How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Retail Business: With Companion CD-ROM
The dream of starting a retail business can easily become a reality. Retail businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of the economy. This new book will teach you all you need to know about getting started in your own retail business in the minimum amount of time.
This is the manual you need to cash in on this highly profitable segment of the retail industry. This new book is a comprehensive and detailed study of the business side of retailing. Anyone should study this superb manual to investigate the opportunities of opening a retail store.
If you enjoy meeting people, this may be the perfect business for you, but keep in mind retail looks easy, but as with any business, looks can be deceiving. This complete manual will arm you with everything you need including sample business forms, leases, contracts, worksheets, and checklists for planning, opening, and running day-to-day operations. There are plans, layouts, and dozens of other valuable, time saving tools of the trade that every entrepreneur should have.
While providing detailed instruction and examples, the author leads you through finding a location that will bring success. You will learn how to draw up a winning business plan (The Companion CD-ROM has the actual business plan you can use in MS Word ™), how to buy and sell a retail store, basic cost control systems, retail math and pricing issues, sample floor plans and diagrams, equipment layout and planning, legal concerns, sales and marketing techniques, and pricing formulas. Learn how to set up computer systems to save time and money and how to hire and keep a qualified professional staff.
Please visit our web site http://www.atlantic-pub.com/ .
Okay, here’s the plan: You’ve decided that, for whatever reason, you want to own and operate a retail business selling a brand new variety of widgets to the general public.
Step One: Pick up a copy of Janet Engle’s book, How to Own and Operate a Financially Successful Retail Business.
That should do it, actually. You’ll have to read it, of course, and read it quite carefully, repeatedly and take notes along the way. You’ll probably also want to recreate some of the forms that she provides, from sample business plans to employee questionnaires. If your widget company has a partner, you should seriously consider getting two copies, reading them separately and ‘test’ each other at the end of every chapter.
If there’s something that Engle has overlooked about this subject, it’s probably something that can be safely overlooked. She didn’t, for example, offer any details on how to assign cleaning duties for the store toilet to specific employees, but as noted. . not something that you really need to know to accomplish the title objective.
Engle has over 10 years of experience working in the retail industry, including operation of her own on-line specialty store – http://www.oddmountain.com - which I visited within minutes of finishing the book, just to discover what sort of ‘widgets’ she was selling and to see if I could fit them into my life. Her first novel, The Synergy of Avintia, was published in 2002 (looking into acquiring that, too) and she’s written a boatload of articles about advertising, technology and time management for business owners. All of which contributes to the easy-going, easy-to-read and almost conversational style she brings to the table of this otherwise dry subject.
She has also organized the material in a time sensible way, which commences in Chapter One with a very concise history of the retail business. This, in itself, is worth reading and traces the history from “Yo! I’ll trade some of my wheat for one of your pigs” to the existence of Internet businesses. You can, by the way, safely skip the Foreword by Dan Butler, Vice President of Retail Operations for the National Retail Federation, which basically lets you know that the book is a good resource and that he works for a really cool organization. It’s blessedly short and reading it won’t do much harm, so read it if for no other reason than to get your eyes warmed up for the good stuff that follows.
Getting back to the overall organization of the book: Engle plots the “How to Own and Operate” course very carefully, examining first, the types of retail businesses from which you might want to sell your widgets, and then moving briskly along to things like what to expect, necessary skills and testing the waters to see if the retail business is really for you. I, for example, failed the first question of her skill evaluation form, in which I was asked to rate myself in terms of organization. The lower end of the relevant scale is ““My workspace always seems to be cluttered. Where do all these papers come from?” which pretty much describes me to a “t” and suggests that I’m not getting into the retail business any time soon.
She provides sample forms, including business plans, which can (and should be) used to crystallize thoughts and vague business ideas into concrete actions and steps to getting your widget store up and running.
Engle employs a fair share of whimsy that successfully supports her contentions. Like noting, for example, that if you’re going to name a store, it should be relevant.
“Not only does The Little French Bakery sound like a quaint and relaxing place,” she writes, “but no one will mistakenly go in there looking for auto parts.”
Or this: “To attract soccer Moms, naming the business Super Anarchy Punk House might not be the best choice.”
She suggests using puns in the same chapter, like “Knittin’ Pretty” or, for a bakery, “Kneadful Things.”
There is a prodigious amount of non-whimsical and vitally important material in this book, central to the ownership and operation of a successful retail business, so don’t be fooled by the whimsy of this review. In fact, were it in my power to do so, I would mandate to the Small Business Administration that any individual who approaches that organization for funding assistance (Chapter 10) be required to complete a comprehensive test, an extremely comprehensive test, based on the material in this book. I venture to say that the ‘success ratio’ of their loans would skyrocket.
Comment by Skip Maloney — January 8, 2008 @ 11:18 am
How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Retail Business is the perfect beginners’ book. If you play with the idea of starting your own store, or know someone who does, this all-purpose, general guidebook points out the rewards and pitfalls of business ownership, and outlines much of the groundwork and decisions that are necessary.
The book has suggestions for store layouts, evaluating a location, choosing software, finding suppliers, getting loans, dealing with employees, etc. For someone who dreams of owning a company, author Janet Engle provides the springboard and gives a good idea of the work involved.
However, one book can only skim the surface. The material is introductory, and will certainly point you in the right direction—but you’ll soon realize that going into business is going to take more than one book! You’ll be lining up accountants, realtors, web designers, and attorneys before you know what hit you.
Comment by V Kalambakal — January 9, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Web-Based Business by Beth Williams paints an honest picture of exactly what you need to do to start your own web-based business. There’s a lot more to it than just sticking some products up on a web site and hoping they sell.
This book provides you with all the steps you need to follow, things you need to consider, advantages and disadvantages of a web-based business, resources and where to find them, and probably just important things you shouldn’t do. Reading it almost makes me what to start my own web-based business. The knowledge to do so is included in this book with all the resources included. Various helpful web sites such as web sites for payment options, Better Business Bureau, and drop shippers, are listed throughout the book and compiled conveniently at the end.
This book is definitely a must-read for anyone who is considering starting a web-based business. The author details all of the many things to consider when embarking on this adventure that I would have never thought of until I read this book.
Comment by Nikki Stiles — January 14, 2008 @ 10:50 am
How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful
RETAIL Business
By Janet Engle
ISBN-13:978-l-60138-116-3
ISBN-10:1-60138-1166
*****
Never before in history have there been such opportunities for anyone to have his own little (or big) business—thanks mainly to the Internet access everyone can enjoy today.
The author of this book explains both the advantages and pitfalls of not only Internet enterprises, but retail stores, franchises, and new startups. She gives an overall view of these businesses, explaining the nitty-gritty details of the operations, covering everything from beginning a business to quitting a business, supplying samples of the forms needed along the way, with actual forms in an accompanying CD-ROM.
The case studies she cites are mostly little vignettes with tips from entrepreneurs who have gleaned them from their own businesses experiences. One case study involves a handicapped individual who successfully runs a part-time online business which she can fit in around her disability.
The book helps readers decide what form of business to go into and, moreover, whether they should go into a business at all.
Not everyone is suited to run a business of his own, she points out. You need to know yourself. Do you have the resources, time, energy, imagination, organizing skills, and head for business that’s needed? Can you take the stress involved?
She gives the pros and cons and lots of good advice, like trying to get a job working for a similar business before opening your own. She details an endless number of things to consider, to check, to do, before taking the plunge. She shows you how to figure the finances with worksheets, and how to write a business plan.
I love the quote she chose to conclude the book: “There is only one success—to be able to spend your life in your own way. “Christopher Morley (1890-1905)
If a business of your own is your way, this book is a must read.
Joan Riley
Comment by Joan Riley — January 16, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
If you’ve ever wanted to sell your hand-knit sweaters, franchise a popular coffee shop, or sell the best selection of widgets in town, then “How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Retail Business” by Janet Engle with companion CD-ROM is a great find.
Informative and chock-full of real-life business models, and even a sample business plan, retail aficionados and established store owners will easily find something of interest.
The author gives readers a quick history of retail and covers opening a traditional “brick and mortar” store and operating an on-line or catalog business.
She helps retailers learn the benefits and risks of retailing, the art and creativity of ownership, and gives them the information they need when it comes to thinking about competition, location, analyzing an existing business, financing the business, marketing, advertising, trends, customer service and hiring and firing. The book also covers the “business” side of retailing, like paying taxes and insurance and acquiring permits, to the more creative side of ownership, like developing a product line, naming the shop and thinking about layout.
This book will give retailers an honest look at today’s retail environment, and the information they need to succeed.
5 stars
Comment by Deborah Allard — February 17, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
Usually when I think of a web based business I immediately think of get rich quick schemes, at home data entry scams and other frauds. However the author realizes that I’m not alone in my first reaction. Ms. Williams starts off making sure the reader knows that she isn’t about to give out any secrets to getting rich instantly. Instead of get rich stories the reader is given the opposite and reminded of the dot com boom and crash not so long ago.
The reader is encouraged to treat their web based business like any other business. Once the reader is given a reality check the author takes their hand and guides them how to start their business. She helps the reader decide on their niche to narrow down business ideas and explains how to write a business plan.
The reader really gets a step by step explanation, and therefore it is a really good book for someone who knows absolutely nothing about the business process. Those who are well versed in setting up a business or who already have a small business but want to go online, would find this book less helpful. So the book isn’t for everyone. As I was reading I was glad to be mothered by the author, as she held my hand explaining everything. But if I knew anything about business then I probably would not appreciate mother as much. However, if one wants someone to hold their hand through the entire process of setting up their business then this definitely the right book.
5 stars
Comment by Terrence McElhaney — February 28, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
This informative how-to book on running a successful retail business is a helpful guide for any prospective business owner. Author Janet Engle covers in sufficient detail every viable aspect of owning and maintaining a retail venture.
Conveniently titled chapters allow the reader to locate a specific subject pertaining to managing a retail business. Marketing and advertising strategies, current technologies and the proper execution of a business plan are among the issues explained in clear terms throughout the book. Examples of insurance forms and lease agreements required for starting up a new retail business are located throughout the book to give readers an idea of what is needed to begin their business.
This book serves as a blueprint for future retail business owners who want to ensure the are prepared for the responsibilities and rewards of owning and managing a new retail enterprise
Comment by Brandon Smith — March 7, 2008 @ 11:56 am
“How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Retail Business” is a very well-rounded book. It covers topics that range from helping the entrepreneur decide which kind of retail is best for him, all the way to giving different ways to liquefy assets should the business need to be closed. This book is ideal for the person who wants to run his entire business, but it would also be very beneficial to anyone involved in any aspect of a retail business.
This book is easy to read, with the different points in each chapter highlighted for easy location. The thoughts flow naturally, further aiding the reader in understanding of the subject matter. There are charts and graphs throughout the book, giving information in varying formats.
If you are unsure if owning and operating a retail business is the right path, reading this book will either overwhelm you or inspire you. Since there is a lot involved in running a business, the casual entrepenuer had better be ware! On the other hand, if you are serious about making your retail business a success, this book will encourage you and motivate you to begin now.
Comment by Meg — June 3, 2008 @ 2:14 pm