Ok long time no see. Figured would drop a couple of line as an update since this has fell and want to make sure Brothers and Sisters stay motivated.
Well the store in Jax was going South
Everything moved. Forever 21, Rainbow 21, etc....... Wont front I was stressed and started boosting my online sales back on Ebay.
I had been politicking with mall since been there like more then a year and half in the slums of the mall doing it with nice looking courteous workers, rent on time, never an issue and kept people who normally didnt come to that side of them mall coming.
I get an email from managment saying there is a spot that will cost more but its in an A section of the mall. We were in a C- in the beginning but it turned into a D- over the last 2 years. I immediately hit them back like when can I look. My partner happens to be in town so we go and look. WHAT its across from World Footlocker, Vicky, Champs, next to Kids Footlocker, down from JC Penny! We in their like swim wear...... Their are 20 business vying for the spot. I call and email several times shucking and jiving about how you wouldn't regret giving us the opportunity. Everytime I go down there the girls across are like man there are like 10 people here a day. Long story short they say if you sign in the next two days you can get it.
I signed in like 30min......
I hit up the brotha from BGOL who did my logo before for designs for my new lotions, shower gels, body spray, shea butter, bath salts..... All larger sizes since I have to bring in more $$ rent is about 30% more
All 8oz bottles now
Me and partner had 6 weeks to get it going. Seems like alot of time but its not. I maxed out CC cards and threw all the dough at the store
New sign - $$$$$$$ - $700
Temp Sign - $$$$$$ - $400 (new one wasnt ready because of mis communication between mall and sign place
was hot)
New Label machine $$$$$ - One of the biggest cost
Actual labels $$$$$ - Water Resistent ones are $90 a roll / Needed ummmm a nice mount of labels
Ink - $$$$ Damn ink is crazy.....
Over 2000 new bottles $$$$ - 4 Styles This - Other biggest cost
Design for labels $$$$$ (Even though this brotha is a brotha foreal still was hard cause basically didnt have any liquid left since still was selling and needed inventory.) Good looking since Im sure he will see this. (Still don't have 2 labels since we had to get open and delay the Shea and bath salt official labels)
Oils $$$ - Called perfumeries and told all them we moving we need smaller amounts but more variety - It worked!!! Has done this maybe 3 times and always said this the last time
The arab dudes are cool long as that dough keeps coming.
Keeping store open $$$$- paying folks / had to defer for a week
Shirts $$$$$
Time time time time - Was the hardest thing working in the day leaving school dealing with store and printing labels all night. Each label took like 30 secs a piece. So that was front and back for each bottle!!!! a minute x um like 6 for each fragrance x 500 or so...
Well opening day... We miss it because sign is messed up and we still putting stuff on the shelves. We open the gate alittle bit..... People come in sell good amount that day which makes us feel alittle better.
Opening day Saturday from 10-2 its dead my workers are dragging..... Im mad nervous. Moms flew in from NY to support the ninja after I talk her to death about how this is it and its gonna blow. I take her and my son to lunch and promise myself when I get back to the store Im gonna hit the "block" and pass out cards like a mad man......
I get back and get out there and go nuts.... The last 5 hours we sell like its Black Friday of last year! By end of the night Im dead tired but on a high because we open people came in like yo are yall new??? We been in the mall almost 2 years lol. But we were in the hood section lol. Nobody comes down that end.
Old customers come in and instead of dropping $5 or $13 they dropping $30 and $40.
Here it is about 4 weeks into and I should be caught up with back rent since that had to be deferred as well cause came in half of the month then turn around and have to pay full amount 15 days later..... Just wanted to drop some pics and motivational info for folks on the hustle. I have not had a day off. I miss every football game, havent been seeing my son everyday like I was, Ive fallen asleep at my desk everyday, my memory is like the movie momento, and I cant stay up for a night out for nothing...... lol All that being said Have had about a 200% increase in sales. Im not getting paid yet cause I owe everybody but atleast my grays aren't growing over night.....
EBAY is still popping crazily actually, of course it picked up right when I started the move. So got a couple of neutrals and one negative cause I just couldn't do it all. I gave away and still giving away a lot of free stuff to appease the customers who waited to long. Even had a new customer from BGOL that I fudge up the order some how but refunded some money. The other other BGOL's who buy wholesale got a nice gift lol. Sent my normal once a month customer 30 extra bottles for free for holding tight for an order. Anyways I plan on going up to the store before the mall opens so I can leave and actually watch a football game tomorrow.
Peace.....
PS. Thinking about running a special on the female board to introduce it to the ladies then get on the main board. Maybe a 5 pack that I can premake. Maybe 10 pack. All populars like Heat, Hearts and Daggers, MJB My Life, Ed Hardy, etc...... What ya think?
