Things you might want to know about Rehab!
What's it all about?
The idea behind RetailRehab was to create a resource point for small shops and businesses. To give you access to information on how best to face the economic challenges in the coming year. We've collected lots of ideas, and we're posting more all the time.
This site is full of tips, publicity ideas and FREE downloads on anything that can make life easier for an independent retailer, that's you! To get to the good stuff, please subscribe and visit the resources section… It only takes a second!
So, who's behind this, what's it all about and how come it's free?
Good questions: After all the internet can be a faceless feast for charlatans… So, allow me to introduce myself: My name is Rachel, I have two independent shops and a wholesale business that supplies lots of independent stores – so you can see the link (you can see my profile on the blog – I'm on linkedin) – I've been in business for 15 years, mostly good years, learning lots along the way, and it's going well – thanks for asking!
In my wholesale business I believe in relationship building, which means we don't just want to sell you some stuff and never see you again. We want to work with you and build our businesses together over time. Now that's a noble sentiment…. But what does it really mean?
Well, it seems obvious to me that the world economy is changing and we need to change with it or be left behind… so this is my take on changing the world – by improving the lot of independent store owners. We can bemoan our fate, citing multiple retailers, parking charges, or the economy for our situation, or we can get on and do something proactive about it. I choose proactive – every time!
Why's it free? Because I genuinely feel that it might help! Simple, no ulterior motive. Hard to believe in a cynical world like ours but there you go. Please don't misunderstand me, the fact that the information is free doesn't make it worthless, or not to be appreciated, it's just that I wanted to start from the ground up. I'd like to build a community of retailers, get talking and then see if we can do something positive – together!
One person can make a difference – and every person should try! Benjamin Franklin
Some more thoughts …
When you start a business, there's not really a course you can take, or an exam that you pass to say you're qualified. Sure there are academic courses, but most of us learn "on the job" ie, by trial and error. Which is slow, demoralising and can be expensive.
With two independent retail stores, and over 1,800 wholesale customers, we've been ideally placed to see business from both sides and in our opinion, the fortunes of both retailers and wholesale businesses are inevitably bound together. Your continued success is our continued success. This is a new view of the world, it benefits us all to work together.
That's looking at things from a personal and individual perspective. On an economic level, there's a whole other host of other reasons why we should be working together to support independent businesses:
Think global: Apply local!
Independent businesses are vital to our local economies. They ensure the unique character of an area, are more accountable to customers and the local community, more likely to support local charities and have greater direct control over the environmental impact of their businesses.
Money spent at locally owned independent businesses goes around longer in the local economy. It yields two to four times the economic benefit to the local residents compared with non-local businesses. This means more local income, wealth, and jobs.
Supporting independent businesses creates local jobs, preserves economic diversity and safeguards the environment and I believe that that's a good thing, so please join us, share your experiences and give us constructive feedback so that together we can make a difference!