Thursday, September 17, 2009

Show And Tell Part 2:The Candy Bar

A brief history: 5 years ago I decided I wanted to open a unique boutique that sold cosmetics for women. Being a make up artist, I figured it was a great way to incorporate my entreprenurial spirit and something I knew and loved quite well. Once I started doing research for my business plan, I realized I had been "off the market" for too long, since I had been a stay at home mom for the previous 11 years and had not been employed during that time. I immediately got a job at a business similar to the one I was planning, and the plan was to work for 6 to 9 months, get all the info I could and then proceed ahead with my business plan.

Then life happened. One month later, my husband (at the time) and I broke up and my whole world went into a tailspin. I have to tell you that I was just happy to have a job at that difficult time in my life, but the whole idea of my own business went out the door and six months turned into four years. Everything happens for a reason I say. Thank God it did.

FLASH FORWARD: June 2009. A woman, (my friend) named Wendy Wheeler, who owns a clothing boutique in Osterville, Cape Cod, where my family has a summer home, opened another Wendy Wheeler clothing boutique right in my home town on my main street. Wendy and I became friends years ago because over the 15 years of her being in business, my family and I became some of her best clients, as we are hardcore shoppers. We talked often about my idea of opening a cosmetics boutique those 5 years ago and Isought her business advice alot. When my life sort of got ripped out from under me, I had chosen to keep to myself and talked to Wendy only occasionaly during the past 5 years.

This June, I drove by down town on my way to the supermarket and I saw the awnings bearing her name on the building and nearly got into an accident pulling into to the parking lot to the store. I couldn't believe it. It was her first day in my home town and when I walked in and saw her, it was like we had had not skipped a beat. She offered me a job, working in her store and since I had been unemployed for the past year, I accepted. My first day on the job, she approached me and told me that I should seriously consider opening "a boutique within a boutique" in her store. Since I was already thinking about it in my head, I knew immediately that my time had finally come.
Two crazee months later, 2 buying trips to New York, and much creative planning, construction and hard work, it is with great honor that I present to you my new venture.

The Candy Bar
at Wendy Wheeler


My funky, fresh, fun little cosmetics boutique which opened yesterday.





This is my window in the front of the store that flanks the right side of the store entrance. (the left side has Wendy's clothing on mannequins)



This is the entrance to my tiny, 110 sq ft of retail store, which is in the back of the Wendy Wheeler store, but in view of the front door.



Welcome to my little world of beauty. The concept is that it's a candy store for women, with cosmetics, skincare, fragrances, candles and cosmetic accessories at your fingertips. Since Candy happens to be my name, the play on words works well to promote my mission.





This is an areial view of my cash wrap-I removed my keyboard and my point of sale purchase items so you could get a feel for what's underneath the glass. It's dangerous for me to be around that much candy.


This is the front of the cash wrap. Those little boxes on the second shelf are bath bombs that look exactly like candy. $6 bucks a pop, they smell divine and look adorable.



These are my bags. The tissue matches the colors on the logo.




This is the "salon" area where a woman will sit down and I will not only do her make up, but I will educate her on skin care, make up application and she will see the dazzling results right there in that chair. (The long talker- remember him?-sent me the roses for my opening, which was very sweet)

This is the main asile to shop. I have Kevyn Aucoin cosmetics, DuWop cosmetics, BKamins skin care and many other wonderful bath and body lines to choose from. I told you it was tiny, but I think it's just perfect for my retail needs. Most of the product lines I chose are unique to this area.


For now I am the only employee of The Candy Bar and I am thinking it's going to be that way until after Christmas. I will be literally living there for the next three months, so it's a good thing I love it. The best part, it's about 2.2 miles from my house and it's MINE....

Thanks so much letting me share this with you bloggers. I guess dreams really do come true when you put your mind to it.

Now who wants a makeover???

27 comments:

Verdant Earl said...

That's very cool. My sister does makeup and she is a skin-care tech. She just opened up her own business as well.

Congratulations! I'm sure it will be a success for you.

Scope said...

I think you may want to have a "trainee" spec'd out on running the cash register for weekends during the holiday season.

Congrats! I know you'll know 'em dead.

Julie Dunlap said...

Congratulations!!! And good luck on your opening and all the years to follow at the Candy Bar!

BeckEye said...

Yay, you're finally open for business!! I love the decor. And yes, I would like a makeover please. But don't make me too pretty or Tom Brady might want to put his babies inside me. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

will said...

Well, good for you. It's both a lot of work and fun to have your own business ... Best wishes and lots of success.

Travel & Dive Girl said...

Congratulations! How exciting!

Your store is certainly something I would be interested in browsing if I distance wasn't an issue.

Good Luck!

SkylersDad said...

Congratulations! This is very cool, and I know you will do wonderfully.

Chris said...

Congratulations! That is awesome.

And with all that pinky, fruity stuff in there, I'm sure Ellsbury and Pedroia will be stopping by any day now.

Heh heh heh.

Prunella Jones said...

Congratulations Candy! Your boutique looks deelightfully deelicious, just the sort of thing I love to browse through even tho it ends up with me buying loads of stuff. I predict big success!


P.S. Am I the only one who was expecting your big reveal to involve nudity?

The Peach Tart said...

You did a fabulous job. Everything is so beautiful and inviting.

Sass said...

I'm so happy for you.

Congratulations!!!

The Dental Maven said...

Woot Woot!!! Go Candy, Go Candy!! It looks fab and I wish you abundant success! Now, when I make it up to MA I'll be lookin' you up, cuz The Maven sure could use a make over! MOOOOCHO CONGRATS, Girlfriend!

Soda and Candy said...

THAT is so cool! Especially the part where I really like your logo and identity and don't have to lie about it. Very impressed and happy for you.

I wish there was a Candy Bar in my town!!!!!! One day maybe.
: D

Cora said...

Candy, this is SPECTACULAR!!!! Ohhh, I soooooo wish you were local ~ I'd be there in a heartbeat for my Candy makeover!

Congratulations, m'dear! :-)

Unknown said...

YAY!!!!! Congrats and I'll be in for my makeover. It'll have to wait till you open you next location in Austin in 2 years.

Anonymous said...

Well this def looks like a nice venture. Congrats and good luck with this.

Wil Harrison.com

Scott Oglesby said...

That’s absolutely awesome Candy, congratulations!! Getting to finally live a lifelong dream is something that many people never get to experience, so savor every second of it! When it is something that you are passionate about its that much easier to succeed!! And you are fortunate enough to already be ‘packaged’ with a known brand, which almost guarantees your success. I’m so happy for you. Your shop and decorating are impeccable as well.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WendyB said...

It looks lovely. Congrats!

Furtheron said...

Good luck with it all

Sassy Britches said...

Oh my god, crazy woman! I love it! Congratulations! I KNOW this will be a success, and what an adventure to boot!

Anonymous said...

OH MA GAWD!! That is too cool!! Damn, I am sooo jealous, but thrilled for you. I've always wanted to open a hole in the wall place (easier to manage at first) and sell home goods, cheeky little fabulous things for the home and hostess.

There's a store in East Hampton called Home, James! that is the model for the kind of shoppe I'd like to have, and because of it's location to cash-money, those East Hampton rich bitches will buy anything. (I know we've dumped thousands into purchases at that store over the years.)

All best to you in your new venture. What a great concept!

I'm in Atlanta and no where near your shop, but hey, online is a global market place and you never know who may be near your store while browsing the web. You can drop an advertisement on my blog any time you want for free!

Unknown said...

I do, I do. I'm telling you if we lived closer I'd be your best customer. Congratulations Candy, it sounds like you thought it out, made a great plan and took a leap. It's harder to do than one thinks but you did it and good for you. Can't wait to hear all your success stories!

~E said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

Im so happy and excited for you! As soon as you open a web store definitely let me know and Ill support you (and my makeup addiction) to my heart's content!

Axe Victim said...

Fantastic. Everybody should follow their dreams. Keep going and dont' stop 'til you reach the top.

Scope said...

Update time? How's your first week going? What have you had to change up already? What is working like a champ?

I (we?) want to have updates! It's our way of encouraging you. (Lord, I almost typed "en-cougar-ing" sans dashes. You so don't need THAT!)

LegalMist said...

It's beautiful! I wish you every success. :)

Anonymous said...

You did a fantastic job giving my daughter a makeover and helping her pick out the perfect products for her skin tone. She looked amazing at prom!! You are the best!!!!!