel welcome to come in! I'm looking forward to getting back to Thursday's weather!
We have continued to have sales every day, which is wonderful! It is such a great learning experience for me to see what people like and buy. And I love seeing the clothes on people! Friend Jamie tried on a Frenzii dress that I had just received on Wednesday. It looked gorgeous on her - more so than it did on the model in the picture! She is planning to wear it for her Easter dress!
Friend Amy took a half day off and came down from Columbia to visit and do some shopping. She bought a stunning LiaMolly sweater (Kimono style). I feel so blessed to have such love and enthusiasm from my friends! (Plus she took a picture of Griff, the mascot that the COPT FP&A team gave me as a parting gift - he "supervises" me from a perch in the storage room).
Of all of the lines I have in the store, only two have not sold any items. For one of them, I did a targeted Facebook ad that will be available for the next month. I targeted those people in the area who already "Like" the brand who may be looking for a place to buy the current spring line. With Facebook, you pay based on the number of clicks on your ad and can set a limit on how much you want to spend over the time period. I'll be curious to see how effective it will be!
I'm in the process of planning the grand opening to take place April 29- May 1! I have submitted the "event" to the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association website as well as contacted Affordable Signs and Banners for a grand opening banner. I'm working on other targeted advertising as well. I'll also have more clothing and jewelry coming in during the month of April so I'll have lots of stock for the grand opening! I can't wait!
People have been very kind and complimentary about the store and the clothing selection. That is so nice! Since I bought the majority of it last October (the market for Spring clothes), I hoped that I would have relevant product for this market.
On to Day Four!
One delivery I forgot to mention on Wednesday was the arrival of Zoe's business cards, stationary, and contact cards! They have been put to immediate good use! I've been handing out the cards to visitors who are interested in the store as well as including them with some of the thank you notes I've been writing with Zoe's stationary. And I've had a number of people fill out the contact cards! They all go perfectly with the brand!
I received a beautiful flower arrangement from friend Michelle in NC on Friday! The flowers match the colors of Zoe's Velvet Persimmon and Melon wall and look so pretty on the cash wrap desk. And I've had a number of visitors from local business owners and people who live and work in the area. It is so much fun meeting everyone!
The weather has been all over the place here in the DC area this week! Thursday was gorgeous (around 70) and sunny. Friday was rainy and chilly (40s and 50s). I try to keep the door propped open as much as possible so that people know that Zoe is open and feel welcome to come in! I'm looking forward to getting back to Thursday's weather!
We have continued to have sales every day, which is wonderful! It is such a great learning experience for me to see what people like and buy. And I love seeing the clothes on people! Friend Jamie tried on a Frenzii dress that I had just received on Wednesday. It looked gorgeous on her - more so than it did on the model in the picture! She is planning to wear it for her Easter dress!
Friend Amy took a half day off and came down from Columbia to visit and do some shopping. She bought a stunning LiaMolly sweater (Kimono style). I feel so blessed to have such love and enthusiasm from my friends! (Plus she took a picture of Griff, the mascot that the COPT FP&A team gave me as a parting gift - he "supervises" me from a perch in the storage room).
Of all of the lines I have in the store, only two have not sold any items. For one of them, I did a targeted Facebook ad that will be available for the next month. I targeted those people in the area who already "Like" the brand who may be looking for a place to buy the current spring line. With Facebook, you pay based on the number of clicks on your ad and can set a limit on how much you want to spend over the time period. I'll be curious to see how effective it will be!
I'm in the process of planning the grand opening to take place April 29- May 1! I have submitted the "event" to the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association website as well as contacted Affordable Signs and Banners for a grand opening banner. I'm working on other targeted advertising as well. I'll also have more clothing and jewelry coming in during the month of April so I'll have lots of stock for the grand opening! I can't wait!
People have been very kind and complimentary about the store and the clothing selection. That is so nice! Since I bought the majority of it last October (the market for Spring clothes), I hoped that I would have relevant product for this market.
On to Day Four!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Zoe - Day One
What a fantastic first day for Zoe to meet the world! Some thoughts about starting to "work" full time again...
At around 11:30, my friend Janice arrived with cupcakes from Alexandria Cupcake! I HAD to help myself to a Red Velvet! Soon after, friends Karen and Kathryn came to visit as well! And I was overwhelmed with lovely gifts of flowers and cookies from friends both in and outside the area as well as my landlord!
Around lunchtime, friends Dave and Stacy stopped by for some shopping and face to face catch-up! And after lunch, neighbor Claire came shopping as well! I had a delightful time meeting lots of new people browsing the store - both local residents and people visiting the DC area!
Lots of deliveries yesterday (in addition to all of the flowers!) A shipment of wrap dresses from Frenzii, and the table for the store (had been on backorder). And more visits from my broker, my security system salesman, and a couple who had looked at the space for their MedSpa business last summer!
Only one "sketchy" character came in yesterday - asking if there was an ATM in the store. When we told him the location of the closest one (a PNC machine just a block down Union), he left but didn't head in that direction. Hmmmm. Hopefully I won't have a lot of those kinds of folks coming in.
Janice stayed with me until a quarter till five, making the day fly by! Not long after she left, I realized "I'm tired!" It had been a busy day plus all of the adrenaline! I closed out the register and did a small amount of paperwork before heading home. It had been an awesome day!
On the business side of things, I am seeing the deposits from credit card purchases within 2 days into my bank account. I will confess it is exciting to have money going INTO the account rather than always going out!
- Wow - I have to put make-up on every day now!
- Orientation at the new job was VERY brief.
- No forms to fill out (I've been filling out forms for the past year)
- I already know where the bathroom is
- I don't need to wait for IT to set me up with computer access
- My job description contains multiple roles plus the ever famous "other duties as assigned"
- I'm losing a lot of weight being on my feet all day (serious diet tip - start your own business!)
- I feel like June Cleaver sweeping the floors in high heels
At around 11:30, my friend Janice arrived with cupcakes from Alexandria Cupcake! I HAD to help myself to a Red Velvet! Soon after, friends Karen and Kathryn came to visit as well! And I was overwhelmed with lovely gifts of flowers and cookies from friends both in and outside the area as well as my landlord!
Around lunchtime, friends Dave and Stacy stopped by for some shopping and face to face catch-up! And after lunch, neighbor Claire came shopping as well! I had a delightful time meeting lots of new people browsing the store - both local residents and people visiting the DC area!
Lots of deliveries yesterday (in addition to all of the flowers!) A shipment of wrap dresses from Frenzii, and the table for the store (had been on backorder). And more visits from my broker, my security system salesman, and a couple who had looked at the space for their MedSpa business last summer!
Only one "sketchy" character came in yesterday - asking if there was an ATM in the store. When we told him the location of the closest one (a PNC machine just a block down Union), he left but didn't head in that direction. Hmmmm. Hopefully I won't have a lot of those kinds of folks coming in.
Janice stayed with me until a quarter till five, making the day fly by! Not long after she left, I realized "I'm tired!" It had been a busy day plus all of the adrenaline! I closed out the register and did a small amount of paperwork before heading home. It had been an awesome day!
On the business side of things, I am seeing the deposits from credit card purchases within 2 days into my bank account. I will confess it is exciting to have money going INTO the account rather than always going out!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Little Details (and One Slightly Big One)
Yesterday was all about the little details at Zoe. My first stop was at the bank, to make sure everything was ready to go as far as deposits and cash. My bank has thus far been very easy to work with and I hope that same level of customer service continues!
I finally took all of my files to the store and spent time making up new ones. I have completely outgrown my current file box and need to get a second one or invest in a small file cabinet. I never would have imagined when I started this that I would have so many different vendors!
I also created binders for the cash wrap area and my office. I still have additional work to do but I have the essentials in place to get me started for opening day. I called my credit card company to make sure I was clear on all of the processing requirements and capabilities. I've been getting a TON of calls from other credit card processing houses, trying to sell me their services. The only thing I can imagine is that once my listing went live (for the phone number), they descended like vultures! I totaled 11 calls yesterday! I think they are now getting the hint that I already have a credit card processor!
Janice and Karen came in the afternoon to help with more steaming (Karen is the Steam Queen!) and changing out the hangers (my wooden ones arrived in the shipment Jim and I picked up on Sunday). Janice and I also did some additional merchandising (now that I have the full complement of racks) and placed the earrings on the earring trees for display. They are the best helpers anyone could ask for!
Heh - and now for the big detail. I had noticed that I could not get the fan to come on with my HVAC system. When the construction foreman did his final walk-through on Friday, I told him that I thought that someone had disabled something during construction. He called the HVAC company and they came out on Monday. Turns out that the system is down for the count - there will need to be a new HVAC system installed for Zoe. Fortunately, our weather here is pretty mild right now - not too hot or too cold. Hopefully they can get it in sooner rather than later.
Jim and I went back to the store after dinner last night so that he could work on the shelf supports for the 4 foot shelves. He did some evaluation and some basic work and now knows what he needs to do as far as next steps. He also did some touch up paint work where we had dinged up the walls during installation of the wall systems. I worked on preparing Zoe's Open/Closed/Private/Hours signs.
Tomorrow is opening day! I have a few minor things to take care of today but I think I'm ready for this big "Go Live". I've really enjoyed sharing this journey with you. I'll still continue to post about what it is like in the first year of business but it may not be as frequent as my project posts. Thank you for all of your love, encouragement and support as you've followed my experience!
I finally took all of my files to the store and spent time making up new ones. I have completely outgrown my current file box and need to get a second one or invest in a small file cabinet. I never would have imagined when I started this that I would have so many different vendors!
I also created binders for the cash wrap area and my office. I still have additional work to do but I have the essentials in place to get me started for opening day. I called my credit card company to make sure I was clear on all of the processing requirements and capabilities. I've been getting a TON of calls from other credit card processing houses, trying to sell me their services. The only thing I can imagine is that once my listing went live (for the phone number), they descended like vultures! I totaled 11 calls yesterday! I think they are now getting the hint that I already have a credit card processor!
Janice and Karen came in the afternoon to help with more steaming (Karen is the Steam Queen!) and changing out the hangers (my wooden ones arrived in the shipment Jim and I picked up on Sunday). Janice and I also did some additional merchandising (now that I have the full complement of racks) and placed the earrings on the earring trees for display. They are the best helpers anyone could ask for!
Heh - and now for the big detail. I had noticed that I could not get the fan to come on with my HVAC system. When the construction foreman did his final walk-through on Friday, I told him that I thought that someone had disabled something during construction. He called the HVAC company and they came out on Monday. Turns out that the system is down for the count - there will need to be a new HVAC system installed for Zoe. Fortunately, our weather here is pretty mild right now - not too hot or too cold. Hopefully they can get it in sooner rather than later.
Jim and I went back to the store after dinner last night so that he could work on the shelf supports for the 4 foot shelves. He did some evaluation and some basic work and now knows what he needs to do as far as next steps. He also did some touch up paint work where we had dinged up the walls during installation of the wall systems. I worked on preparing Zoe's Open/Closed/Private/Hours signs.
Tomorrow is opening day! I have a few minor things to take care of today but I think I'm ready for this big "Go Live". I've really enjoyed sharing this journey with you. I'll still continue to post about what it is like in the first year of business but it may not be as frequent as my project posts. Thank you for all of your love, encouragement and support as you've followed my experience!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Almost Ready to Go!
It has been an amazing few days of transformation for "ready to be born" Baby Zoe!
On Friday, we were finally ready to merchandise the store - dress the mannequins, configure all of the outrigger wall units, and put out the clothes. My mom and I started early and friends Janice and Karen arrived soon after. The first thing we did was dress the mannequins using the beautiful persimmon theme that seems to be so prominent for the spring fashions.
On Friday, we were finally ready to merchandise the store - dress the mannequins, configure all of the outrigger wall units, and put out the clothes. My mom and I started early and friends Janice and Karen arrived soon after. The first thing we did was dress the mannequins using the beautiful persimmon theme that seems to be so prominent for the spring fashions.
A rear view of the window
We also spent a lot of time merchandising the store:
Bags and Belts (Leatherock) and Scarves (Chan Luu)
Chan Luu and Velvet
More fun with belts!
Looking down on the shop from high atop a ladder in the front window
"New Baby" flowers from my friend Marche - aren't they gorgeous?
My mom did me the great honor of being my first customer and I rang up her sale on Saturday afternoon.
One of my biggest challenges had been finding mirrors for the dressing rooms. Jim and I went to Lowe's today after dropping my mom at the airport and I finally found what I needed at the right price! With his expertise, we had them installed in no time flat.
Since Comcast and Verizon are done torturing me (for now), I am now having what I call "Fun With FedEx". On Friday morning when I checked my messages at the store, I had a call from a woman who lives in the Torpedo Factory Condominiums (at 130 North Union Street....Hmmmmm). She said that she had seen a FedEx package sitting in their lobby with Zoe's (and my) name on it. She was kind to buzz me in when I walked down to get it (it was new furnace filters for Zoe - one of the unglamorous packages I receive!) What was really annoying was that the address clearly said 130 South Union Street!
Yesterday, when I arrived at the store, she had called again to let me know I had more packages! She was out for the day yesterday but I called and left her a message today. Jim and I ended up walking down there and found another building resident who allowed us to enter the lobby and pick up the packages - these were key pieces from the display company that I needed! Once again, the address was correct but FedEx delivered them to the wrong location! I will be making a call to FedEx in the morning!
With those packages in hand, Jim put together the final 2 way rack, fully assembled the pole for the steamer and we started on the shelf installations! We've installed 3 two foot shelves and 2 4 foot shelves. We found that the shelf supports for the 4 foot shelves aren't notched correctly so Jim will take a jigsaw to those to fix them so the 4 foot shelves won't bow. I also received more hangers!
Tomorrow and Tuesday will be "finalization" days. I'm planning to open Zoe to the public on Wednesday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)