Many years ago I
determined to NEVER go near a retail business again. After twelve years of a
personal struggle with a business, successful in spite of me and only because my
husband was a dynamo of energy and optimism, I loudly conveyed the stress I
felt while managing the office and bookkeeping part of the adventure. In fact, I wrote a poem in the 70s about that
very subject. To set the stage, I repeat the poem:
Want to own a business
You say you like that
Let me introduce you to
Business 101, let’s chat
First and most important
Is to have an idea born
One that you can master
And even then I warn
Just around the corner
Is another real smart guy
Who has the same idea?
Or at least he’s a good spy
Second is the bank account
Must be six figures high
Budgeting a new business
Shoveling smoke from the sky
Then there’s human resources
That’s people to do the work
Their troubles never go away
Their cost, demands, and perks
Next
comes the vendor problems
That’s
where you get your supplies
They
always want paid on time
What
a problem, so do I
Then
there’s customer service
Now
it’s called consumer needs
No
matter you own the business
He’ll
show you who’s in the lead
The
bank wants an accounting
The
accountant tells you to lie
The
IRS wants everything
You
get a small piece of the pie
Still
haven’ t learned this lesson?
Let
me add, no vacation time
Twenty-four-seven,
and then some
Three
hundred sixty-five, your prime
I’ve
been there with HIS OWN BUSINESS
Wives,
let me tell you true
When
he says he wants his own business
Tell
him to do it without you
Now that it’s
crystal clear how I feel about the retail business, I will come to the point of
this discussion. Recently, my caregivers, Robyn and Tracey, have embarked on
the journey of becoming antique dealers. It all began when my sister died in
Texas, and we brought home some family heirlooms in the form of antique glassware. Tracey became obsessed with research about the origin and age of the
pieces, and as a result of this exercise, she became knowledgeable and
discovered a yearning to become involved in the antique business. They joined a
glassware group and began lurking on estate sales, telemarketing in antiques,
and trying their hand at picking winners in the antique trade world.
After two
years they have accumulated a sizable inventory of antiques, collectibles, and
memorabilia. As the inventory overflowed into warehouses, first one, then two,
they realized the love of antiques and estate sales had opened the door to a
goal of an antique store to enhance their retirement.
With their
public school careers still the focus of their lives, they work steadily in
their spare time proceeding slowly with the establishment of the business.
Since I live in the midst of this industrious adventure, I have become
interested in their endeavor and find myself cheer-leading the entrepreneurship of
a new retail business. Rue the day, we’ll see.
Bayou Menagerie
Antiques opened three weeks ago at The Westbank Market in Harvey. The market’s
hours are 9:00 to 5:00 on Saturday and Sunday. The first three weekends
resulted in optimism that will, hopefully, continue throughout the summer. The
store boasts of a variety of items, vintage, antique, and upcycled. With enthusiastic
proprietors eager to bring the antique lover and his favorite, sought-after
antique piece together, they are available by phone, online, or in person at
the market. If you live in the area, look up BAYOU MENAGERIE ANTIQUES and stop
by to browse.
Although not
the best venue for book sales, they provided a corner for me to display my book
titles. I hope to be there with my pen poised to sign books (as long as I can
stand the heat) for anyone who may be interested. You may find me there on Saturday and after Church Services on Sunday. Somewhat optimistic for an
old lady - - as I said before, we’ll see.
