Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tony Hazzard, owner of Cover to Cover Bookshelf, located in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business offers a wide selection of pre-owned books, New and Pre-owned comics, and related items for all members of the family at reasonable prices. Whether you want to buy, sell or donate, just contact us for information or visit us for friendly, personal, and reliable service.
Tell us about yourself
I was originally working for another bookstore in the Winnipeg area when the opportunity came up to go on my own in December of 1987. I had a drive that I wanted to do books in a way different than had been done at the store that I was working for(I tried to implement some of the ideas I had) and figured the only way to do that would be to have my own store. In September of `995, I opened a 2nd location. In 2009 I combined both locations into one store. Helping people get the books and comics they want or need is my biggest motivating factor. When you see the look on the customers' faces after you have been able to connect them with a book or comic that they have been looking for, it's a great feeling.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being in business for close to 35 years and surviving all the ups and downs like being able to expand the business, watching former employees succeed at their goals, and building a great following of reliable and loyal customers who are willing to follow you from location to location, surviving the incoming of the GST, the Flood of the Century in 97, the economic downturn of 2009, roof collapsing and COVID.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Some of the decisions you have to make are either hiring or firing a person, whether you are going to re-sign and stay at a location or move the business. Having to make changes to the products you carry and whether you can stay the course on prices or have to start to increase them. Sometimes dealing with the local municipalities can also be a very hard challenge as a business owner.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Some customers can be your greatest allies, but they can also be some of the biggest detriments to the business. You have to keep on top of whatever changes or trends are happening and see what might work for your location. You may get lots of people saying that they have this product or this service that would be great for your business, but when you spend the extra time looking at the proposal, more often than not, you will find that it won't be suitable to you. Word of mouth is one of the best tools you can use to grow your business. At times you will get a call from salespeople telling you that you can save money by switching to their product and service, but when you do the research, you will find that if they save you 40% on your terminal fee, but the terminal or system is always down, and you lose 1, 2 or 3 days of sales on your busiest days are you really saving money.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Being in business for close to 35 years, I have seen wonderful things, but I have also seen the depths of what people will do to get a product or even a refund on a product. You will get a wonderful customer who will come in and make your day, then 2 minutes later you will find that the other person that was in the store that made a fuss and stormed out, had put some items in their jacket and threw the fit just to make you less suspicious of them until it was too late. Sometimes people are going to write great social media posts, and you don't even realize that you have such an effect on them; other times, you will do everything possible to make the customer happy, and you think that you have done that until you see the one-star review about how long it took you to give them what they wanted. Just do your best, and if you get criticism, try not to take it too much to heart. Analyze it and if it's constructive, change it; if it's not, try to let it go.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://www.covertocoverbookshelf.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/covertocoverbookshelf/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/covertocoverbookshelf/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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