Confession time

I hear it often, "SmartyPants is the best resale shop ever!". Compliments are always welcome and appreciated, and criticism too, I want to know where I can improve and what you as the customer would like to see in the shop.

It's time to confess , all the great ideas, promotions, and the way our shop runs so smoothly, is not by chance. As owner of SmartyPants I belong to an organization called NARTS (National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops).

For the last 2 years, I have attended a national conference and spent 5 days straight attending seminars, visiting other resale shops, and picking the brains of over 400 resale shop owners. It is truly amazing the knowledge I gain...oh, I do manage to have a little fun too!

Here's a picture of me with some of my new BFF's of the resale industry.

In 2006 I made the reservations to conference in Atlanta Georgia. It would be the first time I had ever gone anywhere by myself. I have never paid attention before, my husband even carries my luggage and I just float along beside him oblivious to which gate or even which airline we're flying on.

I got dropped off at the little airport in Indianapolis feeling confident, found my gate, boarded my plane, and all is well with the world. I arrived in Atlanta and thought WOW this is a huge and busy airport a far cry from the little airport in Indy. I saw a sign that said "baggage claim" I wanted to claim my baggage, but the arrow was pointing to a train....hmmmm that just seemed wierd to me. I walked a long hallway all the while seeing the sign and multiple train entrances with the "baggage claim" sign overhead. Finally I decided to get in it, nervous I may end up God knows where!

Apparently I flew on professional traveler day, because everyone else was so confidently moving on and off of the train. Finally the ride ended, and I got off. Wow, it was actually the baggage claim area the airport is so large that yes, I needed to take the train to pick up my suitcase. Oh, and by the way, I stood there at baggage claim forever looking for not only one small black suitcase, but two suitcases which looked exactly like the hundreds of others circling by. I made a mental note to tell my husband how much I appreciate all the little things he always does for me!

Suitcases in tow, I meet the humid climate of HOTlanta Georgia, and I'm off to find a shuttle to the airport. I walk to the waiting place, and am greeted by a husband, wife and their daughter from New York owners of a kid's resale shop. Instantly we are chatting it up talking about our shops, and how we do things. Conference begins before you even hit the hotel!

What a great opportunity to learn, the seminars were wonderful, the other shopkeepers were open and friendly sharing ideas of what works in their shops, and a lot of the learning takes place in the down time, when you just bump into someone with a nametag and start sharing ideas.

San Antonio Texas was the next HOT spot for conference in '07. The trip was a breeze, and again, I met up with some of my very best friends and laughed and enjoyed the Texas charm, and learned A LOT! I also visited the Alamo, but forgot my camera, darn.

In June '08 conference will be in my own backyard, Indianapolis, and I just can not wait! Another chance to absorb all my brain will allow. I wonder what the "rock my world" moment will be this year, of one thing I am sure, I will come home, exhuasted with a head full of new good ideas to make the store an even better place for you to shop!