I have written on several posts about my business situation and the challenges I was facing in trying to start over again. I have also shared in a post on my work transfer to a new city which leads to closing down my business in my former place.
Starting over again was not as easy as I thought, the challenges of getting a perfect location to set up a shop, the pressure on trying to preserve my business capital while trying to put food on the table for my family were something I never imagined.
The pressure was hitting too hard and I know if I don't do something quickly about starting the business, I will be in bigger trouble. By all means, I have to start so that the pressure my daily expenses are having on my business capital would be reduced. Now, it is not about finding the perfect location but making use of what is available. Money must be made either small or large. What matters is the determination I have to make the business succeed.
My focus is to establish the clothing business for now, and I know the challenges we have to face in attracting customers as well as retaining them. Though the new shop isn't as large as the one I closed down in my former place of work, I am satisfied with what we have now. I know that this is a new beginning, and every beginning is always little. The experience I have gained previously would be an advantage for me this time.
We have started getting a few customers and making reasonable sales for the two weeks we have open for business. It feels like a heavy load has been removed from my shoulder and I could now breathe some fresh air and have the time to plan for other things. One thing that's more important now is making a living.
And that's exactly what this new beginning is all about. Making a living is not all about survival alone, it is about growing a sustainable future for myself and my own family. With the clothing business up and running once again, albeit in a smaller space, I'm focusing on maximizing every opportunity that comes our way.
The first order of business is to make the most of our small space. I'm inventing creative display strategies to showcase our inventory as possible without making the store feel cluttered. This includes the use of vertical areas efficiently, rotating presentations often, and developing pleasing window display to attract passersby.
Customer service is at the forefront of my strategy. In a new area, first impressions are critical. I'm schooling myself to go above and beyond in assisting customers, presenting personalized advice, and making sure all who walks through our door feels valued. This personal touch could make all of the distinction in building a faithful customer base from scratch.
Additionally, I'm leveraging social media like WhatsApp status to share the word about our shop. It's a value-effective way to reach potential customers and showcase our products. I'm posting everyday updates, sharing different brands, and even highlighting customers testimonials to gain consideration and credibility in our new community.
Despite the demanding situations, I'm feeling positive about the future. The experience gained from my previous business engagements is proving useful in navigating this new terrain. Each day brings new lessons and opportunities for growth. I'm reminded that success is not about having the biggest shop or the most stock, it is about resilience, adaptability, and a dedication to serving customers well.
As we move forward, I'm setting practical goals for growth. It's about steady progress, not overnight success. I intend to steadily increase our customers base, enhance stock turnover, and slowly increase our product range based on request and demand.
This new starting has also strengthened the importance of work-life stability. While the business demands full time and flexibility, I'm ensuring to set apart time for family and self-care. A refreshed and healthy entrepreneur is crucial for a thriving commercial enterprise.
While starting over again has its challenges, it is also an opportunity for reinvention and growth. Every sale, each customer gained, is a step closer to setting up ourselves on this new market. The journey ahead can be lengthy, however with determination, clever techniques, and the experience learned from the past, I'm sure we can build something even higher than before.