Customer Reviews

A Shop of One's Own: Women Who Turned the Dream into Reality

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really love this book as it was a break from the word overloading of most business books. It had lovely colour pictures of actual products, services, interior designs, branding, packaging, etc. These illustrations backed up the information on building your small business.

The book is divided into 3 parts:

1. Getting Started - Government regulation; Keeping Records; Establishing credit; Dealing with vendors; Finding a Space; Negotiating; Security; Insurance

2. Planning For Success - Inventory; Setting prices; Merchandising and Display; Publicity and Advertising; the Internet

3. Dealing with People - Building Staff;p Training; Delegating; Problem solving; Expansion

I must stress that this book is an addition to your business collection; not a one-stop shop. This book does not provide the in-depth coverage of issues you'll need to start your business. But especially if you've got most of that already covered and you are looking for ideas or personal stories that can help to streamline your particular service, this is a great book to read. It is an easy, enjoyable to read plus beautiful to flip through and I got a ton of ideas. I can see myself coming back to this book again and again as I start my business.

Thanks Victoria Magazine.

The pictures alone almost make it worth purchasing this book. It is easy to read. The book is most useful for someone trying to start an upscale boutique (ideally clothing). If this is you, buy this book. The pictures and the ideas are very much worth it. This will be a great resource.

I was helping plan a semi-upscale souvenir shop and found the ideas only somewhat applicable. That said, there are a few guidelines that I found really useful. I made sure to photocopy those few pages for my reference.

Half way into the book, I started shopping for studio and retail space. It will motivate you to be brave!!

this is one of the most helpful books i have read on owning a shop.

not a lot of useful info, but if you are opening a high end shop for women, it is worth a read. If you are targeting men, then this is not a book for you.