In the summer of 2009 the economy tanked. Who doesn’t know that? People lost their jobs, their homes, and their sense of well-being. As a result, small shops like mine took solid hits, month after month. Somehow, through the many lean months, Avalon Visions survived. Year after year, through some of the worst financial times our country has faced, I set little goals…and generally, I met them. And, little by little, things got better.
For example, in 2014, my goal was to renovate what used to be the cigar shop, turn the toxic energy of a smoke shop around and make the annexed area into a lovely, welcoming healing area. With no extra money in our budget, and no ability to exactly estimate the costs that such a project would incur, with the help of friends, that goal was met. A whole lot of work was needed to complete the task, but the result really was worth it.
Last year, in 2015, my goal was to work out any and all kinks in the way the shop was running. In other words, figure out what was working, and what wasn’t. Stuff had to be rearranged, inventory had to be assessed as did advertising and our web presence. A true team had to be in place for all of that to happen. By late fall, many things had shifted.
In December, we launched our product section to our website, which was extraordinarily exciting because that was such a needed element that was long overdue in the making.
This year my goal is to raise back the stock levels to pre-market crash times, with a true focus on local artisans within the shop. This year it is my sincere wish to really take the energy of the shop to a significantly higher level. One that is far more unique and creative as well as a more professional.
I think that I have figured out that to reach that goal. Though I don’t need to whip up a completely new recipe, I just need to double the batch and make it just a little smoother. I’ve decided to give it a catchy name, too. This year, I’m calling it: The Terrific 2016 Avalon Visions Recipe for Success. It is a recipe that just requires several ingredients both on and off the web:
The Terrific 2016 Avalon Visions Recipe For Success
1 New Customers
2 Returning Customers
Mix these with:
1 Referrals
2 Good Reviews
3 Polite, knowledgeable, and helpful staff
4 Great readers and healers
5 Really cool and unusual merchandise
6 Fun and interesting events and classes
7 A great location
8 A WHOLE LOT OF LOVE!
Stir the mixture with smiles and add hugs when desired…and keep stirring each and every day during business hours.
So, if you happen to be in the neighborhood, or shopping for cool things on-line, try a little taste and let us know what you think. …
One more thing, Happy New Year
Gwen Thomas
Avalon Visions