Back Street Discoveries
A mobile phone charger-saga made me realise there is more in a town than meets the eye.
Having been given a second-hand phone without a charger, I urgently needed to locate one. The branded phone company store, that sold the same model I had inherited could not assist as they said the phone was too old. A nearby store marketing several mobile brands knew exactly what I was seeking but did not have one in stock. However, they were able to direct me to a small store in one of the backstreets of my home town. It sure was tucked away, I discovered, having only a half a shared entrance and very limited floor space.
But....
Surely, this manager could help pretty well anyone. His range of items and brands was amazing. Such a small enterprise yet bustling with life and a keen sense of service. It was wall-to-wall spare parts for the mobile-phone fraternity and floor to ceiling too. It was the instant answer to my charger-problem. The essential ingredients of a "niche-business" were all operational in this store. A man with a vision to expand and building his business by meeting the customers' needs.
[Image courtesy of Wikpedia: Mobile Phone]
Talking with the manager, he says he has cut -back on his work to give more time to his family. He feels quite comfortable with the size and scope of the business right now and thus is not looking for further expansion which he had in mind earlier. It was refreshing talking with a person with sound priorities and consciousness of the "best fit" for his business at this time.
A recent visit to this special store was a great help. I had left my mobile phone charger in London and was enquiring about a spare one. He came up with the creative option of buying a car-charger, so that I would always have two options should one not be available. It worked well. This is a quite a store and quite a manager - totally customer committed.....
Tent in the Pasageway
Recently, I have noticed a creative business initiative in a pedestrianised passageway in our town. The entrepreneurial owners have chosen an excellent spot to set up a fresh fruit and vegetable stall. It is alongside a pedestrian crossing and thus catches potential clients from four directions. The products are fresh daily from the Bristol market, very well presented and reasonably priced for such genuine products.
They told me that they are doing really well. Looks as though they will steadily build up a good customer-base. They have the advantage of 25-30 years experience in the greengrocery business.
NEW. They have now taken on an extra member of staff and even contemplating a delivery service too. Great to see a creative business take off in this way.
Watch out for such initiatives in your area... they deserve encouragement and support.....
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