32 replies to this topic

[Riverkilt]

Tell you what, most of us have seen a lot of folks go in and out of the kilt business over the last ten years.

What I've noticed is that the success stories provide two things, customer service and a quality products. Anything less spells doom. Value, not price, is the answer.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.....

[Dunbar]

Skyesong, on 31 March 2011 - 05:46 PM, said:

Soon to be shop-Its the front with the Awning-less awning. I don't mind telling you I'm a little nervous about this. I'm also going to be doing the Highland Game circuit for the west next year also....So I got a lot on my plate, but I'm sure everything will be alright.

I'll be looking for you in Pleasanton, Ca. Labor day weekend.......

[Kilted-Marine]

I am not trying to be negative here - Just giving Our experience and thoughts...........

Our store in Minnesota cost us $1100 a month rent, + Trash, +Internet, +phone - I would often go weeks without having a Kilt Customer come through the door (Yes we had walk in traffic but lets face it - folks just wanted to see a kilt store - ya they might buy a pin or a can of Haggis)

Our Shop in PA cost us $400 a month plus $600 for heating in the winter, +++ Trash etc. Same deal not enough walk in traffic to pay rent -

The reality for us was that most folks that really wanted to buy a kilt would call us and make sure we were opened before they drove up. I do not think there is any location in the USA that will pay for itself by walk-in traffic from the local economy.

It is nice to have a "STORE" where you can leave home and go to work, BUT it is also nice to walk downstairs with a cup of coffee and be at work. Sometimes I even answer phone calls at 10 PM at night Which I think freaks people out sometimes - but I have sold things late at night (I am sitting here now doing shipping)

Now that we are in our house - We have had folks drive from Maryland, Pittsburgh, New York, Ohio, West Virginia.. We welcome them into our house, offer a cup of coffee, and have had several sit down in the living room conversations.

I Wish you guys the best - just remember......

Early to Bed
Early to Rise
Work like Hell
and Advertise

Oh and a few tips.. when you get ready to open.. send out a PRESS RELEASE to the local papers and TV and Radio, Call the local Irish and Scottish groups, have a grand opening, get a piper, have a give away for charity, have some food...

[Skyesong]

I guess I can always "Go back" to home based. I've done this since 2008, and each year I double my business and sales, so truth be known, I guess I could always fall back to this and be perfectly fine. I just felt like I wanted to try and take the next step. The quality and value of the kilts and sporrans I make are at the top of the game, and even the poor customer service for the few on the forums, and even the few that are not that have happened with me ALL love their product and attest to it. Those go along with the bigger and bigger following I get every day from extremely satisfied customers who make up the continual waiting list I have! Its just time to take it to the next level!
In many ways this was an un-intended career. My wife and I had a child unexpectedly 4 years ago and I left my position over at Apple computer to do this as a hobby. I think I've learned from the ups and downs suitably to try this and my work and pride in my product is what has propelled this from hobby to full fledge business. I always tell Rocky over at USA kilts he's the role model (Check out his story of how he got into the biz). I do appreciate everyone's help along the way, and I am glad to have been able to have been a vendor on this forum. I hope to make a kilt or sporran for you all!! Even you Ron.

[Lythgoe]

Back to the original topic. I think the idea that you MUST HAVE a store front is going away. The internet is obviously replacing that. From what I have found, those in some of the older generations before me have stuck to this idea. They WANT and NEED a store front. Which is ok. I have no problem with that. However, I think my generation is not moving away from it, but already has. When I look for a new product, I ALWAYS look on the internet first. It does not matter to me if they have a store front or not. I look on eBay, and purchase on eBay, a lot of the things I have.

Now, if it is something more expensive, like my home electronics, I might look for something local. Or, if I look online, I would look at a larger business with a store front.

Kilts, for ME only, do not fall in this category. I have spoken to ONE kilt owner about a kilt and that one ended up not fitting. I have two custom made kilts by Josh at SHO. I have NEVER spoken to him on the phone. I never thought twice about him not having a store front. If he was someone sewing a kilt in his basement, that was fine for me.

This my opinion, and I know others view it differently than me. However, looking at the way things are done now, I think store fronts will be a thing of the past for many types of businesses, but not not all.

[Lythgoe]

Double post.

[Skyesong]

You're right actually to some degree. I can easily continue to run things as are, but its just a personal front. After years of growing, I felt it is like a natural progression-PLUS-I'm in the rental biz now, and that is growing steadily. Just time to give it a go and see what happens. I plan on starting my media blitz once situated in a store, and being a vendor at the games is REALLY going make things rock. I think it will be OK after the initial wave of upgrading gels out.

[Geoff Withnell]

Let me ask a question of Rocky. I know you have a nation/worldwide clientele. How many of your repeat customers on the higher end items (kilts, more expensive sporrans, etc.) are folks like me that have been in your shop, or talked to you at Celtic Fling,etc? I've dealt with folks strictly through the internet, and had great success - Jerry at Stillwater comes to mind. But there is a certain comfort in dealing with someone whose hand you have shaken. I would bet that the Grand Opening party you had for your new place came close to paying for itself with sales that night, and moved into the plus column on repeat business from folks who came from up to a several hundred mile radius. It was almost a 2-1/2 hour drive for us, and well worth it.

Geoff Withnell

[RockyR]

I'm really not trying to take this OT and make it about USAK... but to answer your question, I don't have any firm qualitative numbers, but I will say that we sell a higher percentage of Premier Packages and high end items in store than through our site. Not sure if that's due to comfort of the customer touching the product and being more confident or sales ability.

[RockyR]

DUP Post...

Edited by RockyR, 02 April 2011 - 06:55 AM.

[Geoff Withnell]

RockyR, on 01 April 2011 - 09:57 PM, said:

I'm really not trying to take this OT and make it about USAK... but to answer your question, I don't have any firm qualitative numbers, but I will say that we sell a higher percentage of Premier Packages and high end items in store than through our site. Not sure if that's due to comfort of the customer touching the product and being more confident or sales ability.

I was't trying to go ot either, I was trying to get a feel for how the new storefront might affect Skysong's business in a positive way. If the facility allows it at all, I would recommend having an open house like you did.

[RockyR]

The open house in itself wasn't a huge money maker. More than anything, it was an excuse to throw a party and show off the new diggs.