Synopses & Reviews
Review
“In her book, The Specialty Shop, she [Finell] exudes affection and even passion for the art and science of specialty salesmanship and store ownership. With a friendly writing style and a simple, easy-to-read layout, Finell offers a solid overview of what a person needs to know and do to start up and manage a successful niche retail store….The Specialty Shop is warm, welcoming, and full of spirit….Whether you need facts about starting up a New Age niche business or simply wish to rekindle your excitement around the creative possibilities of retail, this book is for you.”
-New Age Retailer Magazine
Review
“…an ideal guidebook for those looking to realize their retail dreams.”
-Dance Retailer News
Review
“Ever wanted to own your own shop? If so, this book can show you how to let out that inner entrepreneur…. this is recommended as a useful purchase as materials on small-business enterprise are in demand.”
-Library Journal
Review
"...A solid overview of what a person needs to know... to start up and manage a successful niche retail store."
-New Age Retailer Magazine
Synopsis
At some point in their lives, many people fantasize about running a shop of their own. But while many of them actually do open their own shop, only about a quarter of them will succeed. Every year, nearly two million small specialty shops open in the U.S. alone, and more than 500,000 go out of business. The Specialty Shop shows readers how they can establish a business that they are passionate about and that will also be profitable for years to come.
Dorothy Finell has traveled the world in search of fascinating, creative, and successful shops. In The Specialty Shop, she describes more than 37 of them, including bakeries, gift shops, toy stores, book shops, tea houses, clothing boutiques, and even unique shops like Papier-Maché, a mask shop in Venice, Italy and The Carmel Doll Shop in Carmel, California. Based on interviews with shop owners, Finell offers advice on everything new shopowners need to know, from pre-planning, décor and display, finance, and customer service to marketing and community relations. She also includes appendices on trade and gift shows where shop owners can find the merchandise they need. Filled with lively vignettes and beautiful photographs, The Specialty Shop will show prospective owners how to open the shop of their dreams and nurture their business into a success.
About the Author
Dorothy Finell (Carmel, CA) has almost 20 years of retail experience as the owner of preteen and teen specialty shops. She has also served as a buyer and merchandise manager.