Who Dat Need Beads?

By David Prange

I just got back from the “Who Dat Nation” (aka New Orleans) as I write this column. I was there to root on the Saints to their first ever Super Bowl victory…oops, I mean to visit very important customers. But that comes later. My American Dream, as many do, started on a barstool.

I had gone to my favorite local watering hole for one of their delicious Bloody Marys and to reserve a stool for the big game. It was 10:45am. I settled in with my drink and the local papers, just killing time and enjoying the local flavor. Then I realized the game didn’t start for another six hours! What was I going to do all that time?

Just then I saw an ad for wholesale beads; the warehouse advertised hours of 24/7/365. I decided it would be good to get some of the local currency and some souvenirs for my kids, so I hailed a cab. With all the Mardi Gras parade routes and Super Bowl traffic, it was a mess, but I made it there by 12:30. I started to shop.

Man, I had no idea there were so many types. I had about 12 dozen assorted beads for every occasion when my representative suggested that I should take a few New Orleans Saints beads too, since it was such a special day. That was when it hit me, my American Dream of February 7, 2010. I would start selling these Saints beads, five varieties to choose from, on Bourbon Street! Easy money, cover my overhead and have some good ol’ retail sales fun. Some business plan.

I added a few dozen of each to my order. Happily paying the cashier, I hoisted the box of beads onto my shoulder and left the store. Uh oh! No cabs, no problem, I will just walk to the French Quarter and start counting the money! But who knew plastic beads could be so heavy? Twenty-five minutes and two angry shoulders later, I set up shop in the middle of Bourbon Street; “shop” meaning a place for my 50-pound box. I merchandised as best I could, one arm for $5 beads, one arm for $10 beads and the rest around my neck. Now I just needed a marketing campaign. I smiled and shouted a variety of come-ons until the people started to come up. I stayed firm on my prices to test my menu and the marketplace.

Continued
[ 1 ] [ 2 ]

[Printer-friendly version]

Comments