In all my writings of this and that, I realised nothing has been really written about my online shop. So maybe it is time to open the door, invite you in and ‘show’ you my little boutique(s).
Recently, I had been on holiday, and thinking in consequence about when I might enjoy the next one. This led me to thoughts on what this entails when you have an online shop. And so here I am, considering various aspects of life in modern day retail shopping.
A Dream
Pumpjack & Piddlewick, like most good things, began as a dream. My past partner had owned an actual wine shop back in the days. In fact, that is how we met. I bought some wine and thus began my journey into wine. Fast forward and a move to France. He was working as a wine maker instead of seller, and I was in need of work as well.
Within that fast forward the world of shopping had made very noticeable in roads in to the online ether. Etsy was a name that was being bandied about enough that it even came to my attention in the French countryside. The means was there, it was what to sell.
Creative Aspirations
P&P was originally started as a creative outlet for my creations. These were mostly seasoned sugars, like lavender sugar, and oils such as St Johns Wort. There were even teas. All made from foraged plants. These morphed into little gift packets with cards. Then junk journal cards were born. And then the odd found vintage item, especially corkscrews, started to show up.
That was the first year of my budding online shop. Rather an eclectic start with no real plan. But in reviewing that year, there was the realisation that I liked being an entrepreneur. It was time to get serious, to make actual plans. I decided to focus it on vintage only. It sold better. Also in review I started to recognise other aspects.
Managing an Online Shop
An online shop never shuts. Customers are from all over the world, in different time zones, so very often, most often, purchases (and queries) occurred at odd hours of the day or night. It is definitely not a 9 to 5 job.
But saying that, if one wants a life, especially a work life balance, then it is important in managing an online shop to manage ones time, too. And if one wishes to grow a business time has to be put in. An office was set up for me and I set myself the goal of putting in my 8 hours a day.
Managing Time
One of the best things about being an entrepreneur and having an online business is your hours are your own. You can work them when you like. After all there were the animals and garden to look after as well. So flexibility was absolutely necessary.
I am, in fact, very strict about time put in to all aspects of my online work. That time is not typically French in its 8 – 12 and 2 – 6 (Or 3-7). For me, it is more 5 – 7(am), 10 – 12 and 2 – 6(pm). With the bonus that I can vary this at any time as and when needed. Especially as daylight waxes and wanes with the seasons, altering the schedule of the animals almost daily.
There’s a Season for Everything
And who knew that online shopping was seasonal? It never occurred to me. After all it’s online, 24/7. But it’s true. There are definite busy times and quiet times. It’s rather wave like in its pattern. And a little surprising considering my customers come from all around the world where there are different seasons, cultures and traditions.
September to December are most definitely my busiest months. No real surprises as this is the holiday season for a very large portion of the world’s population. But unlike with a physical shop, last minute buying is not as readily possible. Come December 18th, and the last of the postal deadlines, I find I can draw breath again.
Growing My Business
In fact, I have grown my business to be three shops now. Yes, 3! All very different, something for everyone. (And then there is my Wine Guiding – but that’s another story, and not online, which is a nice contrast but not relevant here.)
Pumpjack & Piddlewick – sells vintage & antique Fab Finds from France, especially and specialising in my passion ~ wine lover gifts (still including corkscrews) anything coffee related, vintage eyeglasses, and quite simply some wonderfully weird French things.
French Silk Scarf – the clue is in the name, for men and women, specialising in 1950s & 60s and lesser known French designers.
And…
Of course I write online. If you got this far, you are reading my online musings, research and maybe even Duck 101 or Wine 101 insights.
And if you like what you read, consider joining in and nourishing Pumpjack & Piddlewick.
Of if all else, enjoy a browse of my online shops. Here’s a taste:
Simply click on the image to see more.