Both stores have had very good days. We should have a very strong finish to the week. Hopefully this helps us hit plan for each. It didn't hurt that one of you guys has decided to make a purchase. I'm happy that someone is actually reading this. (Dang I can't put an emoji in)
My new staff is coming along really well. Putting the pressure on these guys to be hat experts has really paid off. They are knowing the inventory really well.
I've also met another neighbor to the new store. This store is in such a great little pocket. Longterm, we should really thrive here. There are some really cool neighbors. There're two wood working stores, a guitar maker, a coffee bean roaster, a graphic designer, a music pick and sell and an art gallery. We met with one of the wood workers, and he has offered to make us some nice hat sticks. They have some leftover wood, and we're doing it as a barter too. We're looking forward to having some nice higher end hat sticks. I'll show you guys, my followers a picture once it's up.
I'm starting to think however, that I should actually start a blog and call it the trials and tribulations of small business. I could give you some crazy insight to things that go into running a small business. There are so many random things that I would have never thought to have been things to worry about. One such is commercial construction, which is something I would have never ever thought I would learn anything about. But don't worry my building is perfectly to code, and it looks great. As soon as everything else is really thriving, we'll have to see about updating store 1 to look like store 2. Not to mention the true reason for these writings has to do with my efforts to increase our SEO. I bet I could write a full blog posts about a layman trying to increase SEO, FUN!
As always keep on hatting. Have a wonderful weekend.
]]>Today has been a good day for both locations. The new store has started to see steady traffic, and the original store saw good traffic as well.
I'm becoming satisfied with my new staff that their product knowledge is increasing every day. They are becoming much more accomplished salesmen as well. The conversion rate of walk ins to customers is growing. It's not quite as high as it needs to be, but they're doing well. We have always stood for great customer service, so I'm very happy to see that coming along.
Today, my focus has been on online marketing strategies. It's been a great day making sure that both locations are listed accurately on every listing site that I could find. I have a whole lot more work to do in that field as well, so it will be a fun few days. But it won't be nearly as fun as Saturday. My plan is to stand outside waving to potential customers again.
Bye for now, and keep hatting away.
]]>One of the bigger things that I've been focusing on with a new store is quizzing my staff on the inventory. I'm curious how my staff would do in Memphis if I quizzed them the same way. I know the guys that have been there for awhile would school me on the inventory (which is what I want), but I'm curious how the newer guys would do with the level of quizzing. I'm trying to push my guys to be as familiar as possible with the inventory before we get super busy. Then, I'm going to pull a fast one with all these guys, and I'm going to end the winter season to do a complete inventory changeover as we transition into spring/summer. Evil right?
Good bye for now, and happy hatting.
]]>An early end to winter is not necessarily a good thing for a store that has seen the warmest winter on record this year. We shall see what happens. If anyone watched the ceremony this morning in Punxsutawney, the guys in the 'inner circle' all wear top hats with tuxedos. In knowing great details about the hats themselves, I could see how nice those top hats are. We have a few in our Memphis store, but it's such a rarity that anyone wants one as nice as that. It's worth mentioning that it is nice to see people wearing such great quality.
Until tomorrow, keep on hatting.
]]>Saturday was quite an interesting day for me. As the weather was gorgeous and the store rather empty. I decided to step outside in an attempt to wave down some traffic. I was out there for about 2 and a half hours total, and that was the catalyst to all of the business done on Saturday. I'm glad that some people came in, but I'm ready for them to start coming in because they know we're here.
The grand opening for the new store is still set for Saturday, February 13th (less than two weeks away). Everything is going full steam ahead. Members of my staff are trying to plan for a small fashion show. I'm putting a list together of food and everything else that's needed. We have some live music playing from one of our customers, and we also have a ribbon cutting. Don't worry, I'll share a picture of the ribbon cutting with you. It should be a good one, as I'm getting Mister Hats himself to come to town to the cut the ribbon on his second store. Hopefully, we'll see all of you dedicated readers at the grand opening.
Trying to give Memphis a little love as well. They need much less as everything is running very smoothly there. One of the best things that I've been doing for the new store has been commenting and posting on the neighborhood facebook group. I'm now searching for the neighborhood group for Memphis. I haven't quite found it yet, but I'm hoping that will have as much of a reaction as it has in Nashville. The idea is that it is a hyper localized community that will be super happy to support their own. Plus, there's nowhere else to get a good quality hat in Memphis, so it's another way that people can learn of our existence.
Until next time, happy hatting. And if not, come visit us either in Memphis or Nashville or even online right here to start hatting.
]]>The new store has gotten the last piece of build out finished today. I have hooked up the picture slide shows that are to play in the store everyday. I think it adds a nice touch to the store, and it helps customers see different products when they are off the shelf. I just need to get more pictures of customers in hats to add to the different slide shows.
Things are also humming along with regard to prep for the grand opening. I have my postcards ready, and I'm going to be sending some of them out tonight. I've also received tremendous support from my girlfriend's family. Everyone wants to help me get off the ground. Honestly, all the help is most welcome. So if you'd like to help as well, you know where to find me. I think I will have the Nashville Chamber of Commerce at the opening as well. They want to do a ribbon cutting ceremony. I think my grandfather, the original Mister Hats, will truly get a kick out of cutting down the ribbon for the new store. Hopefully, we can get this bash off on the right foot.
]]>I've been trying to get press releases out there, and I've also been getting flyers and postcards printed. Hopefully the word is spreading. If you're around Nashville on February 13th, come join us. I had some interesting thoughts about trying to get on TV for one of those local morning shows to promote the store. None of the news stations have responded yet, but I'll keep pushing for it.
The International Blues Challenge is also currently raging in Memphis today and this week. I was quite proud of my ad that was posted on Facebook. I'm monitoring whether or not anyone is actually going to come in due to it, but we'll see.
Don't forget, if you need a hat we got a hat. Come by either store or order straight from here.
]]>Because my car is completely covered in snow, I had to walk to get out. I decided to wear a Wigens R&T cap. This is one of the caps with the earflaps. The cap was really warm, and I was perfectly comfortable in 28 degree weather. The cap looked pretty good too.
Hopefully, the snow is melted tomorrow, so Mister Hats can be at full strength again.
]]>What's been unique to Mister Hats from the beginning? The customer service. We are continuing to provide the best customer experience anyone will experience anywhere.
]]>I'm including a picture of the new location as everything is complete and it looks great.
I'll keep updating this as the business as a whole continues to come along.
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