The secret to my success

Being a business owner in a small town has its ups and downs.  I love what I do - truly - I love the kids that come here, I love knowing 50% of the people who walk in my store, I love it when kids brag: "I know her, I know her" as I wave in the Santa Claus Parade.   I never regret where we set our roots and where we've grown as a result.

The down side is, of course, that retail is always one of the hardest ways to make a living.  That's true in the big city where you can have a competitor at every corner and it's especially true in a small 'drive-thru" town that begs the question:   How can I get more people into my store/studio?

Well, I think my trick has been this:  don't marry your original concept!  That is to say, don't be so tied to your original idea that you won't budge from it.  Growth can only come through evolution because our consumers evolve and we need to move in tandem with them.

When we opened our store, we were an arts & crafts store for kids, who only sold eco/social responsible products.  Battery operated?  No way!  Watch-me toys?  No way! We offered classes only as a way of getting higher retail sales.

But today, we are a kids creative studio who happen to sell activity-based toys.  Our classes and programs are the real deal and what we've become "famous" for.  We now also sell remote control helicopters, board games & puzzles, spooner boards, locally made baby items & gifts, included a sweets shop, and have added classes for adults - none of which were part of our original plan.  We have married these changes with an old-fashioned approach to customer service.  I treat customers the way I want to be treated and I require the same of anyone who works for us.

So, the secret to our success is really just to evolve with the needs of our community and treat them right and the community will, in turn, support you.