Did That Really Just Happen?

I love learning new things.  Especially when it comes to the store.  I get excited and energized again and again - even more so when I am able to see the results in one day.  On Friday morning I attended a class put on by Next Move Marketing in Bellevue.  It was about making videos and using them to drive more traffic to your store and to help with your placement on google searches and YouTube. 

Within one hour of that class ending, I had my filmed my first video, optimized it, posted it on YouTube (AbsolutelyHer815:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RZk3WbZfuE).  In the next hour it was being "promoted" on my Facebook page (thanks again to Next  Move Marketing) and on my website (www.absolutelyherstore.com). 

I'll admit that I checked Face Book a lot during the day to see how many saw it and all the other stats on it.  But, I was completely surprised and taken aback by a post on FB 24 hours later.  Next Move Marketing was watching and now when you search in google, Absolutely Her is on the first page when you look for "Women's Clothing Papillion NE".  I am on the first page of Google!  Never been there before - was on page 4 or 5 before.  And when you search "Women's Shopping Papillion NE", I am number four on that first page.  Go ahead..search "Women's Consignment Papillion" or Women's Consignment Omaha"...right up there either at the top or near the top.  AMAZING. 

This isn't a post to brag (though I am so excited), it's a post for you to see what these guys can do to help your business.  They will be hosting more classes, so I dare you to go to one and see the results.  No, I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!

www.nextmovemarketing.com or check them on Facebook.  I guarantee you'll be excited and energized as well!

The Other Side of Retail

I love watching people shop.  Especially sisters and friends.  They are brutally honest with each other without hurting the other's feelings.  One says something and then they both burst out laughing.  It makes for such a fun day in the store. 

The other day I was watching two women trying things on and getting the other's opinion.  They were in here for about 45 minutes.  Typical friendly banter between the two and again, the honesty.  The one gal came up to check out and the other was still right there, advising her about how to accessorize one of the outfits.  We finished up her sale and she turned to the other and said, "It was so nice to meet you - have a good day."  I was dumbfounded for a moment.  I honestly thought they knew each other. 

For so long I shopped at the "big box" stores and it was rare to have any kind of conversation with anyone.  Since I opened Absolutely Her, I've seen the other side of retail - the great side of enjoying the atmosphere of smaller shops and meeting women who inspire me in ways they probably never even imagined. 

That One Thing

Thrifting has become a new way of living to some, but I've been doing it for a while.  Now it's the anticipation of what I might find and then the great price I'll pay for it.  For me it's about the hunt.  It's become a game of chance.  Right now I know exactly what I am looking for.  It's nothing special to most, but for some reason, I want one.  Do you have that one thing?  I put a quote in the last newsletter..."Somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer".  

It is fun to hear someone tell me what they are looking for and they "have been to all the stores in the mall" and can't find it.  The fun part?  Many times I can go over to a rack, pull something out of it like a magician and abracadabra...it's "exactly" what they wanted. 

That's what consignment here at Absolutely Her is about.  Not only do we take classic pieces and things that are currently in style, but we like to listen to what our customers are looking for and we keep our eye out when new items come in.  Our "Wish List" feature in the computer system helps us even more.  So if you have that one thing, please let us know so we can help you find it.

And if you're wondering about my "one thing", it's called a quaffer or a double-bubble shot glass.  It could get me into a lot of trouble, but what can I say?  Sometimes I like trouble. 

Stop and Take a Minute

Did you know I have 3 step-daughters or as someone else says, "bonus daughters"?  I came into their life over 10 years ago.  We've been through some devastating times and some incredible times.    I don't always have the time to see them or check in with them, but they are constantly on my mind.  Today Stephanie, the youngest one, is celebrating her 25th birthday.  Kristen, the middle daughter, and her husband, Ryan, are getting ready to have a little girl (Baby Concetta) join their son, Levi.  And the oldest, Lindsay, is getting ready to embark on her own journey.  They have been a blessing to me.  And some days I wonder if they know how much they really mean to me. No matter what.

Do you have those in your life whom you love dearly but aren't always sure they know?  Make sure they do.  Stop and take a minute to let them know.  You never know.  Today may be the day they need it the most. 

Girls, I'm not sure if you will even see this...I love you. 

Spring is Just Around the Corner...

Though it hasn't been a bad winter (yet), I am ready for spring.  Ready to get out and walk without fear of falling on ice on the sidewalks.  Ready to see some flowers come up.  Ready to start fresh.  Especially at the store.  I am ready to see the bright colors again.  But in order for that to happen, we have to start emptying the space by having a sale.  A huge sale.  Sometimes I'm not always sure what I am going to do and have to go back through and redo a few things in the shop to get ready.  But it is always exciting to see the items being snatched up.  The sale starts on Thursday, so be sure to make some time to come in and see all the incredible deals we are offering.  You won't be disappointed!

It's All About the Numbers

Do you have someone or many someones in your life that when you think about them, it just makes you smile and your day just gets better?  For me, that happens when I see numbers.  Consignor numbers.  I have those that are memorized and I know exactly who the item belongs to.  Just now I was looking at 1848.  That's Lou.  And then there's 971.  That's Jean.  And 999.  That's Diane.  And I am ever grateful to #57, Kathy.

Consignors and customers are surprised when I call them by name after only having been here maybe once before.  To some it's called customer service, but I think it's about meeting new friends.  I may not always know the name, but I hope I can recognize the face and the smile or maybe it's what they are looking at/looking for or what they are wearing.  That's a great compliment to see it come back through the doors being worn or carried. 

Having come from a profession where I sat in the basement and only saw about 35 people on a regular basis to having a "room with a view" and seeing hundreds (actually thousands) of faces, it makes me appreciate the value of a good equation because it is "all about the numbers".

The Pre-Fall Collections

We're already talking about the "Pre-Fall Collection" and we're on the 5th day of January! 

(We just finished announcing the 2013 color of the year:  "Emerald is no longer green with envy. The rich, vibrant shade is Pantone LLC’s Color of the Year for 2013, beating out all the other shades of the rainbow."  I have to admit I love the color of the year - it has such great memories for me prior to Leonard.)

And I love what they are saying about the pre-fall collection - black is back!  I love black.  My closet has double-rows for my shirts and the top is full of the "regular" colors but the bottom row is all black.  Don't know what to wear today?  Wear black.  Have to go to a fancy dinner?  Wear black.  Meeting up with old friends?  Wear black (it makes you look skinnier!) 

Did you know that you should wear black, not white in the summer?  That's what the physics says about it.  Surprised?  I am!  For me, black is the go-to color and will always be my official "Color of the Year".