So after emailing my cover letter and resume to LMD about the part time position, Leigh Ann Delmore texted me about an opening at the Rice Village location too. I emailed the woman again to follow up to see if she had received my resume and she started asking questions about my availability, what grade I taught, and how many hours I would like to work. We tried to meet once last week but my sister was in town so we met today! This was only my 2nd interview EVER! My mom says I am "two for two!" haha
The interview was very casual. She asked me questions about my favorite designers, what women I think shop there, what other boutiques I go to, and why I wanted to work there. She also said to point out different looks in the store and describe the women that would wear those things. I felt I did okay! I brought up how my dad makes me do all of the shopping for my mom for Christmas so I have some experience picking out clothes for people...she seemed to think this was funny... (Mom, sorry the shirt didn't work!)
I then filled out an application and employee information. She said she would call by the end of this week if everything goes through and that we would talk about the next week! I hopefully will be starting on MONDAY!
That means I got the job right??
LMD has 4 locations in Houston- Richmond and 610, Rice Village, River Oaks Shopping Centre, and City Centre. They had one in the Galleria and in the Woodlands but they both closed. The one in the Woodlands closed because there "wasn't enough traffic." Kati said to ask why they didn't have one in Bellaire. I SHOULD have asked! I mean...Kati is so good at thinking about things when she is in the moment. I am horrible at that! Next time. Next time.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
More determined than ever...
So today was a pretty stressful day at school. I just don't like being so negative at work because then I'm in a bad mood ALL day. Today, it was especially hard to stay POSITIVE!!
So I haven't talked about my part of the job hunt much... I have a friend whose family owns Magpie's Gifts. I was really hoping to talk to her about potentially learning from her and getting some retail experience. However, she is 7+ months pregnant, so she has slightly more important things to deal with right now. I did get to attend her cute baby shower! Believe it or not, we didn't have much of a chance to chat since she spent most of the time opening her mounds of baby gifts! So because of the bad day, I decided to do something about it! I asked Ally to have dinner on Wednesday. We can catch up, and also I can tell her about our future plans! Hopefully, by Wednesday I will have a lead. I wouldn't even mind just getting the chance to learn about Magpie's or shadow Ally. They may not have room on the schedule for a paid employee, but I'm willing to do almost anything!
If you haven't been to Magpie's, it is a super cute gift boutique. They have 3 locations. One in Bellaire, (as mentioned earlier in our blog) Sugar Land, and the newest one in Cypress. If we wound up opening a store near by one of these stores, I'd love to create a relationship with the store. They have a huge customer base that I'd love to attract as well. Callie and I talked today about offering some kind of discount if they are referred by Magpie's. Just an idea.
I just know that I need a change. Callie and I just need to get through the school year, or at least until Spring Break!
Kati
So I haven't talked about my part of the job hunt much... I have a friend whose family owns Magpie's Gifts. I was really hoping to talk to her about potentially learning from her and getting some retail experience. However, she is 7+ months pregnant, so she has slightly more important things to deal with right now. I did get to attend her cute baby shower! Believe it or not, we didn't have much of a chance to chat since she spent most of the time opening her mounds of baby gifts! So because of the bad day, I decided to do something about it! I asked Ally to have dinner on Wednesday. We can catch up, and also I can tell her about our future plans! Hopefully, by Wednesday I will have a lead. I wouldn't even mind just getting the chance to learn about Magpie's or shadow Ally. They may not have room on the schedule for a paid employee, but I'm willing to do almost anything!
If you haven't been to Magpie's, it is a super cute gift boutique. They have 3 locations. One in Bellaire, (as mentioned earlier in our blog) Sugar Land, and the newest one in Cypress. If we wound up opening a store near by one of these stores, I'd love to create a relationship with the store. They have a huge customer base that I'd love to attract as well. Callie and I talked today about offering some kind of discount if they are referred by Magpie's. Just an idea.
I just know that I need a change. Callie and I just need to get through the school year, or at least until Spring Break!
Kati
Monday, January 23, 2012
Job Searching and a Little Shopping
Today I decided to go though River Oaks Shopping Center. Here is where I went and what happened.
1st stop- Enticingly Chic- I really love this name. This boutique was very much out of my price range but had really cute things. Everything I looked at was over $150 and half of the store was on sale. I did see a really awesome white/off-white dress that could be worn at a rehearsal dinner or wedding shower...HINT, HINT... Kati, Leigh Ann, or Jill. Confession- I didn't apply, I guess I got nervous or scared.
2nd stop- Em & Lee- I walked in confidently and the woman told me to apply online. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! I still haven't heard back. When I own a boutique and if we ever have online hiring systems, I want to make an effort to reply to these woman and at least acknowledge that we have received their application. I bought some cute navy leggings with long tunic to go with it.
3rd stop- Hemline- They had such a nice woman working there! I walked in, asked about any job openings and we struck up a great conversation about education, why I wanted in retail, and about the store. They have only been open since November and she didn't think they were hiring because it wasn't too busy. She did give me her manager's email to send a resume just in case. I bought a really cool long necklace with a large green stone.
4th stop- La Mode Lingerie- Great and helpful staff. Lingerie places can get so awkward but it wasn't! I went in and asked about a bra I needed. I walked out with an application I need to fill out and a strapless bra.
5th Stop- Haut Chocolat- This store has a little of everything from formal gowns to t-shirts. They are higher priced than what Kati and I would want but I did buy a top for $20 on sale! I gave my name and number and it will be given to the owner tomorrow. I might be getting a call mid-summary lesson in the morning... my principal won't mind! haha I hate teaching summary!
6th Stop- LMD Boutique- A sign outside the door said, "Hiring- Part Time." I thought this was perfect! It ended up we couldn't get the manager on the phone so I was told AGAIN to send a resume over email and they will be in touch.
Well, that was my afternoon. Hopefully someone gets back to me. Next time I won't bring my wallet because now I think I'm broke!!
Callie
Sunday, January 22, 2012
City Centre
City Centre is an up and coming high end outdoor shopping and dining area. It has a similar ambience of The Domain in Austin, but without the big name department stores. Some landmark stores in the area we took note of were Elaine Turner, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Paper Source and Lululemon. There are also plenty of restaurants that cater to both families and upscale dining. Cyclone Anaya's Yardhouse, RA Sushi, Ruggle's Green are just a few. We went on a Sunday afternoon and were able to luckily find metered parking, but there were tons of people walking around shopping and eating.
We walked into a moderately priced boutique in front of our parking spot called LMD Boutique. There are 4 locations in Houston. The staff was helpful, and Kati even found a potential bridesmaid necklace for her wedding in June. The store has been open for 2 years, and there are several retail spaces near by. This tells us that City Centre is growing and has a need for other stores! Kati went to a wedding shower for a friend this weekend. She spoke with a mother of a friend who lives near City Centre. She talked about a major need for shopping in the area other than the normal stores. That set off a lightbulb that made us visit the spot in the first place.
We walked into a moderately priced boutique in front of our parking spot called LMD Boutique. There are 4 locations in Houston. The staff was helpful, and Kati even found a potential bridesmaid necklace for her wedding in June. The store has been open for 2 years, and there are several retail spaces near by. This tells us that City Centre is growing and has a need for other stores! Kati went to a wedding shower for a friend this weekend. She spoke with a mother of a friend who lives near City Centre. She talked about a major need for shopping in the area other than the normal stores. That set off a lightbulb that made us visit the spot in the first place.
Bellaire
Bellaire is a small community in the heart of Houston. It is known for feeling like a suburb, but being in the middle of the city. Callie and I both have friends and family in the area. It was our first thought for location. There is a well known gift shop in Bellaire called Magpie's. There are 3 stores, but the original store is the Bellaire location. It is a home decor and gift shop. You can buy anything from a gorgeous wreaths, to customizable John Hart bags, to baby headbands and gifts. It definitely attracts a specific type of customer that we would love to share!
Across from Magpies is a strip center. The corner slot is a restaurant called Auntie Pasto's. It is open daily from 11-10. On Saturdays it is open from 4-11. Sundays it is open 4-9.
Next to Auntie Pasto's is the Christian Science Reading Room. It is closed on Sundays.
Next comes the Asian fusion restaurant Lemongrass Cafe. We went by on a Sunday, and there were plenty of families and couples enjoying lunch. Lemongrass was one of the few businesses open on Sunday, and still it was busy.
Next, are two open spaces. One appears to be a former retail space. The other was a bistro that was called Chanterelle Bistro.
After the 2 empty spaces is walkway to the huge back parking lot! The lot has easy access to the main road South Rice blvd. All stores have entrances to the front lot and the back lot.
After the walkway is a family favorite, Marble Slab.
The last 2 spots are ideal neighbors for a boutique. One is a nail salon, the other is a hair salon. Both are closed on Sundays. While we were there, a woman walked up and was disappointed that she forgot the nail salon was closed Sundays. Clearly, it is an area favorite. Kati has an appointment at the hair salon, Salon Stephan, to get a trim and to get some information about the area.
Another plus of the area is the huge Bellaire Town Square just walking distance from the strip center. It has 7.5 acres of outdoor activities. Several times a year, there are festivals held here that draw hundreds of people.
Across from Magpies is a strip center. The corner slot is a restaurant called Auntie Pasto's. It is open daily from 11-10. On Saturdays it is open from 4-11. Sundays it is open 4-9.
Next comes the Asian fusion restaurant Lemongrass Cafe. We went by on a Sunday, and there were plenty of families and couples enjoying lunch. Lemongrass was one of the few businesses open on Sunday, and still it was busy.
Next, are two open spaces. One appears to be a former retail space. The other was a bistro that was called Chanterelle Bistro.
After the 2 empty spaces is walkway to the huge back parking lot! The lot has easy access to the main road South Rice blvd. All stores have entrances to the front lot and the back lot.
After the walkway is a family favorite, Marble Slab.
The last 2 spots are ideal neighbors for a boutique. One is a nail salon, the other is a hair salon. Both are closed on Sundays. While we were there, a woman walked up and was disappointed that she forgot the nail salon was closed Sundays. Clearly, it is an area favorite. Kati has an appointment at the hair salon, Salon Stephan, to get a trim and to get some information about the area.
Another plus of the area is the huge Bellaire Town Square just walking distance from the strip center. It has 7.5 acres of outdoor activities. Several times a year, there are festivals held here that draw hundreds of people.
Location, Location, Location!
Everyone...I mean everyone has said, "Location is everything."
Our location needs to be highly populated with higher end shoppers. Other compatible stores nearby would be a plus. We'd love to be near salons, coffee shops, gyms or workout studios and other places women already go. We have started to scout locations that have a need for boutiques, and have plenty of walking traffic. We can search all day on the Internet, but the only way to truly experience these places, is to become the walking traffic. In the next 2 posts, are a couple of potential places we have researched and think would be great for our boutique.
Callie and Kati
Our location needs to be highly populated with higher end shoppers. Other compatible stores nearby would be a plus. We'd love to be near salons, coffee shops, gyms or workout studios and other places women already go. We have started to scout locations that have a need for boutiques, and have plenty of walking traffic. We can search all day on the Internet, but the only way to truly experience these places, is to become the walking traffic. In the next 2 posts, are a couple of potential places we have researched and think would be great for our boutique.
Callie and Kati
My Job Search...
Last week I applied to three different boutiques online and no one has gotten back to me. I sent my resume to one and totally thought they would be interested! I have my master's degree and thought they would jump on that. I guess I am just educated on the wrong thing!
I went into a boutique today that I didn't apply to online and asked if they were hiring. I loved how the manager was very specific on who she needed. She said she needed someone to open a couple times a week around 10 am. Well that will not work out but it was a good try!
I am really nervous no one is going to hire me part time for the afternoons and/or weekends. I have no experience so I will be very lost at the beginning and I will need a lot of help. This week I am planning on going to several places in the River Oaks shopping center and see if I can find something. I can't be picky!
Callie
I went into a boutique today that I didn't apply to online and asked if they were hiring. I loved how the manager was very specific on who she needed. She said she needed someone to open a couple times a week around 10 am. Well that will not work out but it was a good try!
I am really nervous no one is going to hire me part time for the afternoons and/or weekends. I have no experience so I will be very lost at the beginning and I will need a lot of help. This week I am planning on going to several places in the River Oaks shopping center and see if I can find something. I can't be picky!
Callie
Experience?
Callie and I are both hard workers, but while we have experience at other things, we do not have any direct retail experience. We are both actively looking for jobs. I talked to two friends who run stores in Houston about coming on and learning about the business. Hopefully over the next week or so, something will come from my friends. If not, back to the drawing board, and I will apply on line or walk into every store in Houston! Hopefully updates to come.
Kati
Kati
What's going on...
This blog is about two teachers, who are unhappy. In order to improve the quality of our lives, we have decided to take a chance and try something new. Our goal is to have something in our lives we can be proud of and that fulfills us. We want to open a boutique with affordable clothes where people don't have to fight the crowds and other drivers just to shop. We want a place where women feel beautiful and men feel safe enough to shop for their girlfriends and wives. Lots of people ask the question "what if?" What if I followed my dream? What if I did something I actually love? What if I took a risk? We asked those questions, too. In this blog, we are sharing our experiences of starting something new.
Callie and Kati
Callie and Kati
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