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Saturday 1 August 2009

Big News - Dreams on the verge of reality

I will now stop teasing and tell you my big news. As some of you will already know, I gave up my job in June after having been a career person for more years than I care to mention. I had been getting more and more disillusioned and fed up with the daily grind and the extensive travelling I had to do was getting very tiring. I decided to take some time to myself and decide what I really wanted to do next. After a few abortive forays into looking at other, possibly more satisfying jobs, I decided to stop looking at the Situations Vacant columns and the job sites on line and actually really think about what I wanted to do.

I have long held a dream that one day I would run my own business, in particular a Craft Shop. The kind of craft shop we crafters love to potter around in, looking at the lovely card stock, feeling the new yarns, sorting through the latest delivery of stamping blocks and tools. Those of you into handicrafts will know what I mean. There used to be a very successful and lovely craft shop in our village, but the owner moved away to be nearer family and now has a successful business about 50 miles away. We have all missed it terribly and hoped someone would come in and fill the gap.

Well just as I had reached the conclusion that I really didn't want to work for anybody else and I really did want to take a risk a branch out on my own, the perfect little shop premises became available in our village, about 100 yards from my house and in my price range!

To cut a long story short, after viewing the premises, talking with the Landlord, picking the brains of other shopkeepers in the village and several heart to heart discussions with my husband. We decided to go for it and here it is!

Yesterday afternoon, I took possession of the keys and took great delight in taking down the 'To Let' signs. I have put up a 'Coming Soon' Poster in the windows (see below) and now have a great deal of work to do to put together my business plan, redecorate and do the shopfitting, find suppliers and buy in stock and of course, do a lot of marketing in the area to let people know we have a craft shop again.

I have to admit to being absolutely terrified, but also very excited and can't wait to get started.

So here it is, Tutbury Crafts, coming soon. I plan to open in early October, which sounds a long way off but in fact is only 10 weeks away!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had lots of great feedback from people in the village already and hope that is a good omen. I have a lot to live up to as the previous craft shop was really good. It was also in bigger premises, so could keep more quantity and variety of stock than I will be able to, but you know what they say, mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow (hopefully).

I will keep you posted on progress over the next few weeks.

Wish me luck!

8 comments:

C. Beth said...

Oh, Frances, that is so very exciting!! I can't wait to hear how it goes! Can I come to the grand opening? I'll bring champagne! ;)

Call Me Cate said...

How exciting!!! It sounds like the perfect opportunity for you. Sometimes things just line up and it's like it was meant to be. Best of luck to you!

Woollyholic said...

That is just the most amazing news Frances! Its just what I thought it might be, and I have to tell you now that I am sooooooooo green with envy! You have turned me into the green eyed monster!
I would love to do something like this myself, but I just wouldn't know where to begin! If you ever find yourself in need of 'staff' let me know!
I'm so pleased for you! Congratulations and good luck to you chuck.
Marie x

Unknown said...

Tina and I wish you all the best for your new venture and if you need any help or contacts please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Tim.

woodpecker said...

Well Frances, I must say that is fantastic news, you must be so excited.
Ahead lies so much hard work getting everything prepared for the grand opening, but work that you will I am sure enjoy.
The rewards of your endeavour will be for you, from an enterprise that you will love.
I wish you well.

Chris said...

Very cool!

Unknown said...

Came your way from C.Beth's blog. Congratulations to you! I love craft shops--could spend hours and many dollars in them.

glnroz said...

more fun (and work,lol), than you can ever imagine. good luck