An Intriguing Tale Of Being An Owner

So I’ve been asked by other business owners what I had thought about the downtown promotion – you see they didn’t participate nor supported giving the anything to promote it because they were the ones who had said nothing would come out of it.  We did support the downtown promotion by giving a $50 gift voucher for the draw and also a buy 2 get the 3 game free coupon for the directory.  We had thought it was a coupon book to every household before Christmas – to encourage people to shop downtown with those coupon savings.

i do like the directory and we do appreciate the work done by the 2 employees but I think we might have expected something different – but this is the first time doing it – so I guess we all had different ideas since we didn’t attend the meetings for planning it since we were busy and don’t have any other employees except for Gary who comes and help us as a friend.  I think maybe next year – they should invite the residents to sit in for the meetings as well – because hearing the consumer/s is very important too.

A few months ago – we had an opportunity to move to Starrs Road and this week we have an opportunity to move to a bigger store but right on Main.  Of course, rent is going to be more – about 50% more and to me – there are the pros and cons but with this economy and the landlord that we are going to stay with – may not be the best idea to move.   But the spouse is thinking about it seriously and wants to see what the landlord is going to do about the renovation first before he decides.  I’m still adamant that if we do move – it has to be Starrs road or not but this is not my store – so I cannot make the final decision.

The local Y was renovated and it had a re- grand opening last week – on the weekend, unfortunately, we were not in town but it doesn’t mean that we would have gone either.  Usually events like this are for the town councilors and MPs  – so the boss and I rarely attend these things as he is not always into small chats.  He cannot be bothered usually and just wants to go back to the store to make money and work hard.  Lucky for me – he is not a man of many words but a man who does work – muahahah!!

So around our building we try to plant flowers and plants to beautify the store – but we don’t seems to be getting the right fertilizer because the flowers just don’t grow the way we want them to.  A customer told us about a composter that she used to grow her vegetables as well as her garlic and stuff – one day she even brought me some.   I don’t know if I would be successful growing my own flower plot and garden at the back of the store or not – but I could definitely use a composter at home for the spouse’s father had always wanted me to grow raspberries and other things and I loved growing my own herbs and cucumbers and peas.  So this compost bins are pretty easy to use I heard – and we are definitely checking it out.  If we can make the earth a better place to live in and eat healthy – why not right?

свети георги

The rumor has it that since Zellers had been bought over by Target USA – they are not going to convert this Zellers into a Target store – so the mall will need a new anchor tenant.  I’m hoping that we get another Kmart – because years ago – the boss told me they had a Kmart and they had all sort of deal at the Kmart.  A lot of people loved Kmart – and we could use kmart coupons for shopping.  Unlike the current store locally – we don’t get coupons – so we can’t save as much as we would like.   Therefore, I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hoping against all hope that we get another Kmart as anchor tenant.   I asked the mall manager about it the other day – but she was quite secretive about it – but she didn’t set me straight – so I’m very hopeful.

We’ve brought in some Dungeons and Dragons toys for the game – and they are very cool!  I loved it ! and hope they will sell at our store.   I don’t know how much the boss will be selling it for yet – because it hasn’t been priced yet – but I got a box just for myself and the kid.

So if you are looking for some cool gifts for the boyfriend or husband who plays D & D – you know where to find us.

When I used to work for a bigger company – I didn’t need to think of how the company’s money was being spent – I used to buy the most expensive stationary or fly business class only when I travel for work.  But now that the spouse owns his own business – it’s a different thing altogether.  Every penny spent needs to be carefully spent – from debit rolls to plastic bags – even our garbage bags.  When it comes to mandatory expenses like insurance for the store or insurance for the contents of the store – and the car insurance – we look for the best but cheapest insurance.  Everything else in our life  had taken a back seat for the longest time – but last year – the spouse took up a life insurance – because the business got better and this year – it’s my turn.  I hear that the cheapest life insurance quotes can be found at  trustedquote.com – so I’m going to check it out and get my life insurance done up – that way I don’t have to worry should anything happen.  You never want anything to happen – but if by any unfortunate incidents – it does – you want your loved ones to be protected too.

Teenagers and young adults love coogi clothing and I fully understand it – it’s the “in” thing in this town  – but unless you are working in a casual environment or a sport store, shoes store – then you probably should leave those clothing and shoes when you are going out for the night with the girlfriend or boy’s night out.   If you were working at our store – for sure coogi clothing would be a great match – because we are on a casual environment type -  we ourselves wear jeans and sneakers to work – so we won’t expect our employees to be putting on a tie and suit to work.  But if you are working for a law firm or an accounting  firm – then probably  not.  So yes – you want to be dressing appropriately for work – and if you are not sure – ask ! and I’m sure someone will let you know.  Good luck all!

I have to say that we have a darn good repertoire with our customers – so much so, that we’ve come to know them personally, their children, their parents and friends as well.  Yes – we are that good, we talk about anything under the sun – from having babies to beauty products to eye check ups, food reviews and even going to the gynecologist for thrush treatments.  Yes! you get the idea – we do compare – talk and learn from each other – we do pride ourselves for being so good with people and most customers actually turned into friends.   And I like the fact that there is nothing we can’t talk about – even personal stuff, it’s great to have customers like that eh.  I really love what we do at our store, many are such good people.

We used to travel to the city a lot for work – like visiting suppliers and looking at new products to bring into the store – many years ago.  And because of the traveling on the road so much – we also have roadside assistance that we had paid for – on  a yearly basis.  But when we got busy and had less employees – we were no longer able to go up to the city as often as we want to.  But since last year – we have been making more trips to the city for work – since the store is more stable now – and this year – we anticipate at least 6 trips to the city for work – within the next few months – plus we also have 2 trips to make to Moncton and Toronto for a family vacation and weddings – I’m glad that our roadside assistance covers both our RV and car  – and that really helps – because we don’t have to worry if we do get start in the middle of nowhere.   So yes – we are saving money big time on the road – and have a peace of mind – wherever we go.

After 10 years in this town and Canada – I can finally say that I’m beginning to feel like I am at ease and have groundings here.  I don’t know if you know what I mean?  because for the longest time – I feel like I am an outsider – but nowadays – folks know that I’m the other half.  We now do have Good Clientele, Good Repertoire with our customers and in fact – I’ve picked up a good friend or two here.  I do feel good this year – with the store and the customers (of course – we still have the assholes!)  but overall, I think we are getting our grounds covered.

dumping day 2010

Nova Scotia is a fishing community – that means – not only do we have fishermen – we also have lots of truckers around our community.  And of course, we have those that we know that have moved to Alberta to join the oil rigs – and construction work.  But we don’t have any Maritime Injury Lawyer around this area like they do in the States.   A few years ago – when the ferry terminal had an accident and caused some workers to stay in the hospital for weeks, I don’t think they were represented properly.  The took the Worker’s compensation and therefore – didn’t get the full compensation that they were supposed to get – due to the negligence of the ferry service.  It is quite sad – because one such worker – we know him personally – and today – he still walks with a limp and when the weather turned cold – he is in great pain.  Just not fair you would think – but if only he was giving the right advice then – he would not be in this position.  Sad!

dumping day 2010

It’s that time of the year again – the Town’s Christmas Tree Light up will be next Friday at 6pm.  Usually we don’t get to make it because we have to open our store for business or rush off to get groceries – plus it is very cold this time of the year at that time.  But if things changes – I might just bring the kid for the light up.  You can also bring your old lights and exchange it for a set of LED lights – but I hear – they usually run out in 10 minutes – so I won’t be doing that.

The store’s basement is almost cleaned up by our friend Gary – who came over to help us.  Thank God for him – we’ve been in this store for the last 4 yrs and we haven’t really cleaned the basement till this year.   Gary suggested using some stainless steel barrels to store some stuff that needed to be moist free and i agree with him totally.   You see we have so much stock left over – from the last 11 yrs.  Some sells at certain times and some doesn’t at certain time of the year.  If we could get the barrels and label them properly, we can store them up without worrying that the winter will destroy them or make them turn green.  I am going to talk to the spouse about it.

Yes! we are closing the store for 2 days and heading up to the city for a eating spree for myself and the spouse, weather permitting.  I think I might just go crazy over my Japanese and Chinese food while I am up in the city and the spouse asked if he should get me some appetite suppressant because i had been trying so hard to lose weight and now that I’ve lost a few kgs – do I really want to put them back all at once.

I know exactly where he is coming from – but come on .. !! we hardly go to the city – because we have to take care of the store  – you see being an owner by association isn’t as fun as what most people think eh.   Therefore, some sort of control is a must – but I really wanna eat till i drop – so yes – I guess i need to get my appetite suppressant no?

You know when I was much younger and working in the hotel industry – and in-house guests who comes into our business center – we always try to see which ones are eye candies.  So owning our own business – we too – see many customers – and some I’ll have to say are pretty good looking and some are macho.   And most of these good looking customers are not young men but more like older customers. Wonder if they are using the herbal male enhancement that everyone was talking about lately.   Whatever they are using – they certainly look a lot more confident and a lot more happier with their spouses.   And if they are herbal – they shouldn’t have any bad side effects?    I don’t know if the spouse would need it or not in the future – but if he does – I would definitely choose herbal for sure.

For those who thinks that we opened at 11am – is kinda late – I’ll have to tell you – that our day starts as early as 7.30am – and doesn’t end till at leat 1.30am.   Owning your own business – doesn’t even give us much time to do any kind of shopping – so after sending the kid to school – we have our breakfast – cook lunch for her – send it back to school for her lunch and then quickly go shopping for stuff we absolutely need – like a washer and dryer this morning and some cabin beds for the nephews and nieces who are coming over for the Christmas break.  Then we have to rush back to work – and we stay till at least 8.30pm – go home – put the kid to bed – do our housework and then do more work for the business before retiring to bed.  Now if only we can find some cabin beds online – that would be perfect – there isn’t any cabin beds in town.  And why cabin beds?  because during the winter – the static around the house – is just too back for the kids – so a log bed or a wooden one – is the only way to go.  We have been eyeing on a log bunk bed for a long time now – so yes!  shopping before work – and a very quick one is a must – especially when you spend so much time at work like we do.

In our 11 yrs in business – one thing we’ve learned – a value thing and lesson – is never to hire friends or people you are familiar with.   Why? because you don’t want to lose a friend or a relative or a customer if things doesn’t work out.  And usually it doesn’t – because when you hire friends or someone you know – they too have expectations out of you.  When you become a boss – things changes – you need to get work done – but as a friend – they think that things are still the same – thus – very quickly you will hate each other – one for being a slacker and the other for being a tyrant.  So remember – if you own your own business – especially a small one like ours – never hire a friend or a customer – or someone you know – else – you are just asking for trouble.

It’s not only the bathroom here that I don’t like – the bathroom at home – don’t have a window either – I don’t have any idea – why they build houses this way here but the store’s bathroom definitely need some bathroom fans.  Our store’s bathroom is just a small little cubicle with no windows nor any ventilation in it -  nor does it have a heater either.  So when it’s winter – it’s darn cold and when it’s summer – it’s darn hot – so it’s a no win situation for us.   I had asked the boss to speak with the landlord about some bathroom fans and after renting for almost 4.5 yrs now – he still hasn’t spoken to him about it.  So soon I’m gonna insist that either the boss speaks with the landlord’s assistant or I will make him do it himself.  By this town’s standard we have been paying good money for the store – but besides the space that we have – that’s it!  We spend long hours here – so we have to make this work for us right?  how to send the customer/s into our bathroom when it doesn’t have heat nor ventilation fans?

A few months ago – while we were up in Halifax – we visited another locally owned game store – and from what we saw – we came back with some ideas that we could use to revamp the store – with the little space we have.  From the beginning of opening the business – the boss had always done his own shelving – so when the other “Big” Movie Store decided to close its door – we bought some of their fixtures instead.  A lot cheaper than buying glass cabinets that we had originally planned.   Now some faux wood blinds for the back windows would be a perfect match for our new fixtures – if we could get the landlord to come up with the money for it.  But having dealt with the same landlord for the last 4.5 yrs – i think it would end up coming out from our own pocket.  They can’t even provide us with a spare piece of carpet.  I missed my old landlord – truth be told – if we could have turned the clock back – we would have done it differently – but for now – a small price to pay for the blinds that we want to pretty up our store.