time Archives - American Quilt Retailer

Posted on May 10, 2023May 8, 2023 by AQR Piece by Piece

Executive Retreats

Running a business can be overwhelming, and getting bogged down in day-to-day details can hinder strategic thinking. Sometimes, taking a step back and creating space is essential to moving your business forward. That’s where an executive retreat comes in. In this post, we cover five ways to structure an executive retreat for your business.

Define your goal: Before scheduling an executive retreat, identify what you want to accomplish. This could be anything from generating more revenue to planning a marketing event or scheduling classes for the upcoming quarter.
Choose the right space: When choosing a retreat location, ensure that it is a place where you can focus without distractions. (For some, this may mean avoiding your home!) Consider all your options such as library study rooms or an Airbnb.
Clear your mind: A helpful way to declutter your mind is to make a to-do list. Write down every task you can think of, and then review it. If a task only takes a few minutes, do it later. For tasks that require deep focus or multiple steps, consider adding them to your retreat agenda.
Schedule the time: It can be challenging to dedicate three to four days to an executive retreat. If that’s the case, consider breaking up your retreat into 90-minute to 3-hour sessions.
Get to work: It’s time to start your retreat! Don’t forget to take breaks, such as going for walks or watching some Netflix. However, during your work sessions, consider using a site blocker to eliminate any temptations.

Executive retreats are an excellent way to provide space for strategic thinking to move your business forward. By following this outline, you can ensure your first executive retreat will be a successful one.

Inspiration for this post comes from Christy Nelson’s article “Make Time for Executive Retreats,” published in the April 2023 issue of Creative Retailer. Christy Nelson is the owner of Makit Takit, a craft studio in Lincoln, Nebraska.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to Creative Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you. And don’t forget, you can always purchase single issues if you prefer that instead.

Posted on February 18, 2022February 18, 2022 by AQR Piece by Piece

Time Flexibility

We all know time is money. But like money, we only have a certain amount of time in a day. Managing this, and being flexible with the changes that can happen along the way, is a topic I’ve been reflecting on.

Time Flexibility

Winter is hard, and if you’re anything like me it’s easy to slip into work mode. Next thing you know, other areas of your life start to be neglected. A friend calls to catch up and you realize your life has been consumed by work.

So how do you stop yourself from slipping into the haze of work mode? Ironically, I’ve found scheduling time for myself and time for hobbies has been the best balance.

Setting and enforcing work boundaries has also been a help. Mainly setting specific work hours – and sticking to them. If I find I can’t complete my work during those set hours, I find a way to work more efficiently.

And finally, I try to have a long-term mindset. It would be nice if I could everything done at once but that is not only unrealistic but a one-way ticket to exhaustion.

Time Management

Another trick I’ve been trying is scheduling each hour of my work day (breaks included). My process is simple as writing my daily-to-do list on a post it note; looking at my calendar, and filling in what needs to be done. I spend leftover time furthering my education or planning long-term projects.

Supposedly this tactic helps to save your creativity bank, and so far I’ve found that to be true. Plus, it’s helped me be more realistic with how long certain tasks take and enforces not spending too much time on one thing.

Don’t forget to check out our upcoming AQR Academy events including AQR Academy: The Buzz – Spring Fling ’22 on April 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST as well as AQR Academy Live April 19-21 just outside of Des Moines, Iowa. Take advantage of all our educational opportunites through our 2022 AQR Academy All Access Membership sale. Registration is open until March 31.

Posted on November 25, 2020November 25, 2020 by AQR Piece by Piece

Tackle Your Business Stress

Has stress been a big part of your year? If it has, you’re definitely not alone. Don’t let stress run your life. Practice some of these tips to reduce what’s on your plate.

Maximize your time

If interruptions get in the way of completing tasks, plan around that. The most obvious move is put your phone on do not disturb, set an alarm, and get to work.

If not being available for your business seems out of the question, work during the best time that you can avoid interruptions. If you’re a morning person, wake up an hour earlier to get work done. If you’re a night owl, plan an hour before bed to knock those to-do tasks out.

Ever consider NOT attending that webinar you registered for to give yourself breathing room? Give it a try sometime, and see if the world ends.

Lastly, do you have a constant stream of marketing efforts to attract new customers? Word of mouth is still the best from of referral, but social media is the next best. Develop your online persona so your customers can feel the personal touch your business provides.

Automate, Delegate, Eliminate

Do you still do the bookkeeping manually? What other tasks do you do by hand? Set some time aside to research how you can automate through apps, sites, and services.

Further, do you personally answer every email, return every voicemail, go through the inventory, etc.? Delegate those tasks to free yourself to more pressing matters that will take your business the extra mile.

Finally, eliminate the negativity in your life, including the unneeded stressers that your business may cause. Try some of these tips to get you closer to managing the stress in your life.

Inspiration for this post came from “Is Business Stress Ruining Your Life?” by Beth Montpas published in the October 2020 issue of American Quilt Retailer.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

Posted on August 26, 2020August 25, 2020 by AQR Piece by Piece

How your craft helps your store

When work on your craft weans your business also suffers. Finding the time, money, and support to stay up to date on your craft can prove a difficult challenge.

Read on to discover ways to stay in the game, and how your craft helps your business too.

Time

How can we find the time to work on what we love? We get it, some days it’s easiest to come home, make dinner, and turn on the TV. You’re not alone in wanting to kick back. Try some of these hacks used by busy mothers and quilt shop owners to find the time to work on the hobby you love.

Enlist help. Consider working on something the entire family can join in on. Or, if you’d rather work on a project with people your own age, plan a retreat for your friends to work on a project with you.

If a schedule is something you need, write in time in your planner to work on your hobby just like you would a haircut or a meeting. Or, if your day is full of interruptions, put your quilt blocks in a room you’re always in. Perhaps the kitchen table, to pick up and work on while you’re making coffee or waiting for someone to arrive.

Money

Another major barrier to working on your craft is money. If some projects feel like they’re too expensive, think about it this way. If you make something fabulous with the most expensive products and hang it in your store, your store will benefit too. Customers will ask questions about what you used and will buy those products so their project can look as great as yours.

Support

Remember, it’s ok to ask for help. If you miss working on your craft, ask your spouse to help with child care one weekend afternoon. If you have a birthday or holiday coming up, consider asking for supplies or a retreat as a gift so you can continue your work. Everyone likes to see someone in their life thrive, and oftentimes asking for help is the easiest way to get there.

Inspiration for this blog post came from “Don’t be a hypocrite” by Beth Montpas published in the June 2020 issue of American Quilt Retailer.

Posted on February 19, 2020February 18, 2020 by AQR Piece by Piece

Common quilting mistakes

Learning a new skill can be both fun and challenging, but making mistakes along the way is just part of the journey (and part of the fun too). Check out these mistakes made by both beginning and experienced quilters alike to help you become an expert quilter in no time.

Take your time

Someone very wise once told me haste makes waste. This is true for all things in life, but whether you’re working on your first quilt, or your 50th, you can still make very basic mistakes by working on a project too quickly.

Along with taking your time, it’s also important to plan ahead. Planning your quilt in advance can save time later down the line. Make sure you have enough fabric and plan your piecing beforehand to make sure your project is executed seamlessly (no pun intended).

Basic mistakes

One of the largest and most noticeable mistakes beginning quilters make is cutting incorrectly. It’s important to be precise on every quilt, but especially for quilts with a lot of piecing.

Another common mishap is not back stitching. Back stitching is important in securing the ends of pieces, and can contribute to blocks not squaring away.

Two common things beginning quilters get wrong are batting and marking tools. If you’re unsure what batting would be best to use, seek assistance at a fabric store. Also at fabric stores are machine washable markers perfect for quilt projects; buy several so you always have multiple at hand.

Fabric mistakes

Common fabric mistakes include pressing too hard and not buying enough. Again, when in doubt consult an employee at a fabric store if you’re not sure how many yards of fabric you’ll need for a project. Also don’t forget to prewash that fabric once you bring it home from the store, especially if a quilt is going to include colors by white material.

Last but not least, follow pattern directions. Some new patterns are harder than they seem; stick to the directions to make sure the quilt turns out as it should.

What are some things you wish you knew when you started quilting? Quilting is a life-long journey and an ever-evolving art; making some mistakes along the way is just part of the fun.

Thanks to Create with Claudia for the inspiration behind this post.

Posted on February 12, 2020February 12, 2020 by AQR Piece by Piece

Manage your phone habits

Our cell phones have become a central part of our lives. They’re the first things we check in the morning, we never leave the house without them, and we can’t even sit on the toilet without scrolling through a timeline.

Even if using your phone less isn’t on your radar, check out these tips to see if 1) it should be and 2) how to get some time back in your day.

Turn off notifications

Do you pick up your phone every time you see you have a new notification? Not only is this incredibly disrupting to the task you’re working on at hand, but constantly checking social media can contribute to feeling like you’re always missing out (in other words, FOMO). You’d be surprised how turning off notifications can help you check social media less. After all, out of sight means out of mind.

Limit phone time

Most phones have a system setting that shows how much time you’re spending on your phone and on what apps. This setting will send you a notification every week so you can track your progress. It can even show you how often you pick up your phone, and for what notifications!

Another way to limit phone time is by switching your display settings. Studies have shown that changing your display from color to black and white really does take the enjoyment out of scrolling, which means less time spent mindlessly scrolling.

Time equals money

What would you do if you had an extra hour in your day? As it turns out, you don’t need magic to make this happen—with some determination (and lifestyle changes) you can add more meaningful time in your life.