twoscoops
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Regrets, I've had a few...Three years this week I’ve been here. I can hardly believe I stuck around that long. I don’t enjoy the work, the place is horrible, the people just OK (apart from one good chum), the level of professionalism is pretty low, the MD thinks he’s a superhero. However, the upside of being able to do my week’s work in one day means a lot of surfing (90% pointless, 10% useful, like Downsizer, planning holidays, researching businesses), only 20 minutes from home, 9-5.30 with a lunch hour, freedom to plan my own travel itineraries, cheap guitar amps and actually the money isn’t bad. So what am I moaning about?
I guess we all get bored after a while, but for almost four years I’ve had a dream to work for myself. To run a really nice, welcoming, well-stocked speciality food shop. I had two shops fall through on me, one of them this summer at the eleventh hour. I was gutted. Just less than an hour ago I completed on my new shop. No going back; I’m responsible to pay the rent, every quarter, for the next twelve years. This had better work. But I’ve decided that it isn’t stressful enough, and we’re selling our house as well, because the shop is in Gloucestershire.
Later this afternoon I’m going to give superman the news. I’m leaving next week sometime. I suppose I ought to give a months notice, but I also suppose that by law I should have been given a letter outlining my terms of employment, so I’m not too worried.
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sean
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Congratulations. At long last.
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Jonnyboy
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Excellent, I know you have been after this for some time and I'm really chuffed for you. Whenever you are open and it coincides with a visit back home for me I'll make a trip to sample your wares.
BTW, current job wise I'm in exactly the same place as you were, only with a two hour daily commute.
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Northern_Lad
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Gulp. Big, brave steps them, Mr Scoops.
All the best with the business, and I hope we don't see you around here too much (meaning that the shop's busy, obviously)
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tahir
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Well done sunshine, I'm really really glad that it's happening, don't forget if there's anything that you need help or advice on gis a shout.
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jema
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Great news 
Where is the shop exactly?
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sean
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And don't forget to write an article about your experiences, in exchange for which you can have a free ad.
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twoscoops
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Will do. Moreton in Marsh - don't worry, I'll be letting you all know exactly where it is closer to opening time!
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bernie-woman
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Congratulations - all the best for the move 
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jema
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| twoscoops wrote: | | Will do. Moreton in Marsh - don't worry, I'll be letting you all know exactly where it is closer to opening time! |
That's almost local
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Jonnyboy
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| sean wrote: | | And don't forget to write an article about your experiences, in exchange for which you can have a free ad. |
That would be a great article, I would love to do something similar with a small bistro attached and have wondered about getting stock in advance of an opening etc.
Are you refurbishing yourself? I know that shopfitting is hellishly expensive.
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tahir
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| Jonnyboy wrote: | | I know that shopfitting is hellishly expensive. |
Our local Indian had a crew from poland fit it out 
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sean
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| tahir wrote: | | Jonnyboy wrote: | | I know that shopfitting is hellishly expensive. |
Our local Indian had a crew from poland fit it out |
Weirdly the latest work on our water mains is being done by gangs of Lithuanians. It always makes me think of Robert de Niro in Brazil.
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Nick
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Moreton-in-Marsh *is* local. Yay. We need your address, and website and stuff, so we can visit and try samples before nipping to Sainsbury's.
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twoscoops
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Keeping the shopfitting simple - some pine furniture which will look nice and won't be fitted.
I'll be paying cash up front for initial stock purchases, then on credit.
Luckily there are no out of town superstores around there. Yet.
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Jonnyboy
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| tahir wrote: | | Jonnyboy wrote: | | I know that shopfitting is hellishly expensive. |
Our local Indian had a crew from poland fit it out |
The B&^&^&ds I used to work for over here used to get regular jobs in london. Starbucks, Southend was the last one I was involved in.
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Mrs Fiddlesticks
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Twoscoops - how exciting, well done mate!! We'll all need the address as there'll be a queue of Downsizers visiting. What does Mrs Twoscoops think? ( appols if there isn't one!)
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Nick
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A guy I know used to work for BMW, selling cars. He left, leaving a large salary and borrowed to the hilt to buy and run a second hand car lot. He works a lot harder and I suspect earns a lot less.
He claims the worst day working for himself is better than the best day working for someone else. I hope you feel the same. Good luck.
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twoscoops
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Thanks for all your wishes. Mrs. Twoscoops is nervous and excited. We chose the area as she wanted to move closer to her parents, who are about 20 mins away. The downside is that she will still commute to central London. It's a long way.
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tahir
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| Jonnyboy wrote: | | Southend was the last one I was involved in. |
Weren't you tempted to stay?
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Jonnyboy
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| tahir wrote: | | Jonnyboy wrote: | | Southend was the last one I was involved in. |
Weren't you tempted to stay? |
Tempted to lob myself off the pier and swim home.
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tahir
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| Jonnyboy wrote: | | Tempted to lob myself off the pier and swim home. |
You've not seen the killer turds lurking around the pier then?
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Rob R
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I saw a notice today that said "I'd quit my job & draw unemployment benefit, but it'd put me in a higher tax bracket" - it may be true but it's worth it 
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Bugs
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Congratulations Scoops family, hope it's really successful, and make sure you keep us up to date (but not too often)!
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gil
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Well done, and all the best to you both/all. Hope the new business goes well.
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tawny owl
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| twoscoops wrote: | | Keeping the shopfitting simple - some pine furniture which will look nice and won't be fitted. |
Good idea. You could try auction houses that specialise in shop fittings too, such as Henry Butcher (www.henrybutcher.com) - you can get some real bargains.
Good luck!
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Sarah D
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All the best from all of us here at The Deanery - not too far from us; we'll pop in for a few things.
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twoscoops
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That Henry Butcher site looks pretty serious.
Well, I gave it to the boss a minute ago. He came across as pleased for me, and then started to ramble, which is a sign of his mind ticking. I told him I'm going Tuesday or Wednesday next week.
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bernie-woman
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| twoscoops wrote: | That Henry Butcher site looks pretty serious.
Well, I gave it to the boss a minute ago. He came across as pleased for me, and then started to ramble, which is a sign of his mind ticking. I told him I'm going Tuesday or Wednesday next week. |
Hope you've got something nice on ice to drink later
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twoscoops
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Going to a concert, which will be celebration enough.
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bernie-woman
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| twoscoops wrote: | | Going to a concert, which will be celebration enough. |
Go on then.... who?
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twoscoops
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Tom Baxter
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katie
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Well done Twoscoops!
M-in-. M is local for us as well so we'll pop in sometime. Only thing, keep an eye on the French schoolchildren!
Best wishes
Katie
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bernie-woman
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| twoscoops wrote: | | Tom Baxter |
Well from a recent convert, thanks to your goodself - (downloaded the album today) have a good time
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twoscoops
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| katie wrote: | Well done Twoscoops!
M-in-. M is local for us as well so we'll pop in sometime. Only thing, keep an eye on the French schoolchildren!
Best wishes
Katie |
Er, righto. What should I be stocking for you local folk?
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twoscoops
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Last day here today. got my paycheck (and my commission, can't believe my luck) so I shall treasure it.
As of tomorrow I'm working for myself
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tahir
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Well done mate. When are we going to have an ad in the Trading Post
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twoscoops
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When I'm ready to open, thanks for asking.
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sean
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Congratulations on managing to get your bonus. Spend it wisely young man.
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Jonnyboy
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| twoscoops wrote: | | When I'm ready to open, thanks for asking. |
It'll be like open all hours had never gone away, when do you anticipate letting the hordes in?
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Behemoth
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| twoscoops wrote: | | When I'm ready to open, thanks for asking. |
Will that be in time for Christmas?
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twoscoops
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You bet. November 28th, and I'll be stocking lots of foodie gifts with the emphasis on quality food, rather than too much crappy packaging. Gift sets of three different flavourted vinegars will be BANNED, as will huge bottles of oil with chillis, peppercorns and bayleaves in them.
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tahir
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| twoscoops wrote: | | Gift sets of three different flavourted vinegars will be BANNED, as will huge bottles of oil with hillis, peppercorns and bayleaves in them. |
Thank god for that, I really must clear my larder out of bottles that people have bought for me over the years, when exactly did they see me ever use the stuff????
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Forager
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All the best with your new venture Twoscoops. Exciting stuff!
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twoscoops
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Thanks Forager.
And will people please stop buying me really hot chilli sauces.
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jema
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| tahir wrote: | | twoscoops wrote: | | Gift sets of three different flavourted vinegars will be BANNED, as will huge bottles of oil with hillis, peppercorns and bayleaves in them. |
Thank god for that, I really must clear my larder out of bottles that people have bought for me over the years, when exactly did they see me ever use the stuff???? |
ditto ditto ditto
We get this sort of bollux every year. ffs I can stick a sodding chile in bottle of oil myself if I concentrate really hard and have really simply instructions 
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Bugs
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| jema wrote: | | We get this sort of bollux every year. ffs I can stick a sodding chile in bottle of oil myself if I concentrate really hard and have really simply instructions |
Do you want me to find someone to do an article on it?
I always get bought biscuits, on the grounds that I like to bake. Clever, no?
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Jonnyboy
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ahh, don't be too harsh, my collection is normally from well meaning people who know I cook but don't have a clue about it themselves.
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jema
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| Bugs wrote: | | jema wrote: | | We get this sort of bollux every year. ffs I can stick a sodding chile in bottle of oil myself if I concentrate really hard and have really simply instructions |
Do you want me to find someone to do an article on it?
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Yes please  I'll print a copies few off and send them as Xmas prezzies 
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Bugs
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Not such a daft idea now I think about it...Nettie is v fond of her raspberry vinegar and I'll bet there are others out there. Hmmm.
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RoryD
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My fledgling advice would be not to turn your nose up at Chile Infused Raspberry Vinegar Flavoured Olive Oil if it sells..... You can always make some value decisions in a few months time when you are up and running. I know I am a whore to the mistress of profit- but its easier to be ethical once the mortgage is paid.
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twoscoops
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I know, of course I need to make a living, but there are plenty of other gifts I can sell which I can get passionate about. After all, I could sell Special Brew because I know I can make a profit, but I don’t want to.
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Behemoth
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Well I think regular suprise inspections by Downsizers is required to keep you the chosen path.
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twoscoops
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Bring your wallets, one and all.
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Northern_Lad
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| twoscoops wrote: | | Bring your wallets, one and all. |
Who said anything about buying anything - we're just going to turn up, re-arrange your stock and leave.
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Jonnyboy
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hmmm. 'downsizer approved' it'll be like the michelin stars for small business.
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Nick
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Perhaps we should send all our unopened jars of chilli marmite, anchovy oil and three flavoured beans to Twoscoops, and he can have a shelf especially for them?
Don't suppose you'd be interested in taking a bunch of badly patterned knitwear, would you?
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tahir
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| Northern_Lad wrote: | | Who said anything about buying anything - we're just going to turn up, re-arrange your stock and leave. |
What about the free tastings?
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Northern_Lad
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| tahir wrote: | | Northern_Lad wrote: | | Who said anything about buying anything - we're just going to turn up, re-arrange your stock and leave. |
What about the free tastings? |
Why would I offer him free tastings? If I choose to eat my packed-lunch in his store then that's my business.
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twoscoops
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I'm off. Next time you see me I'll be a free man.
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Treacodactyl
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| twoscoops wrote: | | Bring your wallets, one and all. |
Best of luck, will you ever do mail order?
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RoryD
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Yup
Best of luck, and have a great time doing it. The web/mail order is a goodie to add onto the main shop. Especially if you are doing unusual/hard to find stuff. Will you post some pictures up?
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Behemoth
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Don't know how much space you've got but why not put a small table and a couple of chairs out for people to rest their weary feet and have a chat, maybe offer a free cup of coffee - which probably puts you into the serving hot food category and all sorts of regulations involving hair nets, scalding issues and other aspects health and safety.
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twoscoops
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I don't want malingerers. Actually, I might put a chair beside the books for sale. I'll post some pics closer to opening.
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Nanny
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only just catching up with this so hope it's not too late to offer my congrats and good wishes
it's a big step but with hard luck and a fair wind you'll do well
i went to moreton in the marsh years ago and all that area is lovely, youre very lucky to find it
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Caplan
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I've only just read this thread, slow as usual!
Well done twoscoops - signing on the dotted line is gonna be the easiest part of this personal rollercoaster for you!
Good luck
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Penny
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Best of luck with this TS - we have a shop, and although it's incredibly hard work, it's also seems to be very rewarding when people actually want what you have to sell; it seems to satisfy a very human instinct to trade....
Do you have a name for the shop yet?
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alison
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Good luck with all you do. I know this has been a long time coming, but I don't think you can beat working for yourself. I hope the plans are all working out.
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nettie
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Only just caught up with this - congrats Twoscoops, hope it all goes well for you
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