If you've been following me on Instagram then you're probably already quite aware of this, but just in case you missed it and have been wondering why the hell I've been so quiet and non-existent on this platform lately - it's because I OPENED A SHOP!
societywild has both a brick and mortar location in Newcastle, NSW (1/111 Hunter Street, Newcastle) and an online store (societywild.com.au). It also has it's own blog to, of course (societywildstore.blogspot.com.au) and is across all the socials, including Instagram and Facebook.
The idea to even step into the world of retail started literally two days after my partner and I returned from our America trip (posts are still on their way, I promise). I'd be looking to make a move away from the full-time marketing position I was in, but up until that point in time I'd mostly been looking at similar jobs just in different companies and different fields - most were in Sydney which meant a two hour commute each way every day, which I wasn't particularly keen on.
Scrolling through Instagram one Sunday afternoon, I came across a retail store that was for sale about 40 minutes away from me. That's when the idea that maybe owning a store would be a cool venture started to swirl around in my head. What started as looking into buying an existing business eventually turned into the idea of just starting my own thing, thanks to the many comments and suggestion from friends and family.
With a limited budget, I had no idea if this would even be possible, but as I began looking around for spaces to lease and thinking about the costs of stocking and all the other bits and pieces that go with starting a business, I came to realise this was something that might actually be possible!
After back and forth with various agents, I eventually found what turned out to the perfect location for my store, as well as being at the perfect price for my budget.
I signed the lease and within two weeks we were open! The space itself didn't require any major renovations, mostly a good coat of paint and the installation of a few fixtures.
So okay, what is societywild all about and what do we stock?
Well as would be expected from a new, small business who came together in such a short turn around time, the store and what we stock is slowly evolving and growing, but as we currently stand we stock both men's and women's clothing, both vintage pieces and modern clothing, as well as some accessories including vegan leather belts and bags, sunglasses and jewellery and some homely pieces like candles and room sprays. We may also have some stationary, including 2020 diaries, notebooks and greeting cards and some swimwear on the way ...
In terms of what kind of vintage pieces we stock, we've got a whole heap of one-of-a-kind Harley Davidson tees and band tees, a bunch of Levi Cut Off Shorts (perfectly distressed and ready to impress), Levi Jeans, denim jackets and most recently, a select few genuine leather motorcycle jackets.
We're now almost three weeks in since opening, and yep, I've worked every single one of those days - but I love it! At my previous office job, the thought of having to work even a couple of extra hours seemed like the end of the world. Now I wake up each day, even though I have worked so many days in a row, excited to see what the day will bring, what pieces people will love and working on all the bits and pieces that comes with having your own business. People ask me if I get bored sitting there each and every day, but you'd be surprised how you always find something to do - just when you think you've finished everything, you'll think of something else you could do.
As someone you was a freelance copywriter before my full time marketing role and also having a father who has worked for himself for as long as I can remember, I always dreamt about and was inspired to get back to working for myself, and now that I am again, I realise this is exactly what I want to be doing.
Starting your own business and going completely full time with it, putting your time and money on the line for it, is a bloody scary thing because, as much as you believe in what you're creating, you can never predict what is going to happen, especially in the beginning.
BUT, if I had one piece of advice for someone considering starting their own business, no matter what area you're in - if you've looked into what is needed to get you going and you've thought, 'actually I could do this', and the only thing holding you back is your fear of the unknown and what will happen, then JUST DO IT!
At the end of the day, if things don't work out as you hoped you can always go back to the type of job you had before starting your own and at least know you gave it your best shot - I promise you'll feel worse down the track if you never give it go and keep wondering 'what if' then if you give it a crack and roll with whatever happens.
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10/30/19
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clothing store /
fashion /
online shopping /
retail /
societywild /
vintage /
wearesocietywild
