Your Retail Connection (Experience, Qualifications)
I own an award winning Pet Couture retail store and have absolutely NO formal training in retail.
My store has been chosen Best Pet Couture on the Fox8 HotList for 2008 and 2009 and finished in the top 5 of Pet Supplies in 2007. I have Facebook pages, a website, and my brick-and-mortar.
Describe Your Own Susbstitute for Education (optional)
I am a real live, diehard, entrepreneur and have sacrificed greatly to follow my dream. I have retailing in my heart.
I am sure that I have made mistakes, but you learn from them quickly and don't ever do it again.
What's More Important Than Retail Education?
Your integrity, honest, interest in your customer and the ability to provide a quality product with added value to your clients is paramount. These types of ideals will see you through anything.
Why You Think Advanced Retail Education Isn't Important
You can't learn how to treat people with respect and be able to advise them on the proper products for their specific needs through a book, course or by having a diploma on the wall- you must learn to watch and listen. Retail is an art that balances selling and passion - you either have it or you don't!
Experts are fine and training is fine although you need to realize from the very bottom up what it takes to conduct a retail business. I know what it's like to unpack stock, clean the toilet answer the phone, deal with an irate customer, and you learn what real customer service is.
I know how much I can afford to buy in new stock and can see waste and manage it all from every aspect. You need to have this basic understanding to be able to interview, hire and train your employees when you reach that stage.
One must be careful not to lose site of why they have their business in the first place. If everyone else is doing it for you, then you are just in it for the money, you're not really living your dream.
I did all of my own start up paperwork, leases and occupancy permits. It's really not the difficult if you ask the agencies involved to help you understand anything that you find difficult. If you take the time to make a conscience business plan, review it and either get back on track or change it as you see your business evolve, you will always know where you have been and where you are going.
I have weathered some tough times, had zero funding and pay for all my orders when they are delivered. I would say that that is successful in this market.
Advice
- You must love what you do to be truly happy in retail. If you don't love it and it's not your dream you will never have the conviction to see it through the tough times. For example, why buy a restaurant when you don't know how to cook?
- Retail is a tremendous personal investment. Time, money and sacrifice...you better have some reason why you are doing it. Be honest with yourself - Do I want to do it because it's different or do I need to be part of this because I won't be happy doing anything else. It should be the latter.
Barbara Farfan, Retail Industry Guide, says:
Ginger makes an important point that's vital for a successful and rewarding retail career. Love of the industry, passion for your product, and true desire to be of service to your customers is essential. And no amount of education will give you any of that.- Do you agree with Ginger? Share your story
- Do you disagree with Ginger? Give your opinion about why retail education is important.
- List of schools with advanced retail education and degrees
