Kids are always growing—and so is our Children’s Orchard franchise! Watch this brief video featuring COO Chad Olson to find out more about the high demand for gently used children’s clothing, toys and equipment, and how the Children’s Orchard franchise is suited for the next generation of both consumers and franchisees.
Build a Successful Business with One or Many NTY Franchise Stores
You can be very successful with just one NTY Franchise store, but our business model is easily scalable, too! Find out more about this topic in the two quick videos below featuring NTY’s VP of Franchising.
Check Out the New Clothes Mentor Owner Testimonials Videos
Wonder what it would be like to own a Clothes Mentor store? How about several Clothes Mentor stores? Peruse our new owner testimonials videos to get answers to you frequently asked questions and more!
Below is a snippet to get you started. Then click here to see the full collection.
CLOTHES MENTOR: Customer Shares Her Resale Experience
Read this article to see one customer’s experience with selling items to her local store. You can also see the original article with more photos at springbargains.com.
I’ve never sold or consigned clothing before, but with trying to make sure that I’m only wearing clothes I love combined with the unfortunate event of gaining weight in the past year, I had some newer clothing that doesn’t fit well and I thought I’d try consigning it. (OK, not really consigning, where you don’t get paid until the store sells it, but taking it to a place where they give you cash for it up front. But I always think of it as consigning because I always think of these stores as consignment stores!)
I chose to consign at Clothes Mentor, because it seems like a lot of the other stores in town (Plato’s Closet, Seven Status, Hut no. 8) cater towards a younger crowd and my clothing is likely not hip enough! I’d been into Clothes Mentor once, and thought that the clothing I wanted to sell was on par with what they sold.
So, I took a small box of clothing in to see how it worked and if I’d actually get anything for it. They paid me about $2.50 per item the first time, and then after realizing I really wasn’t going to fit in a few things in the near future, I sold clothing a second time and got closer to $3.00 per item. Here’s what I learned.
#1 – They are serious about the two-years-old-or-newer rule.
They really won’t take anything that’s older than about two years, even if it’s still theoretically in style (according to my finely-tuned sense of fashion – ha!). I had a couple of dresses from Banana Republic that were really cute, but several years old, and they passed on them and everything else that was older than two years.
I did figure out that you can look at the tag on your clothing to see when it was manufactured, so you have an idea of how old it is. The tag on side of the garment on most name-brand clothing has a date on it, like this:
I haven’t found that off-brand clothing has the date on the tag, but they also will not take anything that’s not a name brand, so for purposes of selling clothing, it doesn’t really matter. I personally wouldn’t even bother taking in something that’s not a name brand, no matter how cute it is, because in my experience they really aren’t going to buy it.
(By the way, if you are going off the date on the tag, I think that they have a little leeway with it, because clearly stuff that was manufactured in July for a fall line of clothing would be in stores for awhile, so I would guess that it’s probably 2.5 years after the tag date.)
Frankly, I was a little surprised at a few of the items that they rejected, because I knew I’d seen stuff in the store that was older-looking than what I’d brought in, but they clearly know how to run the shop, not me, so I wasn’t upset or offended that they didn’t take some of my items. 🙂
#2 – You need to bring in clothing without any damage.
They don’t seem to like items that have any sort of damage, even a minor thing like a pulled string that could be easily be cut off and be as good as new. So, I would definitely check your garments over well, and clip any loose threads. (I also think that it doesn’t hurt to bring in clothing that’s folded neatly and not horribly wrinkled.)
#3 – They won’t take turtlenecks.
This one surprised be, but I learned the second time I sold items that they won’t take anything with “high necks” (in my case, it was a turtleneck). I asked why and they said they just don’t sell well.
#4 – Expect to get an average of about $3 per item.
When they pay you for the items, they give you a receipt that shows what they purchased from you, but it doesn’t say how much they paid for each item. In my case, the first time I sold items, they bought a pair of shoes, some tops, and I think a scarf; and I got an average of about $2.50 per item.
The second time, I had a couple of pairs of pants and some tops and got just under $3.00 per item. I’m totally speculating here, but I think they probably paid more for the pants and less for the tops, because some of the tops were just t-shirts.
I’m sure if you brought in some really nice dress apparel, you’d probably get more per item, but I wouldn’t expect to get too much more.
One other thing that I will mention is that you drop off your clothing and then have to come back to pick it up and decide if you want to accept the offer that they give you for the clothing that they do want to sell. The first time I did it, they were really busy with drop-offs and mine wasn’t done until several hours later. (You have to pick up the items they didn’t want in 72 hours.)
The second time, they told me they’d have it ready in about 15 minutes – I chose to go run another errand instead of sticking around, but just keep in mind that it could be a really fast process or it might be a few hours, depending on how busy they are.
Overall, I’d say that consigning/selling at Clothes Mentor was a great experience. Since they pay you on the spot, it’s a great way to get extra cash quickly even if you won’t get rich doing it. 🙂 I would totally do it again – hopefully next time because I’ve lost a little weight and can sell items as I’m sizing down! 🙂
Have you sold or consigned clothing?
I’m far from an expert! Please share your tips for consigning or selling adult or children’s clothing!
CLOTHES MENTOR: 6 Ways To Treat Your True Customers Well
Clothes Mentor franchisee Kate Paynter wrote this helpful article for the Women On Business website. Read the article below or check it out on womenonbusiness.com.
Every year, I make a point to set a new goal for my business. Not just for me, but for all the men and women I’m proud to call team members. The goal becomes a theme that we will build on throughout the year, affecting everyone from the CEO to the front line employees. Or as I like to refer to them, my “true” customers.
Prioritizing customer service for the end customer or final consumer is nothing new. But when you are a multi-unit business owner with several layers of management, you probably don’t spend much time engaged in traditional customer service. You do have customers, however; you just may not have thought of them that way.
In 2016, I’m making it a priority to treat my true customers well. Those would be the district managers I interact with on a daily basis and count on to help the business succeed. In turn, I’ll encourage them to treat their “true” customers, the store managers, well. It’s a mission I want to trickle all the way down to our front line employees whose true customer is the final consumer.
Whether you are a business owner or manager, chances are you are providing a work experience for somebody. That somebody is a customer. Employees pay with something much more valuable than money. They pay with their time, their skills, and their effort. Supervisors that expect their teams to treat customers like royalty have an obligation to do the same for their staff.
Here are some ways to get it done:
1. Solicit Regular Feedback
Whether you use anonymous surveys, open discussions, or exit interviews, putting mechanisms in place to generate specific feedback from employees is a critical starting point.
What is the best part about working here? What is the worst part? What would you do differently if you were in charge? Where are we missing opportunities?
2. Schedule Time to Review Feedback Regularly
Weekly, monthly, quarterly — whatever time you select, have a plan for how it will be discussed. I like to review everything before the meeting, then offer my managers a summary of what we will be discussing.
Remember not to spend the entire time on what needs to improve. Dedicate some time to what the employees say is being done well. Not only is that an opportunity to offer praise for good achievement, it’s a chance for your team members to hear what’s working and see how they can implement it, as well.
3. Finish Each Meeting with an Implementation Plan and Make Good on It
Nothing will undercut your efforts to generate regular feedback than a collective sense from your employees that they aren’t being heard. This doesn’t mean you have to solve every problem, but letting people know that their concern was discussed goes a long way.
Compile your meeting notes into a summary email and distribute it to all team members. Begin with what’s going to be a top priority, followed by midterm fixes, long-term fixes, and tabled issues. Finish with anything that won’t be addressed again but offer a detailed explanation why.
4. Be Nice
I’ve been a business owner for more than 20 years and know the pressure women feel to prove that they have the toughness to succeed in business. However, a perpetual scowl and grumpy demeanor will do far more harm than good. It’s difficult to expect your front line employees to wear a smile when dealing with customers if they are regularly greeted with their supervisor’s frown.
Being nice isn’t a weakness, being afraid to be nice is. If you show confidence in your mission and consistency in your operation, there is no reason you can’t be respected while still being nice.
5. Use Your Business to Inspire Your Employees
Would your employees consider their positions to be their jobs, their careers, or their callings? Some would say that answer has more to do with the work than the organization providing it, but I believe a company’s management team has a lot to do with how meaningful they make the work.
As a resale store owner, I don’t describe our team members as selling used clothes. We’re putting cash in local women’s pockets for their gently used items. We’re helping people look like a million bucks for pennies on the dollar. We are selling confidence through clothing without busting the family budget. That’s important work that we can all rally behind.
6. Measure Results
At regular points throughout the year, we’ll take stock of how our efforts are coming. We will look deeply at our retention rates, compare employee satisfaction levels, and review where we are succeeding and where we need improvement.
Don’t make the mistake of waiting until the end of the year to check in on your progress. If your goal is to improve or maintain a high level of “true” customer satisfaction, there is no sense in waiting until December to find out that what you’re doing isn’t working. Analyze results. Develop what’s working. Scrap what isn’t.
For me, success looks like this piece of feedback from one of my most trusted managers. She is one of my true customers whom I am proud to serve.
“Continued support from such a great family/company to work for is making my experience here one to cherish. ‘Take care of the employees and they will take care of the customers’ greatly describes the way you run this “family,” and it truly makes me enjoy going to work everyday. I couldn’t be happier!”
About the Author
Kate Paynter is a pioneer in the $12 billion resale industry. She and her mother, Becky, own and operate several resale franchise units in Cincinnati, Ohio, including upscale women’s resale clothing store, Clothes Mentor.
Moms Make Amazing Business Owners
Building a business and building a family can happen simultaneously—just ask any of the four mom-preneurs highlighted in this article by Sacha Strebe for My Domaine.
“There has never been a better time for women to be creatively fulfilled and also pursue the role of motherhood. The digital era in a way has set us free. Our value cannot be hidden anymore; it’s out there in the open for all to see.”
– Sheree Commerford, stylist and founder of Captain and the Gypsy Kid, featured in the article mentioned above.
NTY Franchise Company has helped inspired moms like Sheree pursue their creative passions and achieve their dreams of owning a business many times over. Passionate about fashion and kids? Open a Children’s Orchard store and do what you love every day.
Check out the article for more inspiring tips and advice for running a successful business while raising a family.
CHILDREN’S ORCHARD: Successful Franchisees Share Their Secrets
Check out this insightful interview from Business-Opportunities.biz featuring two longtime Children’s Orchard franchisees:
Successful franchisees Claudia & Donahi share their story
We recently spoke with Claudia Aguirre and Donahi Bunt, owners of a Children’s Orchard franchise in McAllen, Texas, and learned why they chose the franchise, what challenges they faced when they first started out and, lastly, what advice they have for potential franchisees.
How long have you been a franchise owner?
11 years.
What were you doing before becoming a franchise owner?
We both had worked part time in our families’ businesses for years. (Claudia in the Maquila field and Donahi in the telecommunications field.) It came a time that we wanted to have the experience to create and operate our own business.
Why did you choose Children’s Orchard franchise opportunity?
As moms, we know how expensive it is to dress the kids in style and how fast they outgrow their clothes. Children’s Orchard offers parents a way to make money by selling their children’s outgrown, gently used items. Plus, they can stick around and shop for fashionable clothing, toys and equipment for a fraction of the retail price. It’s a great concept!
What were some of the challenges you faced starting a franchise?
Finding a way to finance the business and creating an appropriate work and life balance was difficult, especially in the early years when we were just getting the business going.
Where did you research or get advice about starting a franchise?
We called some store owners and talked to a lawyer, but we already knew we wanted to be part of the Children’s Orchard team. During our first year of operation, we visited some of the top performing Children’s Orchard franchises to learn about their daily processes.
How much does starting a franchise cost?
All of our money! Truthfully, it was an amount very close to what the corporate office told us, but we exceeded that during the first couple of years.
What does a typical day look like for you?
In the early years we were both full-time at the store. Little by little, we built a great team capable of handling much of the day-to-day operations. One of us takes care of the administration and the other takes care of advertising and marketing.
What is your secret to success?
Remember, your customers are the reason you are in business. When something goes wrong, spend your time and energy making it right. Don’t waste time searching for someone to blame. Stay focused on your goals, and track your results. Build a great team to help you reach your goals.
What would you do differently if you had to do it all over?
We would definitely invest more time into learning about our market before opening our doors.
Where do you see your business in five years?
We just moved to a bigger location for the third time, so right now, we just want to focus on getting everything under control and use this change to impact our sales and community involvement in a positive way.
What is one trend that really excites you?
Businesses becoming more eco-friendly is really exciting. It’s rewarding to be part of that trend by allowing parents to recycle their children’s clothes and toys.
What are your favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
Google Drive: All our images, documents, ideas and campaigns are available on any device!
Constant Contact: We love being able to email market!
Do you (or did you ever) have a mentor?
We like to look for learning opportunities everywhere. Other store owners have helped with that learning process.
What advice do you have for others looking to own a franchise?
Understand that you are buying a franchise in order to mitigate risk and follow a proven success model. If you’re not willing to follow a franchise system, you’ll want to look for another opportunity.
Learn everything you can about the franchise before you buy. Get to know the management team, the owners and the history of the franchise. Talk to as many franchisees as possible, and ask questions. If possible, visit a few franchise units to see the day-to-day operation and talk to customers regarding their opinion of the business.
Would you recommend others be franchisees? Why?
Yes. Buying into a franchise gives you a proven system and support from people with experience in the industry. At the same time, you are the business owner, so you must stay focused in order to succeed.
Where can people get more information on Children’s Orchard franchise opportunities?
Visit the website here.
Where can people find Children’s Orchard on social media?Facebook
CLOTHES MENTOR: Franchisee Talks About Her Stores
Thinking about opening a franchise store? You’ve got to listen to this radio piece from 97.5 BEN FM featuring multiple Clothes Mentor store owner Chris Barnett of Pennsylvania. She’s passionate about the brand and her community, and it shows in the success of her stores. Click on the icon below to listen.
Check out Barnett’s West Chester and Springfield stores.
