Buy the Book

How to Open Your Own Mom & Pop Retail Shop

Coming soon in 2011 – send a note to “contact us” if you want notice when it’s available!

Chapter Preview:

• Prepare Yourself!
  • Five Things Handy to Have Before You Open
    • Ability to ask for help when needed
    • Retail experience (or where to borrow it)
    • Product knowledge
    • People to support you
    • Start with the end in mind
  • Wait!  Ask Yourself These 5 Questions!
    • What do I want the store to provide me?
    • How much $ am Iwilling to invest?
    • How much time am I willing to invest?
    • How much am I willing to learn?
    • Is this for me?
  • 3 Big Decisions to Start on the Right Foot
    • Your vision for your store
    • Main desicions to make, based on that vision
    • Set a date and work backwards from there
• Get Started!
  • Write the Business Plan
  • Location & Set-Up
  • Purchases, Purchases, Purchases
  • Finances
  • Empoyees
  • Sales Systems
  • Marketing
• Putting It All Together!
  • Quick Start Fill-in-the-Blank
  • Example Schedule of Events for a Start Up
  • Where to Go From Here
  • Good Luck!

Book Testimonials:

Elizabeth is recognized as a national leader and business person by Avon, with her store ranking in the top 1% in performance of the privately held Avon stores in the US.  Elizabeth uses systems and processes to orchestrate her well run store, teaching her employees the importance of success measures and financials.  Elizabeth is known by her peers as a giving, smart business person they can turn to when their businesses seem challenging.  I look forward to what the future holds for Elizabeth, a future she continues to design, reaching her goals and ambitions.
Sally Smith
Smith & Associates, Inc.
www.mindseries.com

Elizabeth has been very helpful to us in organizing our Licensed AVON Beauty Center retail store.   Her ideas and suggestions have helped us improve our long term strategy as well as our day to day operations.  She has a strong knowledge of what is needed to be successful in a retail business and is always willing to share this knowledge with others.
Linda & John Steele
Mom & Pop store owners 

Elizabeth serves as an inspiration to those who are paying attention.
Tim Schaefer
ServiceMaster Disaster Relief by Schaefer

I find people don’t always understand the considerable investment in time and effort that is needed to succeed.  This issue is one of many areas that are covered very well in your book.  The lessons in the book go beyond any particular product line.  “Open Your Own Mom & Pop Store” would a great read for anyone considering their own small business.  Your book would even serve as great reference material for SBDCs.
Deborah Burkley
Professor of Business Administration
Southwest Minnesota State University

Elizabeth transforms what many business owners see as obstacles into opportunities.  She continually evaluates and refines her processes so as to create a more profitable and pleasurable business environment for all involved.
Tony Moeller, President
Integrity Investment Advisors,LLC

Once in awhile you are blessed to meet and know someone who has a natural gift for business.  Elizabeth is down to earth and very business savvy.  I have had the pleasure to watch her retail operations continue to grow even when the economy is shaky.  She is one of my go to persons when I have a question about business strategy.  She gets it and knows how business works.
Steve Waddell
I Support Learning, Inc.