13 years in  business and not much has changed in town – the infrastructure – the look of the town and almost everything seems the same.  Sure, the kids are having a new high school, they also put some fountain at Lake Milo, Christmas lights in Frost parks during Christmas, a new car dealer coming into town and some big boys along the shopping strip.  But on the whole, I don’t really see any changes – plus we lost the ferry, the airport look really non-function able and a lot of small business closed its door and a lot more residents left town in search of work.

Politics we are not into, the town had asked why don’t the people who are so concerned do something but we are not paid to take care of the town.  We worked 12 hours a day both at the store and online, plus raising a kid – and most people who are working are doing the same thing – they don’t have spare time for politics.  Are we not paying taxes, so that in return we have a better living – a better place to raise our kids?

Don’t get me wrong, we are not in anyway doing bad in business nor personally but when I stand on Main Street – on a cold winter day – like today – it’s pretty grey and grim looking for a lot of people.   As for us, we better keep our mouth shut and truck on and work really hard.

No ! we are not getting into the pawn license silly but we are watching the show religiously  not only because it’s fun to see what people sell and what they are worth but because we get to learn a thing or two from these guys on how they do business.  And from them we learned to tell people – ” it’s not because we don’t trust you – we just don’t trust anyone”  and that should be the way to go when it comes to doing business.  But unfortunately, the boss is sometimes too lenient – and still goes out of the way to help people.  As for me – I’ve learned my lesson and never to trust anyone.  2 regulars that I had trusted and told the boss too – didn’t come back and pay us – one was like 10 years ago and the other was like 2 yrs ago.  Yes! Losers!  so whenever I trust anyone – around this town – I always get slapped for trusting them – so I trust no one in this town no more.

For the last one year – the entire town has been in debate  – some more actively than  others and some care more than others – some couldn’t care less but some pretend to care for their own gain.  *shrug* but I can’t really blame them can I?  Most people would say – to each his own – we take care of our own first.  Is that your assumption too?  Is that your stand too?

I think the boss must think I’m mad sometimes – for being so passionate about what’s going on in this town – after all – truthfully I’m really not from here.  So why you asked am I sometimes so pissed off?  especially when we are doing a lot better than when we had the ferry and tourists.   Some may think that I’m crazy and spending too much time in trying to make things better but I’m thinking not for myself only but for the rest of the people in town and the kids and the future of this town.  What has this town gotta offer the younger generation?

Christmas is tomorrow – and as I reflect on the many hours I spend reading up the forum and FB pages – I think next year – I’m going to give it a rest and concentrate on what matters most first.  My kid and the store – and the rest is going to have to wait till I’m free.  So for now – debate or not – the above cartoon tells you how I feel about the situation in this town but not at our business or life.  We are doing pretty well – despite everything.  I think the town had ignore the signs for far too long – so this is where we ended up.

ikoni

The government or rather the provincial government here never fails to amaze me – while I know that the local hotel here needs money – so do all of us here – the small businesses.  If the government is giving $1 million to the hotel – surely they can spare some change to the small business owners – like the golf store that is closing down and a few others as well.  We are all struggling to stay afloat – so why is the hotel the only one getting any money?  I guess since the hotels have other hotels in the province – the government need to keep their own boys happy right?  don’t worry about the small flies around – they can die and rot for all the government care.

Truth be told I’m a little disappointed with how the Anniversary committee promoted the downtown shopping event.  There is no buzz nor any excitement  I had expected to generate from all that was said to be planned.  Instead – this was what I had read a few days ago – that the coupon book that we had expected to see is in a business guide for 2012.  We had expected it to come in a booklet for the Christmas shopping for downtown business – a totally different picture that we were lead to believe  – or a miscommunication somewhere.  Plus the tender for the printing went to someone out of town – so how can this be good for the downtown core?  A lot  of things don’t make sense to me – shouldn’t we keep the money here in this town?  that’s the purpose of promoting downtown shopping not?  and by the way, I’m not the only one wondering where those coupons are – my customers had asked me about it too.

PS :  the above basket contains $2500 value worth of gift certificates from various stores from downtown and around the county.

About a week ago, a business associate from 2 doors away – invited us for a presentation – by our landlord – for a big announcement with regards to the revitalization of the town.  The business associate asked us to be present if possible to show our support for the landlord but little did we know that the landlord`s agenda wasn`t exactly what we thought he was going to present.  In fact, it had little to do with doing good for the small business owners but for one particular group.  I was very pissed to hear what he had to say – when he announced that this was what the rest of the business owners wanted – to bring a certain tax back for the small business owners.  WTH!!  who in the right frame of mind would want more taxes? and even though he is our landlord – he definitely doesn’t speak for us.  What gives him the right to manipulate all of us – into making time to go listen to his ridiculous suggestions?   And whoever originally invited us thru’ this business associate who was also blind-sided – definitely is cunning to the max !   The nerve of this fellas!!!  who do they think they are!  GOD! or the MAFIA!

The other day – a customer came in to sell his ipod – at the same time – he also said to the boss – that he was in his last year of his computer course and is going to be just like him.  I’m guessing he means as successful ? and own his own business?  or making lots of money repairing them and selling them?  Every now and then – far to often in my opinion – we have people coming in to say stuff like that.  Little do they know that running a successful business is not as easy as they think.  Many of these people don’t have no clue as to where to begin to do anything – because learning stuff from books – with no practical experience is like a nurse doing her internship.

If only it was so easy – but like everything in the many years in business – we just nod and wish them good luck.  4 years ago – a disgruntled ex-employer – whose boyfriend also went into a computer course – and of course – he said he was going to put us out of business after he finished his course.  But guess what?  we are still in business – muahahhaha!!

Today I received a phone call from a local but reputable funeral home – asking me if we had any laptop come in on Sunday.  I replied that “i didn’t think so” since I was not in on Sunday but knowing that no one can buy the laptop when we are not around – I was pretty sure.  But the caller insist that I become sure – and asked again – if I didn’t think so or I didn’t.   For one, he was asking for help – and information – he had no right to question my answers – I was quite pissed – because I didn’t need to answer him at all.  But I let it go – since the funeral man must think he is upper class than me?  yes ignorant.   And with ppl like that – let me tell you even if I do come across the laptop in the near future I won’t be helping you.  Forget it!  if you want something from someone/business – be nice – else you might find yourself without any help and someone who is going to shun you and talk bad about your business.  Shocking how a funeral home guy can be so rude and ignorant – what rights do you have to question me?