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<span class="basic_member_name">Carole Cancler</span>
Carole Cancler
Business Owner/Writer
Seattle, Washington
Biztalk » Introduce your bad indie self »
Posted by Carole Cancler, Seattle, Washington | Oct 10, 2009

Subscribe to Introduce your bad indie self Expanding business in a slow economy...during a snowstorm

Shortly after the deal was inked on my new downtown Seattle retail space in late summer 2008, the economy took its nosedive. The TI's were finished by year end and the doors opened in January 2009, during one of our worst snow storms ever. The hills of Seattle were beyond clogged with ice and snow.

Truthfully?

I'm having one of the best times of my life and really enjoy the challenge of building a retail clientele. These seemingly horrific incidences didn't really change any of my business plans. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.


8 Bizniks have posted replies

  • Margaret Ryan
    Posted by Margaret Ryan, Seattle, Washington | Oct 10, 2009

    Hi Carole,

    why dont you tell us what you business is?

    Margaret Ryan

    Self expression for profit coach
  • Richard Gabel
    Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Oct 11, 2009

    Bad times are a great test of a person's mettle. A good sense of humor, belief in your business plan and some financial reserves help too.

    Helping small businesses grow!
  • Christian Jacobsen
    Posted by Christian Jacobsen, Seattle, Washington | Oct 12, 2009

    ...and when those bad times are the FIRST times, like they were for you Carole, then the only way for the business to go is up! :-)

    Glad to hear your spirit is not broken, and you continue to plug along. That takes conviction and real character!

    Your personal social media mentor.
  • Carole Cancler
    Posted by Carole Cancler, Seattle, Washington | Oct 15, 2009

    I am the creator and owner of Private Chef Inc. Since 1998, we have produced a line of frozen gourmet dinners, sold them online, and delivered them throughout King County. This year, we opened our first (of several!) retail outlets.

  • Margaret Ryan
    Posted by Margaret Ryan, Seattle, Washington | Oct 15, 2009

    Thanks, Carole, for letting us know. Why dont you have a promotion for Biznik members? Or, if it fits, host an event at your shop? Maybe a cooking demonstration?

    We're here tp support you.

    Margaret

    Self expression for profit coach
  • Linda Diaz
    Posted by Linda Diaz, Gig Harbor, Washington | 3 weeks ago

    I can put your business on TV for only $1.00 a spot for 12 cable channels to choose from. You can see our commercials at www.eztvspots.com then click on demos. That will get you thirteen zipcodes. We also do websites as well. I know I can help build your business for you. We do a demographic study for you. One Commercial is only 1,480 and we make a great commercial.

  • Carole Cancler
    Posted by Carole Cancler, Seattle, Washington | 3 weeks ago

    Hi Linda, Thanks for the suggestions. Actually, I am building the business quite nicely thank-you-very-much. Our website has been live for over 5 years, we did a demographic survey many, many years ago. And I also have a consultant as my right hand to work on marketing. -Carole

  • Carole Cancler
    Posted by Carole Cancler, Seattle, Washington | 3 weeks ago

    Hi Margaret,

    I'm currently developing a format for chocolate and wine tasting events at the store. There will be a short mini-seminar, followed by chocolate and wine! Sound good?

    2 Biznik members have committed to events so far: on Dec 9, Arden Clise will talk about Business Etiquette. And on (date TBD), an attorney will talk about Intellectual Property. I am also connecting with several other people on Biznik, members I found who I already know from "past lives".

This forum is unmoderated, but please keep discussion courteous and not too far off topic.

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  • retail
  • expansion
  • hurdles