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Most of us have dreamt at some time of chucking in the job to start up our own business. And often that dream takes the form of setting up a shop as it did for me. However, it seems as though there is a shop for everything, and a lucrative niche to suit every potential shop owner. What's more, you can be your own boss and leave the job in the city to take up a shop in a country town or village. Sounds good eh? However, along with that dream comes challenges, especially in a post pandemic world. So I thought i'd share my top 10 observations, since acquiring Feather and Twigs late last year, that come with owning a small retail business.
1. Some days you will donate more products to charities in your community than you will sell in your store that day.
2. Some of the best and funniest days are spent chatting to customers and you will get to know more people than you ever thought possible.
3. Every lunch will be eaten standing up, and only one sip of a drink or a bite of a hot meal will ever be eaten hot.
4. What customers say with their mouths is interesting, but what they say with their wallets is how they really feel.
5. It makes your day special when a customer tells you they love something they bought from you.
6. Just because someone asks for a discount, doesn't mean they won't buy if you don't give them one.
7. People think that because you are the business owner you have no boss, wrong; you have many. Your business loan is your boss, your retail business leaseholder is your boss, plus every customer who walks through your door is your boss too.
8. Never assume that local residents have been in the shop before and make sure you include them in any communications.
9. Sometimes a Wednesday might be your best day of the week; other times it will be a Saturday. In this business, there is often no consistency.
10. Multitasking and being organised is a skill worth working on; it's what can make or break you.
When you are running a retail small business like ours, the things you will learn about yourself, your customers, your online presence through social media, and your community will 100% make your life more rewarding. All in all its the best move i've ever made.
Catherine
We’re delighted to introduce a new handcrafter to our Feather and Twigs family—Pam Peters Designs, a vibrant fused glass studio rooted in the heart of North Wales. Pam’s journey began in 2014, in a humble ‘Wendy House’ nestled in her garden, where she and a friend first experimented with glass, drawing inspiration from the surrounding wildlife and natural beauty. What started as a creative spark soon blossomed into a flourishing business.
Mark your calendars for a weekend of creativity, inspiration, and community spirit! On Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September, Feather & Twigs is proud to host a Community Art Fair at the beloved Croston Old School, bringing together a vibrant mix of local artists and their stunning work.
Little Beau Sheep’s founder, Sarah Turner, has redefined what it means to love your laundry and pamper your skin—all while honouring the environment. Her collection uses British wool sourced responsibly, offering alternatives to everyday essentials that are kinder to the planet. From lanolin-rich laundry balls to all-natural felted soap, each item is crafted with care and a commitment to sustainability.
