During August and September, in the plaza of Starbucks' head quarters, a weekly Farmer's Market hosted by the famous Seattle based coffee company provides excitement in the SoDo area. Every Friday from 11-2, vendors of all sorts come out to set up shop. Although it is not as big as the surrounding neighborhood Farmer's Markets, the second annual market hosted by Starbucks is a great way for the company to support other small businesses. Flowers, food, and crafts can all be found in front of the Siren's eye.
In addition to hosting a weekly market during the summer, Starbucks is putting on a holiday show in December. Unlike the summer market, vendors do pay a fee to participate in the holiday show but proceeds to to the CUP fund for Starbucks employees. As a partner of the company, the CUP fund is reserved for emergencies that come up for partners in a financial bind when accidents occur.
Come on down on Fridays in September to check out the Farmer's Market and more details to come about the holiday show.
Showing posts with label small business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small business. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Farewell, Happy Delusions
About four years ago, I was eating dinner at a neighborhood Italian restaurant. The waitress was a very nice woman that I really liked. It came up that we were both knitters, we both lived in Renton, and we both loved Harry Potter. She introduced herself as Mary and told me that she just opened a small gift boutique around the corner and that I should come by sometime. The area was new to me so I could not locate her shop, Happy Delusions, in my mental GPS. After desserts and a signed credit card slip, we said our goodbyes and we promised each other to meet again at Happy Delusions.
A couple of months go by and I take time out to wonder around Downtown Renton to look for this shop. Sure enough, around the corner from the restaurant sat a fairly large looking store with a big sign that read Happy Delusions. I walked in expecting Mary not to remember me because I can only imagine the number of people she meets at both jobs. She greeted me as I walked up to the register and I quickly remind her of how we met and our love for Harry Potter. Mary chuckled and said that she remembered me and was glad that I came by for a visit.
We chatted about knitting and she knew that I was experimenting in making knitted bags to sell. At the time, I had only made a handful for friends and thought it would be fun to sell some. I looked around at the cute store and saw all the wonderful gifts that were crafted by local artists and businesses. Mary asked for a photo sample of my purses, now called the Checker Collection, and that we would work something out. I rushed home to make some purses and had some photos done. I sent them off to Mary and soon after she asked for me to bring some in. After making a couple more, I came in with a handful to display. She signed me up to rent a wall space to call my own and I was able to decorate it anyway I wanted.
Months go by and in between making more Checker bags, I came up with another line which is now known as the Formal Collection. After my hard work and creative energy flowing, I was happy to have a full wall of two different lines of bags that I designed and created. However, the reality of losing money every month on renting the wall space and not selling bags began to add up. One bag sold here and there but during first six months of selling at Happy Delusions, I was losing a lot of money very quickly. I decided to bite the bullet and end my time at the store but Mary, believing in me and my products took me off that contract and began a consignment contract. During this time, we also became good friends and I occasionally joined her in a knitting session outside on a sunny day.
Three years later the hobby is now a small business in hopes to become a bigger production of unique handbags. Thanks to Mary and Happy Delusions for getting this ball of yarn rollin'. Good luck with your future happy delusions,
A couple of months go by and I take time out to wonder around Downtown Renton to look for this shop. Sure enough, around the corner from the restaurant sat a fairly large looking store with a big sign that read Happy Delusions. I walked in expecting Mary not to remember me because I can only imagine the number of people she meets at both jobs. She greeted me as I walked up to the register and I quickly remind her of how we met and our love for Harry Potter. Mary chuckled and said that she remembered me and was glad that I came by for a visit.
We chatted about knitting and she knew that I was experimenting in making knitted bags to sell. At the time, I had only made a handful for friends and thought it would be fun to sell some. I looked around at the cute store and saw all the wonderful gifts that were crafted by local artists and businesses. Mary asked for a photo sample of my purses, now called the Checker Collection, and that we would work something out. I rushed home to make some purses and had some photos done. I sent them off to Mary and soon after she asked for me to bring some in. After making a couple more, I came in with a handful to display. She signed me up to rent a wall space to call my own and I was able to decorate it anyway I wanted.
Months go by and in between making more Checker bags, I came up with another line which is now known as the Formal Collection. After my hard work and creative energy flowing, I was happy to have a full wall of two different lines of bags that I designed and created. However, the reality of losing money every month on renting the wall space and not selling bags began to add up. One bag sold here and there but during first six months of selling at Happy Delusions, I was losing a lot of money very quickly. I decided to bite the bullet and end my time at the store but Mary, believing in me and my products took me off that contract and began a consignment contract. During this time, we also became good friends and I occasionally joined her in a knitting session outside on a sunny day.
Three years later the hobby is now a small business in hopes to become a bigger production of unique handbags. Thanks to Mary and Happy Delusions for getting this ball of yarn rollin'. Good luck with your future happy delusions,
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The uphill battle of a small business
As much as I enjoy turning my passion and art into a business, there are times when I hit a wall and I'm forced to walk up it. The climb to a successful business is hard, everyone knows that, but I don't think people who haven't experience know the feeling of failure and lost hope. Like a roller coaster ride, I have my highs of the business.
I enjoy bringing my creations into life and it's thrilling when others share my vision. I yearn for more feedback and custom orders. I thrive on happy customers and blush at compliments. However, when it comes down to it, none of the above bring money. In the end, a business is suppose to bring in money and I'm at a fork in the road on how to do that.
Here comes the long dive down followed by the still air of the unknown. As a struggling artist/business owner, I can't help but wonder if I will succeed and how long I can continue doing this. With the support of my family, friends, and fans I will continue to pursue my passion to create and brand Trizanh. The question looms over my head: What is success and what is failure?
Until I find my own answers, I will continue to create unique handmade bags because a purse is the best accessory a girl can have!
I enjoy bringing my creations into life and it's thrilling when others share my vision. I yearn for more feedback and custom orders. I thrive on happy customers and blush at compliments. However, when it comes down to it, none of the above bring money. In the end, a business is suppose to bring in money and I'm at a fork in the road on how to do that.
Here comes the long dive down followed by the still air of the unknown. As a struggling artist/business owner, I can't help but wonder if I will succeed and how long I can continue doing this. With the support of my family, friends, and fans I will continue to pursue my passion to create and brand Trizanh. The question looms over my head: What is success and what is failure?
Until I find my own answers, I will continue to create unique handmade bags because a purse is the best accessory a girl can have!
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