Bad Reputation

A lady came in today to browse and then went into a story about how she was talking to her hairdresser about places to shop for children. She named the usual stores that we compete with, which is not unusual to hear. Another thing not unusual to hear is that she only came into where I work because she saw that I was working. Like many other people, she and her hairdresser have slowed, if not stopped shopping at Giggles because of “a very unpleasant woman” who works here. Many of you may know that woman as the “dragon lady” which I so nicely refer to her as.

I went on to explain to this lady that Diane is just a friend of the owners’ family who only works one day a week and if at all possible to not come on Tuesdays because that is normally when she is here. I assured her that she was not alone in the unfriendly feelings she was getting, but since I don’t own this store there was nothing I could do about it. Diane was given a job because her husband had died and she needed a reason to get out of the house so she works one day a week. That was over 4 years ago and she has recently remarried. I had hoped then she would quit after getting married, but no such luck.

I also explained that to this lady. I realized I probably told her more than I should have but I can’t stand it that dragon lady still works here. It’s just terrible business. She has terrible customer relations and absolutely no personality. The woman in my store couldn’t believe that someone would actually marry dragon lady since her disposition is so bad. I’ve told Sara Beth that customers complain consistently about her, but she told me to stop telling her about it because she knows and Diane is going no where so no point in beating a dead horse.

Last week, Sara Beth asked if I wanted the store. First, I have no passion for children’s clothes so no way would I want to be in the business forever. However, part of me wants it only to show how easy it would be to make this store a huge success. Sara Beth is sitting on a gold mine and has no ambition to make the store what it can be.

Step One: Get rid of dragon lady and cut back, if not cut out Sara Beth’s mothers’ input in the business. I love Jeanne. She’s super sweet and really pleasant to our customers, but she has some terrible habits too. She’s too involved in market and doesn’t really have up-to-date fashion knowledge. The girls who work next door have told me about occasions where she has locked up with a note on the door to come back later so that she can go get her nails done. She also will give the “family” discount to random people who are not family, which also brings me to step two.

Step Two: Get rid of family discounted hold items. I understand giving a discount to family member. I just don’t understand letting them put clothes on hold the entire season coming in periodically to buy an item here and there and then when they whole season goes 50% off, here they come and buy. That’s just stupid. Why give a family member the option to buy it at half of when someone else will pay full price. If you want the item buy it then or maybe put it on hold for 48 hours and then it’s back on the floor. Main rule in business…never mix family with business and step 1 & 2 would help draw a line a little.

Step Three: Don’t have sales at the same time each year. Right now everyone knows that in the summer we close the week of July 4^th and then when we re-open summer things go 50% off; in the winter we close Christmas through New Years and then when re-open everything goes 50% off. It’s not so bad in the winter because we have people coming in to buy Christmas gifts, but in the summer the entire month of June is just wasted time. Why pay full price now when if you wait 4 weeks you can get it half off?

Managing Arden B may have been a hellhole but at least it had an organizational method to how things were run. Here, it’s a crazy mess. One day we do things one way and the next it’s completely different. I try constantly to bring a system to work but nothing ever comes from it because if I’m the only one going with the system, there’s not a whole lot accomplished. I go days…weeks…never even speaking to Sara Beth. How can you be on top of what’s going on if you never even speak to your employees.

My girlfriend Leigh thinks I’m crazy to not jump on this opportunity. Especially since this store makes a profit now, even under these crazy conditions. I think there’s too much that set in stone now. It would be really difficult to come in and undermine a lot of what’s been going on for four years. I’d rather start completely fresh, then to try to make people conform to my idea of a successful structure. Like is sewing; it’s easier to make something from scratch, then it is to take a garment 4 sizes big and tailor it to fit you. Plus, you can’t teach old dogs new tricks and these women are really old. I’m so over it at this point and way too tired to try. Jack knows me best…http://music.aol.com/video/no-good-with-faces-aol-sessions/jack-johnson/bc:88816601001

(I swear sometimes he really write songs directly about me)

One day it’ll be my turn, but until then I have to just look at what I cannot change. If it’s gonna happen sometime…Then why not now?

Drinker with a swimming problem

My best ideas are not fueled with vodka!

I'm going to go with no, it's not such a great idea to split a case of beer, shoot lemon drops and then get on the diving board pretending to be a gymnast. If you can't do it on a trampoline, chances are you aren't going to pull it off on a diving board.

It's also not such a great idea to suggest we end the night by skinny dipping. What a great way to get to know your friends...or alienate them.

Cooking while intoxicated...can't even remember eating, so don't quite know how to elaborate on that subject, except there's always room for guacamole!

Things like this may have been fun in high school, but I'm 26 and married. At some point I do need to grow up and learn I don't need to drink as much as those around me. Try as I might, i will never be on the same drinking level as Kris Courtney. Wes is such a sport. He finds me quirky! He's also learned by now that telling me 'no' is not an option. He's smart and resorts to trickery!

Note to self: also not a good idea to discuss environmental, political, or work ethics with people who don't know you...EVER! (At least when you're dealing with friends, they realize when you're making fun of them or when you're over it and ready to move on.)

All I know is, it's probably a great thing that I left my camera at home. What I don't remember didn't happen; without proof, you can't authenticate I did anything!

Summer has officially arrived...with a BANG!

If it's gonna happen sometime...Then why not now?

Why you don't get hired!

What Not To Do When Job Hunting

Rule # 1: Don’t walk store to store with your girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend, mother, aunt, etc. If you are grown up enough to have the responsibility of a job, then you are grown up enough to go by yourself to apply for it.

Rule # 2: Dress nicely. Come on people, this is the first impression you’re making. Don’t come after soccer practice all sweating and gross wearing baggy clothes. If you aren’t going to look presentable just merely asking if we’re hiring then no way in hell are we supposed to think you’ll show up to work looking presentable. And NO, wearing a school uniform does not count as being presentable. How about this…after school, go home, shower, put on a little make-up (little being key) and dress similar to what you would wear to church (I know for some people that doesn’t explain much but if you’re a true southerner you dress up for church as a sign of respect for GOD). Looking tidy shows confidence, as well as responsibility. Remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Rule # 3: Don’t chew gum. If you come in to talk to me about a job and you’re smacking away on gum I’ll say ‘We’re staffed!’ before you can even get out ‘Are you hiring?’ You’re pretty screwed if you have nasty long fake nail also.

Rule # 4: How about focusing on one thing at a time. Don’t come in my store to semi-shop and point out how expensive everything is then turn around and ask to work here. One lady had the nerve to ask if people actually pay these prices and then she wanted an application. WE’RE A SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE HERE PEOPLE…THIS ISN’T WALMART! Do people really think we’d still be in business for four years if no one paid full price? The same goes about saying something in the store is ugly, tacky, cheap looking, etc.

Rule # 5: People have to be able to understand what you are saying if you want to get a job dealing with customer relations like retail. Actual phone conversation:

 Me: “Thank you for calling Giggles”

  Person: “Yah Hirum”

 Me: “I’m sorry?”

  Person: “Es sayeses Are yah hi-es-rum?”

 Me: pause to think….”Oh … No… not at the     moment. Thank You”
  Person: to someone in the background before hanging up… “Isa telles ya deese ain’t ??????? timez ??? monez ??? something something..CLICK”

Rule # 6: Just because this is a baby store does not mean it will be a day care for you’re baby while you work here. This may or may not have been the assumption this girl had when applying here, but if you bring your baby out job hunting, then chances are people are going to question where the baby will be when you’re supposed to be working.

Rule # 7: Do Not rush into the store asking to use the restroom then blow it up with whatever crawled up and died in you and then proceed to ask about job opportunities. Better yet, how about never blowing up my bathroom ever. I get the great pleasure of smelling baby shit all damn day, the last thing I want is for some stanky green fog to start filling up the back end of the store because you ate some cheap Mexican for lunch.

Rule # 8: After being told there are no job openings, please do not proceed to ask me how much I make an hour or how often I work. I’m embarrassed enough about my lack of contribution to my family. I don’t need to tell you about it (not that I would) just so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on anything.

Rule # 9: Don’t job hunt high or drunk. I can’t actually say that this really happened because I didn’t give a drug test or a breathalyzer, but this lady was definitely on something because me saying “We not at the moment” is not the least bit funny and I checked, there was nothing hanging from my nose or in my teeth or anything. I’d also like to note that if you smoke immediately before going into a store than YOU STINK. The smoke carries on. If you have to smoke, take a minute or so to walk it off so that you’re not bringing it into the store with you. Children come here; I’d hate to think they’re getting second hand smoke from you simply walking in.

Rule # 10: Get off your cell phone! This doesn’t necessarily only apply to those who are asking for a job. If you are entering a small space, please end your call outside before entering. I will smile and acknowledge you but I will not speak to you because you are rude and I’d hate to be rude like you and interrupt your phone call. Worst, don’t say, “Hold on” into the phone then look at me and ask me a question. Even worst, don’t ask if we’re hiring because you are rude and we don’t hire rude people!

That is my top ten for now. I’m sure I’ll have more to add to it at some point because Giggles seems to be a magnet for applicants. Because of this, I am beginning to understand why the job rate is where it is. I guess I should be happy I'm not on the hunt, but who knows what the future holds.

If it's gonna happen sometime...

then why not now?