Soon after trying that biphasic sleep experiment and failing miserably, I saw that I was in more like a "Can I handle all this work?"experiment. If you see the earlier blogs, I had gotten myself involved in a paper route because I wanted to help my shy son get a job.
What is involved in the paper route is that anywhere from 2AM to 3 AM typically, you go to the distribution center put inserts into 200 to 300 papers, put them in bags and go out and throw them on lawns or whatever was requested. Once you're familiar with what your doing, you're usually done by 5:30AM on a regular day. Sunday is a very large paper, especially this time of year, and more customers want it, so that day takes longer.
Anyway I'm already a homeschooling mom, have some web businesses and sell roses on the weekends in night clubs.
I sell the roses until 3AM about a half an hour away from where I'm doing the paper route, so I have to rush from doing that to the distribution center-work like a crazy woman, especially on a Sunday morning to get those papers ready with my son and get them all thrown by the deadline.
Then basically go to sleep at 6 or 7 AM, get up get my roses prepared and start the drill all over again.
Not only is it a lot to do but it has to all be done very fast under he circumstances. At first I thought "Wow, this is really going to drive me nuts!"
But you know after a few days of this I started feeling better, thinking clearer and found all this extra work wasn't going to kill me after all.
Now I don't think it's a great idea to fill your life up with too much to do, so you don't do any one thing well and just work for the sake of work and not accomplish much.
But think of all the backlogged things you need to do, think of the business you may be starting. What if you worked as hard as you really could to get those things done and did what it actually took to make that business or that child rearing or whatever your doing a real success.
We tend to resist work, it's all around us, the idea that we shouldn't like it and it's to be avoided and that it's something unpleasant to get over, when I doubt that anyone who has been truly successful ever operated on that idea and hadn't worked very hard to obtain that success.
So I thought it would be kind of an interesting experiment to try to purposely do very much of that thing I'm resisting having too much of: WORK. And see what happens.
Well you know at first there were a lot of ups and downs with this, but I recently added some focus to it. Be practical--work hard in specific directions. I've only recently started with that addition, so I'll be letting you know how it goes.
I have more to say on this subject though, I read an interesting book that relates to this. I'll be telling you about that tomorrow.
Time to go,
Claire
5 comments:
Claire,Hi, my name is Stephanie Garza. I have been reading your blogs and have found them very helpful. I am trying to start my own business selling roses and as I guess you found, there is not a lot of information available. I was curious to know what kind of attire you chose to dress in when you are selling? My best friend sold roses 20 years ago when we were in college and had to wear a uniform. It consisted of a leotard, long tuxedo tails, a bow tie and heels. It was very sexy. I have seen one woman recently in our area that is selling roses. She had on black jeans and a white shirt. She looked a little shabby with no makeup and old hairstyle. I don't mean to sound snobby, but I just figured if she wanted to draw attention to herself, it would do her some good to spend a little time and attention on her appearance. I certainly do not want to go as far as my friend had to and dress so scantily, but I thought maybe a nice black dress or some nice jeans and a top with a little bit of sequins might be more appropriate. I was wondering what your opinion was on the subject. I want to be approachable, so I don't want to do anything "over the top". My friend also suggested dressing according to the holiday - like a nice red dress for valentines. Also, I have called some of our local restaurants and they have never had a roselady come in. Some acted like they didn't know what I was talking about. None of them sounded very welcome to the idea. They mostly sounded suspicious like I was some kind of terrorist wanting to sneak in a bomb! The night clubs were friendly and told me I didn't have to have a contract with them, I could just come on in. Do you carry your roses in a basket? Do you keep your money in your basket? My husband suggested I wear some type of apron to hold it in. Okay, I don't want to over burden you with questions because I know you are busy.
Thank you for your time,Stephanie Garza
Hi,
I will keep some of your questions in mind for my newsletter if not all answered here. Yes the dress you are choosing sounds fine. The owners and managers appreciate dressing nicely. I don't think it is necessary to overdo it. You have to think of where you're going that night, especially if you're looking for places. To be on the safe side I usually don't wear jeans.
I keep my money in a fanny pack, but the pack is at the front of my body. Pockets can be workable--guys do that successfully. I would not suggest in the basket.
I use a fireside basket or if the place is crowded I move it to a nice sort of a bucket, something like a nice bathroom waste basket where the flowers stand straight up.
Good Luck
Hi Claire, First of all......... you're awesome. I am so glad to have someone to talk to about this. I had my first night of selling last night. I first went to a mainly country music bar. I was very nervous. I have been to night clubs for years and last night was the first time I was nervous about it. Everyone was very friendly and I did pretty well considering it was a slow night. I then went to two other places and did not do as well. One thing I have noticed, the men were very polite and it seemed like the roses kept the creepy ones from wanting to hit on me......... I think they were afraid they might have to spend money.lol I wore a black dress that had large sequins that weren't too shiny. It was very comfortable and got a lot of positive comments. It was just fun to get dressed up!! I purchased a cute little cylinder shaped container that is made from material. It is stiff so it sits up so the flowers will stand - like you were talking about. The fabric happened to have roses on it, so I thought that was cute. It has rope handles so it was easy to carry and very light. A lot of people were curious about my selling the roses and would ask where else I had been and even offered suggestions of other places I could go. I just read your email after I got back in from my night, so I didn't know how you handled keeping your money. I bought a zippered frabric thing and kept my key, license, cell phone and money in it. It worked out okay. I kept it in my bag with my flowers. I can see why you would say not to keep it in there because it could possibly be taken. I tend to be too trusting, so it might get me in trouble. I also wish I would have had compartments in it to keep my bills separated. It would have made it much easier to give change instead of digging around. I also had a hard time setting the price. I was so afraid the customers would have sticker shock. After I started selling, I found out I was worried for nothing. None of the customers batted an eye when I told them the price. Not one said "no way thats too high". In fact most would hand me a five and tell me to keep the change. I think that is my main problem with starting this. I worry too much about the "what ifs". I was thinking way too much and developed a headache as the evening wore on because I was so nervous. Friday nights here are a little slow, so I am hoping the Saturday night will be more successful. I sold nearly half the flowers I had purchased, but I barely made more than the cost of the supplies. Your help has been invaluable. I really appreciate you answering my email. The wholesale florist I purchased my roses from told me about the outrageous cost of flowers at Valentines. I guess I will speak to them about what you talked about in your blog about keeping the price consistent. Thanks again for all of your help,
Stephanie
PS. One more thing: do you find a comfortable place in the club and stand for awhile or do you constantly keep moving? I think my insecurities kept me standing in one place for too long and it may have hurt me..........still worrying too much!!!
Stephanie,
I simply walk around and ask people if they want a rose. best to keep walking around.
Claire
Hi Stephanie, I am a rose lady in Sioux City I have been selling roses now for 3 years. I use a fanny pack although my kids think that is soooo un-cool it WORKS! My money is safe and my hands are free! Happy sales, and Clair you rock! It is really nice to have other rose ladys to talk to I agree!
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