Monthly Archives: May 2009

i try to do my part to keep the economy moving by supporting my local boutiques and designers.  i enjoy the special creations i find – and the feeling i get from helping another individual succeed.

a friend sent me a note about this great non-profit business called Nest – which is dedicated to improving the lives of women in 3rd world countries.  by providing micro-credit loan to artisans – they are able to buy the materials they need to create and sell their wares.  the items you buy from their site go towards the repayment of those loans – allowing these women the opportunity to succeed in business.

love this fun tote made from recylced skirts in Guatemala
fun tote made from recylced skirts!

 

i say BRAVO!  and there are some really cool items you can buy as well (not just indigenous stuff that may or may not sell in a modern boutique).   if you don’t have the space for merchandise – you can always host a fundraiser in your store with Nest support.  check out how you can get involved with this wonderful organization and play a role in helping other women succeed.

i’m pretty enamored of this bracelet made by Three Horses.  i’m pretty sure i’ve never seen anything that behaves so naughty and so nice at the same time!  the leather gives it edge, the rick-rack edges give it some retro appeal and the bow…well it’s just adorable.  this is one of those pieces that gets noticed from afar and invites the question we women all love to ask: “where did you get that?!?!”.

three horses does sell wholesale – at 25% of the listed esty price.  custom orders/colors are welcome…just convo Tiffani for more info and to place an order.  you will need to provide your states sales ID.

Sometimes you might want to whip up a quickie postcard for an event.  Or perhaps you want a fun graphic to add to your website for a sale.  Hiring a professional photographer or designer can be expensive for these one-off, short-term needs.  Getty images tends to be pricey – so i was happy to find istockphoto!  believe me – once you start browsing for an image – you’ll feel inspiration seep into your brain.  it’s pretty addicting – and very reasonably priced.

they also offer sound and video for you online mavens…

keep your favorites organized by setting up lightboxes (ie:  you could set up one for Holiday graphics, sale graphics, cute ideas for t-shirts, etc).  it’s easy and free!

while managing the boutique i founded in san francisco, when i hired & trained new sales staff, I explained that my philosophy for customer service was to treat each person who walked in the door as a if they were a guest in your home.  be cordial, helpful, charming…but never pushy, uppity, or standoffish.

and of course, if you are having guests over – you clean up and make everything look special and pretty.  and you dress for the occasion!  and make sure everyone has a great time.

i just read this article in the Etsy Success Newsletter that hit that same chord.  the focus of the article is etsy online storefronts (natch) – but the thinking can be applied to any boutique.

what are some other great customer service philosophies?


ok.   these t-shirts are kinda ridiculous.  very charming, very sweet and totally cute for littles everywhere! 

Planet Pudge is the result of an over-caffeinated, creative-deprived mom in search of fun, unique, modern clothes for her two little girls. Sick of the same old mass-produced stuff, she started fanatically drawing, cutting, obsessing over fabrics and hand-stitching everything (much to the dismay of her calloused middle finger).

 i rather like originality for my own son – and i imagine these would sell quite well in a kids store (or section).  what a darling gift!  the owner, Holly, is willing to work with boutiques to create custom designs.  it doesn’t get anymore original than that!

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