End of 4th week.

Well, the fourth week of school is coming to an end, but it seems like the work is never ending. I’m not slacking, but I feel like I am barely able to keep my head above water. I’m glad a month has elapsed since the first day at school; I’m ready for this semester to end. It has been a good week overall, Dana and I got our brief presentation for management out of the way. If feels so good to be done with it. I was so nervous though, my hands were shaking. I’m not sure why I was so nervous during the presentation; it was the 100th “speech” I’ve had to do in my life. I was so nervous, I forgot how to spell “discount” on the board. Yes—DISCOUNT! Oh God, how embarrassing.

I’ve been extra busy this semester. This month we opened a third kiosk in the mall, and it was probably a mistake. A mistake I’m hoping will pay off in the end—literally. Plus I probably shouldn’t have opened it in September, the slowest month of the year. There are advantages and disadvantages of having kiosks over in-line stores. In-line stores in the mall have to pay for their electricity and all maintenance to do with their stores. AC breaks down, too bad, you got to fix it. Toilet not flushing properly, too bad, you got to fix it. Ceiling leaks when it rains, too bad, it’s your responsibility to fix it. The in-line stores are also big, and they have to be filled up with more merchandise, so more money is invested in those stores. Kiosks are good for people who are looking to make money, but want to avoid the big investment. I was able to open my kiosks without borrowing a dime from the bank, or anyone else for that. Of course, I worked hard for five years and saved all the money I made. I didn’t have much of a social life, but I’m glad I had enough discipline to avoid spending money for temporary joy. Now I enjoy almost all of my days, I constantly go on trips. My husband and I go out about five times a week. About the only disadvantage I see having a kiosk versus and in-line store is that I don’t get the comfort of a private store. We have to use the mall bathrooms, well I don’t have to, I know a lot of people in the mall, and I just go use the bathrooms in their in-lines. Also, I pay higher rent than in-lines.

Being in the retail business, I’m excited about the holidays coming up. I, obviously, like the holidays because customers are spending more money, and they aren’t hassling me about “what’s the best you can do on the price?” Also, the mall is full of people during Christmas. I love seeing a lot of people walking in the mall. I’m in the mall as I write this, and it is so depressing to see the mall dead. It seems like all the money we make during Christmas goes on rent, which triples during November and December, and on taxes in January. Plus I’m a cash paying LSUS student, so I also have spring’s tuition. Because of the expenses, we don’t save anything from the money we make during the holidays. Hopefully this year will be different.