Full-time Failure
Don't tell my customers, but they may be out of a jewelry store soon, and me out of a job. Our owners are considering closing the store this spring, for the small silly insignificant reason that we're not making any money. It's hard to hear this, not only because i dread searching for a lesser-paying job, but because i feel that i've done my damn bestest at managing this store. I've worked my butt of these two years. Customers always tell me how much they appreciate my extra above-and-beyond helpfullness, everyone likes our newsletters and beautiful publications, i keep the store sparkling clean, and everyone compliments us on our unique jewlery. In the hard-core numbers analysis, i have a closing ration of 30%, which is SUPER high for the jewelry industry, and business from repeat customers represents at least 50% of our sales, which is also a good sign. It's just that not enough people are coming into the store, and even 30% of not enough is still not enough.
There are only 9 more shopping days before Christmas, and unless a bunch of customers spend like 10gs each, we're not going to get into the black this year, which reads bleak for my future career. (hey, that rhymes! maybe after i lose my job i could become a rapper!) Seriously, the thought of putting up a going-out-of-business sign makes me want to hide under a rock and/or barf. How will i be able to face my customers, to whom i promised life-time service on the jewelry they bought from me? How will i look them in the eye again? Here's my cell-phone number? Call me if your stone gets chipped?
I shudder at the thought. Maybe it's time for me to become a stay-at-home puppy mom.