So how are things going?

I hear these words every time I go out with family, friends, and acquaintances. People want to know how things are going with our new venture "Scrapbook Nerd." My answer is usually the same - I think it's going really well. I don't usually elaborate more beyond that because it would require more time to get into it all.

My answer today is still the same. I think it's going really well.  Since this is my first time doing anything like this, and since I don't have any experience in retail, I really have nothing to judge it against except my own expectations. My expectations were that it would be a slow start and our biggest struggle would be to get the word out. Well, the biggest struggle has been to get the word out, but I've been amazed at how word travels in the scrapbooking industry. People tell people. Friends tell me that they hear people talking about Scrapbook Nerd in other circles. That's a very good thing.
The start hasn't been as slow as I expected. We've had more "unknown" people become customers than I had expected by this point. We've only been in open for business for 4 1/2 months and we have filled 210 orders so far. We've been the onsite vendor at one retreat and 3 (including one this weekend) day crops. We've hosted our own crop/open house for National Scrapbook Day. We have one crop and two retreats booked for the Fall. So, I feel the numbers are very good.

To me, though, it's about more than just the numbers. For me it's about customer comments. It's about the incredible support that we have received from our own circle of scrapbooking friends ... and I have to add in here that I have the best group of friends ever!! It's about the online community that we have built around the store and the incredibly fun and creative ladies that frequent there (this was a strong focus for both of us in the creation of our online business - creating that sense of community of a brick and mortar store). It's about feeling like an adult again - after 17 years of being a stay-at-home mom.

Most of all, though, it's about building a stronger bond and a great working relationship with my partner in crime - Joy. They say it's not a good idea to go into business with friends or family members, but we took the chance anyway ... after making sure that the priority was the friendship, not the business. In the last 6 months we have learned a lot, (she has taught me a lot), laughed a lot, talked A LOT, and grown a lot, both as people and as friends.

So .... How is it going? I think it's going great.




Now for the shameless plug. Have you checked out our store? Scrapbook Nerd
Want to check out our online community? Scrapbook Nerd Community
Our Gallery? The Gallery
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