We used to have a landlord named Steven. He was a very wise, shrewd self-made millionaire of Chinese descent. Every time we went head to head with him on any issue, he won. He was a tiny little man who built his Electronics business by working 18 hours a day, and then carrying huge televisions on his little frame up giant staircases after a hard day's work. He would tell us that story every time it came to discussing our financial woes. As hard as we were having it, apparently he'd had it harder - and persevered.
Cindy and I will often look at each other during rough periods and remind each other of his favourite catch phrase "you can't sell empty wagon". He'd say it as he looked around our store, shaking his head disapprovingly. He was right of course. In order to be successful in business, you need to have something people want. After 4 years in business, we're pretty sure that sexy, sleeveless, skin tight tops in junior plus sizing are NOT what our customers want... but what then? The answer came to me shortly after I began this blog. My daily reflections were interrupted by another self made Chinese man. He was a manufacturer who designed coats and was interested in breaking into the plus size market. I agreed to meet with him and he brought some of the most stylish and trendy plus size coats I'd ever seen. While the sizing wasn't ideal, and the fit would need to be perfected - the potential was immediately evident. He gave us a great deal which we would be able to pass on to our customers, and generous terms, and we agreed to work together this season and in the future.
So we filled up our wagon and we've managed to sell close to 100 coats this month. This marks the first step in my 101 step journey.
Cindy and I will often look at each other during rough periods and remind each other of his favourite catch phrase "you can't sell empty wagon". He'd say it as he looked around our store, shaking his head disapprovingly. He was right of course. In order to be successful in business, you need to have something people want. After 4 years in business, we're pretty sure that sexy, sleeveless, skin tight tops in junior plus sizing are NOT what our customers want... but what then? The answer came to me shortly after I began this blog. My daily reflections were interrupted by another self made Chinese man. He was a manufacturer who designed coats and was interested in breaking into the plus size market. I agreed to meet with him and he brought some of the most stylish and trendy plus size coats I'd ever seen. While the sizing wasn't ideal, and the fit would need to be perfected - the potential was immediately evident. He gave us a great deal which we would be able to pass on to our customers, and generous terms, and we agreed to work together this season and in the future.
So we filled up our wagon and we've managed to sell close to 100 coats this month. This marks the first step in my 101 step journey.
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