As a bit of a corollary to this (heh, thinking of opening one myself some time down the line), do you think working your way up in a big chain bookstore would be a helpful experience for someone who wanted their own small genre bookstore?
Yes, I think it would be helpful in many ways. 1. The experience with shelving, stocking, and ordering (if you're allowed to order; some chains don't allow it). 2. The familiarity with the process of receiving and returns. 3. The whole cash/display/etc., which is part and parcel of retail experience anywhere.
I think it is less helpful, however, in other ways. Much of the ordering that is done is done by a regional buyer, rather than the manager, and if you were a manager, you probably wouldn't be doing your own orders, regardless. Your job has a lot to do with scheduling (smaller stores are often less formal about this) and employee issues (and again, for the independents I'm more familiar with, employees tend to be fixtures); the corporate culture allows for some distance that the independent culture doesn't.
Also, things like paying bills, managing accounts, dealing with possible taxes, etc., etc., would be done on high, and they're part of the snarly bits that can be a real pain.
I wouldn't suggest starting a business without a clear business plan, and without some sort of course or ten about the financial ins and outs of a small business; I'd make sure I had a lawyer, and I'd try to make sure I understood how business taxes and real estate issues (leases, etc.,) work in your area. All of these things are taken care of by a nebulous Head Office in a big chain, but if it's your store, it's your headache, and it can be a headache.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2004-12-01 04:46 am (UTC)Yes, I think it would be helpful in many ways. 1. The experience with shelving, stocking, and ordering (if you're allowed to order; some chains don't allow it). 2. The familiarity with the process of receiving and returns. 3. The whole cash/display/etc., which is part and parcel of retail experience anywhere.
I think it is less helpful, however, in other ways. Much of the ordering that is done is done by a regional buyer, rather than the manager, and if you were a manager, you probably wouldn't be doing your own orders, regardless. Your job has a lot to do with scheduling (smaller stores are often less formal about this) and employee issues (and again, for the independents I'm more familiar with, employees tend to be fixtures); the corporate culture allows for some distance that the independent culture doesn't.
Also, things like paying bills, managing accounts, dealing with possible taxes, etc., etc., would be done on high, and they're part of the snarly bits that can be a real pain.
I wouldn't suggest starting a business without a clear business plan, and without some sort of course or ten about the financial ins and outs of a small business; I'd make sure I had a lawyer, and I'd try to make sure I understood how business taxes and real estate issues (leases, etc.,) work in your area. All of these things are taken care of by a nebulous Head Office in a big chain, but if it's your store, it's your headache, and it can be a headache.