How it is.....REALLY

This past Christmas season has brought many new faces into my store and many familiar faces too. One of the most popular questions from all of my customers is "how is business". Now you see, the question isn't just asked. There is always a negative sound in the voice of those asking. I guess because these days we're all filled with doom and gloom from the radio and television, so it's easy to pick up on that mantra. I really enjoy my customers and many come here because they enjoy me, I'd hope anyway! So when the question is asked I can tell they're ready to chime in with some cheer even though they ask with a bit of hesitation. Many are rendered speechless when I answer, "It's fine actually. Yes, we've had to make some changes. I'm in more and some employee hours have been cut, but by doing so we're in ok shape and expect to remain in ok shape until things turn around a bit and become fantastic!" Once the customer loosens up and realizes a bit of cheering up isn't necessary we chat and catch up. One of the bonuses about my store is I not only carry western tack but also western clothing and boots. Clothing and boots sell all year long and the winter is no exception. If I had to rely on tack sales alone my customers would have quite a cheering up job to do when they walked in, if there was even a place to still walk into. I'm one of the fortunate ones, or maybe even one of the smart ones (ok hubby, you get credit for this one too!). By having both tack and clothes I'm able to make sales year round. There is no "down time" so even though sales aren't what they were a year ago, they're still there and more than enough for us to weather this storm. I look forward to Spring when tack sales will increase again and we're back in the thick of it.
But for now things are fine.......REALLY!