No More Bricks-and-Mortar Store for Funky Things

No More Bricks-and-Mortar Store for Funky Things

It was a sad decision, but one that she needed to make if her store was going to keep up with the changing tide without getting swept away.Owner Becky Barrus announced that Friday, Sept. 2, will be the last day her Funky Things store, 2725 W. Algonquin Road, will be open. She has made the decision to move her business solely online via eBay."It breaks my heart to no end, but I cannot survive and beat 'big-box' competition on items," Barrus said in an email to Patch.Collegiate Beads Let You Show Off Your School Spirit in Style.

She said she still will continue to have her online store via her Funky Things website, and she still will travel for feather parties and to make Lucky Beads necklaces and bracelets (Pandora-like charms).She still will make custom rhinestone tees/aprons, and there will be some other items listed on the website soon.Employees at a jewellery store are like a collection of Pandora beads: they are alike but each is unique. Just as some beads sparkle while others have designs engraved into them, each employee has quirks that make them one of a kind. So if you want to improve your business you should try to make their training programme as individual as they are.

Obviously every training programme needs to cover the basics of jewellery retail, which is why most shops have in-house training that largely covers the same material. Fraser Hart Fields training manager Adrian Mellish explains his company’s training consists of a six-month induction programme, during which employees develop selling techniques, product knowledge, customer service and learn about the company’s procedures.