Starting a metaphysical store

[liza]

There's absolutely no metaphysical store around here, and not even in the nearest big city as far as I know. How does one start a metaphysical store in a small town? What does it take? I'm curious!

[ADMIN]

Liza,
Go on line and see what the stores have. Some have mainly books, incense, and, stones, images of Ascended master, etc...
If you decide to put up a little store, you will do really well being there are no stores about your area for miles.

[kitty]

Hey I was thinking about something like that in my area. There are a lot of artists so I was thinking art supplies & metaphysical stuff. How about Art of the Heart for a name? Let us know how it goes Liza,

Kitty

[liza]

Hey kitty! Go for it It sounds good to me. Let me know! I was thinking of selling art, too. The supplies aren't a bad idea! This place desperately needs a uplift and there's too heavy of a focus on imbalance around here. They're also building a new mall in the next town 10 mins from here, so it wouldn't be a problem getting more customers.

Been thinking about it for a while, after some trials and errors... lots of clues left by spirit about this.

I was thinking of the name Valhalla Lys because I do live in Norway and it's kind of a play on my last name. I'll just have to talk with the hubby. LOL! I found that there are some alternative fairs going on in norway, and the biggest one in europe will be in Oslo next month! Talk about synchroncity. I'll just attend a few fairs and look around what my heart leads me to. Who knows what will happen? I just wrote a very honest and assertive email to my aetat caseworker (kinda like vocational rehab counselor in US) that I intend on setting up a metaphysical shop locally, but I needed a chance to prove myself and learn more about the norwegian system. It was not going to happen until I get my beginning. My guidance felt strong about starting somewhere else, and this wouldn't happen overnight. I cc'd the letter to my caseworker's bosses to get more input, and because I haven't gotten a reply from her in months. *smiles* I'll just see what happens. Maybe a shop won't happen, maybe it will. I only know that I suddenly get very motivated when I think about this... because I felt like I couldn't really fit in this place, but now I can with this. I feel like there has been a missing piece, and this is the missing piece. Now I gotta be more responsible. lol

I love going to those kinds of store... the one I used to go to in Georgetown, DC... had a wonderful lady working there.

Thanks for your replies, ladies

[annarita]

Woo Hoo LiZA!
I suggest you talk to merchants in the area who have gift or bookstores and get a feel for the customer flow. Also consider having an online store in conjunction with an actual brick and mortar store.
Retail ( ie: human behaviour) here in Sedona, AZ USA is quite bizarre and incomprehensible to me,. Some days are gangbusters then no sales- nothing, just lookie-loos. The virtual store is a good back-up to keep revenue coming in.
Pagan supplies are hot (herbs, etc.)Essential oils are hot. Angels, angel jewelry, angel tarot cards and crystals (esp. moldavite, you could get that from MirRA!)
Get my drift? Do lots of homework. Good prepration will have you sailing right along.
I have my flower and crystal essences and sprays in 7 different metaphysical stores in the Sedona area. Sedona (Pop 15000) gets 6 million visitors a year.
People are seeking and desiring tools for expansion and transformation. They also want to do stuff like healing meditations and aromatherapy, tarot classes etc. those can be done after hours in a store.

edited 'cause my spelling sucks after a long day working at my part time job at a metaphysical store.Really!

[liza]

Thanks, annarita, for your excellent tips and encouragement. Lots of possibilities here!

Yes, I will have to learn about the norwegian laws regarding business. A net store is a good idea

I'm just gonna have to learn to do tarot readings. LOL But I like numerology, and I can do it. It doesn't hurt to be versatile either.

Those aura reading machines seem like a nice idea. What do you think?

I have a choice in 4 years to be a norwegian citizen, and possibly denounce my american citizenship. I don't know what will happen.

[annarita]

Aura camera is a great idea. People love seeing their auras.
The aura-video machines are better than the polaroid type because you can see your aura changing every second and can snap a still of it from the screen. Here's an example of my aura before and after essences-kind of blurry cause I scanned it:

members.surfbest.net/annarita/videoaura2.jpg

Here in Sedona one store has one, it gives you an analysis and a psychic reader gives you their metaphysical interpretation. They ARE expensive, but totally cool .

BTW I have Italian citizenship as well as US, I don't think one has anything to do with the other, so I don't see why you can't have both unless Norway's laws make you give up the US one.

edited for spelling after proper caffeination. ach! just another excuse.

[Sowelu]

Wow, annarita, that's quite a difference!!

I've never had an aura photo done and I've wanted to for years. I wish I knew of a place to do it around here.

Liza I definitely think that's a good idea! My roommate doesn't "believe" in any of the spiritual shtuff I might play with, but he also thinks aura photos are fun, so you'd cover a large base with something like that, I'd think.

[liza]

Guys, this looks like a good supplier site to get started with a net business in selling new age products for a couple of hundred bucks. www.newagereseller.com/ Looks like you get 50 percent off each item, and you "pay"50 percent to get the items that the customers order at "full" retail. Affiliatin' business.

It's only limited to US residents still living in USA though! So it's not viable for me, but it could be for any of you living in US.

Annarita, your aura photos rock! I love them. The video imaging is absolutely a fantastic idea, and I would love to have that. The idea of recording aura on photos has always intrigued me for years. It would be a great tool to aid with finding blockages or just have people look at their own auras and figure things out for themselves. As for having dual citizenship, only my offspring would be allowed to hold dual citizenship of US/Norway. *wails* But time can change countries a lot!

Sowelu, thanks for the tip I've always found that even people who don't believe in a lot of new age concepts, they are still fascinated by aura viewing as well!

[sama]

liza - you go for it, girl! i think you have the motivation to succeed without a doubt!

those aura photos are brilliant - we are just beginning to get them in the uk now, but i havent come across anywhere that does them yet. i would imagine that they would be an enormous pull for visitors.

indian head massage and ear candling are going down a storm here at the moment - there are a few stores which have a small treatment room in the back where these are done.

blessings,
sama

[liza]

Thanks sama for the encouragement.
That's interesting about the indian head massage and ear candling. Have you tried them yet?

[sama]

sadly, no, but i have heard VERY good reports of them!

sama

[kitty]

Liza,
I stopped by a place called The Glass Barn that just opened a few miles down the road. I thought it would be a big old barn, but it's just a small (10x10?) shed. They sell stained glass supplies. They are a couple miles off the main highway. And the gal running it commutes just like I do only she has cut back to three days, just like I plan on doing as soon as I can. I have a 12'x20' shed that I want to fix up and I live right on the highway. So, if she can do it I guess I can too. At least start at my place and move to town if it goes well.

I'm glad I stopped by The Glass Barn because it's just what I needed to inspire me to go for it. Now to get my dad to fix up my shed "The Bunny Barn". I'm hoping to cut back to 4 days next year and maybe I can start by opening just on Saturdays.

We should bounce ideas back and for Liza. If you want to contact me direct my emial is [e-mail]

[liza]

Kitty, please do feel free to share your experiences and plans whenever you feel like it. I shall do the same, though it would take a long time to actualize since I need to start somewhere else first.. but we'll see after what happens with my latest job search.

I hope it goes well with your new store, kitty! Take a photo of it It seems like a good place to set up shop near a highway. Does that mean you are working two jobs next year, if you are gonna open on Saturdays and work at the other job? Wow! Now that's an idea. I will glady email you for more corresponding. Thanks!

I feel kind of nervous now because Imp says if we start this business at the expense of our house, we could lose the house. So, yeah, I'm taking the time to do my homework more! I've been looking at norwegian laws regarding industry and commerce. There is a lot of rules.. eek! But it's very common to have a small firm with 1-4 people working in it around here, so I will assume that is a very familiar territory to tread around in Norway.

With that in mind... I'd like to go to the alternativ messe (alternative expo) in Oslo next month. They say it'll be a huge gathering. Who knows what'll happen?!

This is only in norsk, sorry but here's the link: www.altnett.no/messene/136
This explains how this gathering will be the only one in Europe to have an extensive program with many people coming from all over the world. It's very hard to get a place for your booth, and there is a long waiting list. They will have 400 different activities in 3 days.. lectures, classes, & teaching will be held in 16 different rooms. They say this is a rare opportunity to interact with many likeminded people and to learn from each other, and to show each other latest info and products. Health products, books, therapy types, etc. The goal for this expo is to create a community open to everyone... with tolerance and understanding. A positive experience can contribute to inspiration and growth. Just what I am looking for!

[ADMIN]

Liza,
That New Age Seller sounds interestng. I once had my mail order business which then took me into a flea market then to my own sotre. It all went down the drain when my ex decided he wanted half of the business.
I still have stuff left over from back then which I always say will put on e-bay to sell. I still haven't gotten around to doing it.
Having a business were not only are you being a source for people to find things for their spiritual journey but it very satisfing as well doing something you enjoy.
I had a miniature, sports cards/comics, collectibles, and doll houses store and I loved it when everyone who enter my store became like a child again enjoying all the stuff that are meant for kids only.
So, if you can set up a place, go for it!