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Open for Business
Listed under: Interviews
Published: Friday, June 06, 2008
When Craft Business bumped into Jeanette Weeks at CHA's Summer Show she was researching products for a new store. Four months later her plans are coming to fruition
Why open a craft shop?
I've been a scrapbooker for six years now and have always wanted my own business. A couple of scrapbooking shops closed in the area and when I looked at them I saw things that I'd do differently. After completing a business training course I planned to open a gift shop but realised it may not work; I've never been a buyer for a shop and didn't really know the industry. I have contacts in the scrapbooking and craft area and am involved in the Southampton Scrapaholics Club so I decided to go into a sector I do know about. Of course all this planning was way before the arrival of the credit crunch!
How important was your visit to CHA Summer?
I found it extremely helpful. I went with a colleague from Scrapaholics and don't think I could have done it on my own as it's very daunting. Everyone there knows exactly what they're doing so going with a veteran really gave me confidence. I'll definitely go again. It's important to look at all the products – creative people needs to see and feel the materials; looking on the internet doesn't enable you to gauge what the product is really like.
What's been the reaction to opening during a slowdown?
People have been very supportive – I've probably been harder on myself if anything. However, I feel that whilst people may not be going out as much or buying cars or other big goods, they are spending more time at home. They're putting more time into their hobbies – I haven't noticed anyone slowing down their spending on their hobby. People still want to spend their money on something and feel that they're working for something. Opening the shop hasn't been a rash decision; it's taken a lot of thought, planning and research. It would have been better to launch at more positive time for the industry but I figure if I'm setting up at the worst possible time things can only get better!
Craftin' Delight opens in Southampton on 19th June.
I've been a scrapbooker for six years now and have always wanted my own business. A couple of scrapbooking shops closed in the area and when I looked at them I saw things that I'd do differently. After completing a business training course I planned to open a gift shop but realised it may not work; I've never been a buyer for a shop and didn't really know the industry. I have contacts in the scrapbooking and craft area and am involved in the Southampton Scrapaholics Club so I decided to go into a sector I do know about. Of course all this planning was way before the arrival of the credit crunch!
How important was your visit to CHA Summer?
I found it extremely helpful. I went with a colleague from Scrapaholics and don't think I could have done it on my own as it's very daunting. Everyone there knows exactly what they're doing so going with a veteran really gave me confidence. I'll definitely go again. It's important to look at all the products – creative people needs to see and feel the materials; looking on the internet doesn't enable you to gauge what the product is really like.
What's been the reaction to opening during a slowdown?
People have been very supportive – I've probably been harder on myself if anything. However, I feel that whilst people may not be going out as much or buying cars or other big goods, they are spending more time at home. They're putting more time into their hobbies – I haven't noticed anyone slowing down their spending on their hobby. People still want to spend their money on something and feel that they're working for something. Opening the shop hasn't been a rash decision; it's taken a lot of thought, planning and research. It would have been better to launch at more positive time for the industry but I figure if I'm setting up at the worst possible time things can only get better!
Craftin' Delight opens in Southampton on 19th June.
