Well this first week in business is one i don't want to repeat again in a hurry, that said i have learnt some lessons.  I went to a show in Cork hoping, in fact believing that they would love our fair trade products and we would make a healthy profit.  Despite my best efforts, great products and a strong display sales were not strong enough so we made a loss. 

 

Ok most companies don't make profit in their first year - but everyone of our market tests produced profit so hearing customers saying "i like it but i don't need it" sparked total panic in me.  I arrived home totally drained and very sad and to be honest totally doubting our business idea,  But within hours i was wandering round the Boyne Valley Hotel, planning room layout for our first commercial event and believing in us again.

 

I have decided to refocus our event plan for this year in the light of listening to customers and other traders.  In this deep recession it is pointless to spend every penny you have attending overpriced events (sorry but we organise events too and know the costs).  I think there is a move in Ireland now toward finding bargains on the internet, meaning better profit margins and spare money for us to buy more fashion and trend led goods.

 

To top off a roller coaster week we then get a message from the wonderful Liz Greehy of Stylebible.ie saying we have been included in a great article on fair trade fashions in Social and Personal.  Reading her article reminded and reinforced my belief in our business idea.  It also left me on a high and looking forward to week two in business.