EZ & Fun to Do Bridal Resale Shop Guide

A CHARMING AND CREATIVE CONCEPT

“What a bargain way to purchase quality gowns and wedding related items at budget prices.”  “This shop is a great idea.”  “I wish I would’ve found this place when I was getting married.”  “I have never seen or heard of a shop like this.”  “I had to drive 40 miles to get here, since we don’t have anything like this in our neighborhood.”  “I can’t believe the selection you have, and each item is in excellent condition.”  These comments are heard day in and day out, over and over again, but the one question asked so frequently, and I feel is quite inspiring is, “HOW DO I START A BUSINESS LIKE TH IS?”

People were so impressed with my boutique, as well as I, with their determination to copy my concept. Copy is the nicest compliment anyone could receive. Feeling truly flattered, I was led to believe I could help direct these people on the right track toward opening their own shop. I more than welcomed the assumed-to-be entrepreneur inquiries.  Little did I know I was doing more harm than good. I went along instructing them just from skimming the top of my head, not realizing at that time there should’ve been some sequence of order written out in detailed guidelines for them to follow from day one.  Although I furnished wholesalers names, telephone numbers and suggestions to create an advantage for them, it was all in vain.  I remember one woman who came to be requesting my knowledge for the benefit of starting her shop.  Her eagerness to start as soon as possible was apparent, which caused me to feel a bit uneasy, as she shunned the idea, when I indicated the fact, she must start with a large selection of merchandise, before leasing a shop.  Mentioning the related periods of time it took me for every phase of the business, aroused her impatience to search for quick short cuts. Soon after the volunteered crash course I offered with the minimum spare time I had available to do it in, I noticed an ad listed in the classified personal section:  UNIQUE BRIDAL RESALE SHOP OPENING SOON.  TAKING WEDDING RELATED GARMENTS ON CONSIGHMENT.  It was the same eager woman who followed some of my advice, but apparently too soon, failing to heed the importance of A LARGE SELECTION OF MERCHANDISE.  One of my curious friends paid a visit to her shop only to find it lacking of needed inventory. A substantial amount of goods must be sold to make the monthly rent payment. It didn’t surprise me to hear she went in and out of business within three months time.  After this unfortunate news, I decided not to offer any more advice.

As time went on, so did the persistence of inquisitive customers.  It all came together at a point when I realized I held knowledgeable bits and pieces necessary to be grouped into a perspective form of guidance.  The inspiration didn’t cease of the idea to write an instructional “how-to” guide.

Beginning with day one, when the birth of this whole idea was concepted, my religion became the wedding meditation.  My bible was a bridal magazine.  I would live and breath every minute of the day with this enchanting obsession.  Every step I took snowballed into more ideas and as each phase took shape, my confidence developed.  As your business grows, you tend to regard yourself with higher values associating from the experience you’ve encountered and mastered.  Following my guidelines will direct you toward achieving the requirements and goals in the proper sequence.