Self employed

[pepsi91307]

Anybody on this board self employed in retail?

It's kickin my ass and I'm turning pessimistic.

What sorts of problems do others who are self employed in retail deal with and how do you make it all work?

Curious to hear different perspectives. Maybe it will help me in my own situation.

[TranquilSkye]

I'm not self employed in retail, but perhaps I can offer a different perspective. What seems to be the trouble?

[allie1105]

I'm not in retail either - I own a small, home based catering business that really started to take off this summer, so I can relate to some of the troubles you may have as being a business owner.

Also, I worked in retail when I was an undergraduate. What's going on?

[winneythepooh7]

I know there is a poster, Kitty, on here who I believe worked for a small boutique. She wasn't the owner, but I am sure she would be able to give you plenty of inside info. I don't know if she posts here anymore but maybe you can PM her!

[pepsi91307]

Well, I'm 25, and along with my family, I own a smoothie/juice bar, and I work at the store fulltime.

I have 12 employees, raning in age from 16 to 21. Among my biggest challenges is managing my employees. With the nature of the job, the my employee turnover rate is so high, I feel like my store is a revolving door. Like it is forever a training ground. I feel like I am continuously training and the second someone starts get into the flow of the job and kind of get what they are doing, another one quits, and the cycle repeats. It is so difficult for me to continuously train. It makes it wherever I can never leave the store and be in peace that things will be alright. I have a difficult time making sure the store runs properly when I am not there. That is the employee part of my problem.

Another area I have had a hard time in is the profitability of the store. It is a great store in a great location, but the rent is just so damn high that it kills anything left over. The amount of time I have been putting is wearing me out and at the end of the day, I am a minimum wage worker who works 100-120 hrs per week, 7 days per week. I am not sure what my point is, I'm just really tired and feel almost defeated at times which is really not in my nature. I know I can make it work, it's just one of those brief period where I have some doubts.

I have a hard time with corporate pushing certain things on me, that honestly feel so small in the big picture, that I got so damn annoyed and irritated with them that they waste my time with stupid things when I have so many other things to do. Asking for this statement and that statement and my employees need to do this and that.

I know I haven't even touched on half the things thats are wearing me down but I simply cannot think at the moment.

At the end of the day, I'm very thankful that I have this opportunity to do something different compared to my friends, acquaintances and most of my peers. I just had to vent a little and would appreciate to see what others input is on this dumb situation. I don't even know if I should call it a situation.

Feel free to criticize my stupid worries, but any responses would be appreciated. Sorry about the rambling.

[TranquilSkye]

Wow sounds like you've got your work cut out for you. I don't have my own employees and I certainly don't envy you in that aspect. As for the employee problem I'm not sure about your set up, but are there floor supervisors or team leaders? I had a retail job several years ago and there were bottom level cashiers, then there was the lead cashier who could train the bottom level ones and restock stuff, and then there was the floor supervisor who was in charge of all cashiers and scheduling and checking the cash drawers. Maybe a similar set up would take some of the training burden off of you? As for the turnover that seems to go with the territory. Many are just looking for a seasonal/summer gig or find themselves overloaded with school and family and theres no time left for the job. If there is someone that has been there a year or longer perhaps you can schedule an informal meeting with them and ask their input about what keeps them around and what they think would entice other employees to stay longer.

Are you the only manager? I always figured most retail stores had at least 2 so that working 100+ hours a week wouldn't happen. Sure you'd still put in a lot of hours, but even you need a day off once in awhile. Of course given your concerns with profit this may not be doable. Perhaps some of the retail experts can chime in on that.

[pepsi91307]

Wow sounds like you've got your work cut out for you. I don't have my own employees and I certainly don't envy you in that aspect. As for the employee problem I'm not sure about your set up, but are there floor supervisors or team leaders? I had a retail job several years ago and there were bottom level cashiers, then there was the lead cashier who could train the bottom level ones and restock stuff, and then there was the floor supervisor who was in charge of all cashiers and scheduling and checking the cash drawers. Maybe a similar set up would take some of the training burden off of you? As for the turnover that seems to go with the territory. Many are just looking for a seasonal/summer gig or find themselves overloaded with school and family and theres no time left for the job. If there is someone that has been there a year or longer perhaps you can schedule an informal meeting with them and ask their input about what keeps them around and what they think would entice other employees to stay longer.

Are you the only manager? I always figured most retail stores had at least 2 so that working 100+ hours a week wouldn't happen. Sure you'd still put in a lot of hours, but even you need a day off once in awhile. Of course given your concerns with profit this may not be doable. Perhaps some of the retail experts can chime in on that.




Thanks for the feedback