Sucking It All In

That's right, she's a billionaire.

I'm sure most people have no idea who Sara Blakely is. I certainly didn't until Sunday, but I know her product.

I know her product oh so well, as it has become a staple; a must have, a do or die fashion element in any smartly dressed woman's wardrobe. Men, ask your ladies because they know what we are talking about. Sara Blakely can count on women all over the world knowing what we are talking about-all the way to the bank.

Sara Blakely created Spanx.

At 41 years old, she is the youngest woman and self made billionaire to ever make the prestigious list. Sara Blakely did something so simple, so brilliant that I couldn't believe that there was one person behind the idea. She re-created the girdle. She modernized a device from our great-gtrandmother's era that was villified and lothed for it's torture.

Sara Blakely changed all of that. She gave us a new name, "shapers" and make them seamless with her own two hands, then patented them with a patent book she bought at Barnes and Noble. Her first account was Nieman Marcus and soon a star was born. Today the Spanx empire boasts hundreds of styles of undergarments like: Booty Booster, The Bra-llelujah, Slim-Cognito, Skinny Britches and Trust your Thinstincts.

Women all over the globe wouldn't dare to get dressed without them. Red Carpet event atendee's have even confessed to "doubling up" on Spanx, and Hollywood regularly includes Spanx products in it's various swag bag events. I, myself will admit that I cannot live without my one, coveted Spanx favorite: The Bra-llelujiah. This garment changed my life, and honestly I will not be without it. It's comfort alone is the sole reason I choose to spend $62.00 on a bra. I have almost every color imaginable and I plan on never facing a day without my Bra-llelujiah.

Herin lies the key to Sara's sucess. She tapped into something that was taboo, forbidden and shameful and she made it modern, chic, comfortable and necessary. She made sucking in our sins a shared ritual for millions of women and in the process she made millions. Or more like billions,

Selling girldles. Who would have ever thought it possible?

Retail Therapy Is Underrated

I have a confession to make.

I've been on a retail BENDER lately and I feel good. It's just that I'm just not so sure my bank account agrees with me. It all started innocently enough.

A small luxury item like the $ungla$$es pictured above. Just the right amount of cache to make me look and feel good.

Then, someone complimented me on my new small luxury item and asked me where I bought them. I start thinking I am all smart for finding said item and start thinking about my next conquest. Surely that gorgeous handbag or blingy bracelet I've been eyeing couldn't set me back that much. Could it? The desire to own them washes over my entire body.

I decide to cut off that voice in my head and go for it! The adrenaline pumping through my veins produces happy endorphins and my enthusiasm is contagious. Now I'm beginning to believe I am an invincible shopper. Screw it! I'll just take it back later, I reason, and my credit card has the skid marks to prove it.

My family? My girlfriends? They all convince me that I deserve it. Yes, they whisper in my ear,"you work so hard all week long. Put all that hard work to use." That $uede jacket will be perfect for fall, but if I don't buy it now it will be gone. And I must have these $hoes to go with the new jeans and that expen$sive belt I bought, which I reasoned would be the only belt I'll ever need. YES! A new fragrance. YES! A scarf and a great top! Oh, YES, this is the good life. The bags keep mounting, and my heart is racing to keeping pace with my euphoria. Oh YES! YES! This is it! I can't carry even one more, overflowing with purchases, bag.

I'm on top of the world as I dash out to the car. I put the bags in the trunk and start home.

My breathing steadies.

I am contented and peaceful. The ride home is slow and relaxing, playing out the successful events in my head. I pull into the driveway and go into the house.

Yes. Life is good.

I still have to pay for it. But for now, it was all worth it.

The New Order Of Business

Becoming a retailer in this challenging economy was certainly an interesting move on my part and one that I do not regret. I know that things have changed for the consumer drastically in the past few years and with that, the climate of shopping has changed too, forcing myself and other retailers to re-think how we market to the customer. There seems to be a new order of business out there and the name of the "game" is savings....

It used to be true that this was the time for retailers to "make their year", gouge the prices if the need be, and reap the benefits of a healthy holiday buying season. Such is no longer the case, as major retailers, little guys like me, and everyone in between have had to offer, unheard of at this time, discounts to get consumers into their retail establishments. Open up your mail box or your email box and you will see what I mean. There were no less than 15 offers of 20% or more off at major retailers like JCrew, Bloomingdales, Saks, Barneys New York, etc in my email box from the time I got dressed to go to work and the time I got to work, (no more than an hour) leaving me to wonder, how do I compete?

The facts are what they are and it's a fact that discounts bring in the shoppers. Which means I must offer the customer great customer service AND a substantial discount. Will this effect my bottom line? Yes, but it won't kill me and it certainly won't hurt to build that ever important customer relationship. Gone are the days of excessive shopping, as they are a thing of the past. Even the shoppers who CAN afford to binge, simply are not. They too, appreciate a discounted price for goods. Another sure sign that the climate has changed; Nieman Marcus offered 25% off everything in the COSMETICS department last week-this is unprecedented. It has always been a rule that any discount coupon from a major retailer did NOT apply to cosmetics. It was right there in the fine print, and any savvy shopper knew it. Hence the new order of the retail business.

While forecasts for retail over all show spending to be up, I wonder how up if the majority of goods were sold at a discounted price point. Take moment to think about the discounted offers you have received in the past week and post them in the comments section. I'm guessing there are more than you can even remember. Let me know if it motivated you to go to the store, buy more, or think about checking out that store because you hadn't been there in a while. Then let me know if you intend to be on a spending spree this holiday season.

Your fellow little guy would appreciate it.