Traveling in January, Trip #1

Confession time:

Well, first I gotta be honest........The Pinterest experiment is a bust!  Really a pin for a year??? What was I thinking?  Did I really put that on my "to do" list?  I'm gonna shoot for doing one "pin project" a week.  Let's face it....52 projects, so do-able....365???!!!!


As I said in my last post, I've got a couple trips this month.  The first trip is to Atlanta, GA to the Home & Gift Show.  Imagine 3 massive 26 floor buildings with thousands of vendor all vying for your attention and $$$$.  Quite an adventure to pack into less than 48 hours.  But hey, I'm up to the task! (Small complications...) First, the broken toe.  Think 28,000 steps in 2 days. Second, sharing a bed with friend.
The rooms were so booked up that only one bed in all of Atlanta was available. Hey, I didn't make the reservations, just sayin'. Hoping it's not a double....

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Now the real question....Why does a vintage lifestyle store owner go to a wholesale market???? Good Question! Let me tell you why I go.

1.  What are the trends?  This is a great way to figure out what's going to be out there in the department stores.  And more importantly, what's NOT!!!  Even though I primarily sell vintage items, as a retail store I realize that I still need to stay up to date with design trends and colors to stay fresh and exciting for my customers.

2.  My way of shopping "wholesale".  Let's face it, I can't make, buy, clean, build, fix all the vintage products I need for my shop.  Enter my two favorite categories at market Made in America and Handmade Designs & Handmade Jewelry.

I do my best to support American companies and artist/designer made products.  Market is a great way to see a very large selection of products that fit this category.  My now crazy popular vintage book letters were found last year in Atlanta.

3. Inspiration!  It's nice to see all the showrooms decked out with brand new products.  The displays are so inventive.  I always come home brimming with ideas on ways to refresh my shop.  I really think it's important change up my space.  I don't want to shop in a store that looks the same every time I go in.....my customer don't either!

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4. It's a trip, duh!!!  Who doesn't wanna have a quick get away!  As much as I love hubby and the birdies, it's nice to focus solely on my business and not have to play the balancing act of wife/mother/business owner.  

I'll looking forward to posting pics of my adventures!  

Have a good one,

Robin

A look back at 2013 and serious plans for 2014, part 2

Well, if you read my post yesterday, you gotta a recap of all the madness that happened in 2013 at The Robin's Nest.  It's been one heck of a ride, that's for sure.  My famous last words....."How hard can it be?"....always seem to get me in a pickle.  I could say that I'll be more cautious and thoughtful in 2014, but the fact is, I never plan the crazy antics.  They just always seem to happen to me.  To tell the truth, please don't tell hubby, it doesn't really bother me.  It's just another story to tell.

So with a sincere wish to be "reasonable" and focused on business, I thought I'd share some of my goals, call it dreams, for 2014.

1.  Be a consistent blogger.  How in the h@$#ll am I gonna do this???  Well heard of Pinterest for 30 days?? Me being a TYPE A, over-achiever.....why not give it a whirl for a whole year?!  Remember, "How hard can it be?"  I figure between the madness that is my life and Pinterest, I'll have plenty to blog about.  Wanna do it with me????????? Whatcha think?

First pin to tackle........

Twice Baked Butternut Squash

www.marthastewart.com

2. Create more custom furniture and accessory pieces.  It seems that I kinda lost my mojo in 2013.  But I feel the juices flowing and I'm ready to build, wire, paint, and weld (who knows...I could learn)!

Some past custom projects.....

3. Go bigger, better, farther than any "wo-man" has gone before.  Gotta go big or go home!! I'm planning to shop the country this year!  I wanna get outta my own back yard! In the works for January?  A trip to Atlanta, GA and Canton, TX!  I'll keep you posted as my calendar fills up! Shop til 'ya drop, BABY or the $$$ runs out!

4. Ok, just a wish....but I'm serious this year.  Buy a vintage trailer!!!  I was out with birdie #2 on a date a couple of weeks ago and spied not 1, but 2 vintage .....swoon.....robin's egg blue travel trailers in the driveway of an old farm house.  I'm gonna drop by, unannounced of course, and beg, plead and cajole them.  Will they sell, who knows, but I'll give it my best shoot.  Insert picture of dream truck and trailer here.....

www.trailerwheels.net

5.  Go glamping....'nough said!

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6. Keep posting a funny of the day on Facebook.  It always starts me off with a giggle!

7. Continue to add new sales venues.  I'm looking at doing the Vintage Market in High Point, NC in April.  Hey anyone have some great vintage sales....let me know!!! I'm spreading my wings baby!

8. The big dream.......I have this idea. I'd love to create a vintage retail destination.  A place where customers can shop 3-4 times a year for the most amazing vintage home goods and accessories.  Combine that with gourmet food trucks, food and drink artisans and voila, a site sooo cool that you'd be crazy to miss an event.  Speaking of events...it would be available for rent...Think parties, rehearsals, photo shoots!!! Finally, have you seen all the buzz about weekend workshops filled with clever diys???? Most I've seen are on the west coast!!!  What about us???  I would love to bring these types of innovative retreats to the east coast.  Who knows what this building will look like? Old gas station, bank, church.......I've got my eyes peeled.  Any ideas??? Let me know.

Well, that about sums up my plans.  I'm super excited to see how things turn out.  Off to roast my squash for dinner!!!

Have a good one,

Robin