Interest in Pinterest The newest player on the social networking scene is Pinterest, an almost exclusively visual site that allows users to create online bulletin boards, or “pinboards,” set up in categories such as home decor, food and wedding inspiration.  In addition to a photo or video, you can add a caption, price or link.… Read More

I’m an Independent Bookseller I created this “meme” as a tribute to my fellow shopkeepers who own bookstores.  Feel free to share!                                                                               All my best,  Carol Thursday, February 16, 2012 Carol “Orange” Schroeder… Read More

I’m an Independent Retailer I created this “meme” as a tribute to my fellow independent retailers.  Feel free to share!                         All my best,  Carol Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Carol “Orange” Schroeder… Read More

Europeans have a long tradition of valuing the work of industrial designers. In Denmark, for example, it is not unusual at a dinner party to be familiar with the name of the individual who designed the chair you’re sitting on, the fork in your hand, the plate in front of you and the lamp that… Read More

How important is your business to your vendors?  An unexpected bonus of the trend towards direct overseas sourcing by big box stores is that orders from independent retailers have became essential to the success of many American vendors and sales agencies.  But smart retailers know that they can increase their clout with a line by… Read More

How much of your time is spent working in your business rather than on your business?  Studies show that businesses fail because they don’t make the right decision at the right time — but most of us spend the majority of our day dealing with the myriad of details involved in running the shop. I… Read More

We all make mistakes, and hopefully become better buyers by learning from them. What are some of your favorites? I’ve been around long enough to remember saying that I thought the pet rock was a dumb idea that would never sell.  And that was just one of my earliest blunders. The secret to surviving mistakes… Read More

If you want your customers to see your shop through a different lens while shopping online, Seth Godin’s brainchild Squidoo may be just what you are looking for.  Squidoo, which is now 5 years old, is a user-generated website that allows anyone to create single pages (called lenses) on subjects of interest. The concept behind… Read More

HO, HO, HO — holiday’s over, holiday’s over, holiday’s over.  What are you doing this month to bring customers to your store, and to your shopping area?  And I hope your answer isn’t a sale, because today’s shoppers are getting pretty jaded when it comes to discounts.  Winter lasts a long time, especially here in… Read More

Move over, paid vacation, sick days and personal time off. There is a new perk now being offered by some small businesses: v.t.o, which stands for volunteer time off.  And unlike others benefits, this one is a win-win for the employee, the business and the community too. The idea behind v.t.o. is that your company… Read More