- Original Poster
- #1
Phew!!!
So, i posted last week on my 1st week of trading, well, week 2 is over!
the great news is that orders went up to 400% of last weeks level. Enquiries have rocketed! from 30 deliveries last night, i've another 12 orders this morning and hopefully about 25 will reorder for next week plus i'll get another 8-10 new orders before the weekend is out
I overstretched myself last night and crammed too many orders into too short a time - i must learn to say no or at least pace myself better. Anyway, only 1 customer was upset because i delivered 1 hour late - and that issue was resolved thanks to a nice bottle of red wine and a good heart to heart chat with the guy about the problems of starting a new business. At the end of it, the guy had his arm around me telling me to keep pushing on and not to worry - so i think i've made an friend after letting him down a bit!!
btw, it's a fruit and veg box business if you didn't see my last thread and are wondering!
tomorrow i'm interviewing my 1st employee (i've not given up my 9-5 job yet as i wanted to start things off before walking away from a good wage) and i've found a great guy - young, enthusiastic and a great attitude.
I've been offered a regular pitch in a local deli to sell my veg from - the deli gets great foot fall but doesn't sell fruit or veg and he wants to break into it and it gives my service a lot of exposure. I'm basically getting a free high street shop on a saturday!!
The best feeling is that this week is a BIG profit - Ok, it doesn't get near covering the start up expenses, but it's blown away the day to day costs!! And after a few months we'll see it being profitable based on this sort of performance
Having some volume has had a big effect too on my suppliers too - suddenly i'm not just a punter with an idea, i've spent some cash and they are impressed with my ideas - to the point they are trying to find ways to help generate more revenue/income for me. So that's nice to see suppliers who want to help a business/customer along.
by far the best thing is the sound of some of the customers who really appreciate the service. I have 1 customer who has had a double hip replacement and can't leave the house. the fact i basically bring her shopping to her - and i'll drop off her post, pick up any odds and ends for her has been a life saver for her. Some of the older customers too who miss an old fashioned green grocer service are great too. That brings a smile to my face
Anyway, this week was a shock, really busy, wasn't expecting it, 1st upset customer, bit of panic setting in and the knowledge that i've to do it all again starting NOW was quite daunting!!
i've also knocked some business back - we had a few enquiries from a little further afield that it makes sense to go to just now. We WILL get to them, but not yet. It'll do more harm than good to try it just now - but they accepted that and look forward to us being to in their area.
Still, we are getting there!
So, i posted last week on my 1st week of trading, well, week 2 is over!
the great news is that orders went up to 400% of last weeks level. Enquiries have rocketed! from 30 deliveries last night, i've another 12 orders this morning and hopefully about 25 will reorder for next week plus i'll get another 8-10 new orders before the weekend is out
I overstretched myself last night and crammed too many orders into too short a time - i must learn to say no or at least pace myself better. Anyway, only 1 customer was upset because i delivered 1 hour late - and that issue was resolved thanks to a nice bottle of red wine and a good heart to heart chat with the guy about the problems of starting a new business. At the end of it, the guy had his arm around me telling me to keep pushing on and not to worry - so i think i've made an friend after letting him down a bit!!
btw, it's a fruit and veg box business if you didn't see my last thread and are wondering!
tomorrow i'm interviewing my 1st employee (i've not given up my 9-5 job yet as i wanted to start things off before walking away from a good wage) and i've found a great guy - young, enthusiastic and a great attitude.
I've been offered a regular pitch in a local deli to sell my veg from - the deli gets great foot fall but doesn't sell fruit or veg and he wants to break into it and it gives my service a lot of exposure. I'm basically getting a free high street shop on a saturday!!
The best feeling is that this week is a BIG profit - Ok, it doesn't get near covering the start up expenses, but it's blown away the day to day costs!! And after a few months we'll see it being profitable based on this sort of performance
Having some volume has had a big effect too on my suppliers too - suddenly i'm not just a punter with an idea, i've spent some cash and they are impressed with my ideas - to the point they are trying to find ways to help generate more revenue/income for me. So that's nice to see suppliers who want to help a business/customer along.
by far the best thing is the sound of some of the customers who really appreciate the service. I have 1 customer who has had a double hip replacement and can't leave the house. the fact i basically bring her shopping to her - and i'll drop off her post, pick up any odds and ends for her has been a life saver for her. Some of the older customers too who miss an old fashioned green grocer service are great too. That brings a smile to my face
Anyway, this week was a shock, really busy, wasn't expecting it, 1st upset customer, bit of panic setting in and the knowledge that i've to do it all again starting NOW was quite daunting!!
i've also knocked some business back - we had a few enquiries from a little further afield that it makes sense to go to just now. We WILL get to them, but not yet. It'll do more harm than good to try it just now - but they accepted that and look forward to us being to in their area.
Still, we are getting there!
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Its all looking really good, well done
