It is hard to believe that when the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1 that we were entering into the third year of publishing Seaside Retailer magazine. The business magazine for beach, coastal and nautical retailers has grown in size and frequency year after year. Now we’re even hosting a live event with the Seaside Retailer Connections Conference, Oct. 3-5. On the new mom front, my little baby is not so little anymore. He is now walking and saying his first words (Dada of course).
I’m sure you can relate to how quickly time passes in your own lives as seaside retailers, many of whom are raising or have already raised your children alongside running your business. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past year it’s that not only do our children need nurturing, our businesses do too.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past year it’s that not only do our children need nurturing, our businesses do too.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day of running our businesses that we forget they are just like babies. We are responsible for them and they need to be nurtured and cared for.
Seaside retailers are already a very dedicated group. You wear so many hats from keeping the books, to managing staff and making sure your store is stocked with inventory. Some of you even have online stores and social media accounts to keep up to date. This is on top of running a household. And the hours are relentless. You’re at the store many weekends, and at night you’re crunching numbers, paying bills and putting schedules together.
It might not seem like it but despite all the work you are doing in your business, there may be things you are ignoring. Seaside Retailer Publisher Karen Carr often refers to a great piece of business advice, “You have to work on your business not just in your business.”
Are you just doing the tasks that need to get done or are you actively giving your business what it needs to grow? As the owner, you are the one that is the most invested in its growth so why not spend some time giving it what it needs.
When my son was newborn, he’d cry when he needed a bottle so I would know that I needed to heat one up. What signs are your business giving you that it needs some TLC? Maybe you are having staffing problems or you are outgrowing your space. Maybe cash flow is an area needing attention. It’s time to listen to what your business is telling you. It might not be as obvious as a baby crying, but once you heed the signs, you’ll be able to watch your baby (your store) thrive.
