Retail is Not for Everyone

If you hate long hours and possibly working 7 days a week, a retail business may not be for you. Sure you can stay open any hours you want but if competitors are open longer you may lose business (and repeat business). You could always leave someone else in charge when you leave but will they do the job as well as you do and give outstanding service? Some of us love long hours and being involved in our business 24/7 and that's great. If you have a young family it's tough to be away that long, so consider a partner or a different type of business.

Retail businesses have other situations to deal with in addition to long hours. You have to hire, train, retrain and supervise your staff and sometimes fire them. You also need to keep your store/location clean and in stocked condition. Handling returns, credits and exchanges also takes time and finesse so customers will come back. And of course that occaisional nasty or unpleasant customer who can't wait to confront you. These are all part of owning a retail business and it's not for everyone. When it's doing well there is noting better, if you can handle the stress.