MY FIRST OFFICIAL BLOG FOR SAVE SMALL SHOPS
I started SSS with two friends about a month before covid hit. We put the directory idea away for obvious reasons at that time but it was always on my mind. When I finally stopped working for a few minutes I realized that half the stores I used to shop in were gone. Just gone! I also contacted some of the students from my previous work (Curt’s Cafe) and they were still having a hard time finding jobs – so I dusted off our directory and decided to enter into this world of technology full time. My first day out to sell the concept was the week of Sept 2023 and I was scared to death. Of all my skill sets, selling is my worst. And that was what I anticipated having to do all day long. No surprise – that was not what I encountered.
I chose to walk up Dempster Street in Evanston first because I knew a business owner there and I had a lead on another business owner on that street who might be interested. First day out I had 13 yes and 6 maybe so I felt pretty good about my success rate. But that wasn’t really how I counted my win! I saw old friends and chatted about this new endeavor, but more importantly about what they had been doing. Dawn from Secret Treasures shared with me what was happening at her amazing antique store. I heard about her family and about her plans moving forward with her business. It was wonderful, relaxing, fun and so rewarding – and I saw about 10 things I would love to buy but luckily they weren’t actually open for business that day.
But I also met so many new friends. At Shaker Traditions I met the owner who recognized me from Curt’s Cafe. We chatted for about 30 minutes and I learned that her life and my life ran very similar paths. We talked about families and our goals as “older women/business owners” and to be honest we talked a little about our aches and pains too. But I felt that I met a new friend that I would love to have a cup of coffee with – probably in her store since that’s how small businesses have to manage their time – to get to know her a little better.
In Tibet Gifts I started to talk to the owner and found out that he had presented just two weeks earlier at a convention I worked at. I had taken a year’s commitment to work for The Parliament of The World’s Religions, an amazing organization that brings all faiths and spiritualities together once every few years to talk, listen and learn. We had about 7,500 people at the convention that year and one of them was from Dempster Street in Evanston! Small world when we stop to get to know people. His store was packed with things I would love to buy and have put Dempster Street on my list for holiday purchases for sure.
My last stop was at the YWCA thrift store called The Crowded Closet and wow oh wow did I get a quick reminder why shopping small was so important. As a new business owner I of course need to make contacts in order to grow. So, as I was talking to the woman at the desk, sharing the reasons what and why for Save Small Shops a woman who was shopping there jumped in and asked a bunch of questions. She is a realtor in Evanston with a national company so I can’t put here in the directory but she knows everyone and is a great resource for me and a great salesperson for Save Small Shops as well – not to mention so supportive and kind. Right before I left the other saleswoman started sharing her thoughts and because she is also so amazing I’m sure she will be very willing to tell others about save small shops.
So in one hour, I got 8 new people to join the directory (the other 5 came from other streets – one, the owner of Accents Plus, who happens to know my sister very well – which I didn’t know – and has amazing clothing which I do know because my sister is generous with sharing her clothes haha) and met 5 new people and reconnected with 1 great friend. Not a bad hour in the life of a new small business owner. I hope everyone that chooses to shop small has similar experiences because I can honestly tell you I had a smile on my face for days just thinking of it. In peace,
