I am not one to talk about how bad it is and financial difficulties we may or may not face.  I am one who doesn't want to sit around telling war stories.  That said, our Decenber was awful, partly due to the large snowstorm in mid-December and an almost complete collapse of sales in January.  We didn't consider Lynni's bridge solution, but we did worry that we could run out of financial resources before the economy turned around.

I prefer to associate with winners amd pick up on ideas that are working for them.  I asked Bev if she could benefit from a group that shared problems and suggested solutions.  She asked if it was over the internet and said she didn't have time to do anything but call on interior designers and help with their questions, deal with vendors and take care of her showroom.

That's why in this blog I have commented on new ideas for additional sales, the positive side of what's happening in the economy and the social networking that seems to be changing the traditional way of meeting the consumer's needs.  I've written about what's working for us and what we are doing to get more business.

If you want to share your misery and seek solutions.  If you just want to talk with other retailers, because they understand what you are going through, then check out the Groups on Linked in.  The groups can have discussions on any subject that is of interest to its members.  We are members of ASID, IIDA, Home Furnishings Industry Professionals, Interior Design and Social Networking for Furniture Retailers, Manufacturers and Suppliers.  We even started our own group for the Oregon area:  Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery for Designers.

Lynni and I are there for you and are more than willing to offer suggestions or refer you to others with more experience, but we are also just like you and going through the same kind of pain that you are.  We have our fears and down moments. 

Thoughts? You can comment directly, email me at landfair3554@comcast.net or follow me @landfairfurnitu