In the Long Run…
on January 27, 2018
at 12:01 am
Mouse seems to be experiencing some differences in opinion with his mom on the direction of the business.
Mouse seems to be experiencing some differences in opinion with his mom on the direction of the business.
Mouse’s Mom is somebody I could go into business with! Mouse… not so much.
Besides, if you run a small business primarily for the money, it’s time to change careers. The money is needed and nice, but it’s the customers, type of life, and personal satisfaction that are the top rewards for owning a small business.
By the bye: Does Mouse’s Mom have a name we know of? If not, she should!
Ya gotta have more than one craft store to be in last place. With Pearl’s closing, how many are left?
Out of breath is the worst ’cause you can’t call for help.
I became a co-owner of a game development company in Canada last years and lately we’ve been testing out the idea of opening a physical presence here in the desert were I am rather than just operating with everyone off-site like we have been. My tiny lady veterinarian approves but made one observation. ‘We adopted one kid a year ago and that worked out very well. That must have given you the confidence to consider adopting 40 or 50 more’.
All thing considered, I think I must be a more sedate Dude-In-Charge than Mouse.
Considering Mouse’s experience running an artsy/crafty store, Mom should listen to him. It’s all very well not being in it primarily for the money, but if your cash flow doesn’t cover your expenses, including salaries and debt payments, you won’t be in business long.
So did nobody ever show Mouse the figures? Athletes who spend a lot of money in proper training have a notedly high record for showing up in a high position, being in good enough shape not to be out of breath, and generally get to have longer careers.
I get that money is an important part of a business. Believe me, I know, I’ve seen many crash and burn. But if all you think about is the money and you have to work there, you attitude will hurt you.
Pete: Mouse has become really focused on the money end of things at present. He is certainly the tech guy, and the one who monitors the computer-related end of things and updates the inventory labels and such… which are fine things for logical-methodical-minded peoples… the touch-y feely part of business is not his forte. His strengths need to be appreciated, but conversely, he needs to appreciate the other side of business and find ways to work with Mom and his aunts… by the way, his Mom’s name is Maggie.
Pop Quiz: what are the names of Mouse’s 3 aunts?
RN… we know from former strips that there is a Baron Brothers in town (lampooning Aaron Bros. for those of you West Coasters… I used to work at an AB back in the day).
Jack of Gulls … true… you can only do that put your hand of thing and that only sometimes gets anybody’s attention.
Uncle B… Well, DUDE in Charge is a good title… you must be quite good at it… you’ll get some practice on all the “Mouses” there. Best of the good thoughts on that project!
ML… A very good point. There is a bit of Art Imitating Life in this storyline. I live with a very logical and methodical feller… and he comes to things from a software programmers sensibilities. I, of course, bring the artsy-touchy-feely side into everything… and somehow, we meet in the middle…
Trev… I’m watching local comic book shops and art stores here in Portland. There are several spread out in different neighborhoods all over the city. Each takes on a different flavor, so to speak… something that they offer that another shop doesn’t. That’s how they seem to stay in business… by their own unique bent and what community they embrace. It’s an interesting thing… this goes on with coffee shops as well. Each has a different flavor manifesto, if you will, and they seem to thrive within blocks of one-another. I think Portland is definitely addicted to coffee.
It’s absolutely true, Brig. I used to live in Ottawa and there were a number of similar stores in every area, all of which had their ‘crowd’. Presentation and focus direction were the major deciding factors that kept their given crowd happy.
Trev… These are things you have to do in order to stay in business. Offer something the other guy don’t, cater to “your people” and go the extra mile.