Blog - Page 24 of 33 - American Quilt Retailer

Posted on November 14, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Customers, online shopping, and you

You put in all the time and effort to create an online store, but now what?

The next logical step is to get customers to use it. Like anything new, that’s not easy to do. Check out these steps to help drive consumers to your website.

Pay for it. I know, those three words were probably what you were trying to avoid, but you have to spend money to make money. Google AdWords is the best way to see your money well spent, and making this move will almost guarantee increased traffic to your website. Plus, the only time you have to pay for your advertisement is when someone clicks on it.
Quality content, across multiple platforms. We’ll talk about what platforms are the best to use next, but first we’ll go over what we mean by quality content. Think about the last time you searched a restaurant online and thought, “Wow, I’d eat there!” Note that the images you viewed were the images the business put out. Think about that every time you’re thinking of what you want to post.
Now we’ll cover what platforms you should promote your business on. Since you’re promoting your online store, you should promote your business online. The first way is through the medium you’re reading this—a blog. If you don’t plan on being consistent about posting, then you’re better off sending an email blast to your base.
After you’ve posted some initial information about your new website, then you can start having guest bloggers, or an Instagram takeover, to get to people you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. A local celebrity will likely have a different following and reach even further than you could on your own.
Lastly (dare I say it) you need to make videos. I’m sure you’ve figured out that having an online store isn’t all easy, and now you can add video as one of the reasons. However, video is the king of what people want to see.

Stay posted about what you can do to get people to come to your online store. The industry is always changing and we’re here to help each other’s businesses in any way we can.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

Posted on November 7, 2018December 29, 2019 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Holiday Window Display

Can you believe it’s that time of the year again? The holidays will soon be upon us and the spirit is already in the air.

It may seem too early to start planning your holiday window display but by the time Thanksgiving comes it’ll be too late. Here are some window display that really stand out:

Lord & Taylor: Less isn’t more, more is more! With 9,000 feet of garland, foliage, and lights, of course this window display takes the cake. Not to mention the hand carved statues of dancing raccoons and smiling polar bears, kids and adults alike found this display a delight.
Barney’s: Another nod to childhood, this window went with the theme of love, peace, and joy, and we’re able to capture that in three iconic pieces. (What word do you think the featured photo is trying to convey?)
Bloomingdale’s: This display had all of the lights. Visual artists created different chandeliers that were auctioned just before the holidays with the benefits going to charity. Although this display stacked third on the list, it wins in community mindedness. (What a cool idea—how could you include a charitable component into your holiday display?)
Tiffany & Co.: Simple can still be beautiful. Of course you could expect something like that from Tiffany’s, but keep in mind what brand your store has. If you’re known for going big, it’s okay to keep it that way.
Saks Fifth Avenue: Think Candyland meets the Nutcracker, this window display captures the magic of the holidays with its breathtaking, beautiful, and perfectly executed curation.

I know our small businesses don’t have near the time nor the resources as these big-name companies do, but I hope this list gets you in the holiday spirit. Happy decorating, and have fun!

*Note: These displays were featured in New York stores in December of 2016. Photos courtesy of Jetsetter.

Posted on October 24, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Navigating Uncertainty

Owning a small business is a dream come true for most of us. But what happens when uncertainty seeps into that dream?

If you think you’re alone in that feeling, don’t worry—because you’re not.

Uncertainty happens to everyone no matter if they’re living the dream or on their way there. Anytime something becomes comfortable to us, uncertainty will inevitably find it’s way.

So what should you do about it? Essentially, it comes down to two options.

Fear it.
Embrace it.

I won’t even spend time going over the possibilities of fearing uncertainty, because we all know that fear doesn’t lead to productivity.

Embracing uncertainty is easier said than done, but thankfully we were instilled with one tool to combat it; reflection.

Reflecting on the past can help us remember the other times you faced uncertainty in the past and came out for the better.

Reflection can also help to identify uncertainty when it starts to come back. Identifying uncertainty provides a concrete thing to wrap your head around so you can take care of the problem sooner.

Once you have identified uncertainty, then that you can start embracing it. But what does embracing uncertainty look like?

Well, it looks a lot like how a child plays.

Embracing uncertainty releases your inner child, and although the feeling of unfamiliarity may be uncomfortable at first, it is what made us into the people we are today.

Trial and error, trying something and having the world as our playground with infinite things to learn can be more exciting than uncertainty is frightening.

At the end of this process you can go back to doing what you love! Life is a cycle of ups and downs and it’s getting through the downs that make the ups so much better so you can go back to doing (and enjoying) what you love.

If you’re interested in more information on this topic, check out this blog.

Posted on October 17, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Editor’s Picks

Check out editor of American Quilt Retailer Heidi Kaisand’s favorite self help books.

Essentialism by Greg McKeown. This book easily tops Kaisand’s list, showing you how to work smarter not harder. In essentialism you’ll transform your thinking from ‘I can have everything and do it all’ to ‘things will happen in the right time and the right place.’
The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. If negative thinking gets in the way, follow these ten steps to transform your thoughts into positive ones. Included with each step are insights from Gordon on how he was able to overcome obstacles.
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John Maxwell. Some people are able to connect with others. But as it turns out, anyone can learn how. This book outlines out how to become successful by simply connecting with people.
Love Your Life, Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze. Learn how to live your life within your means in this financial self help book. Cruze walks readers through a variety of financial topics including prioritizing, giving, and planning for the future.
Power Your Happy by Lisa Sugar. Lisa spends her days writing reviews for POPSUGAR, so you know this is going to be a fun read. Learn how to live your life fabulously while also having time for what’s important to you.
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. What if you woke up one day and your life was transformed? What does that life look life? The Miracle Morning shows that with just six minutes each morning you can do just that.
Uncontainable by Kip Tindell. In 1978, nobody could believe someone would sell an empty box. As it turns out, storage was an entirely untapped industry. Read about The Container Stores’ success story.
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. Written by the editor of SUCCESS magazine, read tips from someone who’s job is to be successful every single time.
Traction by Gino Wickman. Tailored specifically to entrepreneurs, this book outlines how to take charge of your business through the Entrepreneurial Operating System.

Comment or share with your friends to find out what books have helped them.

Posted on October 10, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Steps to find investors

Asking for money isn’t easy, but neither is your next big project. Check out the list below for ideas on where to begin and how to maximize your chances.

Business schools. Not only do they have scholarships for students, but they have scholarships for businesses too. Check out your alma mater, or a school near by with an accredited program. If administration isn’t much help, try calling professors and guest speakers to see if they can point you in the right direction.
Friends and family. Starting a business means asking for favors from the closest people to you. Of course you don’t have to ask them for money, but you can ask them for recommendations or ideas. Don’t forget to utilize them to critique your pitch, too—the better the pitch the easier it is to get money.
Online. LinkedIn is a great place to start; if we’re going to promote our business on that platform why wouldn’t we promote what our business is trying to do and ask for help getting there? Websites like GoFundMe make this process especially easy and legitimate.
Local entrepreneurs. Local businesses are always trying to support and build up other local businesses. Ask for the community to return the favor so that you can give more to the community.

Remember that less is more, so keep your pitch simple and relatable, while still selling yourself. Practice your pitch, record it, then ask if you would donate to yourself. Back your pitch up with a model that has worked, and get your business plan as thorough as possible so you’re ready for any questions you may receive.

At the end of the process, you’ll be happy with the work you put in. After all, if you can’t get something if you don’t ask for it.

Posted on October 3, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Editing your business plan

There are many tasks none of us want to return to since our businesses have been up and running.

Often times this never-return list includes looking for the perfect space, starting from scratch, and (you guessed it) writing a business plan.

Well I’m here to tell you that—like most things in this world—you’re going to have to go back to the drawing board!

And that’s okay, the preconceived notion that a business plan is a firm document is simply wrong, business plans should be flexible and should change with the company.

So, how should you go about editing your business plan? Thankfully you don’t have to start from nothing. Unless you’re making major changes, choose one section of your plan and make gradual changes. Remember that each change should meet your new goals.

Further, it can really help if you have a supporting document to keep track of all the numbers. That means with any new purchase you make, you can update the number spreadsheet to make editing your business plan easier when that time comes around. Keeping a number spreadsheet helps keep things accurate and factual. (Pro tip: insert another column titled something along the line of “updates” so you know what you changed and when).

When figuring out what changes to make, it sometimes helps to look at other businesses outside the industry. Think about other local businesses; what do they do well and what could they do better? Think about changing technologies and how you can get them in your door, too.

Editing your business plan doesn’t need to be done more than once a year, unless you’re a new business or have encountered some major change in operation. Don’t forget to add changing your business plan to your list of annual tasks to keep your business moving forward.

Posted on September 27, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

New Conference at Quilt Market 2019

Quilts, Inc. is offering a new conference at Quilt Market 2019 titled Threads of Success.

The educational experience will run concurrently with the Quilt Market in Houston, TX happening October 26-28, 2019, targeting those new to the industry and those trying to make a breakthrough in the industry too.

The conference will focus on four areas including writing, online retail, and fabric and pattern design. There will be 36 classes geared toward those topics, along with others covering the basics of copyright law, accounting, and finance.

In addition to the classes, the conference will also include three breakfasts and two luncheons with keynote speakers, and a mentorship program who can help guide you along the process of turning your passion into your career.

And don’t worry about missing out on the Market fun, you’ll have time to enjoy the trade show floor on the last day!

This conference provides opportunities to network and get all your questions answered so you can avoid making costly mistakes when you get your business up and running. Any question you need answered—how do I get published, how do I increase my online presence, how do I manage money, and more—is what this conference is all about.

“Threads of Success will bring together our industry hopefuls and our most successful and respected industry leaders,” said Director of Education for Quilts, Inc. Marcia Barker. “It is truly a win-win for all. The participants will have access to those experienced in all aspects of the industry, providing answers to their lingering questions and perhaps some they haven’t even thought of yet! Because isn’t that the true strength of gathering talent? To learn from each other in ways you could never anticipate. We are very excited to be providing that forum.”

More information will be released as the date of the conference approaches. If you’d like to stay updated, subscribe to this email, or check out their website.

Posted on September 19, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

The Creative Balance

If only someone had the answer to the age old question; how do I make a career as an artist? The harsh reality is—you can’t.

Owning your own quilt shop is about the closest thing to monetizing a creative endeavor as you can get, and I’m sure we all count that blessing when we take time to appreciate the things we have.

But some days it’s really hard to appreciate! Being a small business owner is a lot of work, and there are both mundane and difficult tasks that need to be done in order to keep the business going.

The next time you have ten minutes to spare, watch this video with advice from Elizabeth Gilbert where she outlines the difference between hobbies, jobs, careers, and vocations.

Gilbert outlines that out of those four words, the only thing you have to have is a job. And doesn’t that stink! But at the end of the day, everyone has one, regardless of if you were born into gentry or not. Don’t view your job as something that you have to love, because you don’t. That’s where hobbies come in. A hobby is something you like to do. But hobbies are also something you don’t have to love, just things you enjoy.

Now a career is a job that you need to love. If you’re in a career and you don’t love it, I’m sure it’s terrible. A career is a job you’re willing to put more time and effort into because you truly believe in the cause. It is more than just a transaction where you put in work in order to get money to survive in the materialistic world.

The thing that lets you contribute to the artistic world—the world we all so badly want to be more involved in—is a vocation. A vocation is the thing you were born to do. Although it takes a lot of self-discipline to remain true to your vocation (especially if you have a job), our vocation is the thing that provides the most meaning and fulfillment into our lives, and others.

If you find yourself confusing what each of these words are to bring to your life, go back to the video. Hopefully it will bring you as much peace of mind and clarification the second time around.

Posted on September 12, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Quilt Market Audience

Believe it or not, quilting is a $3.7 billion industry.

With a number that large, it’s easy to feel optimistic about the futures of our businesses. The next step is to figure out who is contributing to that market, and cater to their wants and needs.

There are anywhere from 7 to 10 million quilters in the United States, and 72% of them are dedicated quilters showing this industry has both quality and quantity within it’s following.

The average dedicated quilter is a 63 year old female with a household income of $93,000 according to this report. They spend over $3,000 a year on quilting and prefer traditional quilting over modern techniques.

To keep in mind the future of the industry don’t forget quilters aged 45 and under, otherwise known as new quilters. Although they are not considered dedicated quilters due to time constraints with work and family, they still spend about 10 hours a week quilting and have an average household income of $98,000. They get their information mainly from video and social media and prefer modern quilting techniques.

By 2020, 72% of all social media posts will include video. Even though video can be a daunting task, it is what the industry is moving to—better to start now rather than later! Making your own videos will make it more likely that new quilters will attend an event in shop considering only 26% of new quilters attended a quilt show last year.

This article isn’t trying to persuade you to only cater to dedicated quilters or new quilters, variety is a good thing! Keep doing what you’re doing and continue to be your community’s expert on all things quilting.

Posted on September 5, 2018 by AQR Piece by Piece — Leave a comment

Fall into Autumn

Labor Day weekend has come and gone which means it’s time to start transitioning your store into the season of warm colors.

Check out these latest trends to help you update your layout, products, and events.

Plaid is this season’s biggest trend and we couldn’t be happier about it! Think 80’s plaid — or houndstooth, herringbone, and glen’s plaid to be specific.
Bigger is better this fall so grab your baggiest coat and encourage your customers to go for the quilt that’s one size bigger than planned. (And don’t forget to stock up on extra bolts of fabric too!)
Hint of sparkle. This can be especially fun for your layout around the store, think about what decorations you already have for other seasons to save you some time.
It’s game time! Football season is just beginning and your customers will for sure fall for the cutest way to rep their team. Don’t limit your inventory to just fabric, try to include ribbon, buttons, and even a craft day for an easy event.
Speaking of events, scarves are in season again (as if they ever went out of style). Throw an event to make scarves for those in need when the holidays get closer.
Muted flowers are going to be everywhere. Take a look at the next wedding you go to and you’ll see we really mean it. Pastels are going to be the colors to choose from.

Fall doesn’t have to be all bad, have your store reflect the season that so many people look forward to. Yes, the weather starts to cool off but pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and leaves changing colors are definitely something to look forward to.