Organizing receipts

I know, I know--organization should be on-going rather than intermittent, but I'm a slow learner. This morning was time well spent in organizing the first quarter's receipts and breaking down the categories. Just before tax time, I used the better part of a day just going through each category and adding the numbers.

This time, I figured I would take each quarter and tally how much I spent on oils, bottle, merchandise that go directly onto shelves, and--interesting to me--how much I spend on shipping and handling. Amazing how much that adds to the cost of doing business!

Meeting other small business people

Joining the Sachse Chamber of Commerce is just the first in many small steps to meeting other small business owners in the area. This organization really has the interests of entrepreneurs at heart and offer so many resources and opportunities for us to meet, greet, and learn what others have to offer.

We have a breakfast to go to tomorrow where we will introduce our business to others for the first time. I made a brochure specifically for this breakfast. The mall property manager also sent me information about another event for women in business, so I will be going there as well later in May.

There are so many people out there ready to help the small business owners--it's important to take advantage of their willingness to give their advice!

Networking

We joined the Sachse Chamber of Commerce this month and hope that it will open new doors in both customer building and networking with other small business owners. In this world of "big box stores," those of us who refuse to give up or give in must stick together. We meet new people every day; they do not always buy something, but they give us a chance to explain what we do and why we are a good alternative for fragrance needs.

This Friday Don and I will attend our first Chamber breakfast, where we will have a chance to explain our business. To that end, I made a brochure to hand out. Our friend Chris who owns the Sachse UPS store takes care of our printing needs, so I will get this emailed to him. I can always count on Chris to give our printing the professional look we want.

Right now, I have a stack of information from the Chamber to read. They offer some great advertising and networking resources! Next Thursday, May 6, we will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Deb's Oils at Firewheel Town Center. We will also be open late that night to help celebrate National Mom's Night Out. Here's hoping the summer is good to us!

Update about lease

After waiting almost six weeks, we finally came to terms with the mall folks and signed a two-year lease. We will thankfully stay in our current location. We do think about no vacation or off time for the next twenty-four months, but the last six months have just flown by, so I'm thinking that this is just the next logical step for Deb's Oils to take.