Re: Switching from Full Time Employee to Starting Retail Biz
 

Let me share my experience in this biz. I sold ladies fashion bags 3 years ago. I did it in pushcarts and bazaars as well as those yellow boxes. I carried overrun stock and the designs are exactly like famous brands but without the brand name tags or name on it. I'm afraid of getting caught selling fakes. Business was great bcoz many recognised the designs and also know it is not fakes but just brandless. My price is between $20-$50 with profits of 150-200%. Sound fantastic? I gave up this biz after a year. The reasons?
1. the retail hrs are more than 12 hrs everyday, no weekends and holidays
2. I employed part-timers while I rest but most of them are either not selling for you, irresponsible and some steal. I gave up!
3. Moving around in different locations is a challenge. You must have your own means of transport and helpers. The bags can be very bulky, heavy and cannot be crushed or scatch.

These are only some of the problems I face that make me gave up. Now I only be a distributor of a patented sanitary napkins and also jont venture with my friend as ladies fashion supplier. You know what, it is as good as I am running my own show. Oh, I am also a full time employee now too!

Hey, I am not running down your enthusiam, I felt exactly like you back then when I strated my pushcart biz. Who knows you might be successful and be the next Gucci. :clap:

Wish you all the best!

Re: Switching from Full Time Employee to Starting Retail Biz
 

hi,
i will reply to you on my personal experience.. its easy to start a busines but its NOT easy to maintain that business and to be steady instantly. honestly it took me three years to just have a regular customer base. and even longer to learn to meet their expectations and gain trust.

so if u want to start..keep ur job. start a small pushcart or e-shop. get some experience and base. then when you are confident enough then start a full swing busines and switch career. yeah and one more thing.. there is no such thing as a good job environment.. there is SH@@T in every office, and every working environment. its just the magnitude of the shi##t that changes from place to palce. so learn or try to find a way to cope up with pressure, in the mean time start something as a side line. then when u are okay with business say bye bye to ur day job.

Re: Switching from Full Time Employee to Starting Retail Biz
 

Hi,

It is the first move that many people made that changed everything. Not every boss was born to be boss but it was the first move that they made that change everything. Like KarryMi Jewellery said, if you have the passion and never give up attribute and money to back you up, it is worth trying.

It also depends on the context and situation that you are in. Starting up your own business is not only talking about money and passion, time, commitment and energy is also a great part that you have to sacrifice based on chun_dan’s experience. There are many other problems and difficulties that you will be facing like what KarryMi Jewellery has shared, can’t generate inventory into cash and some of the problems that chun_dan’s has encountered.

If you are young and have little commitment, you could go for your passion and dream other than to live with regrets. Whether is a success or a failure it is a character building stage that will change your thinking and personality and might even change you in whole.

Always remember not to put all your eggs into one basket as doing business is a win or lose kind of thing.

Regards

Re: Switching from Full Time Employee to Starting Retail Biz
 

Best is to keep your current job and start out at part time. Gain some experience and regular base then go into full time. Else, it's hard to survive from the money that you earn from the push cart. Also, it's good to test out your products with the market. What you think is good may not be what the public think.

Re: Switching from Full Time Employee to Starting Retail Biz
 

Why have you not considered a stall front? when your business was picking up.

Doing business is long-term. Its a matter of management and customer service.
Once you handle that both well, you will proceed with other matters like sourcing for even cheaper, even better, even nicer products to reach out to your supporters.

Glad you have became a supplier now.
I am interested in your ladies apparel. Do PM me your quotations. :yippee: